Arizona Fall Championship Exceeds Expectations

From AzQHA:

The Arizona Fall Championship presented another action packed event at WestWorld of Scottsdale September 17-21. With liberal amounts of added money  and a deep prize line across divisions and disciplines, the show lived up to its moniker of The Show For Everyone. That reputation, along with the stellar WestWorld facilities are big factors in the continued growth of AzFC. Arizona welcomed a modest increase in in both horses and exhibitors over last year.

“I’m really pleased with how smoothly the show ran,” reflects AzQHA CEO and Show Director Doug Huls. The class schedule allowed all classes to be run indoors with minimal conflicts. Huls continues, “With a few adjustments in the arenas, we were able to really maximize space in the air conditioned North Hall.” The massive space was divided to provide a Ranch show arena with its own warmup arena next to a separate All Around show arena, with its own dedicated warm up arena, which catered to the needs of rail, trail and pattern classes. Reining, Cutting and Cow Horse were held in the climate controlled Equidome. This layout proved very popular with trainers and exhibitors as it was convenient, cool and efficient. Outdoor covered arenas were also available for exercising and congregating.

 

 

In addition to a full slate of classes, there were multiple futurities, sweepstakes and other added money events with $64,000 going to everything from Rail, Trail, Western Riding, Cow Horse, Roping and Ranch classes. Acknowledging that added money and fun events are key to the show’s popularity, Huls shares, “We’re already looking forward to what more we can bring to exhibitors next year.”

A big chunk of that money went to the highly anticipated DT Horses Last Stop NRCHA Futurity. The futurity drew twenty three talented young cow horses, who put on an incredible display of athleticism as they chased $15,000 in added money along with prizes. Throughout the week, it was Gunnacatya’s consistency across herd, rein and fence scores with Nic Howard at the reins for owner Charmain Weiser that earned the pair $4,872. Jared Jones was right behind with both the second and third place horses. DT Stash The Cash, owned by DT Horses, marked a 72, 71 and the highest Fence score of the day at 73.5 to win $3,828. That pair’s composite was only .5 above Jones’ score on Jayne Vatcher’s Shiney Yellow Scooter who took home $2,958.

Cowhorse exhibitors had more money opportunities with a trio of Bridle Spectaculars, each with $2,500 added. Nic Howard was the last one standing in the arena once again, this time with Tom Fordish, owned by Dawn Costello Sellers, winning the Open Bridle for $1,080. Bet Hesa Dualin and Eva Ritner, along with Marilyn Brandt and Whose Tuff tied for second, each earning $810. The Amateur Boxing saw Madison Jones ride Miss New Scooty to a composite of 219 to win $1,275. Toni Heath marked a 217 with Smokum Every Time to earn $1,110. All the Spectacular champions won belt buckles as well.

Ranch horse classes have become a hallmark of the AZ Fall Championship and this year there was plenty of money on the line in several added money events. Markel Insurance sponsored the 3 Year Old Ranch Futurity with $10,000 added. Sharon Forbes-Hank’s horse, Smart Bella Boon, shown by John Briggs, closely battled Two Bobcats, shown by Brad Barkemeyer for owner Mike Stizman in Ranch Riding and Working Western Rail. Ultimately it was Smart Bella Boon who secured the the most points to take the champion title and $3,900. The team also won the first place class money for another $1,000. Two Bobcats won the reserve futurity money of $2,850, plus another $600 in second place class money along with a set of spurs. Rancho D’Siete’s Long Live Cowgilrz shown by Ryan Kail was third, winning $1,950 and a bronc halter.

More Ranch money was on the line in the $10,000 added Kimes Ranch, Ranch Riding Derby. Nineteen horses were hunting the points on pattern. SS Pity The Fool shown by Jimmy Daurio for Clara Tracy marked a set of 81s from each of the three judges to win $4,130. John Briggs showed CC Max A Million for Ashley Erikson, scoring a solid 241.5 to win $3,245. Right behind was Nancy Gillett’s Electric N Hollywood with Laurel Walker-Denton in the saddle for $1,475.

SS Pity Tha Fool with Jimmy Daurio  were back in the winners circle in the $3,000 Added  L1 Open Ranch Stakes.The team picked up another $1,020 and a buckle for their efforts. Lauren Blumer’s He Man was second for $810 and a collapsible wagon, while Ciphered Code owned by Jenny Loveland was third earning $600.

SS Pity Tha Fool kept dominating the young Ranch horse field, taking first once again in the $2,500 Chas Roberts Non Pro 4 & 5 Year Old Ranch Derby. Clara Tracy added $1,462.50 to her pay week. Ciphered Code with Jenny Loveland at the reins earned another $1,137 in reserve. Loveland and Tracy were 1 and 2 again in the $2,000 added Ranch Riding Derby, for $680 and $540 respectively.

David Renier took home a buckle and $340 riding Cowpuncher Cadillac to the win in Select Ranch Riding Sweepstakes with $1,000 added by Bar U Bar. Sissy Shank and Ronni Rey Gun were second, winning spurs and $270. Dana Avila and Always Do were third, winning splint boots and $200. When Cowpuncher Cadillac entered the arena with Jimmy Daurio in the $3,000 Added Marler Senior Ranch Riding Sweepstakes, it was a $780 payday for the talented horse. Ryan Kail and Country Jazz landed in second for $660.

$1,000 up for grabs in a number of Trail Futurities and classes. Jimmy Daurio switched gears and won a buckle along with first place money of $500 riding Sandy Brasier’s VS Dark and Vital in the 4 Year Old Trail. The 3 Year Old Trail futurity saw Im Lazy With Money, owned by Sydney Frank and shown by Kelly McDowall, presented with the buckle and $500. Stephanie Kofu’s horse No One Saw It Coming took top honors in the 5 Year Old Trail Futurity, winning the buckle and $500.

Senior Trail, L1 Open Western Riding, L1 Open Pleasure, L1 Open Hunter Under Saddle and Senior Western Riding classes also had $1,000 in prize money as a bonus.

Prizes at the AzFC are always fun and rewarding. Best of Show winners received Rod Patrick Boots along with Cinch Jeans and Shirts certificates. Youth Ranch champions in all the age divisions won buckles sponsored by Kimes Ranch.Three Superior Saddlery saddles were awarded to Non Pro high points. Michelle Hosted won the L1 Non Pro saddle, Kristi Pavola Perea took home the Amateur Non Pro high point and Sharon Forbes-Hanks won the Select Amateur saddle. Over 130 circuit awards were presented, with winners choosing between a trophy or Oasis gift certificate, with most people opting for the handsome bronze styled trophy. Reserve circuits won a logo’d vest.

Big, fun, competitive, rewarding, friendly and inclusive, AzFC’s maintains its reputation as a great show for the western region and for the AQHA industry at large.

 

 

Full listings of awards can be found at azfallchampionship.com