Sun Circuit Smashes Records
The 2021 Scottsdale Arizona Sun Circuit exceeded all expectations while delivering the biggest horse show in its 47 year history. The 9 day equine extravaganza was held February 27 through March 7th at the expansive WestWorld facilities in Scottsdale, AZ. A perfect storm of pent up desire to show, a tremendously diverse slate of classes and a destination worthy location drew exhibitors from all corners. Returning exhibitors joined many who made it to their bucket-list show for the very first time. The prodigious increase was apparent before the first classes even started. Additional stalls were erected, more trailers filled the parking lots and more horses were acclimating to the mild Arizona weather as they casually exercised in a dozen arenas. Sun Circuit is a premier event in the equine industry for youth, amateur, select and open exhibitors. There were 26,108 AQHA entries and 4,561 NSBA class entries, including Color Breed classes. NRHA and NRCHA classes also saw increased numbers. Once the numerous special events, added money classes and 2D jackpot classes are tallied, a whooping 38,841 entries were made. That is nearly a 20% increase over 2020’s total class numbers. The explosive growth pressed Sun Circuit management to creatively utilized every inch of the West World show grounds. Several adjustments had to be made to the schedule and additional arenas were opened. Classes were held in a total of 11 arenas and additional areas and pens were available for warm up. Innovation is always a hallmark of Sun Circuit and this year’s show was full of fun and lucrative opportunities. Leann Rhodes was the lucky winner of the fully customized Western Hauler Crew Cab Chevrolet LTZ in the Western Hauler Truck Bonanza Raffle. Sun Circuit also kicked in $4,500 to cover taxes and registration fees for the winner. The entire package was worth about $90,000. Only 500 tickets were sold. Each raffle participant drew a raffle ticket from a box with a number between $1 and $500. Whatever number they drew was the amount they paid for the ticket. Some people opted to buy several tickets, and the event was so popular, folks at home wanted in so drawings were taken by phone also. All proceeds after expenses went into the pot for the Western Hauler Western Pleasure Truck Bonanza class. There were 17 qualified horses and riders from L1 Open, Junior and Senior pleasure in the class. Each Open rider drew a horse’s name as their mount. If they drew their own, or a horse they’ve ridden in the past, they had to draw again. After a few minutes to get acquainted, these new teams competed for a slice of nearly $50,000. Payouts were made to all 17 and winnings were split equally between the rider and the horse’s owner. Katie Green easily clicked with Susie Johns’ horse KM Flat Out The Best to rack up the most points across the 3 judges. Katie and Susie split the top payout of $9,132.34. In second place, Becky and Gil Galyean’s horse, Made Sleepy, gave Rusty Green a smooth ride and earned $5,580.88. Good Vybes, owned by Amy Lynch and shown by Ty Elrod, finished in third place for a $4,566 check. At the end of the class, champion Katie Green had the honor of pulling the winning raffle ticket. Fantastic awards are another reason people love Sun Circuit. Rod Patrick Boots were the Best of Show prizes that awaited youth, amateur and select exhibitors in both the all-around and ranch and cattle divisions. There were 43 saddle awards across disciplines, ages and levels. Non Pros in L1, L2 and L3 accumulated points to win Bobs Custom Saddles. They had their points tallied from showmanship, horsemanship pleasure and halter. Lydia Menossi with 128 points took top honors in the Level 1 Non Pro. Shez Flat Mystical was shown in Level 2 by Bailey Anderson earning 179 points to claim the saddle award. Laina Banks had 163 14
points to win the Level 3 saddle with Strawberri Wine. The Non-Pro English saddle was won by Brooke Jolstad riding Betta Believe It. The High Point Green Horse was Not Dun Loping owned by Jane Humes, taking home a Superior Saddle. Thousands of dollars were added to a new series of 2D jackpots in Reining, Ranch Riding and Trail. They provided opportunities for a lot of people to win cash. Added money and entry fees were divided equally between the 1D and 2D Divisions and each D paid 3 places. Over $29,000 was paid out. “We are really excited about the 2D format and spreading it around to multiple classes,” commented Sun Circuit Director and AzQHA CEO Doug Huls. “The Divisions are another form of leveling. You don’t have to be the big class winner to win a prize. You can score in the average and earn some money. For a nominal investment in the jackpot, you can go home with a nice check. It’s new for us, but the exhibitors who jumped on this year were really thrilled with it. We are definitely going to be offering 2D classes again next year.” A few highlights from the 2D payouts include Gunna Sail Away and John Gilbert winning $1,320 in the Amateur Reining. The Senior Trail stakes had 21 entries jackpotted and a total purse of $4,100. Hes Blazin Trouble with Jason Martin earned $923 in the 1D and VS Highroller with Brad Jewett aboard won $923 for first in the 2D. L1 Amateur Ranch Riding had a jackpot and Liz Wagstrom rode Pay Me In Chocolate to win $315 in cash rather than chocolate in the 1D. Another $315 went to first place Kist My Assasin and Chelsie McAllister in the 2D. The biggest payouts were seen in the $5,000 added Junior Trail Stakes. Not Dun Lopin and Jane Humes won $3,120 for first in the 1D and Metamorphic and Ashley Clock-Dunbar claimed the top spot in the 2D earning $2,080. Several NSBA Futurities offered more opportunities to earn money too. Good To Be First, owned by Emily Miller and shown by Beth Case won the $5,000 added $2,500 Novice Horse Hunter Under Saddle Open with a payout of $3,480. $2,500 Limited Horse, Limited Rider Open HUS was won by Cprealsurehestheone owned by Kristie Perea. Nancy Alto-Renfro was in the saddle and the team won $1,300. West Coast Breeders offered futurity classes as well, including the $2,500 Added 3 & 4 Year Old Non Pro HUS. Im Simply Southern was shown by Kara Flentje to earn a $2,650 paycheck. On the Western side, the $2,500 Added West Coast Breeders 3 & 4 Year Old NP Western Pleasure saw Never Have I Ever and Dakota Andrie take top honors, the trophy and a check for $1,635. Kent Ray Taylor had a fine ride in the NSBA 3 & 4 year old Non Pro Pleasure with SnippitySnap earning $662. The Intermediate Non Pro saw The Candy Mann ridden by Macy Brandt claiming the trophy and $502 In the $2,000 added 3 Year Old Open Western Pleasure, Gil Galyean showed Made Sleepy, a horse he and Becky own, to claim first and $2,260. Ima Gold Machine owned by Rusty and Katie Green was in the gold earning $1,733 with Katie at the reins in the $5,000 4 & Over Pleasure. The 3 Year Old Novice Horse Western Pleasure sponsored by Gil Galyean Quarter Horses was won by LunaMoon and Angie Cannizzaro. The smooth moving mare earned owners Scott and Linda Berwick $1,468. The Susan Johns Family & Nothin But Nett sponsored 2 trail futurities. The 4 and Over Maiden Trail was won by Martinis In The Dark owned by Katie Michell and shown by Jess Bergantzel. They earned $1,569.38 for their efforts. Brad Jewett navigated If U Say So, owned by Hanna
APRIL 2021
