Despite a Day of Rain, the 2025 Sun Circuit Shined

By Kristin Spinning, Sun Circuit Media Coordinator, AzQHA:

There was sun, there was rain, there were tank tops and puffy jackets – the weather at the 2025 Arizona Sun Circuit may have swung like a metronome, but some things remained constant: huge numbers, excellent competition, bright smiles, and a dizzying array of jaw dropping awards and prizes. Utilizing the indoor and covered arenas to the maximum, the schedule got reshuffled and the show kept going. By the end of the ten days, 38 saddles were awarded, along with Rod Patrick boots for Best of Show winners in 11 divisions, 5 side by sides, logo’d saddle pads, trophies, plaques, buckles, Sun Circuit spurs, gift certificates, custom champion rings from Sami and more. Additionally, there was over $124,000 in added money from trail to roping and everything in between.

Sun Circuit continued its growth trajectory in 2025, seeing an increase of nearly 90 horses this year. Classes substantial increases in size, yet management was able to adjust well and achieve reasonable completion times. “And then the rain hit,” commented show producer and AzQHA CEO Doug Huls. “And we managed the best we could. We had to make some tough adjustments so that we could get all the exhibitors shown. That included splitting the covered arenas to double up some classes. We are really lucky that WestWorld has fantastic and huge facilities. Their crews worked hard to make the best of the situation, getting some of the outdoor arenas somewhat  in shape quickly for warm up areas.”

For the most part, folks rolled with the changes. Exhibitors were energized with the shared sentiment of let’s get this done as no one could begrudge drought stricken Arizona getting the much needed rain. Huls added, “Our whole team worked exceptionally hard to accommodate everyone in the best possible ways. Despite all the challenges, the show went pretty smoothly. I really want to compliment our exhibitors for being so understanding with all the changes we had to make. We all worked together to make it a huge success.”

Nothing demonstrates that can do attitude better than the Cow Horse people. With the outdoor cattle arena mired in mud, and the Equidome tied up with the Rodeo, the only way to get the Cow Horse done was to hold it at 2:00 AM. “We discussed options with some of the trainers and came up with a plan. Exhibitors really took it well and most of them ended up having a pretty good time with it.” There was some drop in entries because of the time change, but the ones who stuck with it seemed to relish the challenge, posting fun pictures to social feeds to celebrate their cowboy-tough spirit.

Known for exceptional prizes and fun, inclusive events, Sun Circuit unveiled a new giveaway this year. It offered 5 Axis side by side utility vehicles, awarded not as high points but randomly.  Huls added, “I was thrilled that AzQHA was able to offer such outstanding prizes where every exhibitor had an opportunity to win.”

The first cart was given to a random draw of every back number at the show. Rose Santos was stunned by the announcement she had won. Four other carts were won by random number among entries in specific open senior classes. The show heavily promoted the ability for anyone, amateur and youth exhibitors included, to enter those classes, even if they were outside their usual disciplines. Huls described, “Unless someone only had a single halter horse or 4/5 year old, they had the opportunity to join in one or all of those Senior classes for the fun of it. They might not win the class, but they could take home a UTV.”

The Senior Western Pleasure saw entries balloon to 66, split pretty evenly between L2 and L3 classes. Rope horses, reiners, trail and cow horses joined the fun. After the judge’s placings, the cart was driven in for presentation by AQHA president Jim Hunt. The random drawn number belonged to Brad Barkemeyer on a cow horse, who, staying on brand, galloped down the arena to a sliding stop, then circled the cart — in both directions. Other cart winners were Susan Atkinson in the Senior Ranch Riding, Susan Merkatoris in Senior Hunter Under Saddle and Travis Wigen picked up the last one in Senior Reining.

Added money in futurity and stakes classes were popular and competitive. Multiple Trail futurities offered big cash awards along with prizes. The Snippity Snap 4&5 YO NSBA Open Trail had $10,000 added, luring 22 young horses to show off their skills on the Tim Kimura designed course.  KM Once Upon A Time with Sara Simons in the saddle for Firefly Ridge, marked an impressive score of 160.5 placing first under both judges. They earned $3,429.92. Second, with a score of 157.50, went to Cowboys Lie with Chad Evans aboard for owner June Liston. They won $2,506.48. A tie for third saw Whiskey Made Me, owned by Lauren Graves and shown by Anthony Montes and That Look ILike Alot shown by Jason Gilliam for owner Jarrett Cartee each take home $1,517.

Super Sires offered a concurrent trail futurity which also placed KM Once Upon A Time and Sara Simons in the top spot, adding $1,5000 and a silver platter to their earnings. Cowboys Lie was in second again, earning $1,054. The 3rd place horse was One Heartbeat Away owned by Catherine Finger and shown by Jess Albion Bergantzel earning $837.

