Ideal showing conditions continued with temperatures in the 80s on day two of the four-day Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit. Located at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds, the first of many circuit champions were named on Saturday. Awards were presented in two divisions: Halter and Showmanship.

In the Amateur Performance Halter Mares division, Shes Showin Off, a 2013 sorrel mare by The Preference and out of JMK Eye Candy, 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 this weekend and Hostetler is hoping that her winning record at the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit will secure the national title.

 Kaydee Lynn Bennett of Perry, Iowa, had a successful Saturday with Slew Of Details, a 2010 brown mare by Last Detail out of Ascending Star (Tb),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 traveled all the way from California to show No Doubt Im Trouble, a 2012 bay mare by No Doubt Im Lazy and out of Troubles A Blazin.  The trip was worth it though as they were named the Amateur Showmanship at Halter circuit champions.

Saturday’s classes included Showmanship, Halter, Reining, Western Riding, Ranch Horse Riding, Pleasure Driving, Equitation and Hunter Under Saddle.

Today’s schedule features Horsemanship, Trail, Western Pleasure, Working Hunter, Jumping and Equitation.

Delbert Hostetler, of Slatington, Pennsylvania, and Shes Showin Off won the Amateur Performance Halter mares circuit championship.

 “It’s a personal goal to do well here,” Hostetler said.“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.”

Hostetler said she owned Shes Showin Off’s dam and her sire as well, before his death, so she’s the last by him.

 “She’s a nice mare. I love her to death,” he said. “I wouldn’t sell her for every horse here. 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.”

 Bennett, of Perry, Iowa, and Slew Of Details captured the Novice Youth Showmanship at Halter Circuit Championship as well as the Youth 13 and Under Showmanship Reserve Circuit title.

“This is my first time showing at this horse show and I really like it. It’s so much fun,” she said. “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.” 

Bennett said winning the circuit championships are special to her since she will be moving out of the novice division and up to the 14-18 division in 2019.

“My horse was so great today,” Bennett said. “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.”

Nirenstein, of Mill Valley, California, and No Doubt Im Trouble claimed the Amateur Showmanship at Halter Circuit Championship.

“I love this show,” she said. “The weather is amazing and the class sizes are decent. I am 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.”

Nirenstein said No Doubt Im Trouble performed well for her.

“I didn’t know where the chips would fall, you never do, but I was really happy with her,” she explained. “It’s nice to see that when you have a good performance it is rewarded. I was pleasantly surprised.” 

The Florida Gold Coast continues through Dec. 31 at the First Florida State Fairgrounds.

To view the 2018 schedule of events, please click here.

Complete results are available at the Equine Production website: https://www.anequineproduction.com/florida-gold-coast

For additional information on the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, please visit flgoldcoastcircuit.com.