Arizona Fall Championship Does it Again With Banner Event in 2021
By: Kristin Spinning
The Arizona Fall Championship delivered once again on its mandate for being a fun show with something for everyone. Held September 22-26 at WestWorld in Scottsdale, the show always attracts a robust spectrum of exhibitors from World Champions to first-timers just launching their showing careers. It also boasts a wide array of leveled classes including Jumping, Versatility Ranch Horse, English, Western, Trail, Cutting, Reining, and Cow Horse. The show’s popularity can be attributed to several factors. Most everyone comments on how much fun they have, and the prizes are a huge incentive too. The handsome circuit awards trophies, saddles, buckles, and cash awards are coveted by all.
“I’m really pleased with the turn out we had here in Arizona,” says Doug Huls, CEO of AzQHA and producer of the shows. “We had a lot of exhibitors from all over, who had not been to the Fall Championship or Sun Circuit, along with the folks who circle the dates on their calendar every year.”
The Ranch Cattle and VRH classes at the Fall Championship continue to see an upward trajectory in entries at every level. Added money and a nice prize line surely contributed to the increases seen across the board. A larger than expected number of entries in ranch and cattle resulted in adding arenas and adjusting the schedule to accommodate exhibitors.
A highlight of the show was the $10,000 added Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch NRCHA Futurity that welcomed 24 3-year olds into the arena for a dynamic show down. Smack Talking and Corey Cushing posted a 217.5 for owners Dave and Myra Belson. That earned them $4,450. Jake Barry rode Smooth Rain to a score of 216.5 earning Deah Hessian-Ruple $3,560. Brittany Factor’s horse, Hickory Smoked Ham, with Nicolas Howard aboard, scored a 216 and a check for $2,670.
While not an AQHA class, the AzFC demonstrated again that the Ranch On the Rail class is wildly popular. All divisions from youth to select saw large numbers. Ranch Trail also was a big draw with more Ranch Riding enthusiasts trying their hand at the obstacles. Level 1 exhibitors who showed in L1 Ranch Riding, L1 Ranch Trail and L1 Ranch Rail were chasing some nice payouts as Farnam sponsored a L1 Ranch Stakes with $5,000 added. When all the points were tallied, Sweattin Bullets, owned by Shea Graham with Kristin Brock at the reins, was declared the champion, winning $2,000, a buckle and a cooler. Second place went to Amanda Dikoff and Slidin Fer Juice, owned by Roger and Elizabeth Dikoff. They took home $1,500 along with a bronc halter. Third went to Laurel Walker Denton riding Nancy Gillett’s horse Black Labled, winning $1,000.
Markel Insurance offered $5,000 in added money in the Ranch Riding Derby with 19 horses hunting a win. The impressive field was topped by Suen To Love, ridden by Debbie Cooper and owned by Cynthia Singer. The team won $2,271.20 for their efforts. In a very close second, Makin A Seen, owned by Dan Fox and shown by Shadd Parkinson, won $1,803.60. Nancy Gillett’s Black Labled continued his strong performance with Laurel Walker-Denton in the saddle to take the third spot for $1,336. There was a tie for 4th between Smart Ne Doc and Merada Blue, who each won $634.60.
A $2,500 added Non Pro Spectacular, combining scores from Cutting and Cow Horse, saw Onetimeatbandcamp and Gary Lynn Olson take the lead and win $750 with Gianna Hansen and Shiney Nickel close behind for $600. Dana Avila rode One Smart Pepto to win $1,000 in the Non Pro Boxing Spectacular with Jayne Vatcher and Sippin Boons Farm in second for $750.
There were also Best of Show awards in Ranch, Reining, and Cattle Divisions for open, amateur, and youth. Champions won a pair of Rod Patrick Boots and a gift certificate from Cinch Jeans and Shirts. Reserve champions were presented with a Professional’s Choice gift certificate. Merada Blue and Leslie Lange took the open title, while Amanda Dikoff and Slidin Fer Juice added to their wins in the amateur. Carson Tulloss and Magnummatic had the most points in the youth division.
