Arizona Sun Circuit: 39 Years and Growing
By Kristen Spinning
It takes a lot of creative effort to keep a horse show fresh, especially one that has been around as long as the Arizona Sun Circuit. Times, interests, style and markets have all changed radically over the years. The 2012 Sun Circuit, held January 28 through February 5 at WestWorld in Scottsdale, is building upon the changes enjoyed last year. The show will offer even more new events, cash added classes, parties, vendors, clinics and give-aways. From cutters to hunters, cowboys to backyard horsemen, there will be something for every horse person.
More Free Clinics
Last year, The Free Clinic Series was a huge hit, Farnam has brought it back with an expanded slate of top horsemen presenting a wide range of topics. Over four days, 21 clinicians will present 17 free one-hour programs. On Saturday January 28, three separate reining clinics will detail key aspects of patterns. First up, Andrea Fappani will reveal Strategies to improve your rollbacks. Then Randy Paul takes over to teach how you can improve your spins. Tracer Gilson will take the reins to demonstrate flawless circles. A healthy horse is vital to a successful show, so Dr. Otto Stanislaw, DVM will present “Preparation and Soundness of your Equine Athlete for the Major Events in the Vendor Tent Lounge
Sunday offers another series of clinics with Al Dunning demonstrating “Make the Cutting Connection”. The subtleties crucial to rail classes will be examined by Rusty Green in “Control and Position while showing Western Pleasure and then continued by Bob and Ryan Kail presenting “Pleasure 101 A Basic Approach to Western Pleasure”. Learn what the judge is looked for in a Trail class with a talk by Karen Graham and Holly Hover in the Vendor Tent Lounge. Anyone interested in the latest breeding techniques will surely want to join Dr. Jerry Longworth, DVM for his talk on “Equine Embryo Transfer: Fresh vs. Frozen”, also presented in the Lounge.
Eight lucky people will get to work their horses in one of two clinics given by renowned trail course designer Tim Kimura on Wednesday, the “off day”. Anyone can sign up at the Equine Sports Medicine Arena to be chosen in a random drawing for this unique opportunity. Of course, spectator without horses will be welcome as well.
The second Saturday of the schedule will have a full day of clinics starting with “Winning tips on Western Riding” with Charlie Cole. Stacy Huls & Nancy Sue Ryan will change things up with “Enhancing your Hunter Under Saddle Horseʼs Show Ring Performance”. Cow horse enthusiasts won’t want to miss the back to back clinics offered by Corey Cushing, Bob Avila and Brad Barkemeyer. Corey and Bob will first tackle “Showing Position and Control going Down the Fence”, then Brad demonstrates “Better Boxing for your Working Cow Horse”. Horse health is on the schedule for the Vendor Tent Lounge with two interesting topics. “MRI: The new Gold Standard for Diagnostic Imaging in the Horse, and it's role in Accurate Diagnosis of Orthopedic Problems in the Horse” will be discussed by Dr. Ross Rich, DVM. Next, Dr. Rich will update you on what has been happening in “8 Years Experience using Adipose-Derived Stem Cells for treatment of Ligament, Tendon, Bone and Joint Injuries in the Horse.
More Money
All that free advice could payoff big with some of the special Added Money classes. There will be $5,000 added to the open and $2,500 to the Non Pro in both the Cinch Timed Event Challenge Roping, and the Self Shine Reining Stakes. The Smart Boons Fence Work Challenge sees the same money added to its pot, while green horses have a shot at some bucks in the Green Western Pleasure Stakes and the Green Hunter Under Saddle Stakes, each having $5,000 added to the Open division and $2,500 to the Limited division. The high point exhibitor in Reining, Cow Horse, Roping and Cutting will walk away $2,000 richer and take the honor of the Bella Vista Ranch All Around Cowboy.
Open and Amateur riders can win cash awards as the High Point Exhibitor in Working Hunter, Hunter Hack and Hunter Under Saddle. There is even a Super Select High Point award for exhibitors 63 years old or more. Over in the trail pen, the Circuit Champions in Junior, Senior, Amateur and Select will be receiving brand new Bob’s trail saddles. English riders can jump their way to as much as $1,000 in the 3-Way English Award.
Tens of thousands of dollars worth of give-aways will be made, including 26 pairs of Rios of Mercedes Full Quill Ostrich Limited Edition Sun Circuit boots from Blue Ribbon and Rios of Mercedes, along with products or gift certificates from Purina, Equine Mega-Omega, Animals R Us, Integrity Signs and Good Ride. Tack and equipment will be given to lucky exhibitors from Greenway, Randy Paul, Logan Western Supply and Airiflex. Or you might add to your bling collection with give aways from Showtime, Hannah Fine Jewelry and Show Me Again. There are even some sweet hotel packages to be given away by Scottsdale McDowell Mountain Marriot and Scottsdale Towneplace Suites.
More Events
A brand new event will join the Sun Circuit schedule this year. A Versatility Ranch Horse competition will be held in conjunction with the Arizona Versatility Ranch Horse Association. The all day event begins at 8 am. Open, Amateur and Novice Amateur will be offered. Due to the time constraints, there will be a limit of 24 entries. In VRH, exhibitors show in 5 classes that include Working Ranch Horse, which combines the ability of the horse to rein, handle cattle and put his rider in the position to rope and stop a cow. Additionally, horses compete in a Ranch Riding class and Ranch Trail where they maneuver through naturalistic obstacles. A cutting, and a conformation class round out the day. This event will be fun for spectators, and exhibitors have a chance at earning enough points to qualify for the AQHA World Show.
More Fun
After all the competition, big money and educational opportunities, folks may want to kick back and relax a little. There is plenty of opportunity for that too. On the 2012 party schedule, there is a Welcome Party with free dinner Saturday Jan. 28. The party is sponsored by the Johns, Tobin and Searles Families. The Stehney - Smith Show Horses Lunch Party serves us a free lunch for everyone to enjoy on Monday the 30th. Sweethearts “N Denim Dinner Party and Youth Fund Raiser delights everyone with a free dinner sponsored by the Salamone Family Friday Feb. 3rd. And it’s a flash back to the 70s as the Friends of the AQHA From the 70's present their “70's Quarter Horse Kids Reunion” free dinner on Saturday Feb. 4th. For a change of pace, exhibitors can trade in their spurs for a set of clubs, and head over to the Annual Sun Circuit Golf Tournament held on the “off day” Wednesday, February 1
All the special events, added money classes and clinics are a bonus to the 8 shows worth of AQHA classes with a full slate of English and Western rail classes, halter, hunter, driving, trail, western riding, roping, cow horse, barrels, poles and cutting. The large class sizes, and shear number of classes make Sun Circuit a haven for those seeking points. The top-notch facilities of WestWorld make for a wonderful environment for both horses and competitors. An expansive Vendor Tent provides a friendly shopping venue with highly knowledgeable professionals offering everything from tack to horse care products, furniture to clothing. There are no parking or entrance fees, so spectators can enjoy the action and education every day for free. The 2012 Sun Circuit truly offers something for every horse enthusiast. A complete listing of events, classes and clinics, along with descriptions is available at www.suncircuit.com.
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