2015 Arizona Sun Circuit Starts Show Season Strong With 15,200 AQHA Entries
All photos courtesy of Kristin Spinning.
By Kristen Spinning
The 42nd Annual Arizona Sun Circuit was a bit more of a sun sandwich this year. The Quarter Horse extravaganza kicked off January 23rd and ran through February 1st at the WestWorld Equestrian Complex in Scottsdale, AZ. The first half ushered in warm, sunny days, but a fierce rainstorm created challenges for management and exhibitors during the second half of the show. Fortunately, the sun returned in the end.
“It was a bit of a scramble to get everything moved around,” says event producer Doug Huls. “But, we were able to work it out so that everyone showed under cover.”
One of the major benefits of the WestWorld facilities is the availability of many arenas. Sun Circuit made great use of the indoor, climate controlled Equidome and two very large covered arenas. Huls remarks, that on the whole, people stayed very positive about the schedule changes. The Equidome and one of the covered pens were split in half to accommodate two different classes at once. Additionally, the covered arenas were available all night long with lights so that people had time and space to work. 
“I’m really surprised we didn’t have more people leave,” he says. “They toughed it out.” Of course, many were well aware that the weather back home was much worse, with snow measured in feet and cold that would’ve kept even the hardiest off their horses. “It’s a horse show… you have to be prepared for anything,” was a phrase that was continuously heard around the grounds—from exhibitors to judges and staff that hustled to keep everything running as smooth as possible.
Sun Circuit faced another huge hurdle this year. The Super Bowl and its week of festivities brought an extra hundred thousand visitors to the Phoenix area. Hotels had raised prices substantially and required full payment well in advance. Despite the hotel hassle, the show was up 60 stalls over the previous year. The first four shows of the Circuit tallied 400 more entries than the same period the year before. Even with the rain and scratches in some classes, there were a total of nearly 15,200 AQHA entries and 17,260 combined with NSBA and NRHA. Huls notes that NSBA numbers were greater this year, while NRHA entries stayed the same. 
The show has such a reputation for being both fun and well run, that it’s on the “must go to” list of so many trainers and exhibitors. There is a unique feeling about Sun Circuit, and it shows on people’s faces. Though big and exciting, there was a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Many things contribute to that feeling: the place, the beautiful environment, the (usually) great weather, being at the start of the show season, the people, and the camaraderie. Another huge draw is the location. WestWorld’s proximity to the fantastic restaurants, shopping, and galleries of Scottsdale make it one of the finest showing destinations in the country. Exhibitors and families enjoy being able to go off grounds. It is equally popular with judges for all the same reasons.
The Equine Chronicle has been a sponsor of Sun Circuit for over a decade. Publisher Tom Grabe reflects on the success of the show. “We were proud to be the presenting sponsor of The Sun Circuit again this year. We have watched it grow over the years and become one of the largest AQHA shows in the country. We look forward to our continuing partnership with such an outstanding show.”
“I loved being able to watch all these elite horses in one place,” says Gordon Downey of The Equine Chronicle, who was on-site for much of the show. “You don’t get to see many of them after they qualify….but they’re all here.” He recalls that it was such a treat to see 30-40 horses comfortably showing at one time, and not nose to tail. He observed that Western Pleasure horses were working nicely off the rail with natural movement and were being rewarded for it. “I also loved that I could go over to the Reining arena and see the best in the nation, working great, but relaxed and having a good time.”
Fun was definitely on the show bill this year, and often the rewards had nothing to do with class placings. The Sun Circuit Prize Patrol was busy the last two days randomly giving away close to $40,000 in electronics, saddles, merchandise, artwork, gift certificates, apparel and more. Christy Nichols riding Dreamin of Chics was surprised Sunday afternoon when she was called over to the announcer’s booth at the end of her Ranch Horse Pleasure pattern and presented with a saddle from South Texas Tack. Over in the Western Riding pen, Gabrielle Capron was sure glad she stayed till the end, as she was the recipient of the Equine Oasis saddle random giveaway. Brad Barkemeyer and Mattie Alewine both won 55” TVs donated by Pete Keller & Family. Over 120 exhibitors ended up winning something for just being there.
