2022 AZ Sun Circuit Bringing Even More to the Table
By: Kristin Spinning
The 49th annual Scottsdale Arizona Sun Circuit takes over WestWorld Equestrian Center March 5th-13th with an even more robust array of classes, awards, and events. Even though it’s one of the largest American Quarter Horse shows in the country, and the second largest event held at WestWorld, Sun Circuit never stops innovating.
One set of new exhibitor awards is creating quite a buzz. A Sun Circuit logo EZ Go Golf Cart will be awarded to the exhibitor who earns the most points in each of 5 different disciplines: Ranch, Working Cow Horse, Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle and Reining. All horses shown by the exhibitor will accumulate points toward the award. Exhibitors may show as many horses as AQHA rules permit in each class. Additionally, a golf cart will be awarded to the champion of the $2,000 added 4 & 5-Year-Old Machine Made Open Trail Futurity. All these golf cart winners will be proudly utilizing these awards for many years to come.
Exhibitors are also getting excited about the opportunity to earn cash while showing in Trail, Reining and Ranch Riding classes with Sun Circuit’s 2D jackpots. There are multiple opportunities to win big for a small investment with $19,000 in added money, plus 100% payback. Jackpots run concurrent with AQHA classes, but if exhibitors want in on the jackpot, they must enter it in the show office. It’s so easy to play it begs the question, you’re already riding the class, so why not add a little fun and thrill to it?
Other new offerings bring more added money and exciting competition. The $7,500 Added Nothin But Nett 5 and Under Maiden Western Riding Stakes will certainly debut a fine field of horses on the pattern. There will also be four Super Sires Stakes classes with $2,500 added to each: L1 Green Jr Western Riding, L1 Green Sr Western Riding, 4 & 5 Year Old Open Trail and Senior Trail. NSBA and West Coast Breeders Futurities in Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle are also on the schedule.
While experienced exhibitors never want to miss a Sun Circuit, it’s important to note that there truly is something for everyone at every level at this show, including those just starting their riding career. Sun Circuit has added new walk/trot amateur and youth classes with their own All Around buckle awards. Amateurs can now enter Walk Trot Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Trail, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Ranch On The Rail, Amateur Ranch Trail, and Ranch Riding. New youth Walk Trot classes include Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Trail, Hunter Under Saddle, Equitation, Ranch On The Rail, Ranch Trail, and Ranch Riding.
Sun Circuit is also the place amateurs can get their less experienced horses into the arena in pattern classes, yet do so on a level playing field. New classes for Non Pro Green Horse Horsemanship and Non Pro Green Horse Showmanship are being offered. To be eligible, the horse must not have more than 25 lifetime points in the respective event as of Jan. 1, 2022.
A returning favorite for amateur and select exhibitors is the National Championships in Horsemanship, Equitation and Showmanship. The tournament style competitions allow any of the top 64 nationally ranked exhibitors to show in the Championship concurrently with the corresponding AQHA classes to the first set of judges where the high scoring 16 will be recognized and move on. Those 16 are further whittled down to 8 and then 4 through their placings under the next two sets of judges. The Four in each class and division will receive an embroidered black leather bomber jacket. They return to the arena in the tournament finals for head to head match ups. The wildly popular format draws large cheering crowds to see who will be presented a National Championship trophy buckle. Final 2021 year end rankings lists will be announced shortly. Eligible exhibitors must enter the National Championships in the show office, but there is no additional fee to participate.
Another returning favorite can be found in the Ranch classes. Farnam is kicking in $5,000 to the pot for the ever popular L1 Open Ranch Horse Stakes again this year. Past years have showcased many of the future top ranch horses in the nation in this L1 showdown, so it will be intriguing to see this year’s presentations in Ranch Trail, Ranch Riding, Ranch On The Rail, and Halter.
Youth Ranch classes are seeing a big boost of support and awards in 2022. One Fine Vintage and Robertson Ranches is sponsoring a Bobs Custom Saddle award to the High Point 14-18 Youth Ranch Champion, combining scores of one horse/one rider in Ranch Trail, Ranch Riding and Ranch On The Rail. And since starting young is important, Kimes Ranch is sponsoring High Point awards in 10 & Under Walk Trot Ranch, 11 & Under Ranch and 13 & Under.
