Page 16 • MARCH 2011 • PACIFIC COAST JOURNAL January 29th - February 6, 2011 Arizona Sun Circuit
by JenniferWalker The economy has been hard on the
horse industry in general and horse shows in particular, but if the turnout at the Arizona Sun Circuit is any indication of things to come, it looks like things will turn around. Nearly 14,000 exhibitors entered the show pen over the course of the show, about 2,300 more than last year. “We centered our show on a plan
that would make everyone feel welcome to come show and have fun,” explained Doug Huls, the show’s director. “Our
sponsors really stepped up, and we spread their products amongst all of our competitors. Special events were added, including the Welcome Party, Down The Fence Challenge, Let’s Make A Deal Party, Youth Party, Dummy Roping Contest, Egg and Spoon Race, and Cinch Timed Event Challenge Roping.” Having so many entries was not only
good for the show itself, but it was also good for the vendors. More foot traffic means better sales, and happy vendors are good for horse show exhibitors—so
everyone wins. “There was more traffic from the outside, so that was great for shopping,” Barbara Maitia of Animals R Us remarked. “There were a lot of non-exhibitors walking through, so from that aspect it was fantastic. Doug Huls and Jim Searles did a great job promoting the show, and it was great to see the arenas and classes so full. I was super busy with hat shaping, keeping the girls looking good in the arena.
It’s always a great show for me.” For trainer Mark Sheridan,
Sun Circuit was his first experi- ence ever as a vendor. He set up a booth to sell his training DVDs and was very happy with the results. “I chose Sun Circuit for my first show as a vendor because it’s local and gets good traffic. I’m going to do some expos and other shows this year, so this was a good way to get my feet wet. It was a good first experience.” Of course, vendors need
more than shoppers to have a good show experience. Show management has a lot to do with how happy the vendors are, and Vendor Coordinator Barbara Rickert does a ter- rific job. “Barbara goes to great lengths to make sure everything is ready for you when you arrive,” Maitia continued. “She comes to see if you need anything, and if you call her, she answers. If there’s a problem, she takes care of it right away.” With so many exhibitors, the classes
were large. Many classes had 40, 50 or 60 entries, and the Senior Trail had 119. West Coast horses represented well in the Senior Trail classes, and those who beat
owner Betty Watt, and Kelley Roberts rode Watch Me Im Hot, for owner Kim Portney. “Competition at large events is
always tough,” Huls said. “Sun Circuit added levels to some classes and special promos to allow more competitors to be competitive in their respective divisions.” The All Around events were particu-
larly competitive, and the winners deserve a special pat on the back for their efforts. The High Point Novice Youth, sponsored by Jill Newcomb, was particu- larly tough, and Carolyn Day (Reid Thomas, trainer) was thrilled and surprised to win it with Zippos Gold N Sonnet. “It was such an honor
to win Novice Youth All Around!” commented Day. “That was my personal goal for the show, and I’m very glad that I accomplished it. It was my first show on Zippos Gold N Sonnet, and this was my first time showing at the Sun Circuit. The classes were large, with stiff compe- tition—even the novice classes. The show had by far
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out over 100 other exhibitors for a ribbon included Jason Martin riding Knowtorious, for owner Susan Wilson and Corporate Credit, for owner Kathy Dunn, Charlie Cole ridingVital Signs Are Good and Show Diva, for owners Joe & Karen Moran, Jim Searles riding I Gotta Good Name, for owner Susan K. Johns, Deanna Searles riding Heza Radical Zip and New Lark in Town, for owner Susan K. Johns, Jill Gomes Newcomb rode Lil Bit Western, for owner Andrew Lofton, David Busick rode Flashy RV Goodbar, for owner Samantha and Carolyn Toles, Chad Evans rode Dun In The Dark, for
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