The Fall Championship hosted many other opportunities for youth to win great prizes. Kimes Ranch showed their support for the next generation by sponsoring numerous awards and prizes in Youth Ranch classes. Kimes Best of Show awards combined scores from Ranch Riding, Ranch Trail, and Ranch on the Rail. Champions won a Kimes buckle along with a gift certificate from CR Ranch Wear. Kaitlynn Hanes has a bright future after winning the 18 & Under award. Alea Hansen topped the points chart in the 13 & Under, and Keating Tarnic got it done in the 11 & Under. There were also class awards presented center ring in Ranch on the Rail and Ranch Trail for the 13 & Under and 11 & Under kids. Class winners received a $50 Smartpak gift card, second place got tumblers, and Vetrolin Shine, Farnam Detangler, Kimes water bottles and fly masks were given to 3rd through 6th place.
While ranch and cattle classes are certainly a big draw at the Fall Championship, there was plenty of action in Trail, pattern, and rail arenas too. Non Pro High Point Saddle Awards were up for grabs in Level 1 and Amateur, Select, and Youth. Bobs Custom Saddles certificates worth $4,200 were on the line, combining points from Showmanship, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, and Halter. Kristi Perea accumulated enough points to win the L1 Non Pro High Point saddle, and she also claimed the Best of Show award in the All Around L1 Amateur division. Roxane Doogan will be riding in a new Bobs Custom Saddle after winning the High Point Non Pro award, and she will be sporting a new pair of Rod Patrick boots along with some Cinch Jeans merchandise after clinching the Best of Show award in All Around Amateur.
There were plenty more Best of Show Awards in the All Around competition. Alice Kang had a good run at the show and picked up the L1 Youth All Around award, while Kaitlyn Bloom and Ima Lazy Cowboy were the 18 & Under Champions. The Amateur All Around Champion was Dr. Shelley Grissom riding Dun Ben Noticed. Rumors In The Dark with Kendra Whitney were the Open Champions. The High Point L1 Horse was Roger That, owned by Barbara Bouma and shown by Kyra Bouma-Ley. The All Around Youth 11 & Under Walk/Trot Champion was Reagan Shell showing Dark By Moonlite. They won a cooler, and Soula Shiner with Alea Hensen also won a cooler as the 13 & Under All Around Champions.
The show also hosted some NSBA futurities. The 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure Futurity saw Becuz I Said So, owned by the Shaggy Holdings Corp, winning top honors with Michael Jung at the helm. The 3-Year-Old Non Pro Western Pleasure Champion was Staci Brown aboard Sheza Little Lazy. The youngsters took to the arena in the 2-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure. Melissa Sexton rode No Doubt Its Frankie to win the futurity for owner Janette Ames.
On the English side, the 3 & 4-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle champion was Born in East LA, owned and ridden by Nancy Renfro. Oatmeal Cream Pie, owned and shown by Ryann Herrera, wowed the judges for the win in the 3 & 4-Year-Old Non Pro Hunter Under Saddle.
In addition to the action in the ring, exhibitors had a chance to win gift certificates and merchandise with the infamous Prize Patrol. Winners took home Apple watches, headphones, and other electronics from the Arizona Quarter Horse Association along with prizes and gift certificates donated by Bemer, Show Me Again, Sport Horse Chiropractic, and Impulse Equine.
The Fall Championship makes a huge impact on the lives of many youth horsemen every year. The Arizona Quarter Horse Association awarded over $23,600 in scholarship funds during the show. It was the fifth year that the organization held their innovative ASCENT scholarship competitions for AzQHA Youth members on the last day. Money was earned through an Interscholastic Scholarship Show which offered 5 classes in Horsemanship and 3 in Reining. Additionally, middle and high school students were awarded scholarship funds through a three-person panel interview process. There were a total of 17 $1,000 awarded this year to an outstanding and dedicated group of youth.
