Tampa, Fla. – Dec. 31, 2017 – As 2017 came to a close so did the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit held at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Once again, the sensational show celebrated the end of the season at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center with beautiful weather and increased entries. Top Quarter Horses from across the nation took part in the four-day event, which ran from Dec. 28–31.
Managed by the show services of An Equine Production, the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit posted 11,000 total entries and more than 8,300 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) entries. That total is up by more than 450 AQHA entries from 2016. In 2016, the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit was named one of the top 10 AQHA shows in the country and they are sure to earn that distinction again for 2017.
Throughout the event, while much of the country experienced record low temperatures, exhibitors at the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit enjoyed balmy weather as they competed for year-end points and outstanding awards. Andrey Ferreir of Circle F Performance Horses, based in Pompano Beach, Florida, earned the title of Overall High-Point Exhibitor – All Divisions – All Classes. In addition to the overall award, 15 division champions received high-point awards. Those winners received beautiful Blue Ribbon spurs. Reserve high-point champions received handsome cowhide travel bags, while third place received horse sheets. Champion and reserve champion circuit awards were also presented for all classes.
RESULTS
Full results from Thursday and Friday are available to view online here.
Full results from Saturday and Sunday are available to view online here.
Results of circuit and high-point winners are available to view online here.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Reese Braden (Lake Geneva, Wisconsin) and Lazy Lovin – L1 Youth Walk/Trot high-point winner
On riding Lazy Lovin:
“I’ve been riding [Lazy Lovin] for two and a half years. She doesn’t like getting up in the morning so she can be a little naughty, but I love riding her.”
On being the high-point winner:
“I am happy that I won, but if I didn’t win I would still be happy because my horse did really well and I know that you can’t win all of the time. This is my biggest win. I’ve gotten high-point awards before, but this is the biggest.”
Steve Meadows (Staunton, Virginia) and Wimpys Major Affair, owned by John Martin Falls – VRH Open high-point winner
On competing at the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit:
“I’ve been coming here for a long time — since I was a kid — well over 20 years! We brought our daughter here to compete in leadline and now she’s a freshman in college.”
On winning a high-point award:
“The competition here was incredible. The classes were a good size. This is one of the major circuits in the country so anytime you can come out of here with a win, it’s a great way to end the year and start the next one.”
On competing in Versatility:
“We like the cowboy aspect of the Versatility classes. I started specializing in it about three years ago. The horses like their jobs and it’s a lot of fun to do. It’s easy to teach because the people like to do it.”
Scott Allen Reinartz (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) and Investin A Goodbar – Amateur high-point winner
On winning a high-point award:
“Every time you win it’s a blessing because you are competing against talented competitors who travel and show hard. Everyone is worthy of it so it’s a great honor when you do get to win it.”
On Investin A Goodbar:
“He was great. We were a little rusty from the [AQHA World Championship Show], but he performed really well. He does whatever I ask him. The problem is that I don’t always ask him correctly.”
For more information on the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, visit www.flgoldcoastcircuit.com.
