On Veteran's Day weekend, November 10th-12th, forty-two contestants representing every area of our state, competed in the 11th annual Ms. Country Western Arizona pageant. Following a weekend of interviews, speeches, on stage western wear and western dress modeling, the 2001 queens were selected, including: Ms. Country Western - Katie Lynn McNeeley from Pine; Miss Teen - Toni Rose from Cave Creek; Miss Jr. Teen - Lindsey Hay from Hereford; and Miss Pre-Teen - Quincy Gibbs from Queen Creek. Teen 1st Attendants include: Ms. - Cortney Conover from Apache Junction; Teen - Hester Kane from Payson; Jr. Teen - Emilie Acord from Payson and Pre-Teen is Rory Ruiz from Globe. Carey and Cindy, the pageant directors, are very confident that this court, along with their 1st attendants, will do an outstanding job representing the country western lifestyle at parades, rodeos, concerts and charity events. "The hardest part is going to be keeping up with them," says Cindy. "Katie Lynn has made eight appearances in her first week!" "We're looking forward to an incredible year with these girls ... and lots of fun! We also owe a debt of gratitude to our wonderful pageant staff and title sponsors, including: PAX TV, Kinko's of Glendale, The Arizona Pennysaver and Rustler's Rooste", says Carey. Along with "Arizona's most coveted crowns," the 2001 queens were also awarded with a host of fabulous prizes, including: custom buckles; silver trimmed Alamo show saddles with matching breastcollars, bridles and reins, batwing chaps from Supreme Western Products; horse trailer magnet set from Signs by Tomorrow; gift certificates from Saba's and Professional's Choice, complimentary tickets and gift items from the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Mercury, The Arizona Rattlers, Champions of the West Show and the Red River Music Hall's Christmas Jubilee; riding scholarships from Mark Sheridan, Aimee Tewalt and Gallery Farms; composite set from Cox Printing; posters and hardcover "Cowgirls" books from Stoecklein Publishing; cosmetic gift baskets from Robinson's May, Arrowhead Towne Center; handmade items from Grandma's Crochet Creations; CD collection from Curb Records; one year memberships to Fitness West and Master Camacho Martial Arts Institute, and a rhinestone sash pin and rodeo queen survival kits from Ms. Country Western AZ 2000, Betsy Rose Rice. All of this year's contestants did an outstanding job and hopefully they'll come back and try again next year. In the meantime, if you attend a parade, rodeo, country music concert or charity event, don't forget to look for the Ms. Country Western queens with the red, white and blue banners. They're always willing to sign an autograph or pose for a picture, and they always come with a smile!

The 2000 show will be held on December 14th - 17th at WestWorld of Scottsdale. This year will mark the events sixth anniversary in which the show committees for the Valley of the Sun Arabian Horse and the East Valley Arabian Horse Associations combine their efforts to produce the third largest show in the International Arabian Horses Associations Region VII area. Each year, these hardworking clubs bring registered Arabians and half-Arabians together to compete for many awards and prizes. Arabian enthusiasts from throughout the region will gather to show their horses in the fine Arizona climate. Money raised at this event will go to support local charities. This year the beneficiary will be Castaway Treasures Animal Sanctuary. This combined Show Committee prides itself on offering a progressive show, new classes and even entire new divisions to attract many exhibitors to the event, as well as giving everybody a chance to compete and win. A Dressage division was added in 1998, this proved to be so popular with exhibitors, that a whole new half day of completion was added. 1999 saw the addition of Sport Horse classes, this also proved to be very popular also. With 2000, the progressive mode was continued with the addition of more Reining classes, a Jr Dressage Championship and a Prix St. Georges class added to the mix.

25 Award Saddles Highlight $175,000 in Prize Money & Awards This year, the Arizona Sun Country Circuit Quarter Horse is slated to be bigger than ever! With entries expected to exceed the 15,000 mark and many of the classes to be double pointed, horsemen from across the country will be attending. The Sun Country Circuit already holds the title of world's largest Quarter Horse circuit show due to the large number of entries and horses annually. The beautiful weather, great competition and the chance to get your horse qualified for the World Show at the top of the year are part of what makes this event so successful. Horsemen travel to Arizona from all over the country and across parts of the World to compete at this event. This caliber of Quarter Horse competition is truly world class. Highlights of this years show are the exhibitor party and stick pony contest. Additionally, this year there will be a new Silent Stallion Auction, with all proceeds to go to the Arizona Humane Society. Admission is free and there are many chances to shop at the great selection of exhibits, featuring southwestern shopping, plus all of the new show and working tack and horse related items. Arizona Sun Country Circuit January 26th-29th Eight days of World Champion quality Quarter Horses compete in halter and performance classes approved by the American Quarter Horse Association and the Arizona Quarter Horse Association. Points are accumulated to qualify for the AQHA World Championship Show. Over $150,000 of awards, prizes and equestrian products will be won at the 2001 Sun Country Circuit. Sun Country Circuit Classes Include: Four full Youth show days, eight Open and Amateur classes in halter, heading and heeling team roping, breakaway roping, calf roping, working cowhorse, barrel racing, showmanship, reining, trail, western riding, western pleasure, western horsemanship, hunter hack, hunter under saddle, hunt seat equitation, working hunter, pleasure driving and jumping. 2001 Performances January 26-29 from 7:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Includes: Open, Amateur, Novice Amateur, Youth, and Novice Youth events! 6 arenas all day - Split/Combined. January 30 Off day - Exhibitors' Party. January 31-February 3 from 7:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Open, Amateur, Novice Amateur - 5 arenas performing all day, Split/Combined. Exhibitors and spectators from the following states attended the 2000 Sun Country Circuit: Washington, New York, Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Mississippi, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Montana, Kansas, Nebraska, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, California, Oregon, Michigan, Illinois, South Carolina, Kentucky, Connecticut, North Dakota, New Jersey, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Hawaii. Exhibitors and spectators also traveled from England, Germany, Canada, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand and Austria. 8 complete shows - Split combined, the Arizona Sun Country Circuit is the largest American Quarter Horse Association circuit in the Nation.

