GENERAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Saturday AM - Sacramento Valley Open Championship

Saturday PM - Pre-Premier Competition

Sunday AM - Sacramento Valley Scottish National Dance Premiership

Sunday PM - Pre-Premier Competition

Schedule for Saturday April 11, 2026 (subject to change)

8:30 AM - Registration begins for Sacramento Valley Championship for Premier dancers

9:00 AM - Championship dancing begins with the 2026 Highland Fling

12:00 PM - Free Children's Scottish Highland Dance Lesson on the stage 

1:00 PM - Registration begins for Pre-Premier Competition 

1:30 PM - Dancing begins for Pre-Premier Competition

5:00 PM - Closing Ceremonies 

Schedule for Sunday April 12, 2026 (subject to change)

8:30 AM - Registration begins for Sacramento Valley Premiership for Premier dancers

9:00 AM - Championship dancing begins with Scottish Lilt

12:00 PM - Free Children's Scottish Highland Dance Lesson on the stage 

12:30 PM - Registration begins for Pre-Premier Competition 

1:00 PM - Dancing begins for Pre-Premier Competition

Rules

1. The Sacramento Valley Championship is sanctioned by, and conducted under rules and regulations of, the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (RSOBHD). The competition will be governed by the rules and regulations of the RSOBHD.

2. All competitors must be registered with the RSOBHD in order to dance and must have their 2026 registration cards with them in order to collect awards.

3. The earliest entry dances last; latest entry dances first.

4. Age groups will be determined by the number of entries received, other than indicated above. 

5. Judges who conduct teaching or coaching classes, seminars or any other forms of tuition (e.g. by video conferencing), may not adjudicate any competitor who has attended any of these classes, for a period of three months after the last class, workshop, or any other form of tuition that competitor has attended. 

6. The number of competitors will determine the number of prizes.

7. Any dancer not present at the time of their event forfeits their entry to said event.

8. Communication, or attempted communication, with a judge or piper, by or about a competitor will result in the disqualification of that competitor. 

9. All winners must be in Highland competition dress to accept medals and trophies. 

10. No entry fees can be refunded, other than for cancellation of the event by the organizers.

11. The Competition Committee reserves the right to cancel, combine, and/or add events, reject any entry, or make changes within the RSOBHD Rules and Regulations. 

12. Judges’ decisions are final. 

13. Dancer numbers will be issued on the day during registration. 

14. The Organizer accepts no responsibility for loss of equipment or injury.  

15. The Sacramento Area includes all dancers who take lessons, reside, and/or take lessons from a teacher who lives in the County of Sacramento or a 25-mile radius from the State Capitol Grounds. 

16. Recorded music may be used. 

17. Five dollars per dancer will be collected and donated to ScotDance USA West.

Special Awards and Trophies

Most Promising Sacramento Area Beginner Dancer · Open to all Sacramento-area Beginner dancers. This trophy will be awarded to the Beginner dancer who is determined by the judges to show the most promise.  

Most Successful Sacramento Area Novice Dancer · Open to all Sacramento-area Novice dancers. This trophy will be awarded to the dancer who has earned the most aggregate points. If there are less than six dancers in an age group, a dance-off between Sacramento-area Novice dancers will be held, and the dance will be a four (4) step Highland Fling. 

Most Successful Sacramento Area Intermediate Dancer · Open to all Sacramento-area Intermediate dancers. This trophy will be awarded to the dancer who has earned the most aggregate points. If there are less than six dancers in an age group, a dance-off between Sacramento-area Intermediate dancers will be held, and the dance will be a four (4) step Highland Fling. 

Best Sacramento Area Dancer · Open to all Sacramento-area Premier dancers. This trophy will be awarded to the winner of a dance-off between all Sacramento-area Premier dancers. The dance will be a four (4) step Highland Fling. Sponsored by Daughters of Scotia Kilwinning Lodge No. 203. 

Karyl Kintner Todd Memorial Nationals Trophy · Open to all California Premier dancers. This trophy will be awarded to the dancer who has earned the most aggregate points in the National Dances. 

Scottish & Newcastle Trophy Dancer of the Weekend · This is a full-weekend award, based on aggregate results from both Saturday and Sunday. At the conclusion of all regular competition events on Sunday, the highest aggregate-scoring Premier dancer from each Premier age group will qualify for a final dance-off. The trophy will be awarded to the dancer who wins this dance-off and will be presented on Sunday. Sponsored by Scottish & Newcastle Importers Co.

Entry Fees

All entries increase $25 on March 1, 2026

Primary Dancer · $45 for both days (please email organizer and advise if only planning to compete one day)

Beginner Dancer · $50 for both days (please email organizer and advise if only planning to compete one day)

Novice Dancer · $50 for both days (please email organizer and advise if only planning to compete one day)

Intermediate Dancer · $60 for both days (please email organizer and advise if only planning to compete one day)

Premier Dancer · $85 for both days / $60 for Championship OR Premiership only