LIVE From Las Vegas at the 40th Annual Silver Dollar Circuit!
By: Brittany Bevis
Viva Las Vegas! Upon arrival at the South Point Equestrian Center, it’s clear, right off the bat, that this week in Sin City is devoted entirely to the American Quarter Horse. Sure, a handful of folks are probably in town for March Madness and a little St. Patrick’s Day celebration, but for the most part, the clanging on the casino floor is from boots and spurs as competitors make their way from the hotel down to the arena.
This is the 40th anniversary for the Silver Dollar Circuit, but what you might not know is the event wasn’t always held in Las Vegas. The show originated at Horseman’s Park in 1976 before relocating to Reno in 2001 and making its final move to Las Vegas in 2005. For the past 19 years, it’s been under the capable guidance of Show Manager Jan Bruner and staff at Bruner Group Equine Events.
Bruner’s unique schedule that consolidates the open classes to Tuesday-Thursday and Youth and Amateur classes from Thursday-Sunday has undoubtedly contributed to the large turnout that’s made the Silver Dollar Circuit the fourth largest show in the nation. Although the first two days is a bit of a marathon for trainers like Jim and Deanna Searles, who bring a full trailer of horses to the show, the remainder of the week can be spent focusing on youth and amateur competitors. In fact, Bruner says one trainer described the schedule as “soothing,” not an adjective that typically goes hand in hand with a horse show.
Upon check in at the golden-windowed South Point Hotel and Casino, competitors receive a room key featuring none other than AQHA stallion Allocate Your Assets. In addition, the Silver Dollar Circuit goody bag includes a South Point Fun Book that has coupons for items like a free bottle of wine with the purchase of two entrees at Silverado Steak House, free admission to a Nite Life Entertainment Show in the Showroom, and one deluxe Crown Royal cocktail.
With numerous restaurants and bars (Michael’s, Coronado Cafe, Zenshin), the Costa Del Sur Spa, beauty salon, barber shop, bowling alley, fitness center, move theater, and arcade, there’s no need to even leave the hotel! However, if you feel like touring the Strip, it’s just a short 10-minute cab ride to all the action at the Bellagio, Treasure Island, and the MGM Grand.
We spoke with a few show-goers about their plans for some fun when they leave the show grounds for the day. A few members of High Point Performance Horses hope to catch a performance of Absinthe, an acrobatic, cabaret variety show at Caesar’s Palace, while some barn friends at Circle S Ranch plan to grab an early dinner and an evening showing of the third movie in the Divergent series, Allegiant.
While the options for entertainment are numerous, one of the best parts about showing at South Point, according to many competitors, (besides being able to take an elevator directly to the show arena and barns) is having the ability to watch a live stream of the horse show from your hotel room! It simply doesn’t get much better than that.
However, if you’re so inclined to visit the arena, you might try to catch one of eight added money futurities on the schedule this week. Just yesterday, Mark Jensen rode The Daily Show to win the $2,500 added Novice Horse Western Pleasure futurity for owner Amanda Jackson. Then, Sandra Morgan rode Great I Will Be to win the $2,500 Novice Horse Hunter Under Saddle. This evening, the $1,000 added Open Three-Year-Old Western Pleasure and $1,000 Open Three-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle will take place. Stay tuned for those results… The $1,250 added Novice Horse/Ltd. Non Pro Western Pleasure will take place on Friday. Saturday will host the $1,000 added Non Pro Three-Year-Old Western Pleasure and $1,250 added Novice Horse/Ltd. Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle. Finally, on Sunday, the last futurity class will be the $1,000 Non-Pro Three-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle.
Judging these futurities and other classes at the show are Elizabeth Baker, Dean Bogart, Patty Campbell, Brett Clark, Jeff Greaves, Derek Hanscome, Suzy Jeane, Clay MacLeod, Andrea Simons, Jennifer Thompson, and Tracy Willis.
When it comes time to reward the winners, the prizes are plentiful. Up for grabs are Blue Ribbon Headstalls, Custom Wine Carriers, $500 Woods’ Western gift certificates, a $1,250 D Designs gift certificate, $800 Showtime Show Clothing gift certificate, $500 Barbara’s Custom Hat gift certificate, puffer vests, Kimes Ranch jeans, 40th anniversary coolers, duffel bags, plaques, mouse pads, and much more.
If you’re at the show on Thursday, don’t forget the Exhibitors’ Happy Hour from 4-6 pm. Horse d’oeurves and cocktails will be served and select vendors will be offering shopping discounts and prize giveaways. Wood’s Western will be drawing for a $500 gift certificate!
Results are being updated by the minute on http://www.silverdollarcircuit.com. To view results for a particular class simply click on the Live Show heading located at the top of the home page. Then, select 2016 Silver Dollar Circuit and search results by individual class, judge, horse, or exhibitor.
Take a look at some of the class numbers so far:
- Junior Western Pleasure- 15
- All Age Western Pleasure Level 1- 17
- Senior Western Pleasure- 25
- Senior Western Riding Level 1- 31
- Junior Trail Level 2- 33
- Junior Trail Level 1- 37
- Senior Western Riding Level 2- 39
- Senior Trail Level 1- 43
Click here to view more fun photos from Wednesday at the 2016 Silver Dollar Circuit.
