2026 Arizona Sun Circuit Report:

Another Record-Breaking Year! 

The 2026 Arizona Sun Circuit wrapped up in spectacular fashion, and the numbers say it all. Held at WestWorld in Scottsdale, AZ from February 27 through March 8, this year’s show welcomed 1,800 horses and nearly 40,000 total entries. Over 10 days of sunshine and robust competition across all levels and disciplines, exhibitors vied for more than $81,000 in AQHA and NSBA added-money classes, $35,700 in AQHA roping, and an additional $14,500 through Super Sires - plus dozens of saddles, buckles, trophies, boots, champion rings, and more. 

Add in random drawings for five Axis side-by-sides, fun games offered both in the arenas and around the barns, and two celebratory lunch parties, and it's no wonder so many were calling it one of our best Sun Circuits yet!

 

Of course, none of this happens without an incredible community behind it. We wanted to give a heartfelt thank you to all of our dedicated volunteers, our passionate exhibitors, and our generous sponsors. Your support is what makes Sun Circuit not just a horse show, but a world-class event that our entire industry looks forward to each year.

 

📰 Read the Full Recap: For an in-depth write-up on the 2026 Sun Circuit - including highlights, big wins, and the stories behind them - check out the feature article: Innovation and Tradition Combine in Another Successful Sun Circuit

 

📋 Score Sheets & Results: Looking for full show results? All score sheets are available at: suncircuit.com/score-sheets

 

📸 Photos: From candid moments in the barn aisles to champion photos and everything in between, browse our favorite moments from the 2026 Sun Circuit on the AZ Sun Circuit Facebook Page. 

 

🎥 Video: Relive some of the excitement with highlight footage from El Hay Guy: Watch on Facebook

AQHYA Region 7 Youth Conference

Sun Circuit was also proud to host the AQHA Region 7 Youth Conference - a high-energy event built around inspiring the next generation of Quarter Horse industry leaders. Thirty youth members gathered for games, discussions, and presentations by two outstanding keynote speakers: Hayden Morgan, Arizona State FFA Officer and Youth Advocate, and Tyler Schuster, a fifth-generation rancher, youth programs innovator, and host of the Basically Famous Podcast. Together they spoke on leadership, growth mindset, and investing in your own personal development. The day wrapped up with food and fellowship, leaving participants energized and connected.

 

🎙️ Youth Interview: Caleb Cushing

At this year’s Sun Circuit, AzQHYA reporter Bentley Anne Johnson sat down with youth member Caleb Cushing for a candid conversation about his journey with horses, his mindset heading into the show pen, and his advice for navigating change.

  Watch the interview on Instagram

-- 2025 AzQHA High Point Spotlights --

Ayana McKnight and Walkin Willy Good

2025 AzQHA High Point L1 Youth Pattern/Rail

Hi! My name is Ayana McKnight, I am 17 years old and attend Barry Goldwater High School as a junior. My partner in crime is Walkin Willy Good aka Cola, and both of us were very excited to earn the title of L1 youth high point. Me and Cola had only been partners for about 9 months before earning this title and since then, she has sold to help make more dreams come true for a youth rider. Cola was originally my trainers, Mike and May Edwards horse and I had gained the privilege to help ride and train on her as a project while my horse was rehabbing. In our short time together, we had earned numerous circuit and reserve circuits, 2 all-around high points, over $3,000 in lifetime earnings, and a reserve NSBA Champion in L1 youth showmanship. Which is something very significant to me as I used to despise showmanship and Cola was a very green showmanship horse when we started.

 

In our short time together, Cola had taught me so much and made sure I was always working for it. She kept me accountable and always reminded me when I was out of line. She was very picky and always made sure we had a mutual love and respect for each other, which is what I think I loved the most about her. In those 9 months, she also helped accomplish my college riding dreams as I recently committed to the Texas Christian University D1 equestrian team for horsemanship. I believe she played a huge part in shaping my horsemanship along with the intense and loving guidance from Mike and May Edwards. 

 

I plan to study sports medicine and kinesiology, pursuing a career in Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy, while also earning my masters or doctorate degree in either field. 

 

I am forever grateful for earning this L1 youth high point, a very special mare, my mom, and Mike and May Edwards. I am excited to keep showing and finally getting my horse into the show pen! Thank you!

 

Kristi Perea and CPRealSureShesTheOne

2025 AzQHA High Point Amateur Pattern/Rail

We have won the AZQHA Amateur All-Around twice now, which I am extremely grateful for. My 2015 mare, CPRealSureShesTheOne, and I have developed a strong partnership over the last 5 years showing together and growing in our events together. Mellie, as she is known at the barn, and I train under the guidance of Ryan and Andrea Kail of Kail Quarter Horses in Cave Creek, Arizona and have them to thank for their continued support and dedication to us as a team. We would like to thank everyone that has helped us along the way and to the team behind us that keeps Mellie healthy and able to perform her best.

 

2025 was a year of great accomplishments, but more importantly, memories were made that I will hold on to for the rest of my life. My mom is able to attend every show with us, and she is always at the back gate to support us no matter what the outcome is. To have us share this again later in life is something I truly treasure. A highlight for us though would have to be the NSBA World Show where we were named World Champions in the Novice Amateur Showmanship. This class has been a lot of hours of running in the dirt in extreme heat with a lot of repetition for us both over several years. When it all comes together, it is a dream come true to win at that level and I look forward to seeing what else we can accomplish this year. 

