2023 Sun Circuit National Championships Horsemanship Winners

By Delores Kuhlwein

On Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the Scottsdale Arizona Sun Circuit, the Final Four of the National Championships competed in three divisions throughout the course of the day.

The tournament-style competition divides the four from each division into two teams who complete a complex pattern, then they narrow down the four to only two horse and rider combinations. Those two teams perform a final pattern for judging, and then a winner is declared.

Select Amateur

The first faceoff of the day was for the Select Amateur title, and the Final Four were as follows:

• Scott Reinartz and Only One Request
• April Gentry and Hez Simply Western
• Shannon Cairone and On My Level
• Kristi Troell and Huntin Sum Chocolate

The judges narrowed the field to Scott and Shannon, and then the champion was crowned:

Scott Reinartz and Only One Request!  The duo had already taken top honors in Showmanship for the National Championship earlier in the week, so it was an even more impressive accomplishment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amateur 

In the second National Championship Final Four faceoff, the Amateurs were narrowed to four teams:

• Patricia Bogosh and FirstOneInLastOneOut
• Eric Mendrysa and Never Sudden
• Kaleena Weakly and Definately A First
• Gentry Pickett w Ponderossa Pine

After the teams performed their first pattern, judges narrowed the field to Patricia and Kaleena, Then when final patterns were laid down, the judges chose Patricia and FirstOneInLastOneOut! Patricia and “Patrick” had already also won their National Championship title in Showmanship earlier in the week, so to say that were having a great show is an understatement.

Watch Patricia’s interview after her National Championship Showmanship win:

2023 Scottsdale Arizona Sun Circuit National Championship Amateur Showmanship Champion

Youth

In the last Final Four challenge of the day, four youth teams warmed up in Arena 4:

Jayna Lagace with Huntin Hotty Tottys

Brooke Jolstad w Betta Believe It

Alexandra Rippeon w ItzOnly Make Believe

Isabella Buckley w Shes Rockin My Dream

 

After they performed the first set of challenging patterns, the judges narrowed the competitors chosen to two teams: Jayna and Alexandra.  When their final patterns were completed, the champion was crowned: Jayna Lagace!

All four riders in each division will receive embroidered 50th Anniversary Scottsdale Arizona Sun Circuit jackets!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learn more about the National Championships at Sun Circuit:  https://www.suncircuit.com/national-championship-tournament-2023/