By Delores Kuhlwein
On the last day in February at the 2023 Silver Dollar Circuit, the much-anticipated NSBA All Age Limited Trail Horse Stakes was set for 5 PM Vegas time, and it’s always a huge hit.
Commentating on the event were course designer and “Man of Trail” Tim Kimura along with renowned trainer Clint Ainsworth as they discussed the riders and horses on course while viewers could watch the live feed and listen to the comments from any location in the world.
“Our stakes classes are held during the show at 5 PM, and we always make a big celebration of them,” explains Show Producer Jan Bruner. “They have a great aura and they become a bit of a party. Lots of people come to watch, and we give away 50 free drink tickets during the class.”
She says the Trail Stakes are also a particularly fun event because they’re not bound by AQHA rules, so Tim is able to utilize the large arena for the futurity to cater the design to the level of horses competing.
“One of the biggest draws is the opportunity to get young or green horses into a large arena with the atmosphere of a big event going on, with the lights, the live stream, and the loudspeaker,” she explains. “The feeling emulates the World Show, and it’s helpful for people to be able to expose those young horses to that type of environment.”
In addition, everyone who competes in the stakes class gets a prize, says Bruner. “The winner received a garland and a beautiful tray, the Reserve team received a certificate for a saddle pad of their choice from Horse Show Closet, and of course, we pay out through 7th place. Placings tenth through sixteenth received a Silver Dollar mug.”
When the final scores for the sixteen teams were tabulated, they placed as follows through 10th place:
1 – Jimmie Buffet with Arturo Maestas for Hannah Pipkin, payout $599.20
2 – Olive So Sudden with Michael Hoyt for Jennifer Stoenner, payout $470.80
3 – KM Certified Best with Jesse Jones for Megan Holtmeyer, payout $363.80
4 – By All Means with Duke Williams for Lenora Bachu Roberts, payout $214.00
5 – Only Rock And Roll with Will Knabenshue for Teresa Kohman, payout $192.60
6 – The Best N Moore with Michael Hoyt for Laura Albright, payout $99.87
6 – Shes One Na Million with Will Knabenshue for Cynthia Rosson, payout $99.87
6 – Suddenly So Simple with Kaci Rodriguez for Renee Salib, payout $99.87′
9 – Willya Be Lazy with Jesse Jones for Reese Villanueva
10 – Almost Invited with Sydney Swallom