 

We plan to kick the year off at Sun Circuit, which will always be my favorite circuit of the year for a variety of reasons. I love that AzQHA hosts such a phenomenal circuit that attracts competitors from across the country and offers such a wide range of classes for just about anyone to compete in. We always have a plan for the year of what we want to achieve but are flexible as the year develops for us. We plan to show at some of the larger shows and finish our year at the AQHA World Show. I look forward to all the local shows until then and just want to have fun with our barn family and all the horse show friends along the way this year as we tackle new goals.

 

Molly Fisher and First Time Everytime

2025 AzQHA High Point Select Pattern/Rail

My name is Molly Fisher, and I’m the wife of AzQHA President, Trainer Fred Fisher (Light Rein, LLC Performance Horses). Although my husband is a trainer and an AQHA Professional Horseman, I myself am an Amateur/Select rider. I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to show our amazing mare, First Time Everytime, a.k.a. “Maddy.” Maddy is by Don’t Skip This Chip (Zips Chocolate Chip) out of CDeez Grand Finale. 

 

Maddy is an incredible 20 years old! She has been part of our barn and a long-time barn favorite for 15 years, since 2011. I truly believe she is the best horse in the world, in every way. Maddy started in our barn when Fred found her for a client and Maddy became her show horse. When our client retired from showing, Maddy was gifted to Fred, and she became our daughter Kaitlyn’s show horse. Kaitlyn grew up showing Maddy, from leadline on throughout her youth career, and Maddy packed Kailyn faithfully around the show ring, winning multiple awards and championships. When Kaitlyn decided to try her hand at show jumping as a teen, she moved on to a different horse, and Maddy became a lesson horse in our barn, giving many a child and beginner rider their start in the show ring.

 

Maddy is an absolutely beautiful mare, and is rock-solid reliable in every way. She is truly the “unicorn” everyone is looking for, and she will never be sold. Maddy has been shown in Halter, Showmanship, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, HUS, and HSE, but her greatest discipline is Trail. Two years ago, I was struggling with confidence issues. Fred suggested I try riding Maddy. I was instantly hooked! My confidence has been completely restored, and this wonderful mare has taught me more and made me a better rider than I could ever have imagined was possible. I show Maddy now in Showmanship, Western Pleasure, and Trail. She is no longer a lesson horse, but now exclusively my show horse, and she is doing amazing for her age! She is still showing and winning even after she carried and delivered a foal for us by VS Code Blue. I’m hoping to make him my future show partner.  Maddy and I are excelling in Trail. Our first time showing Trail at the AQHA World Show was in 2024, where we had an awesome go, placing 14th in Level 2 Select Trail, and we were Top 10 in the Level 1 Champion of Champions Western Pleasure! We also had our best ever year in 2025. Some of our top placings included: 

 

Swing Into Spring Show - 1st in L1 Trail, 2nd in Amateur Trail, unanimous 1st in Open Trail-My first time showing in an Open Class

 

Sun Circuit - Top 10 in L2 Select Trail, Top 15 in L2 Select Showmanship

 

AZ Fall Championship - 2nd and 3rd in L1 Select Trail, 3rd in Select Showmanship

 

Saguaro Classic - 1st and Circuit Champion in L1 Trail, 1st and Circuit Champion in Amateur Trail, 1st and Circuit Champion in Amateur Showmanship, 1st and 2nd in L1 Western Pleasure

 

2025 AQHA World Show - 19th of 70+ in L2/L3 Select Trail

AzQHA Year-End Awards - High Point Pattern and Rail Champion, Champion-Open Senior Trail, Champion-Level 1 Amateur Trail, 3rd Place-Select Amateur Trail, Champion-Select Showmanship, Champion-Rookie Horsemanship, Reserve Champion-Select Western Pleasure

 

2026 is looking to be an amazing year as well! At the Saguaro Classic show in January (where trail classes were not offered), we placed 1st and Circuit Champion in all 3 classes shown: Amateur Showmanship, Level 1 Western Pleasure and Amateur Western Pleasure!

 

I don’t know how much longer Maddy will be able to continue showing. I wish it could be forever! But I will continue to show this special mare for as long as she and I are able, because I’m the luckiest lady in the world to have that privilege. She has a special place in my heart and a forever place in our barn. I am most grateful to my amazing husband, Fred Fisher, for making Maddy what she is and for being such an amazing trainer and teacher to us both!

We are proud to celebrate AzQHA member Linda Hamilton - an exceptionally inspiring equestrian who, at 82 years young, is still competing, still winning, and still proving that a love of horses has no expiration date. In January, Linda and her horse Magnificent Dreamer - affectionately known as “Reggie” - won the Level 1 division in the 2026 $50K added Ranch Challenge at the Southern Arizona Quarter Horse Association Saguaro Classic.

She then brought that same heart and determination to the 2026 Sun Circuit, competing in ranch riding, ranch trail, and ranch on the rail. Linda’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and the kind of lifelong dedication to this sport that reminds all of us why we do what we do. We’ll let her tell it herself. 

 

📰 Read Linda's Full Story: For the full feature and interview with Linda, check out the article published March 1, 2026 in the Equine Chronicle, written by Delores Kuhlwein: Young At Heart: 82-Years-Young Linda Hamilton Tackles Ranch Events at the 2026 Arizona Sun Circuit

 

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