Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Show Circuit Welcomes Top AQHA Judges
Tampa, FL – December 11, 2012 – The Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Show will be welcoming six top American Quarter Horse Association judges for this year’s competition. Scheduled for December 27-31, 2012 at the Florida State Fairgrounds’ Bob Thomas Equestrian Center in Tampa, FL, the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Show features five full days of events including hunters, equitation, reining, western pleasure, trail riding, driving, showmanship and halter classes. This year, the show ends on the 31st to help exhibitors take advantage of the six shows needed to accumulate points before the end of the year for the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA).
The judges for this year’s Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Show include:
Brian Ellsworth from Kendall, Wisconsin, who is an AAAA Rated, and has held his AQHA Judges Card for 32 years, He is also a NSBA Judge. Ellsworth has had the opportunity to judge the Youth, Amateur and Open AQHA World shows. He has also judged the Quarter Horse Congress, NSBA Breeders Championship Futurity and APHA World Shows. He and his wife Patty own and operate Ellsworth Quarter Horses.
Karen Graham from Cave Creek, Arizona, holds her AAAA Rating from AQHA. She has had her AQHA Card for 16 years and also holds an NSBA card. She owns Graham Ranch with her husband Scott. Graham specializes in all-around show horses, with many world champions, reserve world champions, and Congress champions to her credit. She serves on the NSBA Board of Directors and the AQHA Professional Horseman’s Committee.
Larry Hansch from Davenport, Iowa, is an AAAA Rated by AQHA. He has held his AQHA Judge Card for 27 years and also has an NSBA card. He owns and operates Cedar Ridge Ranch.
Larry Little, of Mebane, North Carolina, is another AAAA Rated Judge who has had his AQHA Judges Card for 27 Years. He was one of the founders of NSBA and also holds an NSBA card. Little owns Larry Little Quarter Horses with his wife Gale, and is a former president of the North Carolina Quarter Horse Association. At the 2012 AQHA Convention, Larry was awarded the Professional Horseman’s 2011 Most Valuable Horseman Award.
Donald McDuffee, of Ocala, Florida, is an AAAA Rated and has been an AQHA Judge for 29 Years. He also is a NSBA Judge. McDuffee Quarter Horses specializes in World Caliber Halter Horses, and has raised, trained and shown World Champions, Congress Champions, superior halter and performance horses and National High Point Horses.
Scott Neuman from Billings, Montana, also has an AAAA Rating from AQHA and has held his AQHA Card and NSBA Card for 14 Years. He has judged both the World Show and The All American Congress. At his family’s Neuman Quarter Horses training centre they focus on the all around horse, but also encompass hunters and over fences training.
Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Show Circuit Fast Facts EVENT: Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Show Circuit: Schedule and stall reservation forms available online at http://fqha.net.
WHAT: A week-long quarter horse show features five full days of events including hunters, equitation, AQHA reining, western pleasure, trail riding, driving, showmanship and halter classes, helping riders accumulate points before the end of the year for the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA).
WHERE:
Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds
4800 North US Highway 301
Tampa, FL 33680 http://fqha.net.
DIRECTIONS:
From Tampa or St. Pete/Clearwater via I-275 to I-4 Eastbound
Orient Rd. Entrance Gate: From I-4 Eastbound only, take Exit #6 for Orient Rd. and turn right off the ramp. There will be a sign for the Fairgrounds entrance immediately on the left-hand side. Check in at the Security Guard gate for entry.
From Lakeland/Orlando area via I-4 Westbound
Orient Rd. Entrance Gate: Travel on I-4 West toward Tampa to Exit #7 toward US-92 W / HILLSBOROUGH AVE and merge onto E. HILLSBOROUGH AVE. Proceed to the light at Orient Road and turn left. There will be a sign for the Fairgrounds entrance on the left-hand side. Check in at the Security Guard gate for entry.
Traveling from I-75 North/South (from Ocala/Sarasota area)
Orient Rd. Entrance Gate: Traveling north on I-75, take Exit #260 (B) and merge LEFT onto DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD (aka SR-574 West). Traveling south on I-75, take Exit #260 and merge RIGHT onto DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD. Go west for 2.5 miles and pass the light at U.S. Hwy. 301. Keep proceeding on MLK, Jr. Blvd. to the next light which is ORIENT RD. Make a right at Orient Road. There will be a sign for the Fairgrounds entrance on the right-hand side. Check in at the Security Guard gate for entry.
THE FACILITY:
Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, Tampa, FL
All arenas have a separate warm-up area with all-weather footing
Grand Prix Field 250′ x 350′ all weather footing
Covered Ring 165′ x 300′ clay/sand mixture
Annex Ring 150′ x 275′ all weather footing
Indoor Ring 130′ x 250′ clay/sand mixture