A fine crop of young trail horses made their debut in the $7,500 added VS Code Blue/VS GoodRide 5 & Under Maiden Stakes Trail. VS Whole Lotta Lucy and Sara Simons started out in fine form, placing 1st under all three cards on day one, and scored consistently high over the next two goes to win the stakes class. The won $3,213 for owner Christy Lenhart. Debra Lynn Sharp’s horse Lopin For Maggie had the second highest combined scores to take second place and $2,551.50 under the guidance of Micah Hansen. VS Bettin N Spades and Colton Pylman earned $1,890 for third.

The concurrent Super Sires L1 Junior Trail rewarded VS Whole Lotta Lucy and Sara Simons with another $1,500. Reserve Champion was Kristy & Patrick Sands’ horse Katchinaride, shown by Ashley Dunbar-Clock. They picked up a check for $945. Third place went to VS Bettin N Spades shown by Colton Pylman earning $735. Blue Suede Shoos, owned & piloted by Taylor Searles was 4th earning $420.

The $2,000 Added Machine Made 4 & 5 YO Limited Trail Champion was SelfMade Millionaire with Kelly McDowall at the reins for owner Cassie Riggert. They won $1,019.15 and a handsome Sterling Custom Saddle sponsored by Kathy’s Show Equipment. Made of Money with Shannon Aitkin showing for Benjamin Schoepf took home $809.33 and a saddle pad for 2nd. Taylor Searles picked up $599.50 for third on her horse Blue Suede Shoos.

Super Sires also offered added money to  L1 Senior Trail. Perfectly Southern and Jesse Jones worked the course with precision earning Cara Ann Christensen $1,500 for the win. Second place was Not Too Lazy To Top, ridden by Tyler Schultz for owner Emily Firth, earning $900. Coolkrymsunladylike and Charlie Cole won $600 for third.

Changing gears, the $7,500 Added Nothin But Nett 5 & Under Maiden Western Riding Stakes tested Junior horses over 3 goes to determine the winner. In the end it was Cory Seebach and Candice Hall’s horse Total Knockout who accumulated the most points with Kristi McCann at the reins. They won $3,213. Second went to Insomniak with Jeff Mellott aboard winning $2,551.50 for owner Kaylee Mellott. KM Once Upon A Time and Sara Simons were back in the money earning $1,890 for third.

Super Sires presented an L1 Junior Western Riding futurity as well.

Stop Talking took home the $1,500 check with Spencer Groth at the reins on behalf of Amy Engle. VS Bettin N Spades was second, ridden by Colton Pylman and owned by Mr. & Mrs. Wilkes and earning $1,100. Older horses could compete for cash in the Super Sires L1 Senior Western Riding. Socks for Dayz ridden by Anthony Montes on behalf of Ingrid Miller Quarter Horses scored an impressive 149.5 to take home the win and $1,500. Second place went to Best Brew At The Bar ridden by Leonard Berryhill for Pabon Performance Horses. They earned $945. Coolkrymsunladylike ridden by Charlie Cole was third, claiming $735 for Laurel Champlin Family Trust.

Ranch classes continue to be wildly popular among youth, non pro and open exhibitors at Sun Circuit. High point saddle awards and added money events sweetened the deal. The future of Ranch is clear when you see the swelling of entries for every level of horse and rider. Senior Ranch Riding saw as many as 104 on the pattern and another 63 in Junior. The pipeline of talent was fully on display with 85 L1 horses.

Ranch Trail interest has grown phenomenally across all the divisions in the past couple years. Senior at Sun Circuit was flooded with 87 horses working the logs. L1 Open Senior horses presented 82. Non pros were out in droves to challenge themselves on the obstacles as well.

Filling out the Ranch trifecta of popularity, arenas full of athletic horses long trotting and loping at full speed in Working Western Rail were a thrilling site to see and are another class in which exhibitors love to compete. Huge entry numbers across divisions required class splits.

Kristin Brock Show Horses and 13 Moonstruck added $5,000 to the L1 Open Ranch Stakes this year, attracting a large field hunting the points in Level 1 Ranch Riding, Ranch Trail, Ranch on the Rail and Halter. Bud Lyon had an exceptional show with a number of horses and defended his L1 champion title riding Alpha Black with consistency across the board. They won $3,000, the Kristin Brock DHS Ranch Saddle and a custom Sami ring for owners Circle Y Ranch. Dreamy Magnum, owned by Sandy Vargo and shown by Beth Clemons took home $2,000 and saddle pad for second. Gotta Roll The Dice and Jimmy Dario were third, earning $1,000. Kerry Papendick rode Gotta Roll the Dice to third place winning $1,000

The $2,500 Added Bar 54 Non Pro Ranch Riding Derby showed 36 horses. Composite scores of all three judges in the both the Select and Amateur Ranch Riding on their third go were used for placings. Tamara Kyle racked up a total of 238 points with a smooth and precise pattern on Kr Smart Dreamer to stand center arena for the champion buckle and winner’s check of $2,125. In a tie for second with 236 points was Always Do and Dana Avila and Cocktail Per Se and Sydney Weaver. They each earned $1,147.50.

