50th Anniversary Scottsdale Arizona

By Kristin Spinning

For a few nerve wracking days, it looked as though inclement weather across the nation would severely impact horses getting to Arizona for the 50th Anniversary Scottsdale Arizona Sun Circuit March 4-12. However, as the rain and snow moved on and the much anticipated sun for which Sun Circuit is famous emerged, it was clear that this milestone year was going to be bigger than ever. Total AQHA entries were up nearly 20% over last year’s record breaking numbers, notching 31,329. Long a favorite of veteran exhibitors and a Bucket List show for hundreds more, Sun Circuit blew away expectations. Class sizes were large, awards were prolific, payouts were lucrative, events were memorable and the fun was infectious. A Sun Circuit first timer in the Ranch Trail commented, “My horse is a little nervous. In truth, I’m a little nervous. We’ve been to a couple all breed shows, but nothing like this. It’s absolutely incredible! It’s huge, but everyone has been so welcoming and it’s so much fun.”

Sun Circuit has always offered numerous NSBA classes in the past, but this year the association added a whole slate of NSBA Ranch classes to the schedule and participation caught on. In total, NSBA entries were up 42% over last year. The NRCHA portion of the show more than doubled from last year and was like its own world with record obliterating numbers of runs.

In addition to over $100,000 in added money, the show went all in on awards this year. There were 36 saddles, Rod Patrick boots, saddle pads, trophies and gift certificates from Woods, CR Ranch Wear and Cinch waiting for exhibitors in the Awards booth. But the true highlight was twelve 50th Anniversary EZ Go golf carts parked in front of the Show Office that were awaiting to be awarded as high point prizes on the last days.

AQHA roping and the ARHFA Sun Circuit Roping Futurities also saw significant increases in numbers. Trevor Brazile kicked off the first day of Sun Circuit with a bang by taking the Open Heading Futurity Champion title on Step N Small Town, owned by Relentless Remuda. The pair marked a 234.26 on their final run, which was well ahead of the pack and they finished, with a composite score of 916.65 on four head. They took home the champion’s check for $11,845 and the DT Horses bonus of $1,250.

There were 129 in the Open Heeling Futurity chasing a total payout of $66,500.00. Jungle Cat with Cade Rice for Brian and Amy Bush pulled out all the right moves in the short round to score a 234.59 and had a final score of 924.48 at the end of the day winning $13,300 plus the DT Horses $1,250 bonus.

The ARHFA Sun Circuit Futurities offered Non Pro divisions as well with $2,500 added. Liz Hirdes had a clean sweep winning all three rounds in the Non Pro Heading on her gelding Walking

The Dog. Liz claimed the Championship title and $6,480. Quincy Probst stayed consistent all day on TRR Lucky Playgun to land in second for $4,150. On Non Pro Heeling side, tightly packed scores in round one made for an exciting competition.But in the end, Koda Peterson and Catty N Stylish were nearly a point and a quarter ahead of the second place horse DT Metallic Mojito with Quealy Probst in the saddle. Peterson took the