EVERYTHING You Need to Know For 2018 AZ. Sun Circuit
All photos courtesy of Kristin Spinning.
By: Brittany Bevis
The 2018 Arizona Sun Circuit kicked off this morning to sunny skies and mild temperatures that are expected to continue for the duration of the event, March 3-11, at WestWorld in Scottsdale, Arizona. Judging the event will be Mark Russel, Mike Hay, Kim Myers, Mike Hoeppner, Nancy Renfro, Leo Fourre, Curtis Reynolds, Chris Benedict, Rick Christy, Chele Mcgauly, April Devitt, Morgan Lybbert, Rob Meneely, Bonnie Jo Clay, Garth Gooding, Joe Hayes, Keith Miller, Terry Thompson, Joe Carter, Andi Paul, Gayle Lampinen, Pete Mcalister, Sara Simons, Mark Sheridan, and Kelly Boles Chapman.
PARTIES
Several parties kick off the Sun Circuit in style! The fun begins on Monday, March 5th with an Exhibitors’ Lunch hosted by AQHA stallion, Mechanic, and Sandra Morgan. This free lunch will be served ringside at The Equine Chronicle Arena. On Wednesday, March 7th, Susie Johns and family have sponsored a NSBA Exhibitors’ Appetizer Party that will follow the last class and take place ringside at The Equine Chronicle Arena. Finally, on Friday, March 9th, 7 Bar Ranch and AQHA stallions, Indefinate and Definitely All That, will host a free lunch to be served ringside at The Equine Chronicle Arena. And for your listening pleasure, Chris Manning will be performing on several days at the show.
SPECIAL EVENTS
The NSBA Riders’ Cup will be held March 6-7 at the show and will award an estimated $75,000 to champions. Judges will be Larry Hansch, Pierre Brierre, and Sandy Jirkovsky. Prize monies will be shared between the owner of the horse and the trainer/rider associated with the entry. In order to be eligible to compete, riders must have been sold through the NSBA Trainer Sale Program. Prize money will be offered in classes like Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Trail, Western Riding, Showmanship, Western Horsemanship, and Hunt Seat Equitation.
Always one for innovation, the Sun Circuit has unveiled a new award. The Circuit Champions in the L2 or L3 Amateur, Select Amateur, and Youth 14-18 Horsemanship will have their scores tallied to determine the Champion of Champions. Then, the Highest Scoring L2 or L3 Non Pro Horsemanship Exhibitor will receive a beautiful, custom crafted trophy buckle. This buckle award is being sponsored by Preston Williams.
The Greenway Saddlery Open Derby will take place on Tuesday, March 6th, and has a $2,000 purse. The Champion will receive an Aramas Fancy Hunter Bridle with reins. Reserve will receive a Walsh Signature Fancy Halter. Third will be presented with a Centaur Wool Dress Cooler. Fourth through eighth will receive Horze White Saddle Pads.
The Non Pro Hunter Derby will present some fantastic awards as well. The Champion will receive a Mercel Toulouse Premier Comfort Genesis Saddle with fittings, Toulouse stirrup leathers, German Fillis stirrup irons, and Bobbys Fancy leather Hunter girth. Reserve will get an Aramas Fancy Hunter Bridle with reins. Third will receive a Centaur Wool Dress Cooler. Fourth through eighth will get Horze White Saddle Pads.
Other fun, special events include the following:
- Smart Boons Fence Work Challenge- $20,000 added
- The Golden Cowboy- $2,500 added
- Sun Circuit Ranch Sorting- $3,000 added
- Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch Jr. Spectacular- $2,500 added
- Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch Sr. Spectacular- $2,500 added
- Parkinson Performance Horses Amateur Spectacular- $1,000 added
- Anchor Cross Ranch Bob and Becky Grant Amateur Boxing Spectacular- $1,000 added
- Sun Circuit Rope Futurity- $10,000 added
- Cinch Timed Event Challenge Roping Futurity
- $1,000 Bella Vista Ranch All Around Open Cowboy
- $1,000 Bella Vista Ranch All Around Amateur Cowboy
Click here for a complete special event schedule.
CLINICS
All of the clinics at Sun Circuit are free and open to the general public. Yesterday, Brad Barkemeyer held a Boxing Clinic. Today, Bruce Vickery and Anthony Montes will be hosting a Western Riding Clinic in the SmartPak Arena at 3 pm. In addition, Laurel Walker Denton will be holding a Ranch Riding Clinic in the QHN Arena-North Hall at 11 am.
Click here for more information about the clinics.
COLOR HORSES
Color horses are welcome to participate at the Sun Circuit in the following eight classes that are NSBA approved. A Sun Circuit Champion trophy will be awarded in each!
- NSBA All Age Color Open Pleasure
- NSBA All Age Color Non Pro Pleasure
- NSBA All Age Color Open Trail
- NSBA All Age Color Non Pro Trail
- NSBA All Age Color Open Western Riding
- NSBA All Age Color Non Pro Western Riding
AWARDS
A whopping total of 33 saddles will be presented, and L2 champions will receive the same circuit champion trophies at L3 champions. Other incredible prizes include Rod Patrick Boots, belt buckles, Professionals’ Choice Spurs, Scottsdale Performance Saddles, Equine Oasis Saddles, Jeff Smith Saddles, Blue Ribbon Saddles, Caliente Saddle Shop Saddles, bikes, scooters, and plenty of cold, hard cash! Thanks to the 2018 Boot Giveaway, sponsored by Rod Patrick and Woods’ Western, 20 pairs of authentic, ostrich, Rod Patrick boots will be awarded RANDOMLY during the show!
Also, the always popular Sun Circuit Prize Patrol total is up to $55,750 for the daily giveaways! Make sure you check out Facebook daily for the Word of the Day. When you spot the Prize Patrol around the fairgrounds, tell them the word, and you will get a prize!
Click here for more information about awards.
FUN EVENTS
The 65th annual PRCA Rodeo will take place March 8th-10th at 7 pm in the Equidome and March 11th at 2 pm. If you’re a Sun Circuit exhibitor, you get $2 off! The Scottsdale Pro Bull Riding, “Parada del Sol,” will take place March 8th at 7 pm. Also, Cavalia Odysseo is in town! Attend this incredible equine attraction with a special discount code for the Sun Circuit that will give you 10% off. The event runs through March 26th in Scottsdale. Click here for more.
SHOPPING
The North Hall and Equidome vendor areas are packed with equine essentials! Visit booths like Winning Couture, CL Custom Leather, Wood’s Western, Shorty’s Caboy Hattery, Equine Oasis, Buckin Boots, Whiskey Lace, Markel, Just Peachy, Western Hauler, Show Me Again, Logan’s, Show Time, Custom Tails, and many more!
Click here for a shopping map.
Stay tuned to EquineChronicle.com for around the ring photos, results, and much more!
Helpful Links:
