“Paradise Awaits” is the slogan for Venice, Florida and that’s what exhibitors found when they arrived to show at the Fun In The Sun Extravaganza, starting Saturday at Fox Lea Farms located just south of Sarasota along Florida’s white-sanded Gulf Coast.

The all-breed show is featuring 68 classes in disciplines including Trail, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Hunter Under Saddle, Showmanship, Ranch Horse Pleasure, Equitation and even over fences classes during the two-day inaugural event.

The National Snaffle Bit Association is sanctioning some of the classes and organizers say over $36,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded.

Show founder Dean Bogart of Boca Raton, Florida, says he has been asked by numerous exhibitors, trainers and owners to host a show of this class and caliber and he was more than happy to answer that request.

“I thought it was wonderful today and it’s a great foundation for the future,” Bogart said. “We appreciate all the support, attendance and friendships along the way.”

Action got under way with 11 Trail classes on Saturday for Open, Youth and Non-Pro exhibitors. Officiating were Rick Christy and Pam Scott.

Competition started in the second ring with the 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure. Wade Black rode Justa Machine to a win for owner Cheryl Mullikin of Xenia, Ohio. Black and Justa Machine, sired by Machine Made, just won the 2-Year-Old Limited Open Western Pleasure at the Quarter Horse Congress in October.

Wade Black & Justa Machine

Mullikin, who also showed her new horse, Got My Swag On in both the Maturity Non-Pro Western Pleasure and 50 & Over Western Pleasure said she had been riding Justa Machine some.

“I can’t wait to show him,” she said.

Action continues Sunday with Showmanship, Western Riding and more Western Pleasure, including the $5000 NSBA Maturity $10,000 Limited Horse Open Western Pleasure, followed by Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle and over fences classes.

John Boxell and Randy Wilson are charged with officiating over the other classes.

After a day off on Monday the Fox Lea Winter AQHA circuit runs from Tuesday through Sunday.

Results from Saturday’s competition can be found below. Follow results from Sunday’s competition on the InStride Edition Facebook page.

Click Here to check out candids from Day 1

Saturday Results

3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure – 4 shown

Champion: Justa Machine & Wade Black for Cheryl Mullikin

Reserve: Honolulu Babe & Katy Jo Zuidema for Hanna Ring

Non-Pro Maturity – 10 shown

Champion: Cool Poco Dot & Linda Sargent

Reserve: Its The Moonshine Talkin & Denise Hawkins

3-Year-Old Ltd. Open Western Pleasure – 4 Shown

Champion: One Hot Gal & Jamie Murrow for The Tidwell Family

Reserve: FeBreeze & Liz Baker for Dan and Kathryn Frederick

Youth Western – 3 Shown

Champion: Zippos Sudden Chex & Aubrey Alderman

Reserve: Justa Good Version & Cory Freilicht

Green Western Pleasure – 7 Shown

Champion: Cool Rockin Machine & Cleve Wells for Cleve Wells

Reserve: Hotrod This & Tyler Achtenhagen for Garcia Quarter Horses

Youth Trail – 5 shown

Champion: Huntin For Candy & Cheyenne Augsburger

Reserve: Platinum Sunsation & Jayna Lagace

Non-Pro Trail – 13 shown

Champion: An Absolut Mortini & Joyce Hellard

Reserve: Hot Rockin Potential & Elizabeth Rinder

3 & 4-Year-Old Trail – 1 shown

Champion: Rockin Rebelicious & Nick Mayabb

Senior Trail – 14 shown

Champion: Investin A Goodbar & Mark Stevens for Scott Reinartz

Reserve: What A Good Story & Glenn Wells for Donna Kerr

Junior Trail – 2 Shown

Champion: BI Krymsun & Nick Mayabb for Samantha Aderhold

Reserve: Smooth And Chocolate & Whitney Lagace for Elizabeth Rinder

Green Trail – 8 shown

Champion: I Got The Sensation & Stephanie Armelli for Eileen Parente

Reserve: BI Krymsun & Nick Myabb for Samantha Aderhold

Novice Amateur Western Pleasure

Champion: Rumors Only & Tammy Freilicht

Select Amateur Western Pleasure – 7 shown

Champion (3-way tie): Moon Me & Kathryn Frederick; Got My Swag On & Cheryl Mullikin; Flash Of Sudden & Faith Small

3-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle – 5 shown

Champion: Good Escape & Trisha Yamber for Carl Yamber

Maturity Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle – 11 shown

Co Champion: Naturally Amazing & Amy Jean Bucholtz; One Hot Katwoman & Lindsey Gillette

Ranch Horse Pleasure – 4 shown

Champion: Peppy San Loper & Andrey Ferrier for Suzzette Stroud

Reserve: Dust Off The Tequila & Kristen Massaro