Bar 54 threw in another $2,500 to the 4 Year Old Ranch Riding Derby with 14 entered. Bud Lyon repeated his 2024 win, this time with Carol Dewrell’s horse Bet Boon Gone, marking a 158.5 They won the buckle and $1,520. Ryan Kail rode Lauren Blumer’s horse He Man to second for $1,045. Peprolectric and Julia Keil-Quibell were third earning 902.5.

On the non pro All Around side of multi-faceted Sun Circuit, the popular and challenging National Championships were back again in pattern classes and all exhibitors were eligible for the tournament. Exhibitors advanced through 3 rounds of elimination based on their class placings. The Four were invited back to show one new pattern in a head to head format. Champions all receive buckles and everyone who made it to The Four were awarded embroidered bomber jackets.

Youth tournaments saw some returning finalists and some fresh faces. Camille Kennedy and The Perfect Kryme wowed the judges in the National Championship Youth Horsemanship final rounds to win the buckle. Ady Kallay and The Batchelor were a tight second after their final run. Isthatcoolwithyou and Myah Jane Chaput finished third and Emme Grace Graves rode Son Of A Sudden to 4th.

The final matchup of National Championship Youth Showmanship saw Ady Kallay presenting The Batchelor and Exclusively Mocca shown by Kayla Virga. Though both had beautiful runs, the judges marked Ady’s go higher and she took home the champion buckle. Myah Chaput showing Prepare To B Shocked along with Big Country Kruzer and Sienne Barbour also made it to The Four.

After progressing through the rounds in Youth Equitation, Ady Kallay and The Batchelor found themselves in yet another tournament finals. She was last to go in final match up, this time  against Valentinosblazinrid with Madison Stuart aboard. Ady edged out Madison for the buckle. Quintessa Wolff showed Megga Machine to win 3rd and Shayne Gilliam rode The Publication for 4th.

Ima Savvy Investment and Paige Rogers put together a string of good patterns during the week in Scottsdale and advanced to The Four in the National Championship Showmanship. She was up against defending champion Eric Mendrysa and Never Sudden in the final pairing. Both pulled off beautiful patterns, yet Paige had just a slight edge and was named Champion. Kaleena Weakly presented Moonlite Cruiser for third and Ima Lazy Cowboy was shown by Ella Petak to round out for fourth.

Thad O’Boyle and Just The Rite Stride, found himself in the final head to head match of Select Showmanship against Lauren Stopperich and Showing My Ace. These two had been in the same position the year before. Both gave it their all for one last go and it was Thad’s pattern that got the judges’ nod for the Champion buckle, reversing their 1/2 standing from 2024. Lopin makes Me Lazy and Sharon Forbes-Hanks was third and RR Certainly A Lady with Anne Wilson was fourth.

National Championships in Horsemanship always present exciting final matchups. This year was no exception with both Select and Amateur showcasing top teams in the nation to go head to head. Only Martinis For Me and Klay McDowall along with Never Sudden shown by Eric Mendrysa progressed to the final work off after a full week of tough competition. Klay managed to pull off one more smooth and precise pattern to win the buckle. Gimme Ur Best Stuff with Jana Leigh and Ima Savvy Investment and Paige Rogers also made The Four.

Any of the Four finalists in the Select Horsemanship could have walked away with it after consistently good runs during the week. But a clean slate in the finals meant they had to ace every move to win it. Defending champion Hez Simply Western with April Gentry was just about flawless on her very last go to cinch the win over Patty Goodwin and So Noticed. Just The Rite Stryde and Thad O’Boyle was third and Sharon Conway showing CR Hershey Bar was fourth.

There were three finalists in the National Championship Equitation. It was Paige Rogers’ third trip to a tournament matchup of The Four this year. Paige was on a roll with Ima Savvy Investment and her scores put her into the champion spot, earning a second buckle. Cassandre Ehrle and Daddy Doesnt Know landed in  second and Jana Leigh rode Gimme Ur Best Stuff for third.

Sharon Forbes-Hanks returned to the Four in the National Championship Select Equitation riding Lopin Makes Me Lazy and completed two pretty patterns in the tough and very equally matched finals. She edged out Jacqueline Marlow riding Mug Shot. Just The Rite Stryde and Thad O’Boyle were hunting another buckle but ended up in third and Laurel Champlin with Coolkrymsunladylike were fourth.

Winning extended beyond the classes with Prize Patrol spreading their infamous games and challenges across the grounds, barns and amongst the vendor areas. Tens of thousands of dollars in prizes, gift certificates, jewelry, hats, products and electronics were given away to exhibitors and their family members. Plus everyone was a winner at the free exhibitor lunch parties served ringside at the Equine Chronicle Arena.

Copious cash, amazing awards and outlandish prizes for just having fun make Sun Circuit a destination show for exhibitors around the country and a bucket list show for people watching from home. It keeps growing and innovating, giving exhibitors not just a horse show, but an experience they’ll remember for a lifetime.