All fun aside, there were plenty of classes that showcased some great talent. Cutting was held exclusively on the first Friday with a morning and afternoon cut. This change from last year’s schedule proved to be a smart move, as overall cutting entries were up. There was a 50% increase in the amateur division, which saw 36 horses compete. Friday night, Bob Avila and Al Dunning entertained a crowd of over 250 people with a free cow horse clinic presented by Farnam. The pair offered up some great tips on reading cattle and getting into the right position to work a cow. Bob even “boxed” Al along the fence to demonstrate his point. At the end of the evening, two lucky attendees were picked from a drawing to receive buckets bursting with Farnam products. Another dozen free clinics were held throughout the week covering equine health, natural horsemanship, and specific classes.
The show got started in earnest on Saturday, and the grounds were positively humming. Exhibitors were treated to a free Welcome Dinner Party Saturday night in the Equidome while watching cow horse action in the arena. The Johns, Searles, and Tobin families have graciously been behind this kick off tradition for years. A few hundred people enjoyed a great meal and the chance to catch up with friends.
One of the areas that saw a big increase in numbers was Trail. In the Senior, there was a record breaking 136 shown, pretty evenly split with leveling. Leveling is working well as a means for more people to get points in these large classes. Forty-nine of those senior horses also showed in NSBA, accounting for some of the overall increase in NSBA entries. Select and Amateur Trail also boasted large numbers, and likewise saw an even divide in leveling, and heavy NSBA participation. To accommodate the large numbers, two trail courses usually ran simultaneously so one division did not have to wait until the conclusion of another.
Sun Circuit hosted a number of special events on the schedule. The first AQHA approved para-reining classes were held January 30-31. The classes were also approved by World Para Reining and were the first event in the WPR series. These intrepid athletes don’t let physical challenges keep them from enjoying the sport and loving life. Their runs were truly inspirational. After two days of showing, Briana Kathleen Bartlett stayed consistent, taking first on both days.
Arizona Cowboy Mounted Shooters roared into the Equidome January 30th, to a packed house. Rounds featured both AQHA and CMSA divisions, and it was an AQHA World qualifying event. Loud, fast and exciting, the event drew a crowd of horse show people and horse enthusiasts from around the region. In the AQHA Open, Kenda Lenseigne cleanly maneuvered My Families Famous Sparky through the course a half second faster that any rival to take the top spot. SHS Espuela Tops carried Nick Black smoothly for clean shots and a time of 30.84 to claim the Amateur division title.
Collegiate riders represented eight schools at the NCEA Sun Circuit Shoot Out Invitational on February 1st. Weather delays in Phoenix and elsewhere in the nation made for some tense travel, but the eight ladies and their coaches arrived to skies that finally broke blue and an arena that miraculously shed its waterlogged status in time. The format for the Shoot Out pitted two riders in head to head competition riding the same horse in a Horsemanship pattern. Each had four minutes to warm up and practice on their never-before-seen mounts. The winners of each match-up advanced to the next round to ride a new horse. 
Trainers donated the five horses used for the event. Jeff Abbott, AzQHA past president and local coordinator of the Shoot Out, comments, “at Sun Circuit we are so fortunate to have so many really great horses available. The trainers supplied us with multiple world champions.” Katelyn Gray from Texas Christian University emerged as the winner. She laughed afterward, “my plane was late. I was changing into my outfit and putting on lipstick in the cab!”
Several events had added money to sweeten the deal. Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch Bridle Spectaculars challenged open exhibitors to show what their horses could do in both Cutting and Cow Horse. The Rogers family gave $2,500 in added money to both the Junior and Senior division. Horses had to compete in the two Cutting and two Cow Horse classes held during the first half of the Sun Circuit.
The Senior looked like a close fight with Cory Cushing and Docs Catty Jo in the lead after two excellent cuts and a solid cow horse run. Smartee and Justin Wright were close behind. Day two of Cow Horse classes undid Docs Catty Jo however, and Smartee’s 144.5 and 143 secured a solid lead over all other rivals. A total score of 862.50 secured a check for $750 for the winner. In the Junior, Maverick Rey, with Justin Wright aboard, consistently marked more plusses after two cuts and two days of Cow Horse competition. First place earned $750 for owner Eric Freitas. Farnam sponsored the Amateur Bridle Spectacular with $2,000 added. With great scores in both the second cut and the second day of cow horse, Shannon McCarty piloted her horse Chicaroo Kitty to the top spot and earned herself an $800 payday.
