16,928 Entries in 2013, What Does the AZ. Sun Circuit Have in Store For 2014…
Who’s ready for some fun in the sun! Image courtesy of AZ. Sun Circuit.
By: Brittany Bevis
In 2013, the Arizona Sun Circuit recorded a whopping 16,928 entries making it the largest circuit ever on record with AQHA, per Show Coordinator Doug Huls. What made the turnout even more remarkable is that the first four days of the show were a wash, quite literally, with torrents of rain. However, not even Mother Nature could keep the Sun Circuit down and those entries were more than made up for on the competition off-day.
With the 2014 event scheduled to begin tomorrow, January 25th, Huls is most excited about one thing.
“The best part is the 15 day forecast is 75 and sunny all the way through the show,” Huls says. “That’s the thing I’m most excited about for sure!”
Given the outstanding weather that’s predicted for the duration of the show, Huls is expecting an impressive turnout for 2014.
“Last year, the show was the largest circuit ever on record with AQHA for any show that they know of,” he says. “Right now, we’re running about the same number of stalls, but we’re still getting more stalls coming in. 1,400 stalls this year is what I’m thinking we will top out at. We’ve even built extra pads for people to ride on. We’ve got three extra pads in the RV lots to ride on. We are utilizing every bit of WestWorld that’s available.”
An exhibitor taking advantage of a beautiful outdoor show pen at WestWorld. Image courtesy of Magic Look Photography.
Another change made to the event this year is a new and improved schedule that will hopefully eliminate many of the late nights while still allowing competitors to enjoy large class numbers. In addition, changes have been made to the vendor area. The show will be utilizing part of the new building in the South Hall and the concourse of the Equidome and Markel Insurance Arena to display western wares ranging from tack and clothing to home decor and speciality items. Click here to download a PDF that shows the locations of vendors at the show.
As always, the Sun Circuit will host a full lineup of free clinics, ice cream socials, and parties to entertain competitors when they’re outside of the show pen. The Sun Circuit Welcome Party will take place Saturday, January 25th and will include a free dinner courtesy of the Johns, Tobin, and Searles families. On Thursday, January 30th, exhibitors are invited to attend the Mechanic Lunch Party. Another free lunch will be provided on Saturday, February 1st on behalf of Machine Made, Candace Hall, and Corey Seebach.
“We’ll have some great parties again this year and a benefit for Benny Guitron, a well-known cowhorse trainer who has leukemia,” Huls says. “We will have a cocktail party, benefit, and live and silent auction on Saturday, February 1st at 4:00 pm.”
Some of the great items that will be offered during the benefit include a breeding to NRCHA #1 Leading Sire One Time Pepto, a Shorty’s 100x custom hat, and a Bob’s custom show saddle.
Breyer Horse aficionados will have the opportunity to participate in a Meet and Greet with Silver Spurs Equine Champion Stallion and Breyer Model Horse Big Chex to Cash. The stallion and his mini-me will be in Barn A on Saturday, Febuary 1st at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Clinicians that will be hosting free seminars on Trail, Horsemanship, Showmanship, Boxing, Cowhorse, and Western Riding include Charlie Cole, Jason Martin, Robin and Jenny Frid, Bob Avila, and Corey Cushing. Click here to view the clinic schedule.
When the competition takes an off-day on Wednesday, January 29th, Kail Quarter Horses will be sponsoring the 4th Annual Sun Circuit Golf Tournament at the Legend Trails Golf Course. You’ll still have to get up early because the shotgun start will take place at 9:30 am. Click here to view more details.
As far as the competition portion of the show is concerned, there are many new offerings for 2014. For the first time ever, FEI Reining will be offered as an exciting qualifying event for the upcoming 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games.
In addition, a new Performance Pleasure class will be offered with free entry and $2,500 added for the Open division and $2,500 added for the Non Pro division. The class is set to run on February 1st. The class will be judged on “a forward pace with a free flowing stride similar to what would be a necessary pace to change leads or exhibit a Western Riding horse.” In order to participate, the horse must have an ROM in a performance event, excluding Western Pleasure. As of January 24, 2014 the horse cannot have earned a ROM in Western Pleasure or $2,500 in Western Pleasure earnings.
Image courtesy of Magic Look Photography.
If you find that your horse is a bit back-sore due to the long days of competition, researchers from the Orthopaedic Research Center at Colorado State University in conjunction with Equine Sports Medicine of Texas will be conducting a research study entitled Objective Evaluation of Laser Therapy and Chiropractic Care For Treatment of Acute Back Pain in Western Performance Horses where they will be offering free laser treatments. Click here for more information or stop by the Equine Sports Medicine trailer.
Given the history-making success of the Sun Circuit in 2013, we wondered what it is about this particular show that keeps people coming back to Arizona year after year.
“To be honest with you, it has a lot to do with coming out to Arizona and having a top-notch equine facility to work out of,” he says. “People like coming out here. It’s the one trip they get to make out west. “
If you can’t make it to the show but would still like to keep up with all of the action, a live feed will be streamed from the Equidome, Arena 4, Arena 5, and Arena 6. Visit http://horseshowglobal.com/ for more information.
Click here to view a class schedule and visit www.suncircuit.com for additional show information. Stay tuned to EquineChronicle.com for photos and results coming throughout the show.
