Around the Rings – Arizona Sun Circuit, March 4, 2023
The first day of Scottsdale Arizona Sun Circuit 2023, March 4th, also was the kick off for the 50th anniversary, with 9 arenas of action at once! Exhibitors competed in Halter, Western Riding, Showmanship, Ranch Trail, Reining, Cutting, Roping, and VRH Reining, Cutting, Cow Work and Conformation.
Roxanne Doogan with Snapchat Diva and trainer Leslie Lange
In Arena 5A, Halter was hopping, from Stallions, to Geldings to Mares. Performance Halter was also a hit. In Amateur Performance Halter Mares, Roxanne Doogan with Snapchat Diva took first overall, Jessica Wells with She Had Me At Hello placed second, and Juliana Blackburn-Baskin Arora with Snap It Send It was third overall.
In the Showmanship arena, April Gentry won the L1 Amateur Select Showmanship with Hez Simply Western and it’s a relatively new class for her! Watch what she had to say about how she prepares for the class:
L1 Amateur Select Showmanship – 2023 Scottsdale Arizona Sun Circuit
Katie Jo Jones and Im ExtremelySchmancy
Later in the Non Pro Green Horse Showmanship, Katie Jo Jones and Im ExtremelySchmancy took the overall first place! Katie has had Sassy a year and a half but they just started the all around last year, and didn’t show the Showmanship until approximately the second half of the year.
Katie says the Non Pro Green class has been valuable for her horse, as she showed the Amateur Showmanship first and then came back in the Green Non Pro. “I had a bobble in the Amateur and I was able to correct it in the Green class,” she says. “It has definitely been a good class, because to me, they have to get seasoned, so to be able to go back in there and show them again, is a really good experience for them.”
She also explains that at the last show, they mainly focused on the Horsemanship. “We did the Green Non Pro and the Amateur and I think it really helped to get her broke, so I was excited to see the Showmanship offered here.”
Here a few more highlights from the many classes Saturday:
Julie Hoefling with Bringin Booty Back
Mary Alice Nielson with TheOnlyKissToEnvy
Maria Salazar with RL Suddenly Lopin
Exhibitors were also enjoying the warm sun and beautiful weather! Enjoy our big gallery of sunny day images from Day One below:
