2023 Scottsdale Arizona Sun Circuit Wrap Up

 

Sun Circuit

For a few nerve wracking days, it looked as though inclement weather across the nation would severely impact horses getting to Arizona for the 50th Anniversary Scottsdale Arizona Sun Circuit March 4-12. However, as the rain and snow moved on and the much anticipated sun for which Sun Circuit is famous emerged, it was clear that this milestone year was going to be bigger than ever. Total AQHA entries were up nearly 20% over last year’s record breaking numbers, notching 31,329. Long a favorite of veteran exhibitors and a Bucket List show for hundreds more, Sun Circuit blew away expectations. Class sizes were large, awards were prolific, payouts were lucrative, events were memorable and the fun was infectious.

Sun Circuit has always offered numerous NSBA classes in the past, but this year the association added a whole slate of NSBA Ranch classes to the schedule and participation caught on. In total, NSBA entries were up 42% over last year.

NSBA Futurities enticed exhibitors with added money and coveted awards. A whooping $10,000 was added to the Snippity Snap NSBA Four & Five Year old Trail Open Futurity with 35 teams ponying up $200 to enter. HP Sleepy For Sure owned by Nicole Heron and shown by Carly Veldman were the champions winning $3,655. They also won the Trail Futurity golf cart award. Reserve went to Made Me Famous owned by Cathy Ryden and shown by Sara Simons winning $2,845.40. That team went on to win the circuit award for L1 Junior Trail. Third in the Trail Futurity was My Dad Is The Best owned by Linsay Smaltz shown by Charlie Cole $1,754.40.

Additionally there was a Machine Made $2,000 added Four and Five Year old Trail Limited Rider Futurity. Mechanic Parkin Only owned and shown by Catherine De Coster came out on top winning $1,110.40. She also won a Blue Ribbon Saddle and NSBA Trophy. Blessed With Thebest owned by Joline Humbert and shown by Adam Winter was reserve earning $763.40.

The $7,500 Nothing But Nett 5 and Under Maiden Stakes Western Riding presented a fine group of up and coming horses we are certain to see claiming more titles in the future. Blake Weis and RV Not For Hire Evon Werner on the Maiden winning $3,072,  Xxtreme ridden by Kyra Ley for owner Barbara Bouma was reserve. RV Not For Hire dominated the younger field in Western Riding to claim the L1 Junior/Green circuit award trophy, and the West Coast Breeders L1 Junior trophy.

Gil Galyean Quarter Horses added $1,000 to the NSBA 3 Year Old Western Pleasure. He got $848 of that back by winning the class on Queen Ov Hearts owned by Cory Seebach and Candice Hall. Reserve went to Lopin Schmancy ridden by Angie Cannizzaro for owner Jeri Lockwood. They took home $636. Top Gun and Rusty Green were third winning $424.

The NSBA 3 Year Old $2,500 Ltd Horse Open was also sponsored by Gil Galyean Quarter Horses and had $1,000 added. Rusty Green was out in front aboard Top Gunn winning $852.00. Aaron Moses piloted Charles Fisher’s The Lotto Machine to the second spot in the line up earning $568.00.

Fourteen horses were in the ring for the NSBA 3 & 4 Year Old Non Pro Western Pleasure with $500 added money. Paula Czapko showed This Cowboys Mine for the win and $451.20. Linda Berwick’s horse Deja Whoo took the second slot and $310.20.

The 3 & 4 Year Old Intermediate Non Pro presented 8 horses and had $500 added by Gil Galyean Quarter Horses. Paula A Czapko showed that This Cowboys Mine has a bright future winning the class and $452.00. Second went to Made Me Famous and Megan Ryden.

NSBA presented the very moving Heroes on Horses for the second year at Sun Circuit. The event kicked off with the parade of Heroes procession of 150 flag bearers into the Equine Chronicle arena. They were joined by members of the Scottsdale Mounted Police, VFW flag bearers representing all the armed services, several walking veterans and the somber leading of the riderless horse honoring all those who lost their lives in service. There were 10 exhibitors in the Western Pleasure class, many of whom participate in therapeutic riding programs across the state. Heroes on Horses is presented as a Special Project of the NSBA Foundation with the support of Bob and Ingrid Miller. A free luncheon was also provided ringside for exhibitors and anyone who came out to watch the ceremony.

To celebrate 50 years, Sun Circuit threw a party with a memorable Dancing With The Stars competition sponsored by Markel Insurance. Horse professionals were paired with local dance pros and had to learn the choreography of their routine in just a couple hours. While they might be able to ace a

pattern in the ring, learning the moves, spins and slides on the dance floor was a whole new challenge. Yet these tough competitors pulled out a few surprises. Turns out, Tim the Trail Man can two step pretty well. Deanna Searles and her partner strutted onto the floor like they owned the place and wowed the crowd with side to side hip lifts complete with 3 full spins.  Karen Graham channeled her inner J Lo as she shimmied through her routine. Brad Barkemeyer, in a sequined black shirt that really should be his go-to show shirt,  got his Latin on, executing crisp turns with extreme focus. Beth Case twirled her way into the hearts of the audience, then threw a few disco moves into her samba for good measure. And JD Yates traded his chaps for some shiny, tight fitting black leather pants.

The panel of judges included Pete Kyle, Chad Evans in a sparkling white sequined jacket, and Sara Simons. They were happy to accept a proliferation of bribes….that all went to the AzQHYA scholarship fund.

