The Arizona Sun Circuit is in full swing in Scottsdale and this year there is more money up for grabs than ever before.

Presented by the Arizona Quarter Horse Association and managed by Doug Huls, the show offers a full array of classes approved by the AQHA, National Snaffle Bit Association and National Reining Horse Association.

Rain in the early days of this year’s circuit forced several schedule changes but no classes were cancelled.

Trainer Tom Forehand, of Brighton, Colorado, has been attending the Sun Circuit for well over 10 years and says he wouldn’t miss it. He is competing in Western Riding, Trail and Western Pleasure and has customers showing in all-around events.

“I love this show and the weather is usually great here,” he said. “Doug runs a great show. The numbers are so good. There were 30 in Senior Western Pleasure and over 100 in Trail. I’ve even sold a couple of horses.”

On Tuesday Dave Archer rode UF Rockin The House (Sven) to a win in the $1,000 added 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure Futurity for owner Ernest Branson.

“Out of all the horses I’ve had the opportunity to ride, hands down Sven is my absolute favorite horse to show. Archer said. “You put Sven in gear and sit back and enjoy the ride. He is a horse that just keeps getting stronger and stronger. He’s a show horse that truly loves his job.”

The sorrel gelding by Certain Potential and out of Prissy Legs (by Zippos Old Gold) made his show debut at the NSBA World Show last August and was Reserve Champion in the Limited Division of the 2-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure Stakes Class at the Quarter Horse Congress in October.

“We have been very lucky and have owned three babies out of this mare (Prissy Legs) who have all gone on and have had amazing show careers,” Archer said.

Sven is a full brother to UF A Certain Star, his wife, Courtney’s decorated show horse and Courtney’s father owns Sven.

The Sun Circuit was Sven’s first event as a 3-year-old and Archer plans to next show him at the Silver Dollar Circuit in Las Vegas in March.

“Then this summer we will hit the road running for all the 3-year-old futurities,” Archer said.

On Wednesday futurity action turned to Hunter Under Saddle. Al By Myself, owned by Bonnie Sheran, won the $1,000 added Open 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle with Beth Case in the irons.

Still to come are the $500 added 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure Futurity and the $250 added 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle. Junior Ranch Riding exhibitors are also riding for added money as $500 is being added on each of the four days of competition.

New added money classes including the $5,000 Legend High Score Trail Exhibitor, $2,500 Equine Sports Medicine High Score Western Riding Exhibitor are drawing big numbers in the Trail pens. On Sunday a total of 112 competed in both L3 and L1 Senior Trail and other Trail classes remain strong.

“This show is great, said San Diego, California trainer Murray Griggs, who has been attending for 15 years now.

Griggs is competing in Trail and he has a youth client showing in All-Around classes.

“I really like the weather now since the rain quit,” he laughed.

In addition to the competition, the Sun Circuit provides many opportunities for learning in the Farnam Clinic Series. All clinics are free and open to the public. Bob Avila, Corey Cushing, Debbie Cooper, Holly Hover and Gary Roberts were just a few of the featured clinicians. On Saturday AQHA judge Leonard Berryhill will discuss Scoring Western Riding in the North West Concourse Markel Insurance Arena.

Exhibitors were also treated to plenty of parties throughout the week thanks to the show’s many sponsors. Competition continues through Sunday.

Judges for this year’s show include: Tracy Willis, Sam Rose, Sara Simons, John Tuckey, Garth Gooding, Clark Bradley, Judd Paul, Chris Benedict, Chris Thompson, Morgan Lybbert, Sissy Anderson, Chele Mcgauly, Brendan Brown, Bruce Army, April Devitt, Lyle Jackson, Scott Neuman, Kim Myers and Christina Riley.

Classic Video is on site and capturing the action.
To watch, log on to HorseShowGlobal.com

For day-by-day results visit: http://www.suncircuit.com/results.html

Check out our candids from the 2016 Sun Circuit courtesy of Jeff Kirkbride