For six weeks equestrians have been showing off their skills in the annual Horse Shows In The Sun Arizona Winter Circuit, a series of competitions at the Pima County Fairgrounds.
The circuit will wrap up this weekend with the Arizona Desert Finals.
Show organizers estimated that 600 horses and 1,500 riders participated each week, bringing more than $15 million into the community, said awards coordinator Dani Becker.
Most riders are from out of town.
Some came to Tucson for just a week of competition, while others have stayed for the entire six weeks, entering competitions and earning points to vie for the grand champion titles in hunter, jumper and equitation competitions.
Spectators, said Becker, "will see five rings going, lots of people, lots of horses, lots of dogs. There are horses going around in the different rings — three hunter and two jumpers."
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In hunter, the competitors are judged on the way they negotiate obstacles, their jumping ability, manners, style and pace.
Jumpers are judged solely on their ability to jump.
In equitation competition, the rider is judged on correct form and skills in completing a course.
Beth Cassarino, trainer for Foothills Equestrian Center, had seven junior riders — competitors younger than 18 — entered in the last few weeks of the circuit.
Casi Majeski, 15, a freshman at Catalina Foothills High School, was competing last week on her horse, Freedom's Call, and another horse. She's been riding since she was 5.
"I love it. It's always different. I only compete twice a year, but you're with your horse every day for hours. It's rewarding."
In the fourth week of competition, Majeski was named reserve champion in equitation division, meaning she took second place.
Ellie Buscema, 14, a freshman at St. Gregory College Preparatory School, and her sister, Megan, 12, a sixth-grader at the school, are both competing in the Winter Circuit for Foothills Equestrian Center.
Ellie, who has been riding for nearly eight years, competes in hunter and equitation classes with her horse, Taylor Made. Her sister rides the pony Loaded Dice.
"I have a responsibility to my horse, and it's so rewarding to come out to the barn and have my horse nicker at me," Ellie said. "It's not all about competition. I love going out on trail rides with my friends and hanging out at the barn, but it's as rewarding when you go in the ring with your horse."
Because Taylor Made is fairly new to the sport, Ellie wasn't expecting to win big at this year's Winter Circuit.
"He's still young, so right now we're not going for ribbons, really, we're just trying to get some mileage on him."
Meanwhile, last week Megan said that she and Loaded Dice were performing well and had already taken a first-place award for equitation.
Robin Stewart, 15, a sophomore at Sabino High, is riding Jitterbug in the jumper competitions. She's been riding since she was 8 and takes her horse out four times a week for lessons and pleasure riding.
"I've always just loved horses, and it was what I always wanted to do," she said.
Her favorite aspect of equestrian sports is "the relationship between horse and rider. They're so trusting and gentle and supportive. If you're having a bad day, your horse is there, and they're never mad at you."
HITS — Horse Shows In The Sun
● What: The Arizona Desert Finals is the culmination of a six-week hunter/jumper horse show in Tucson.
● When: Competition begins at 8 a.m. today through Sunday
● Where: Pima County Fairgrounds, 11300 S. Houghton Road, south of Interstate 10.
● Cost: Admission and parking for spectators are free.
● Contact: Go to hitsshows.com or call 762-9100 for more information.