After round one, there was a four way tie, prompting a work off. Each team had 30 seconds to put on their best moves and the team with loudest crowd reaction would determine the winner. The crowd of over 700 roared for each contestant, but it was Brad Barkemeyer who ultimately took home the trophy. The event raised $17,000 for the AzQHYA. The band Bangers and Mash provided the music and the dance floor opened to all after the competition. There is no doubt, the tradition of Sun Circuit’s infamous parties of old has been revived.

The popular and challenging National Championships were back again in the non pro pattern classes. The top 64 exhibitors ranked nationally are eligible to compete and after 3 rounds of elimination, The Four remaining show one more pattern in a head to head format. The Champions all receive buckles and everyone who makes it to The Four are awarded embroidered bomber jackets.

Farnam National Championship Amateur Showmanship finals saw Patricia Bogosh, Tony Anderman, Johnna Letchworth and Parris Rice make it to The Four, but it was Patty’s runs that won the buckle.

In the Farnam National Championship in Select Showmanship, Scott Reinartz came to the competition as the number one seed and stayed true to form to become this year’s buckle winner. Anne Wilson, Tammy Dewey and Vito Latini rounded out The Four.

Patty Bogosh put together a string of good patterns during her week in Scottsdale and advanced to The Four in the Cinch National Championship Horsemanship with FirstOneInLastOneOut. In the final pairing against Kaleena Weakly and Definitely A First, Patty kept her streak going and pulled out the win. Eric Medrysa riding Never Sudden, along with Gentry Picket and Ponderosa Pine also made it to The Four.

Scott Reinartz progressed through the Cinch National Championship Select Horsemanship tournament rounds to find himself in another finals. He edged out Shannon Cairone and On My Level in the last round for a second buckle. Shannon and Scott were ranked #1 and #2 in the nation coming into the tournament, and their closely competitive patterns made it clear they were well matched contenders. Also making The Four were Kristi Troell with Huntin Sum Chocolate and April Gentry riding Hez Simply Western.

Brooke Garcia and The Publication made their way to the final work off in the Equine Chronicle National Championship Equitation after a full week of tough competition. Brooke went head to head with Krusin In Krymsun with Alexis Miller in the irons and had just enough gas in the tank to pull off one more smooth pattern. Parris Rice riding Its southern Blues and Lila Owens and Beyond Expectation also made it to The Four.

Only two exhibitors qualified for the Finals in the Equine Chronicle National Championship Select Equitation. Scott Reinartz and Only One Request rode the pattern against Anne Wilson and RR Certainly A Lady. While both did a fine job, Scott topped the judges scores one more time and won the buckle, thus  sweeping all three Select National Championships.

Youth exhibitors also competed in the National Championships.

First up was the Farnam National Championship Youth Showmanship. With crisp moves, Sydney Swallom and Almost Invited edged out a beautiful executed pattern by Lyla Bellar and Good Evanescence for the buckle. The finals were tough because  Itzonly Make Belive and Alexandra Rippeon were also on fire and Siena Holyoak presented Wrap Me In Red with finesse.

In the Cinch National Championship Youth Horsemanship, a tight spread in scoring advanced Jayna Lagace riding Huntin Hotty Tottys and Alexandra Rippeon with Iztonly Make Belive to the final pairing. Jayne was just about flawless on her last go cinch the win. Isabella Buckley rode Shes Rocking My Dream and Brooke Jolstad showed Betta Believe It to round out the finals.

When the Equine Chronicle National Championship Youth Equitation took over the arena, it was certain to be a tough competition as all four young ladies had tremendous accomplishments over the past year. The final match up was between Jayna Lagace riding Huntin Hotty Tottys and Sydney Swallom with Almost Invited. Jayna commented that she loved the challenges of the two track and serpentine in the pattern and that her horse floated through it. The judges like her maneuvers too and she went home with the buckle.

Isabella Buckley and Shes Rockin My Dream along with Mouse Trapped ridden by Alexis Potts rounded out The Four.

The show went all in on awards this year. There were 36 saddles, Rod Patrick boots, saddle pads, trophies and gift certificates from Woods, CR Ranch Wear and Cinch waiting for exhibitors in the Awards booth. But the true highlight was twelve 50th Anniversary EZ Go golf carts parked in front of the Show Office that were awaiting to be awarded as high point  prizes on the last days. Aaron Moses had an exceptional show, earning the high point Western Pleasure Exhibitor golf cart. Beth Case hung up her dance shoes and picked up the keys to the Hunter Under Saddle Exhibitor golf cart. Luck of the Draw saw Angela Fox win the NP High Point Rail Exhibitor cart. She was one of several eligible contenders, each a Circuit champion from Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle classes. A random drawing bestowed on her a shiny new ride. It was no surprise that after Scott Reinartz’s string of wins at Sun Circuit, he racked up the points to be awarded the Non Pro High Point  Showmanship, Horsemanship and Equitation Golf Cart. Taylor Kennedy won the Non Pro High Point Trail golf cart. Additional carts were awarded in Reining, Cowhorse and Ranch.

Sun Circuit keeps growing and innovating, giving exhibitors not just a horse show but an experience they remember for a lifetime. There were actually quite a few people on the WestWorld grounds who had been to most, if not all 50 Sun Circuits. There is no doubt that many who attended the 2023 show will be coming back for decades.