A Night to Remember: 2025 AzQHA
& AzRCHA Awards Banquet

On February 7, 2026, members gathered at Avila Ranch in Rio Verde, Arizona for the 2025 AzQHA & AzRCHA Year-End Awards Banquet. It was an evening of celebration and connection as we recognized the hard work, sportsmanship, and achievements of our exhibitors and members from the past year.

 

The evening began with the AzQHA General Membership Meeting, followed by outdoor dining, a hosted bar, youth mini golf calcutta, and our annual silent auction — with all proceeds benefiting AzQHYA scholarships. It was a wonderful opportunity for members to come together and celebrate the strength of our association.

 

We were proud to present several special honors, including the AzQHA Outgoing President Award to Fred Fisher, the Most Valuable Professional Horseman Award to Al Dunning, the Dorn Parkinson Service Award to Nancy Gillett, and the Volunteer of the Year Award to Anica Reddick. High Point Awards were presented across Open, Amateur, and Youth divisions, along with AzRCHA High Point honors, with champions receiving buckles and additional awards including headstalls, spur straps, and more.

 

The evening also featured a special presentation of the inaugural $10,000 Bob Avila Youth Scholarship, awarded by Dana Avila to Taylor Mack, past AzQHYA Vice President and current freshman at the University of Arizona. 

A sincere thank you to Dana Avila and Avila Ranch for graciously hosting this special evening. We are also incredibly appreciative of our event sponsors — Kimes Ranch, Cre8tive Event Rentals, SJ Ranch LLC, AzRCHA, Bridle & Bit, Chas Roberts, and El Hay Guy — whose generous support helped make the 2025 Awards Banquet such a memorable celebration. In addition, we extend our gratitude to all of the donors who contributed to the silent auction. Your generosity directly supports AzQHYA scholarships and makes a meaningful difference for our youth.

 

Finally, thank you to the many members and volunteers who worked behind the scenes to plan, organize, and bring this event to life — your time and dedication make our association so special.

 

Congratulations to all our exhibitors and members on your accomplishments!! To see more photos from this special night, visit the AzQHA Facebook page. 

 

View last year’s high point and year-end class awards as PDFs down below. 

• 2025 High Point Awards
• 2025 Year-End Class Awards

-- 2025 AzQHA High Point Spotlights --

Cash On The Line

2025 AzQHA Open High Point Ranch Horse

Owned by Nancy Gillett - Ridden by Laurel Denton 

For the second year in a row, Cash on the Line, aka Cash, was the Open Ranch High Point Winner. Cash, a stunning 2019 buckskin gelding, owned by Nancy Gillett and shown by Laurel Walker Denton, was Champion Aged Geldings, Champion Senior Working Western Rail, and Reserve Champion Senior Ranch Riding. 

 

Another notable accomplishment for Cash and Lolli in 2025 was winning Reserve Senior Ranch Horse at the Sun Circuit. Lolli and others have commented that Cash, with his bold good looks and big trot, epitomizes the look of the true ranch horse. Thank you AzQHA for offering this award!!

 

Sherry Bertagnolli and Chics Late Night

AzQHA High Point L1 Amateur Ranch

My name is Sherry Bertagnolli. 2025 was a special year for me and my wonderful AQHA mare, Chics Late Night, a.k.a. “Lady.” Lady is a 2019 mare by Late Night Stopper (Shining Spark) out of Chics Baby Doll (Smart Chic OLena). Lady and I have shown in Working Western Rail, Ranch Riding, Ranch Trail, and Performance Halter Mares for the past 3 years. My trainer, Fred Fisher (Light Rein Performance Horses) has shown Lady with great success in the Open Ranch events and Performance Halter Mares during this time as well. Fred helped me find Lady and has trained us both since the beginning. I started as a rookie/novice rider 3 years ago, and through dedication, hard work, great training, and with a very talented horse, we have come a very long way. Some of our top accomplishments in 2025 included:

 

Open Performance ROM and Amateur Performance ROM

Pointing out of Amateur Level 1 in both Working Western Rail and Ranch Riding

 

AQHA World Show Awards

 

Top 5 in the Level 1 Champion of Champions Select Ranch Riding

Top 10’s in Level 1 Champion of Champions, Level 2 Select and Open Performance Halter Mares, Finalist in Level 3 Open Performance Halter Mares

