Sun is Shining On First Day of Competition at 2014 Sun and Surf Circuit

By: Brittany Bevis

Although temperatures are a bit toasty today in Del Mar, the sun is shining, which is always a welcome sight for the first day of competition at any horse show. The 2014 Sun and Surf Circuit begins today at the picturesque Del Mar Horsepark in California and will continue through May 18th providing AQHA exhibitors with the opportunity to compete in six shows over four days.

Judges for the event include Brian Ellsworth, Brent Maxwell, Rob Meneely, Jeffrey Pait, Nancy Sue Ryan, and Carla Wennberg.

According to Show Manager Clay MacLeod, show turnout is looking very promising with 500 stalls sold and 400 horses in attendance. However, if you’re at the show, you might see a few other breeds present in addition to the American Quarter Horse. That’s because the Del Mar Horsepark has been serving as an evacuation center for people being affected by a series of wildfires that are blazing across Southern California.

“It’s been amazingly hot, windy, and dry, so there are brush fires everywhere,” MacLeod says. “We’re good here, and the show is fine. Everyone is persevering. The show grounds was the evacuation center for people in the area that were affected, so we’ve got horses everywhere.”

“It’s beautiful here today, and we had The Equine Chronicle party here last night. There was a great turnout and everyone had a great time. It’s turning out to be a really nice show.”

The first in a long list of NSBA dual-approved classes and added money futurities will begin today including the Open 3 and 4-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Futurity with $1,000 added, Non Pro 3 and 4-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Futurity with $500 added, 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure Futurity with $1,000 added, Limited Open Western Pleasure Futurity with $500 added, Non-Pro 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure Futurity with $1,000 added, and Open 3 and 4-Year-Old  Trail Futurity with $500 added.

Circuit champions and High Point winners will be receiving an impressive list of awards from generous sponsors like Blue Ribbon Custom Tack, Woods’ Western, Good Ride, Silverado Silversmiths, Shorty’s Caboy Hattery, Harris Leather and Silverworks, Mary’s Tack & Feed, Barbara’s Custom Hats and more.

“Good Ride has sponsored circuit champion awards, so we will be giving away Good Ride shirts for a lot of classes,” MacLeod says. “Shorty’s gave us awards to give out in the futurities and some of the reserve champions will get certificates for hats. Woods’ Western is giving certificates for all futurities, and they have a big setup here, which is nice.”

All-Around Awards will be presented for the High Point Novice Youth, 11 & Under Youth, 13 & Under Youth, 14-18 Youth, Novice Amateur, Amateur, Select Amateur, Green Horse, Junior Horse, and Senior Horse. All-Around champions will receive a Silverado Silver buckle and a $200 gift certificate from Blue Ribbon Custom Tack. Reserve champions will receive a gift certificate from Shorty’s Caboy Hattery. Winners of the NSBA futurities will receive a Silverado Silver buckle and $250 gift certificate from Woods’ Western, in addition to class winnings.

The winner of the Non-Pro Trail Classic will receive a Silverado Silver buckle and Shorty’s 100X hat! The Reserve Champion will receive a Silverado Silver buckle. Special awards that will be presented include the Barry Pashby Memorial Perpetual Trophy to the champion of the 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure Futurity and the Kathy Hunt Memorial Perpetual Trophy to the Circuit Champion in Amateur Pleasure Driving. A Silverado Silver buckle will be awarded to the Select All-Around Champion that’s aged 60 or older. In addition, “Lucky Exhibitor” awards have been provided by Harris Leather and Silverworks.

Stay tuned for results coming soon. In the meantime, scroll below to view Gordon’s fun photos from The Equine Chronicle Welcome Party last night!