Around the Rings – 2024 Arizona Sun Circuit – Saturday, March 2nd
On Saturday, March 2nd at the Arizona Sun Circuit at WestWorld of Scottsdale, the arenas were all hopping, with Halter, Ranch Trail, Cutting, Showmanship, Western Riding, and more!
In Amateur Performance Halter Geldings, Susan Wilson and Hez Blazin Trouble topped the list of combined judges for the class win, and “Perfect Parker” also won the Open Performance Halter Gelding with Charlie Cole. Parker is a fairly new horse for Susan Wilson, and she gets choked up when says the opportunity to own him is a dream. She admits, however, that like any horse, AQHA SuperHorse and Multiple World and Congress Champion or not, it takes time to click with one. Watch her funny story about their first Western Riding experience together at the 2024 KQHA Prairie Classic:
Susan Wilson and Hez Blazin Trouble Kick Off Sun Circuit with a Win
Halter was followed by showmanship in Arena 5, and when the L1 Amateur Select Showmanship results were tallied, Carol Anderson and Slew of Details were class champions! Carol also won the class sidepot from the Horse Show Tracker Handicap System!
Carol rides with Shannon Walker, and her daughter, Hannah Lind, entered her mom and “Bailey” for a chance to win the sidepot. “We always love the opportunity to win prizes so we’re showing here anyway, so what not?” says Hannah. “They believe in the horse!” adds Carol. “Bailey is just taking me along and teaching me.”
Hannah has worked for Shannon since she was 13, she says. “I’ve been with her for almost 25 years, and I started working for her since I graduated high school.” Her sister, Lily, showed the mare and so did a couple of other people in the barn, and Shannon Walker explains, “We bought the mare when she was three, and she’s 14 now.” And now, adds Carol, “It’s my turn!” They won some money today to boot, so it was a great day. Carol will also be showing Bailey in Hunter Under Saddle at the show.
More results from the class:
Later in the showmanship arena, Kaleena Weakly and Moonlite Cruiser won their L3 Amateur Showmanship at Halter class against some stiff competition, followed by second place, Eric Mendrysa and Never Sudden, and third place to Katie Jo Jones and Im ExtremelySchmancy.
As soon as Kaleena finished showmanship with “Cruiser,” she had to saddle up to get ready for her western riding class, as they were getting ready to close her block. When we finally caught up to her, she says this is her second show with Moonlite Cruiser, and “he’s amazing to show – he’s really an angel.”
Kaleena says she’s been a fan of Moonlite Cruiser for a long time, when Jungs had him and Kelsey Jung showed him, followed by Kyla Jackson’s show career with Cruiser. “He became available at Congress, and Bruce Vickery called Jason to tell him. I was the first one who got to ride him and it was a done deal.”
Although she loved the time in her life bringing along greener horses and making them successful, her last three or four have been more seasoned horses, which has allowed for time for family, especially at shows. “It’s working well, and this is one of our favorite places to show!” Kaleena explains, and she says she does have to fly out Thursday for Knox’s dance competition. That night, Josh and Kaleena were headed out to dinner to enjoy Scottsdale at its best.
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- Joy and Biutiful, aka “Abby.” Read why this mare and her name is so special to Joy.
