Sun CircuitFebruary 6, 2013
An outstanding turnout propelled the 40th Arizona Sun Circuit to early success in Scottsdale. (Journal photo) For more Sun Circuit photos, scroll to the slide show below.
Despite a wet start, an outstanding turnout propelled the 40th Arizona Quarter Horse Association Sun Circuit to early success in Scottsdale. “Our exhibitors were very flexible with all of the weather-forced changes in schedules and arenas,” Doug Huls, a Sun Circuit director, said of the January 26 - February 3 show. For the first time in recent history, the Sun Circuit didn’t feature its standard day off, as result of the show’s need to make up postponed classes. However, the Sun Circuit had the full use of the new South Hall and Equidome. The Markel Insurance arena and warm-up paddock within the Equidome were also used to accommodate exhibitors during the rainy weather. But there was a bright spot to the overcast days – exhibitors could escape the rain and stay dry while shopping at their favorite vendors. This year’s Sun Circuit saw more than 18,000 entries, according to records provided by www.MarkHarrellHorseShows.com. “Turnout for the 2013 Sun Circuit was terrific,” Doug said. “The stall count was up nearly 200 stalls from last year, and the numbers in classes have remained steady or risen in almost every class.” One area of great success was the Cinch Timed-Event Challenge, where the music was loud and the action was fast; the challenge paid out prize money totaling $12,600. AQHA Professional Horseman Brad Barkemeyer of Scottsdale won the open heading, good for a $1,575 check. Jason Hershberger won the open heeling, taking home a $1,575 paycheck, while Rod Patrick won $1,100 in amateur heading and Chad Turner captured $1,140 in amateur heeling. Yet another exciting aspect of the 2013 Sun Circuit was the introduction of the AQHA leveling program; nearly every class at this year’s show was leveled. AQHA Executive Director of Competition and Breed Integrity Tom Persechino, AQHA Executive Director of Shows Patti Carter-Pratt and AQHA Senior Director of Judges Alex Ross were all on hand to answer questions about the new program, which was well received by exhibitors.
The Journal's Christine Hamilton was on the scene at the Sun Circuit, bringing you top-notch advice from AQHA Professional Horsemen Bob and Ryan Kail, plus Bruce Vickery.
Sun Circuit High-Point Winners Youth Roper – Malo Gato and Wyatt Hershberger of Litchfield Park, Arizona Amateur Roper – Ashley O’Donnell of Bucyrus, Kansas Open Roper – Pink Jeans and AQHA Professional Horseman J.D. Yates of Pueblo, Colorado Novice Amateur Roper – Major Warbler and Paje Turner of Stevensville, Montana Amateur All-Around Cowboy (girl) – Lindsay Wadhams of Pueblo, Colorado All-Around Cowboy – AQHA Professional Horseman Les Oswald of Oakdale, California High-Point Select Amateur – Champion – Visible Investment and Anne Wilson of Dallas Reserve – Caught A Good Look and Susan Pennau of Pilot Point, Texas Junior High-Point Horse – Champion – A Sudden Illusion – owned by Joanne Garnett of Lincoln, Nebraska Reserve – Cool Krymsun Zip – Jason Wanderer Revocable Trust of Los Angeles 11-&-Under Youth – Champion – Huntin A Hot Babe and Jordan Davis of Huntsville, Texas Reserve – Hotroddin Renegade and Jaleesa Caroccio of Bakersfield, California Novice Amateur – Champion – Nothing But My Best and Alicia Porter of Okotoks, Alberta Reserve – RL Rumble Man and Sara Dalzell of Medina, Washington Amateur High-Point – Champion – The Heat Seeker and Angela Fox of Little Elm, Texas Reserve – Take The Last Luke and Tiina Volmer of Oak Point, Texas Novice Youth – Champion – Zippos Gold N Sonnet and Ashley Sioco of San Antonio Reserve – Tommy Lee Loper and Shayley Beaton of High River, Alberta 13-&-Under Youth – Champion – Flashy Attraction and Taylor Searles of Scottsdale, Arizona Reserve – Lets Talk About AOK and Shea Graham of Cave Creek, Arizona 14-18 Youth – Champion – Remarkable Can and Rachel Kolb of Lebanon, Ohio Reserve – Only In Showbiz and Kaylee Mellott of Andover, Kansas Super Select – Corvette Coupe and Judith Perry of Prole, Iowa High-Point Western Riding – Ima Petite Classic – owned by Lee Reeve of Garden City, Kansas To view more show results, visit www.suncircuit.com/results.
Read Christine Hamilton's Journal coverage from the Sun Circuit.
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