Once again, Cinch signed on to sponsor the Timed Event Challenge Roping. Open headers and heelers chased $2,500 of added money, and the Non-Pros had $1,250 added to their heading and heeling classes. Travis Ericsson and Deal Olena bested a field of 11 open headers to earn $1,440. Open heelers brought out nine to show. Jake Cruzan sailed into first place aboard Sailing With Tejon for a $1,360 check. The eleven Non-Pro headers made it look easy, but Frank Garrett got his job done quickly and with style on Arachnaphobia, earning $980. Arachnaphobia returned on the heelers side and placed second for an additional $735. Haides Honda and Chantz Stewart lead the field of 12 heelers and picked up $980 in winnings.
The Smart Boons Fence Work Challenge is a popular highlight during Sun Circuit. Now in its 5th year, Eric and Wendy Dunn, the new owners of Smart Boons, sponsored the Challenge along with the free dinner party and live entertainment that accompanied it. Originally, the Open was promoted as a having $10,000 added, while the Non Pro had $2,500 added. As a surprise to exhibitors and the crowd alike, the Knight Family, Boons’ former owners, announced at the opening that they would donate an additional $5,000 to the Open. This prompted the Dunn family to throw in an additional $5,000 to the Non Pro.
Non-Pros were up first with five to show. They stopped and turned with guts and glory, showing they had every right to be on the same dirt as the big boys. The Open showed 18 horses with the biggest names on the Cow Horse scene aboard. From the first cow to the last, the runs were heart thumpingly entertaining. When the dust finally settled and the scores were tabulated, all the exhibitors were invited back into the arena for awards presentations. Shorty Rey Pepto, owned and shown by James Chalfant had marked a 72 and 73 to edge out the rest of the field, earning $2,700. The Open riders were a certainly merry bunch awaiting their placings; you would think each one of them had won as they bantered back and forth. Scores revealed that the top finishers in the Open were tightly bunched, but it was Corey Cushing’s 149 on Doc Catty Jo that earned owners Connie and Laura Johnson first place accolades and $5,100. Eric Dunn commented between runs, “this has been so much fun for us. Sun Circuit is a great show, and we are proud to be involved in it at this level.”
Western Riding saddle winner Gabrielle Capron
Proving just how versatile they truly are, many of the exhibitors in the Fence Challenge were also chasing the Bella Vista Ranch All Around Cowboy Award. Placings from Reining, Cutting, Cow Horse, Heading, Heeling, Tie Down Roping, Roping, and Ranch Horse Pleasure counted for the $1,000 award to the best Amateur and Open exhibitors. Brad Lund picked up the top honors in the Open, and Chantz Stewart’s circuit championships in Break Away and Heading put him at the top for the Amateur division.
Winning a class at Sun Circuit is a thrill and capturing a circuit championship is a great achievement, but for some extremely hard working exhibitors, the Sun Circuit All-Around Champion award is the Holy Grail. This year, those coveted accolades went to senior horse Only In Showbiz and owner Alexandra Chavez, who won a Bobs Saddle from Cowdog Saddles. On the Junior side, Pam Bilek and Aint Gota Lot won the Scottsdale Performance Saddle sponsored by Sea Ridge Farms. Tina Volmer and her horse, Take The Last Luke, put together the most points to clinch the Amateur All-Around title, and Cee Money carried Select rider Dan Yeager to his new award saddle. Youth riders were busy the second half of the show. Deanna Green transitioned from class to class with ease, and earned the Youth 14-18 All-Around title and saddle with BlazinMyTroubleAway. Emily Maul had a good show with her horse Only Temptation and picked up the 13 and Under Championship. Novice Youth Emma Edwards has a bright future after cinching the Novice Youth All-Around Championship.
Western Pleasure Futurities sponsored by Gil Galyean Quarter Horses offered up money for 3-year-olds in both Open and Non Pro. For One Knight Only consistently worked well and took top honors first with Rusty Green in the Open, and then returned of another good ride in the Non Pro with Hillary Roberts. The two wins added $1,000 to this smooth mover’s earnings.
Sun Circuit is always a good way to start off the New Year’s show schedule. Its strength and prestige proved more than enough to counter difficulties of hotels and weather. Judging by the numbers this year, one can imagine next year as being even bigger without the overlap of other huge events. While some shows grow stagnant over time, Huls and The Arizona Quarter Horse Association have committed to continuously moving the show forward to keep pace with the needs of the exhibitors and the industry.
“All the people I talked to were really enjoying themselves,” Gordon says. “I’m so privileged that I get to come here every year.”