 

Finalist in Open Level 3 Working Western Rail

 

AzQHA Awards

High Point Winner in the Level 1 Amateur Ranch and Cattle Division 

Level 1 Amateur Working Western Rail Champion 

Level 1 Open Working Western Rail Champion 

Level 1 Open Ranch Trail Champion

Open Performance Halter Mares Reserve Champion 

 

I have truly enjoyed competing with all the great competitors who inspire me to continually work to improve my skills. It takes a village to make a champion. My husband Greg is my biggest fan and is always there to support me at every show. My barn family is also very supportive. I want to extend a special THANK YOU to my trainer, Fred Fisher, for all the hard work he put in, training Lady and me. We would not be where we are today without him. Chics Late Night will always be my Champion. I’m proud to own and show such an amazing horse. 

Catch The Moxie

2026 AzQHA High Point Pattern and Rail

 

Owned by Brenda Ogden & Ridden by Kristin Brock

The eye-catching 2017 grey gelding had huge success in 2025. Catch The Moxie is by Ima Moxie Leager and out of Captivating Blaze. Starting with a successful Sun Circuit with Kristin Brock in the irons they ended up point earners in Sr. Hunter Under Saddle and Select Hunter Under Saddle with Brenda Ogden. The April show brought “Phil” a Circuit Championship in Hunter Under Saddle and a Reserve Championship in the AzQHA Hunter Under Saddle Non-Pro Derby. The Celebration Circuit in Las Vegas was another win for Catch The Moxie, Circuit Champion in Select Hunter Under Saddle with Brenda and Reserve Circuit Champion Sr. Hunter Under Saddle with Kristin.

 

Brenda and Kristin made the decision to sell Phil mid-year. That gave them the chance to bring in their next champion, Huntin My Addiction. “Einstein” was the AzQHA Hunter Under Saddle winner and Circuit Champion at the 2025 AzQHA Fall Championship. Brenda also got a big win in the Select Hunter Under Saddle.

 

Congratulations to Catch The Moxie, Brenda Ogden, and Kristin Brock.  We wish you good luck in 2026 with Huntin My Addiction at all the Arizona shows. 

 

The 53rd Annual Arizona Sun Circuit is almost here, and we can’t wait to welcome exhibitors and spectators to WestWorld of Scottsdale for one of the largest AQHA circuits in the world. With world-class facilities, thousands in added money, exciting class offerings across disciplines, incredible prizes, and a high-energy atmosphere, Sun Circuit offers something for every level of exhibitor.

 

Latest News:

• Stall assignments and barn charts are now available online - view the Stall Assignments PDF.
• The 2026 Pattern Book is now available for purchase - get yours today!  Sales proceeds benefit the AzQHA youth organization. 
• AQHA Pattern Numbers - Charts with the AQHA pattern numbers are available on the class schedule page.  

For full details, schedules, added money highlights, and all event updates, please visit www.SunCircuit.com. 

 

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Sun Circuit Style Starts Here!

Shop official Sun Circuit logo wear through Starlight Design. Order ahead online or visit their booth in the Vendor Market to grab your favorite show gear and commemorative apparel.

Looking for a way to put your equine knowledge to the test? AQHA Achieve is a three-phase virtual contest designed for youth looking for an opportunity to compete outside the show pen. Open to participants worldwide, AQHA Achieve provides an accessible and exciting opportunity for young horse enthusiasts to showcase their knowledge, communication skills, and critical thinking abilities.

 

The contest features two age divisions — 13 & Under and 14–18 — and begins with an online hippology-style exam covering foundational equine knowledge. The top competitors advance to a recorded speech round, followed by a hands-on, knowledge-based finals challenge. Awards include buckles, plaques, ribbons, and special recognition throughout each phase of the competition.

 

Best of all, entry is free for AQHYA members, and non-members can participate for $25, which includes a 12-month AQHYA membership.

For full details, rules, and registration information, visit

 

https://www.aqha.com/achieve.

 

Entry Deadline: March 20th, 2026

Membership - Make Your State Points Count

The show year for AzQHA year-end points is from January 1^st to December 31^st of each year.  Remember for year-end points to be counted, each owner and exhibitor must have a current year AzQHA membership. You can check your Membership Status Here

 

Complete the 2026 AzQHA Membership form (PDF)

or renew On-Line