The Collection Hunter Classic Returns Under the Lights at Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit
Phelps Media Group press release by: Emily Riden Tampa, FL – December 5, 2013 – For 10 consecutive years, The Collection Hunter Classic and The Collection Non-Pro Hunter Classic have been highlight events during the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit. Now in their 11th year, The Collection Hunter Classics will be back and better than ever at this year’s Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, running December 27 – 31, 2013, at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center in Tampa, FL.
Presented by The Collection, a niche clothing company serving hunter seat riders of all disciplines and all breeds, the $1,000 Collection Hunter Classic and the $1,000 Collection Non-Pro Hunter Classic will be held under the lights on December 30, 2013. The two $1,000 classes will showcase the talent of the country’s top Quarter Horse hunters over a traditional hunter course.
“The Classics are a blast. With one of them being an open and one of them being non-pro, it gives the trainers a chance to ride the horses and then the non-pros (both youth and amateur), get to come in, ride and enjoy it as well,” explained The Collection owner and Classic sponsor Robin Petix.
“Last year, for the first time, we made it an evening class, and it was so well received. We’re very happy to be doing that again this year,” Petix said. “There’ll be hot hors d’oeuvres and a party to go along with the class. Riders dress formally, and we give great gifts and prizes. It’s an all around really fun event for everyone.”
In addition to The Collection Hunter Classics, the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit features six full American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) shows and five days of events including hunters, equitation, AQHA reining, western pleasure, trail riding, driving, showmanship, halter classes, roping and the newest event, ranch pleasure. With the horse show ending on December 31, the circuit’s six shows provide an ideal opportunity for exhibitors to accumulate final year-end AQHA points.
In the week following the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, Quarter Horse competition continues with the Florida Gulf Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, to be held January 1 – 6, 2014. The HUNTER CLASSICS will return during the second week of shows, but this time riders will be returning in pairs.
“It’s going to be a Pairs Stake Classic,” explained Petix. “Everyone will compete over an individual course, and they’ll have already chosen their riding partner. After the individual course, each obstacle is widened and for the callback each pair of riders ride the course jumping each fence as a pair…very exciting!”
The new $1,000 Gulf Coast Hunter Pairs Classic is sponsored by David Connors and Bill Ellis, Chuck Briggs, Elise and Richard Cognetti, Mona’s and The Collection. Vendors will provide all pairs of exhibitors with gifts and prizes as well as stakes monies, allowing non-pro riders to compete for impressive awards.
“The Quarter Horse people truly had the largest part in building The Collection over the years. Supporting these events is a thank you to my customers and to the trainers and people around the shows who have supported our business for years and years,” Petix said.
To learn more about The Collection, visit http://www.thecollectiononlinestore.com.
For more information about the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Show, please visit www.flgoldcoastcircuit.com. The schedule and stall reservation form are now available for download. For regular updates about the competition, please find us on Facebook by searching “Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit.”
Image courtesy of Stadium Jumping, Inc.
Florida Gold Coast and Florida Gulf Coast Quarter Horse Show Circuit Fast Facts
EVENT: Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Show and Florida Gulf Coast Quarter Horse Show
WHEN: Gold Coast Quarter Horse Show December 27-31, 2013 and Gulf Coast Quarter Horse Show January 1-6, 2014,
WHAT: Two weeks of Quarter Horse shows featuring 12 full AQHA shows and ten full days of events including AQHA hunters, equitation, reining, western pleasure, trail riding, driving, showmanship halter classes at Bob Thomas Equestrian, plus additional strictly Western classes, Roping, Working Cowhorse, Cutting, and the newest event, Ranch Pleasure, held at Triple J Arena in Sarasota. Please call 561-722-7979 for more information about Triple J Arena classes.
WHERE: Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds
4800 North US Highway 301
Tampa, FL 33680
WEBSITE: www.flgoldcoastcircuit.com www.fqha.net
HIGHLIGHTS:
– Western & English Pleasure
– Trail
– Hunters and Equitation
– Driving
– Showmanship
– Halter
THE FACILITY:
Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, Tampa, FL
All arenas have a separate warm-up area:
Grand Prix Field 250′ x 350′
Covered Ring 165′ x 300′
Annex Ring 150′ x 275′
Indoor Ring 130′ x 250′
JUDGES:
Gold Coast – Dec. 27 – Dec. 31:
– Tony Burris
– John Dean
– Scott Hofstetter
– Nancy Sue Ryan
– Steve Stephens
– Carla Wennburg
– Daren Wright
HOTELS:
Hilton Garden Inn
10309 Highland Manor Drive
Tampa, Fl 33610
E-Mail www.tampaeastbrandon.gardeninn.com
Direct phone for Reservations 813-626-6700
Residence Inn Fairgrounds
9719 Princess Palm Ave
Tampa, Fl 33619
Direct phone for Reservations 813-627-8855
LaQuinta Fairgrounds
4811 US Highway 301 N
Tampa, Fl 33680
Direct phone for Reservations 813-626-0885
Phone for Rates- Pets Free
Sheraton Tampa East
http://www.sheratontampaeast.com/
10221 Princess Palm Ave
Tampa, Fl 33610
Red Roof Inn – Brandon
10121 Horace Ave.
Tampa, Fl 33619
Mention horse show for best rate
Direct phone for Reservations 813-681-8484
Pets Stay Free
4 miles to show grounds
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Tampa
5223 North Orient Road (next to show grounds)
Tampa, FL
(813) 627-7625
MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