A return engagement for Mary Wanless is scheduled for the weekend of February 17th, 18th, and 19th 2001. Author of Ride With Your Mind, Ride With Your Mind Masterclass, For the Good of the Horse, For the Good of the Rider, and 2 Video Masterclass tape series, she has achieved both a BSc in Physics and the British Horse Society Teaching Certificate. The "Ride With Your Mind" approach is a tremendous advance in teaching and learning. Incredible improvements can be obtained in a very short time, defying traditional expectations. Major improvements were made by riders and auditors in last years clinic. This is a 3-day clinic at a cost of $450.00 for riders and $15.00 per day for auditors or 30.00 in advance for all three days. The 10 riders must have their funds in to the clinic sponsors by December 15th 2000. The dates are Saturday February 17th, Sunday February 18th and Monday, February 19th of 2001. Stalls and trailer parking will be available. We have two potential sites and will publish exact details in the January and February equestrian publications. For details contact: Mary Barton (480) 899-8048 (H) e-mail: rondoval@uswest.net or Sandy Meissner (480) 922-5981 e-mail: Mickcmack@aol.com - (note this is a change in Sandy's email) Wanted All Items! The Sertoma Ride of Life will hold a fundraising auction, Saturday, March 10th, 2001 beginning at 9 a.m. at WestWorld of Scottsdale. Any good, usable items are needed, such as cars, tack, horses, tractors, household items, animals, equipment, furniture, feed, training & shoeing services, collectibles, lessons and more. Donations will receive a full tax deduction to help the Phoenix Children's Hospital and Foster Achievers. For more information, call Ray Warner at (602) 788-0382. Ride of Life Foundation Presents: Arizona Reining Horse Classic March 7th-11th of 2001, WestWorld of Scottsdale shall play host to the annual event, featuring: $10,000 USET Championship Qualifier USET Young Rider Medal Class $20,000 Reining 4-5 Year Old Derby 2 slates of NRHA Ancillary classes 4 complete AQHA shows New for 2001 is the Desert Quarter Horse Circuit, March 8th-9th, an ARHC Quarter Horse Show (split/combined); and on March 10th-11th, the AzQHYA Quarter Horse Show (split/combined). The Barn Blast takes place Saturday, March 10th, with silent auction, dinner and live music featuring The Robert Street Band. Call for reservations, (480) 595-0083. For horse show information - Track One Events, Larry and Ponce Gimple, P.O. Box 2155 Costa Mesa, CA 92628 (714) 444-2918. For vendor/sponsor information - Ride of Life Foundation, Roberta Stone and Sandra Weber. P.O. Box 346 Cave Creek, Az. 85327, (480) 595-0083. Consign Now! ...for the Desert Classic Reining and Quarter Horse Sale Saturday, March 10th, 2001 at WestWorld of Scottsdale (2 p.m.) at the Arizona Reining Horse Classic and Desert Circuit. Yearling, two-year-old, three-year-olds, show horses and broodmares. Fore entry forms, contact Dave Hammond Auctions at (405) 238-5076 or the ARHC at (480) 595-0083.

Eight days of World Champion quality Quarter Horses compete in halter and performance classes approved by the American Quarter Horse Association and the Arizona Quarter Horse Association. Points are accumulated to qualify for the AQHA World Championship Show. Over $150,000 of awards, prizes and equestrian products will be won at the 2001 Sun Country Circuit. Sun Country Circuit Classes Include: Four full Youth show days, eight Open and Amateur classes in halter, heading and heeling team roping, breakaway roping, calf roping, working cowhorse, barrel racing, showmanship, reining, trail, western riding, western pleasure, western horsemanship, hunter hack, hunter under saddle, hunt seat equitation, working hunter, pleasure driving and jumping. 2001 Performances January 26-29 from 7:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Includes: Open, Amateur, Novice Amateur, Youth, and Novice Youth events! 6 arenas all day - Split/Combined. January 30 Off day - Exhibitors' Party. January 31-February 3 from 7:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Open, Amateur, Novice Amateur - 5 arenas performing all day, Split/Combined. Exhibitors and spectators from the following states attended the 2000 Sun Country Circuit: Washington, New York, Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Mississippi, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Montana, Kansas, Nebraska, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, California, Oregon, Michigan, Illinois, South Carolina, Kentucky, Connecticut, North Dakota, New Jersey, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Hawaii. Exhibitors and spectators also traveled from England, Germany, Canada, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand and Austria. 8 complete shows - Split combined, the Arizona Sun Country Circuit is the largest American Quarter Horse Association circuit in the Nation.