Arizona Quarter Horse Producing Two Back-To-Back Circuits This Fall
By: Kristin Spinning
With so many horse shows canceled in 2020, the enthusiasm for expanding the Arizona Fall Championship is enormous and the timing couldn’t be better. The popular show held September 26-29 at WestWorld in Scottsdale will be followed by The Pinnacle Circuit which runs October 1-4. Exhibitors have the opportunity to show at one or both. It’s a great way to get 10 AQHA shows in just one trip.
The shows are designed to provide maximum comfort while making health and safety a top priority. All classes will be held in WestWorld’s vast, climate controlled arenas or covered pens. Exhibitors can skip the lines in the show office by entering, adding, and scratching on line with the new Horse Show Tracker Passport app. And of course, WestWorld is so big, there is plenty of room for everyone to spread out and have their own personal space.
The AZ Fall Championship features 6 judges and will present its treasured Circuit award trophies. The Pinnacle Circuit has 4 judges and embroidered coolers will be presented to its Circuit Champions. Reserve and 3rd overall for both circuits receive embroidered outer wear.
Additionally, High Point saddles from Superior Saddlery will be awarded to Non Pros in Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. There are Best of Show awards in the All Around and the Reining and Cattle divisions for youth, amateur and open exhibitors. Buckles, Rod Patrick Ostrich Boots and Cinch certificates await those winners. High Point and Best of Show awards are calculated from all 10 judges over the 2 circuits.
The shows present Arizona’s own Level 1 and Select Championships with so many classes and awards geared for those exhibitors. There are Best of Show awards for L1 Select, L1 Amateur and L1 Youth in the All Around division and an L1 Amateur award for the Ranch and Cattle division. Select exhibitors can compete for Best of Show in the All Around and are eligible for the L1, L2 and L3 High point saddles.
Ranch Riding enthusiasts will be happy to see the expansive offerings including the incredibly popular Ranch on the Rail and Ranch Trail. The Ranch Horse Challenge Awards are back this year with High Point Champions in L1 Open Ranch, Open Ranch, Amateur Ranch and Select Amateur Ranch all receiving $500 and a buckle. Points will be calculated over all 10 judges. All new for this year will be a 3 and 4 year old Ranch Riding Futurity with special awards for the high scoring three year olds. The pattern for the futurity will be a simple lead change pattern.
Both circuits will offer plenty of classes for all levels of exhibitor in Rail, Trail, and Pattern classes as well as Reining. Youth classes are scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There are numerous NSBA classes too. Cow Horse classes are offered at the Pinnacle Circuit and will have a Cow Horse practice pen. Arizona Reined Cow Horse Association will host a $10,000 added Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch NRCHA Futurity and a $5,000 added Non Pro Derby. There will also be 2 full slates of NRCHA classes with a total of $3,800 in added money.
Low hotel rates are another perk for exhibitors coming to Scottsdale. The newly renovated Best Western Sure Stay Plus is the host hotel this year with room rates of $75 plus tax. Additional hotels are offering exhibitors discounted rates too. Exhibitors can choose to stay on site at WestWorld with their own RV or rent one from Going Places RV who will deliver to the site.
AzQHA’s forward thinking is once again giving Quarter Horse exhibitors just what they need in the right place at the right time. More details, awards criteria, and schedules will be continually updated.
