Tampa, Fla. – Dec. 27, 2020 – The Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit (FCGQHC) once again has attracted the nation’s top quarter horses and riders to the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center Sunday, December 27. Taking place over five days, a record-breaking thousands of entries are expected to vie for coveted circuit awards and valuable year-end points in the renowned event at the Florida State Fairgrounds.
The Gold Coast has enjoyed continued success under the direction and show management services of An Equine Production. In 2019, the event was awarded the distinction as one of the top-three Quarter Horse shows in the nation, as ranked by the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA). This year, the event has drawn many newcomers as well as those who have competed for decades.
“We have a lot of new faces this year,” said Kathy Avolt of An Equine Production. “Many exhibitors are competing here for the first time making the event even more exciting. We are looking forward to another successful circuit again this week!”
Jordan Davis is not exactly a newcomer, winning at the Gold Coast horse show 17 years ago in leadline. The 18-year-old resident of Madisonville, Texas, captured the Level 3 14-18 Showmanship Circuit Award with her 9-year-old gelding Lazy Illusion. Davis has been riding “Deion” since she was 13 years old and has enjoyed every minute of their six-year partnership.
The partnership of Tony Anderman (St. Cloud, Minnesota) and Solo Invested was also a winning one sweeping the top spot with all six judges in the Level 3 Amateur Showmanship at Halter and claiming the circuit award in the process. Solo Invested has been good for Anderman earning high point titles at the AQHA World Show and the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, but he has had to adjust to the nearly 17-year-old gelding’s eccentric personality.
Competition continues Monday, December 28, with the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) hunter, jumper, pleasure, horsemanship and trail classes.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Jordan Davis (18) and Lazy Illusion (Madisonville, Texas)
Circuit Winner: Level 3, 14-18 Showmanship
On coming to the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit Horse Show:
“I came here 17 years ago when I was a one-year-old to show in Leadline and I won! This is my last youth year, so I decided to come back because it is such a great show. It is so fun, and the classes are big. I’m excited because I get to spend the Christmas holiday doing something that I love.”
On her win:
“It feels fun to win 17 years later. I love the showmanship classes. I get to run with my horse be one with him. I like making it look smooth and effortless. My horse loves showmanship too. He puts his ears up and stretches his head and neck out. It’s awesome.”
On her horse: Lazy Illusion (Deion):
“I have been riding him since I was 13 years old. He’s the sweetest horse ever. He likes to cuddle and snuggle up to you. He’s just an awesome horse. He is just so fun.”
Tony Anderman and Solo Invested (St. Cloud, Minnesota)
Circuit Winner: L3 Amateur Showmanship
On his win:
“It’s always exciting if you win across the board with all six judges. It’s very hard to win, to get to the top spot, but it’s even harder to keep it. It’s always nice to end the year on a high note.”
On competing in Showmanship:
“I like that it takes a real partnership with the horse. You have to really know them and know their buttons and how to react to them in the pen.”
On Solo Invested:
“He’s been a really good horse for me. I won the showmanship at the (AQHA) World Show three years in a row on him and this will be the second year to win the AQHA high point in showmanship. I won the circuit here last year as well. He is a great horse with a lot of presence, but he is a little quirky. I have learned to do things his way. We kind of work around what he wants to do. He’s friendly and sweet, but if I just have the lead rope, he is three feet in front of me dragging me everywhere. I have just learned that if I let him do it, he’s happier and when I go into the arena to practice, he knows it’s time to behave. He has been such a consistent partner for me. That’s the thing that is so rare. He has been such a consistent horse.”
To view the all new 2019 Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit schedule of events, please click here.
For additional information on the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, please visit their website.
