Tampa, Fla. – Dec. 31, 2020 – The Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit celebrated another record-breaking season in one of the more memorable years at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. The weather was perfect for the five-day event, which recorded thousands of entries featuring the nation’s top Quarter Horses and riders vying for coveted awards and year-end points at the Florida State Fairgrounds.
High Point winners in 12 divisions received a gift certificate for Rod Patrick boots worth $995. Reserve High Point competitors received chaps conchos designed by Holly Spagnola. Third place recipients were awarded with a beautiful wool cooler.
This year, Laina Banks of Schulenburg, Texas rode her horse Strawberri Wine to the winner’s circle in every circuit award category, a feat that made this year’s Gold Coast truly special. She and her husband Ken Banks occasionally compete against one another, which can make for exciting competition. However this year, the pair rode in different events and each was able to capture a high point award.
Laurie Stewart of Ocala, Florida has been riding since she was eight years old, but she only returned to the show ring a few years ago. Winning the Level 1 Amateur W/J high point on her horse Suddenly Goodtherapy was a dream come true.
Eight-year-old Alyvia Kladny of Westminster, Maryland enjoys competing with her horse Dangerously Famous in the horsemanship classes. Even though the young talent won the Level 1 Youth Walk/Jog high point award, she likes to lope whenever she gets the chance.
The Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit concludes a memorable event and looks forward to continuing tradition in 2021. For more information about the Gold Coast, click here.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Laina Banks (Schulenburg, Texas) & Strawberri Wine
Select High Point Award Champion
On competing at the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit:
“We have come here off and on for the last 15 years. We love it here. We love the weather, we love being here over the holidays, and the camaraderie is great. It’s a special family-style place.“
On winning the High Point Award:
“I have been lucky the last few years, but this year was really special because I actually won the circuit award in every category that I went in, so that makes it exceptional. It is even more special when my husband, Ken, wins. My husband and I are usually in different classes most of the time, but on occasion we end up in the same class. He won the VRH Amateur High Point on See The Magic In Me this year, a horse that we raised. It couldn’t be better.”
On Strawberri Wine:
“She is pretty remarkable. She’s a big and pink red roan. She is kind of unforgettable. She is really exceptional in the western riding. We won the World Championship the last three years in a row. She is pretty special.”
Laurie Stewart (Ocala, Florida) & Suddenly Goodtherapy
Level 1 Amateur W/J High Point Award Champion
On winning the High Point Award at the Gold Coast:
“This is only my second year here and it was a little overwhelming. There are so many horses here and the classes are huge, but I really enjoyed it. My trainer, Jenny Baker, is really helpful. It was amazing to win the high point award. I came here hoping that I would win it, so to capture the award was just the best.”
On her horse Suddenly Goodtherapy:
“I love my horse! His nickname is Abe and we call him ‘Honest Abe’ because he is such a good boy and he takes really good care of me.”
Alyvia Kladny, 8 (Westminster, Maryland) & Dangerously Famous
Level 1 Youth W/J High Point Award Champion
On winning the High Point Award at the Gold Coast:
“I thought I might win the high point award and I am really glad that I did. It’s really fun to ride and to win. The thing I like best about riding is sometimes I get to lope when my mom is gone.”
On her horse Dangerously Famous:
“Sometimes when I put the alfalfa hay outside my horse’s stall, she grabs at it and eats it. I love when she does that. She is very comfortable to ride and a lot of fun!”
HIGH POINT RESULTS
Junior:
C – Struttin To The Blues & Rodger Call
R – Extremely Salty & Ruth Rowe
3 – Sugaray & Kathy Huspeni
Senior:
1 – Whose Your Bay Bae & Kelly Birkenholtz
2 – Check required & Cynthia Figueroa
3 – I Am The Party & Dr Ted Filandrianos
Level 1/Green:
1 – Best Man Standing & Christina Sakalas
2 – Strutin to the Blues & Rodger Call
3 – Dont Think Twice & Meaghan Depalma
Level 1 (Novice) Amateur:
1 – Moneys Moxie Girl & Ashley Nietzer
2 – He Best Be Good & Katie Whalen
3 – T Bo & Avery Lefils
Amateur:
1 – Version Of Goodbar & Sarah Lebsock
2 – Truly Graceful & Amy Hassinger
3 – Bettin Im Best & Vito Latini
Select:
1 – Strawberri Wine & Laina Banks
2 – Suddenlee Single & Joe Whitt
3 – Only One Request & Scott Reinartz
Level 1 (Novice) Youth:
1 – Just Call Me Lazy & Emma DeJong
2 – And Then They Dance & Megan Miller
3 – No Longer Captive & Haley Cunningham
Youth 13 & Under:
1 – Just Call Me Lazy & Emma Dejong
2 – Roses Only & Isabella Buckley
3 – KM Genuinely Best & Emma Gore
Youth 14-18:
1 – Check Required & Rebecca Figueroa
2 – Just A Touch More & Avery Mortman
3 – Huntin A Hot Cowgirl & Alexa Black
Small Fry:
1 – Chillin Ona Dirt Road & Lilly Jones
2 – Dangerously Famous & Alyvia Kladny
3 – Famous N Foolish & Georgia Cook
Level 1 Amateur W/J:
1 – Suddenly Goodtherapy & Laurie Stewart
2 – Laidback N Lazy & Nicole Williams
3 – Sweet And Semi Lazy & Morra Nevells
Level 1 Youth W/J:
1 – Dangerously Famous & Alyvia Kladny
2 – Shiftys Illusion & John Shehee
3 – Beau Patrick & Annabel Steffens
VRH Open:
1 – A Busy Affair & Steve and Kathy Headley
2 – Fancy Blue Roo & Quincy Clagg
3 – Juiced In Hollywood & Loretta Mcclintock
VRH Amateur:
1 – See The Magic In Me & Kenneth Banks
2 – Spot On My Jersey & Karen Johnson
3 – KR Rufin It & Kaylynn Debernard
VRH Youth:
1 – MSW Flashed N Chock & Sydney Sargent
2 – Widow Gallo & Trent Ferreir
3 – Doya Think Im Flashy & Cole Gouthro
