Final Sun Circuit Blog- Farewell Friends!
EC Blog by: Kili Crawford and Gabi Salamone
Sun Circuit is close to being finished, but the fun is far from over! I spent the morning in the youth arena watching Horsemanship, and I was impressed with how strong the riders were in the level 3 class! Then, I ventured over to the Trail arena to watch my trainer, Jim Searles, show two of Susie Johns’ Junior roan horses. It was a tough pattern, but watching how talented the younger horses were was quite a treat.
A little later in the day, I competed in both the Amateur and Senior Western Pleasure classes. I decided to go in the Senior to get a little bit more practice, and after the class ended I was excited to learn that we would be racing for a $1,000 Shorty’s hat. However, there was a twist: we would have to sit backwards in our saddles! I decided to play it safe and trot the race, and I’m sad to report I was lagging very far behind the pack. I was lucky to have a horse that seemed indifferent about my foreign riding style, but I was too slow to keep up with the competition. Cleve Wells zoomed past us all and was unchallenged as he loped up to claim his victory. It was a fun race, and I can guarantee I will be practicing backwards galloping so that next year I will be ready to win it!
Meanwhile, Skittles and I headed over to the Western Riding Arena (although we were bummed that we missed Gabi’s epic backwards race). The Amateur Western Riding block was in full swing testing the rider’s ability for the 3rd time that week. Next to the Western Riding arena the Novice Amateur and Junior block was running. Everything on the Amateur side of the show was progressing quicker than any of the other days.
On the other side of the fairgrounds, in the Equidome arena, there was a Down the Fence Challenge for open riders who wanted the chance at some added money. I didn’t get the chance to go over and see it, but they did a great job announcing it. Several of my friends were able to go see it and said it was amazing.
As my last day showing at the Sun Circuit come to a close I would like to take a minute to reflect on what an amazing time I had with so many beautiful people. It reminded me of one of my favorite things about horse shows (besides riding horses) is that I get the chance to meet, make friends, and catch up with people from all over the country and even the world. So thank you to all the amazing people in this industry that make it that much better and so much more fulfilling!
