AZ Sun Circuit: New Show Clothes, First Rides on New Horses, and Realizing How Lucky We Really Are
EC Blog by: Kili Crawford and Gabi Salamone
It was a beautiful (and balmy) day for Trail and English classes for Amateurs at the Arizona Sun Circuit. There aren’t too many places in the country where you’ll get 85 degree days at the beginning of March, and although some exhibitors (mostly just me) complained about the heat, it’s safe to say we’re all enjoying the clear skies and spring-break weather.
Instead of running Trail by work order, as was the protocol for the first day, it was an open block for Senior horses, Selects, and and Amateur exhibitors. It was nice to have the freedom to get dressed and go show on my own time instead of waiting around at the stalls all day, or worse, running down to the Trail pen to avoid missing my draw. The people working at the gate were on top of it as well, announcing how far out everyone on the list was from showing consistently to make sure we could time our warm-ups perfectly. Although I had a few ticks, I was happy with my Trail pattern and relieved to be done riding a few hours earlier than I was on the first day.
Perhaps the most exciting part of the day, for at least a few exhibitors, many of whom ride under the guidance of Jim and Deanna Searles and Chris Holbin, was the fact that Paula Diuri and Tina de Leon were out on the fairgrounds taking measurements and design ideas from their many clients for new outfits. I’m excited for the day my first new show shirt arrives. As Susie Johns once said: “It’s like Christmas!” Getting fitted for my new clothes was 98 parts exciting and 2 parts embarrassing, but that may be my fault for choosing to wear the mock-ups in the middle of the barn aisleway while I got measured. Anything to catch a cool breeze!
Another fun thing that the Arizona Sun Circuit does is Vender Bucks. If you place first through sixth place you can go to the prize booth and pick up the vender bucks. You can then go to ANY of the shops around the fairgrounds and buy products using this monopoly type money. My personal favorite thing to buy with the vender bucks are icy treats from The Wagon. They make the best Italian Cream Sodas! It’s perfect for a hot day to cool down and make your taste buds happy. On the other hand, you’re always welcome to go buy new clothes or horse gear. Really the sky is the limit with this unique and fun way to receive your “horse show ribbons.”
Meanwhile, as the sun set, it allowed time for me to interact with friends, catch up on the happenings in their life, and even let my horse Skittles have a spa treatment and lots of mints. He’s a mint monster. I was able to catch a nice ride on my family’s new 3-year-old in a covered pen to stay out of the heat wave. Being from Colorado it felt like I was in the desert… oh wait I am. It was nice to have a ride where there were not 20 horses weaving in and out to avoid running into each other as the day wound down. However, as I sat there looking out over the show grounds it also made me realized how lucky we all really are. We’re so lucky to have such a fun, interactive, successful show, that brings so many friends and world class competitors in one place to enjoy the beauty of a horse community in the wonderful state of Arizona.
