From the Winner’s Circle at 2018 Florida Gold Coast

Phelps Media Group (edited)

Balmy temperatures and sunny skies greeted the nation’s top Quarter Horses and riders competing at the 2018 Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit. Entries were up on opening day, and that trend is expected to continue at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds until Monday, Dec. 31, the final day of the renowned event.

In 2017, the horse show earned the distinction of being named the seventh largest ranked American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) show in the country. This year, the event is expected to be even bigger and better, offering more leveled classes and a flat rate for all National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) classes.

The direction and show management services of An Equine Production strive to make the weekend a pleasant experience for both horses and riders in and out of the arena. Many of the competitors come from across the country year after year due to the quality of the horse show, the facility and the weather. In addition, unique to this show, is a daily produce stand offering apples, carrots, and oranges free of charge.

Friday’s schedule featured AQHA and NSBA Hunter, Jumper, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, and Trail classes. Saturday’s classes included Showmanship, Halter, Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle, Reining and Western Riding classes.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:

Lee Paul Shinn (Palmetto, Florida) – Head trainer at Prince Farm, owned by Chester and Anne Prince

On attending the event for over 20 years: “I used to live in Texas, and I would travel here every year because this show is the only place in the country for Quarter Horse competitors to show in hunter/jumper classes every day, all day. It’s also important to be here if you’re in the hunt for year-end awards in order to keep your place or even move ahead. This year, we brought 15 horses.”

Ty Hornick (Jamestown, Ohio) – Co-owner of Ty and Karen Hornick Quarter Horses

On what makes the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit special: “The weather here is great, and the show management does a very good job keeping the footing in the arenas and warm-up areas in excellent condition. They’re also nice to work with and, when you show as much as we do, that makes a difference.”

In the Amateur Performance Halter Mares division, Shes Showin Off, owned by Delbert Hostetler of Slatington, Pennsylvania, was named circuit champion. The 5-year-old sorrel mare was the current leader in the national standings coming into the weekend, and Hostetler is hoping that her winning record at the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit will secure the national title.

On the chase for the national title: “It’s a personal goal to do well here. We’re chasing the national high-point title for the first time so coming here was important because we’re leading now, and we’re hoping to secure the title at this show. The weather is great too. We have a farm in Pennsylvania, Blue Mountain Quarter Horses, and it’s not so nice up there right now. We’re just tickled to death to enjoy the warm weather here.”

On owning Shes Showin Off: “She’s a nice mare. I love her to death. I wouldn’t sell her for every horse here. I owned her mother and her father, but the stud died, so she’s the last one from him. I would like to do as much as I can with her. I have raised everything I have shown in the last five years, so to win the national title would be the realization of my goal. It would be really special.”

Kaydee Lynn Bennett of Perry, Iowa, had a successful Saturday with Slew Of Details taking the circuit championship award for Novice Youth Showmanship at Halter and the reserve circuit championship award in the Youth 13 and Under Showmanship division. Madison Nirenstein came all the way from California to show No Doubt Im Trouble. The trip was worth it though as they were named the Amateur Showmanship at Halter circuit champions.

Kaydee Lynn Bennett- 

On showing at the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit: “This is my first time showing at this horse show, and I really like it. It’s so much fun. Everyone is super nice. The footing is great and the arenas are perfect. The weather has been so nice too. It’s not like this where we’re from in Iowa! I love it.”

On winning the circuit award: “It is so exciting to win. This is my last time showing in the novice and the 13 and under. I move up to 14-18 next year, so this is a nice way to end the year. My horse was so great today. It’s fulfilling to know that we performed well in our last time showing novice. I hope to continue to do well as I move up next year.”

Madison Nirenstein-

On competing at the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit: “I love this show. The weather is amazing, and the class sizes are decent. I’m a senior at the University of Michigan, and this is my winter break from school, so to show more than just a weekend is extremely important. I took advantage of the opportunity, and it worked out really well.”

On No Doubt Im Trouble: “My horse was really good for me today. I didn’t know where the chips would fall, you never do, but I was really happy with her. It’s nice to see that when you have a good performance it is rewarded. I was pleasantly surprised.”

2018 Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit awards include beautifully crafted leather bags and binders custom made by Just Peachy Show Clothing and Mike and Carrie Bachey.

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.

Don’t forget to buy your tickets to the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit New Year’s Eve party in the show office and watch all four days of competition live, sponsored by Morrissey Management Group, here.

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.