Additional Circuit Awards Presented Thursday
Tampa, Fla. – Dec. 30, 2021 – Circuit Awards were presented in several divisions on the fourth day of the highly anticipated Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit. With riders traveling from across North America to compete at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, the Woodley family from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada showed their dedication after traveling 37 hours for a chance at the ribbons. Blair, Judi, Justin, and Tanya drove with three horses in tow to the Florida State Fairgrounds, leaving temperatures of -21° Celsius at home, approximately -6° Fahrenheit, to enjoy a balmy 80° in Tampa, Florida.
“We were more than happy to leave the weather at home behind,” Judi said. “We love this show. The weather is beautiful and the organization, the facility and the people make it worth the trip.”
“This is our second visit,” added Blair. “We came in 2018 but could not come again until this year because our borders were shut down due to COVID-19. We had to be double vaccinated just to hit the border this time. We’ll need to fill out more paperwork and get tested before we cross the borders to get back home, but it is worth it. We love to show our horses here.”
Unlike his parents, Justin is showing at the Gold Coast for the first time. He said, “It’s fantastic here, an excellent change from our cold weather up north. It’s nice to be able to come here and do what we love in such a beautiful environment and beautiful facility.”
Blair will compete in the Open Trail and Western Riding, while his wife Judi will participate in the Select Amateur Trail and Select Amateur Showmanship. Their son Justin will ride in Amateur Trail, Western Riding and Horsemanship. Justin’s wife Tanya also made the 37-hour trek to cheer the Woodley family on and offer added support.
As a highlight to Thursday’s competition, Circuit Awards were presented to top competitors. Jayna Lagace, 16, of Higganum, Connecticut won the Level 3 14-18 Youth Trail on Huntin Hotty Tottys. She has been competing at the Gold Coast since she was three years old and believes this is her best year yet.
Trainer Jamie Dowdy of Marshfield, Missouri made her first appearance at the Gold Coast. She brought five horses and students with her to show and so far, she has already earned Champion or Reserve in three different Circuit Award divisions, including champion in the L2 Junior Western Pleasure riding Bestseatnthesouth and the L1 Green Western Pleasure Reserve Champion with Southern Decadence.
A full list of the 2021 Circuit Awards can be viewed here. To view the 2021 schedule of events, please click here.
The Florida Gold Coast Horse Circuit can be viewed live daily at www.flgoldcoastcircuit.com.
For additional information on the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, please visit flgoldcoastcircuit.com
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Jayna Lagace & Huntin Hotty Tottys (Higganum, Connecticut)
Circuit Award Winner: L3 14-18 Youth Trail
On winning:
“It was exciting to win. Last year was not our greatest year, so now it feels like we’re back on track. I can rely on my horse now and have a good ride. The pattern today was a little tight, but I have a small horse, so it was easy to navigate it. It was fun, I loved everything about it.”
On Huntin Hotty Tottys:
“I have had Stanley for five years. He turns 9 years old in two days. It is special because this show was our first together. He’s fun to ride, he definitely has an attitude, but he is good most of the time. I love him.”
Jamie Dowdy (Marshfield, Missouri)
Circuit Award Winner: L2 Junior Western Pleasure with Bestseatnthesouth and L1 Green Western Pleasure with Southern Decadence
On coming to the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit Horse Show:
“This is my first year at this show. Most of my students wanted to come down and I thought it was a great idea. I really didn’t want to be in Missouri in the winter. It’s wonderful here. It’s an amazing place to be. I love showing outside and the horses are much happier, so that makes me happy.”
On winning:
“It’s always nice to win, but I was proud of all my horses. We’re showing five horses here and so far, we are doing very well. Today, in addition to winning the Level 2 Junior Western Pleasure on Bestseatnthesouth, I was Champion with Southern Decadence in the Level 1 Green Western Pleasure and Reserve Champion in Level 3 Junior Western pleasure with If It Ain’t Southern, so, I have zero complaints.”
