horse (when horses work a single cow around an arena with specific maneuvers), roping, cutting (when a horse and rider work to demonstrate the horse’s athleticism and ability to handle cattle) and reining before he switched to training. Having the show at WestWorld is a “true joy for exhibitors,” Huls says. WestWorld has room for 1,800 stalls, and visitors can see everything the Valley has to offer. “WestWorld is fabulous. (My wife and I) go to shows there all year long,” Avila adds. “It’s such a well-run facility, well taken care of. It’s right there where all the hotels and restaurants are.” Besides the horse events, the Sun Circuit showcases vendors who sell art, jewelry, clothing and saddles. The vendor booths sold out this year. Riders who want to improve their skills can participate in free clinics. Avila, who has won World’s Best Horseman twice, will be one of the clinicians the day before the Sun Circuit show starts. “I try to come up with something new and different and this year it will be, ‘How well trained is your horse?’” Avila says.
Avila will ask the participants to rank their horses from “very complicated to very uncomplicated.” The questions also include: “Does your horse stand still when you get on it? Can you open and shut a gate on it?” Avila says. “A lot of things are going to be so simple people won’t even realize ‘til I bring them up.” Other clinics include: Laurel Walker Denton on Developing Trust in Ranch Riding, Robin and Jenny Frid on Showmanship, and Allyn Mann on Adequan. The competitions are the pinnacle of the event. The judges must qualify under American Quarter Horse Association regulations, as well as
the National Reining Horse, National Reined Cow Horse and National Cutting Horse associations. The judges include Debra Jones Wright, Bill Enk, Chele McGauly, Mark Russell and Peter Morgan. “They have good judges and they have a good facility,” says Avila. This nine-day event is for anyone passionate about horses. “I can’t picture my life without horses,” Avila says. “If people have never been around them, they’re missing something.”
Arizona Sub Circuit Quarter Horse Show & Versatility Ranch Horse Show Various times Saturday, February 29, to Sunday, March 8 WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale Free admission and parking 623-869-8037, suncircuit.com
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