Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit Draws International Contingent from Israel
Ofir Bouni. Photo Credit: Cody Parmenter Photography.
Phelps Media Group
The Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit is known for attracting the nation’s best Quarter Horses and riders in the country and, this year, the event turned international with four riders from Israel competing at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. They were able to enjoy the beautiful weather at the Florida State Fairgrounds, while vying for some of the many circuit awards that were presented over the weekend.
Kayla Kohler of Osteen, Florida, trained the international contingent that participated in Trail, Western Pleasure, and Horsemanship. Two of the riders, Roei Katarivas and Ofir Bouni, previously competed in Florida. However, it was Tal Pridan and Noa Katarivas’ first experience at the horse show, as well as in America.
It was also the first time in Tampa for Karen Miller Bruce. The Lewisville, North Carolina, resident captured two circuit awards: Amateur Select Working Hunter and Amateur Select Equitation Over Fences. Another circuit award winner was Emma Brown of Zanesville, Ohio. The young rider has been coming to the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit for a number of years, but taking the circuit award in Youth 14-18 Trail this year was extra special as she only has one more day to show as a youth competitor before advancing to amateur status.
The Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit culminated on Monday featuring classes in Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle, Pleasure Driving and Western Riding. The coveted high-point champion awards will be presented along with additional circuit awards.
For full results and scribe sheets from Friday, Saturday and Sunday, visit AnEquineProduction.com.
Karen Miller Bruce and Out Of Vogue. Photo: Cody Parmenter Photography
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Kayla Kohler (Osteen, Florida) – Trainer of the four Israeli riders
On how the riders came to Florida: “I have a client from Georgia, Linda Parker, who knew their trainer in Israel. She contacted me three years ago and asked if I had any horses that they could lease at shows here, so they came over and showed in Venice. It was a very cool experience for them. They really enjoyed it, so two of them came back again this year and two new riders joined them.”
Roei Katarivas (21): “The show has been great. It’s a lot of fun. I ride over in Israel, but it’s much bigger here. I rode in Trail, Horsemanship and Western Pleasure. I like the Western Pleasure class the best. So far, I was sixth in Novice Amateur Horsemanship.”
Roei Katarivas. Photo: Cody Parmenter Photography
Ofir Bouni (20): “This is my second time here and it’s very nice. I showed in Level 1 Amateur Trail, Horsemanship, and Western Pleasure, but I like Horsemanship the best. I like riding the patterns.”
Tal Pridan (18): “This is my first time riding in the U.S. There are many more horses and riders at this show than the shows in Israel. It’s beautiful here. I rode in the Level 1 Youth Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, and Trail. I like Trail the best because it’s more interesting than the other classes. I hope we get to come back again.”
Noa Katarivas (18): “This is also my first time here and it’s been a lot of fun. I like riding in the Western Pleasure classes the best; it has always been my favorite. I also ride it in Israel.”
Karen Miller Bruce (Lewisville, North Carolina) and Out Of Vogue – Amateur Select Working Hunter and Amateur Select Equitation Over Fences circuit champions
On competing at the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit: “I have never been here before, and I love it. I love the facility, the stalls, and the arenas. It’s great. It’s pretty exciting to win here. I plan on going to the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington after this, and I wanted to show a little here to get my horse acclimated to the weather. It’s a little chilly back home.”
On Out Of Vogue: “My horse is 10 and he’s a buckskin. It’s fun to have a funny-colored horse. I owned his great-grandmother as a kid, and I have raised everyone since – his grandmother, mother and now him. He is kind, but he can be a bit of a nudge sometimes.”
On winning two circuit awards: “I didn’t have winning on my radar at all. I just came here to enjoy the experience. When I walk in the ring, I usually say, ‘Come on boy, here’s our two minutes,’ and I think about all the things we need to do in those two minutes.”
Emma Brown and Some Hot Potential. Photo Credit: Cody Parmenter Photography
Emma Brown (Zanesville, Ohio) and Some Hot Potential – Youth 14-18 Trail circuit champions
On showing at the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit: “We have been coming here for a couple of years. We really like it because it’s usually nice weather and it’s fun to come down here. My horse is great. His favorite class is Trail, and it’s my favorite class as well. He’s been an amazing horse for me. He’s taught me a lot and we’re grateful to have him.”
On winning the circuit award in Youth 14-18 Trail: “I like Trail, because it’s challenging. It takes a lot of mental thinking and knowing your spots. You do more in Trail than in some of the other classes. It means a lot to me to win today. We’ve had a really good year. We’ve been very lucky with how well we’ve done. This is my last time showing as a youth. I’m moving up to amateur next year. I’m excited about the adventure of moving up, but winning the circuit award this year was special and fun!”
About the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit:
The popular Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit returns to the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds from Dec. 28 through Dec. 31.
To view the 2018 schedule of events, please click here.
For sponsorship opportunities, please call Matt Morrissey at 941-915-3457 or email matt@mmg.management.
For additional information on the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, please visit flgoldcoastcircuit.com.