On the cattle side of this incredibly diverse show, the ARHFA Sun Circuit Rope Horse Futurity returns with $30,000 in added money. There are open, intermediate, limited and non pro divisions. There are also Junior, Senior, Amateur and Boxing Spectaculars, which combine points from Cutting and Cowhorse to determine the champion.
Anyone who wants to prove they’ve truly got cow will be entering the AZ Golden Cowboy. With $5,000 added and a great line up of prizes, not to mention the bragging rights, this is always a fun event to follow. Scores are tallied from Golden Cowboy Herd Work, Muley Steer Stopping, and Jr. or Sr. Cow Horse.
Sun Circuit isn’t just about competition though. There is plenty of fun going on around the arenas with Prize Patrol giving away thousands of dollars worth of electronics, along with hats, boots, chaps, western wear, jewelry, massages, feed, supplements, and more donated by the generous sponsors and vendors. Of course, hands-down the most popular class of all, Lead Line, will be back. Also, be sure to keep an eye out for exhibitor party announcements and find the free coffee and donut cart as it makes the rounds each morning.
Sun Circuit is excited to be hosting a new venue for NSBA’s Heroes on Horses program. Veterans are invited to compete in the Heroes on Horses Walk Jog Western Pleasure class on March 9th, held in the Equine Chronicle Arena. There will also be a “Bootcamp” at 4:00 pm on March 8th where participants get to practice with the pros, followed by a social reception and dinner. Disabled veterans, active duty “wounded warriors,” and able bodied veterans who enjoy riding can all participate. Entries and further information can be found at nsba.com.
Sun Circuit is also about education. Want to get some insider secrets or check out a new discipline? Then drop by the Adequan Free Clinic Series. On this year’s schedule is Showmanship with Reid Thomas & Curtis Reynolds, a Boxing Clinic with Corey Cushing, and Debbie Cooper shares what keeps her in the winner’s circle in Ranch Trail. All clinics are audit only and there is no sign up required.
Sun Circuit makes showing fun no mater where you place, but exhibitors do love the awards. In all, a total of total of 37 saddles from Bobs Custom Saddles, Kyle Tack, Jim Taylor, Superior, Caliente, and Blue Ribbon will be awarded. There are L1, L2 and L3 Non Pro and Non Pro English High Point awards with champions receiving a Bobs Custom Saddles Saddle. High Point champions in all-ages, youth and amateur roping will win saddles too. The High Point Green Horse receives a Superior Saddlery Saddle. Sun Circuit draws a large contingent of VRH exhibitors every year, and this March they will be competing for champion saddles in both the open and amateur divisions.
Open, Amateur, and Select Ranch offer High Point Bobs Custom Saddle awards, while the L1 Amateur Ranch Champion receives a prize pack including Tall Top Rod Patrick Boots, Woods’ Chinks, and CR Ranch Wear shirt. Sun Circuit also has several divisions of Best of Show Awards featuring Rod Patrick Ostrich Boots for the champions and Sun Circuit spurs for reserve. Plus, there is a plethora of circuit awards, including 27 saddles, trophies, head stalls, buckles, and pads.
If you are in the market for a new prospect, the 17th Annual Heshberger Performance Horse Sale kicks things off on Thursday, March 3rd in the Equidome. There is a preview of horses on Thursday afternoon with a jackpot roping. On Friday, the preview will start at 9:00 with roping and cow horse. The sale will start at 1:00. You can check out some of the consignments at hershbergerhorses.com.
There is a lot packed into the 2022 Sun Circuit, but the schedule still allows plenty of time to enjoy the great weather, hang with friends, and explore the amazing restaurants, shops, and activities in Scottsdale. A complete list of awards, criteria, and classes can be found at suncircuit.com and up the the minute announcements are published on the show’s Facebook page, @AZSunCircuit.
