2016 Sun and Surf Circuit Kicks Off Today in Del Mar, CA!

By: Brittany Bevis

Get ready to have some fun in the sun! The 2016 Sun and Surf Circuit kicks off today in Del Mar, CA. and will continue through May 22nd where AQHA competitors will have the opportunity to rack up points from six AQHA shows over the four-day-event.

The stunning 65-acre Del Mark Horse Park is the site of the annual event, and with it’s central location in North San Diego County it’s just two miles from the Pacific Ocean. Word is you can even SEE the beach from certain places on the show grounds! In fact, when the show is done for the day, many competitors enjoy fine dining in Del Mar, sight seeing at Mission Bay, or shopping in La Jolla.

The festivities began last night during The Equine Chronicle Exhibitors’ Party. Then, competition kicked off first thing this morning at 8:00 am in The Equine Chronicle arena with Hunter Under Saddle, Equitation, Western Pleasure, and Horsemanship and at 7:00 am in the Wood’s Western Arena with Trail classes. Judging the show are Scott Neuman, Kelly Chapman, Brad Kearns, Sissy Anderson, Pierre Briere, and Steve Meadows.

Spectacular awards are on tap for the show including All-Around awards for Novice Youth, 11 & Under Youth, All Age Youth, Novice Amateur, Amateur, Select Amateur, Green Horse, Junior Horse, and Senior Horse. All-Around Award Champions will receive Silverado Champion Buckles, $100 gift certificates from Blue Ribbon Custom Tack, and $100 gift certificates from Barbara’s Custom Hats. Reserve Champions will receive $100 gift certificates from Shorty’s Caboy Hattery. NSBA Futurity winners will be presented with Silverado Silver Buckles and $250 gift certificate from Wood’s Western.

Also, there is a number of special awards that will be presented in specific classes.

• Barry Pashby Memorial Perpetual Trophy- to be awarded to the Champion in 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure Futurity
• Kathy Hunt Memorial Perpetual Trophy- to be awarded to the Circuit Champion in Amateur Pleasure Driving
• Super Select- Silverado Silver Buckle to be awarded to the Select All Around Champion Aged 60 or Older
• Non-Pro Trail Classic- Champion will receive a 100X hat from Shorty’s Caboy Hattery
• NSBA Trail Futurity- High Point 3-year-old will receive a Silverado Silver Buckle and a $500 Cash Prize

In addition, there will be an Opportunity Drawing for a Harris Leather and Silverworks Saddle for Youth, Amateur, and Select! For each class entered and show, each competitor will receive a ticket to win. However, Level 1 classes do not apply.

Stay tuned to EquineChronicle.com for fun around the ring photos when Gordon Downey touches down in California as well as complete results courtesy of Mark Harrell Horse Shows. Class sizes are already looking impressive. This morning’s Open Level 1 Trail class showed 47 entries!

Also, stay tuned for a fun blog from first-time AQHA youth competitor, Mackenzie Preston, who’s making her debut with her new horse, a four-year-old roan gelding named Where Do I Sign, aka “Tebow.”