Find Out What’s New For the 2021 AZ Sun Circuit
AZ Sun Circuit
By: Kristin Spinning
Sun Circuit could rest on its reputation and still be a favorite destination horse show. Instead, it continues to innovate, taking the pulse of the show world and delivering an exhibitor experience that excels year after year. The 2021 Scottsdale Arizona Sun Circuit, being held February 27 through March 7 at WestWorld is pushing that tenant even further. New futurities, 2D Jackpots, stakes classes, generous added money, and more saddle awards are just a few of bonuses awaiting AQHA, NSBA, NRHA and NRCHA exhibitors.
Sun Circuit has just announced the Western Pleasure Truck Bonanza. This fun, lucrative, and enticing event features two ways to win. Anyone can enter a raffle to win a customized Western Hauler 2021 1-ton Dually Crew Cab Chevrolet LTZ equipped and ready to pull your prize horses. There are only 500 tickets being sold. The competition side of the Bonanza sees horses and riders randomly paired through a drawing. The top eight exhibitors and horses in L1 Open, L2 Jr., L3 Jr., L2 Sr. and L3 Sr. Western Pleasure on Thursday March 4th will be automatically eligible for the competition. These new horse/rider pairs will show off their skills in the WP Truck Bonanza class held Saturday, March 6th after the completion of regular classes. There is an estimated $50,000 purse paid through 15 spots with 50% going to horse owner and 50% going to horse exhibitor.
New NSBA Futurity classes will take center arena on Wednesday March 3. A fresh infusion of money has increased both purse sizes and class offerings. Novice Western Pleasure horses can rack up the earnings in the $5,000 Added $2,500 Novice Horse 3 Year Old Western Pleasure, sponsored by Gil Galyean Quarter Horses or the $5,000 Added $2,500 Novice Horse 4 Year Old and Over Western Pleasure, sponsored by Aaron Moses Show Horses. There is also a $2,000 Added 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure Futurity. Non pros can earn cash in the $1,200 Added 3 & 4-Year-Old Non Pro Western Pleasure or $800 Added Intermediate Non Pro Western Pleasure. The West Coast Breeders Futurity is adding $2,5000 to their 3 & 4 Year Old Non Pro.
Head over to the Trail pen for more cash. There will be a $3,000 Added 4-Year-Old and Over Maiden Trail class and a $2,500 Added 4 & 5 year Old Trail, both sponsored by The Susan Johns Family & Nothin But Nett. Western Riding has two futurities, the $1,000 added Green Junior horse, sponsored by VS Code Blue and the $1,000 added Green Senior.
Hunt Seat exhibitors have multiple avenues to win cash. In the $5,000 Added $2,500 Novice Horse Open Hunter Under Saddle and the $1,000 Added $2,500 Novice Horse Hunter Under Saddle, limited riders are likely to showcase many of the industry’s future superstars. Young horses can also make a name for themselves in the $1,000 added 3 and 4-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle, and the $500 Added 3 and 4-Year-Old Non Pro Hunter Under Saddle, sponsored by Allocate Your Assets. The West Coast Breeders Association is running a $2,500 added 3 & 4-Year-Old Non Pro concurrently.
Sun Circuit is unveiling a series of 2D Jackpots and Stakes classes for 2021. All classes run concurrently with the regularly scheduled AQHA class and each D pays three places. Open Trail exhibitors can enter the $5,000 added 2D Junior Trail Stakes and $2,000 added 2D Senior Trail Stakes. For non pros, there is a $1,000 added 2D Amateur Trail Stakes and $1,000 added 2D Select Am Trail Stakes.
Ranch Riders can get in on the jackpot fun as well. There is $1,000 added to each 2D class in Junior, Senior, L1 Amateur, Amateur and Select. Reiners can slide their way to cash with $2,000 added to each 2D Jackpot in Senior, Junior, Amateur and Select. Exhibitors fairly new to Ranch classes have the opportunity to win big in the $5,000 Farnam L1 Open Ranch Horse Stakes. The champion will be awarded $2,500 and a buckle and $1,500 will go to reserve and $1,000 to third place. Classes that will be counted towards the award include: L1 Ranch Trail, L1 Ranch Riding, L1 Ranch on Rail along with Halter.
The Greenway Saddlery Hunter Derbies are back for AQHA horses. The open has $5,000 added and champions will also receive an embroidered Euro Wool Fancy Cooler and a Bobby’s Fancy Bridle with Reins. Reserve takes home a Tory padded Leather Halter and 3rd place receives a Supra Fleece Show Saddle Pad. The Non Pro champion wins a Pessoa Saddle Elita II Saddle and embroidered Euro Wool Fancy Cooler, and reserve receives a Tory padded leather Halter. There are additional awards through sixth place.
Cattle events are awash in added money at Sun Circuit. The ARHFA Sun Circuit Open Roping kicks off the schedule with $15,000 added to the Open, $5,000 added to Limited and $5,000 to the Non Pro. Cow Horse Spectaculars have $3,500 added to Junior, Senior Amateur and Amateur Boxing. Exhibitors must show in Cutting, and Cow Horse (or Boxing) for their respective divisions. Sponsors Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch, Anchor Cross Ranch and Parkinson Performance Horses stepped up to make these events possible.
Awards have gotten even beefier at Sun Circuit too. Just announced is the addition of five Horsemanship circuit champion saddles. They join a robust assortment of saddle awards that include High Point L1, L2 & L3 Non Pro, Non Pro English, Amateur Ranch, Open Ranch, High Point Green, All Breed open and Amateur/Limited VRH, Youth, Amateur and All Ages Team Roping. There are also circuit award saddles for Reining, Cowhorse and Trail. There are also Best of Show Rod Patrick ostrich boots awards for numerous divisions in All Around and Ranch and Cattle.
If you are in the market for a new horse, you won’t want to miss the Hershberger Performance Horse Sale on Friday February 26th. The Hershberger sale is well known for presenting a solid slate of rope horses. However, buyers will also see Reiners, Cutters, and Cow Horses, as well as horses suited for Ranch Riding, Ranch Trail or VRH classes.
Of course Sun Circuit is more than a mere show. It’s an equine extravaganza and so much happens outside the arenas. The Prize Patrol will be back with its infamous games and envy-worthy giveaways. There are more vendors than ever headed to Sun Circuit with a dazzling array of items to deck you out from hat to hoof. All this action plus an extraordinary facility in Scottsdale make Sun Circuit a destination for exhibitor and family alike. As a reminder, Sun Circuit will be abiding by all local COVID regulations, including the mandate of wearing a mask while anywhere on the WestWorld show grounds, unless you are working a horse.
Stay tuned to www.EquineChronicle.com for results, photos, and videos from the Sun Circuit.
