Tampa, FL – December 5, 2013 – For 10 consecutive years The Collection Hunter Classic and The Collection Non-Pro Hunter Classic have been highlight events during the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit. Now in their 11th year, The Collection Hunter Classics will be back and better than ever at this year’s Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, running December 27 – 31, 2013, at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center in Tampa, FL.

Presented by The Collection, a niche clothing company serving hunter seat riders of all disciplines and all breeds, the $1,000 Collection Hunter Classic and the $1,000 Collection Non-Pro Hunter Classic will be held under the lights on December 30, 2013.  The two $1,000 classes will showcase the talent of the country’s top Quarter Horse hunters over a traditional hunter course.

“The Classics are a blast. With one of them being an open and one of them being non-pro, it gives the trainers a chance to ride the horses and then the non-pros (both youth and amateur), get to come in, ride and enjoy it as well,” explained The Collection owner and Classic sponsor Robin Petix.

“Last year, for the first time, we made it an evening class, and it was so well received. We’re very happy to be doing that again this year,” Petix said. “There’ll be hot hors d’oeuvres and a party to go along with the class. Riders dress formally, and we give great gifts and prizes. It’s an all around really fun event for everyone.”

In addition to The Collection Hunter Classics, the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit features six full American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) shows and five days of events including hunters, equitation, AQHA reining, western pleasure, trail riding, driving, showmanship, halter classes, roping and the newest event, ranch pleasure. With the horse show ending on December 31, the circuit’s six shows provide an ideal opportunity for exhibitors to accumulate final year-end AQHA points.

In the week following the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, Quarter Horse competition continues with the Florida Gulf Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, to be held January 1 – 6, 2014. The HUNTER CLASSICS will return during the second week of shows, but this time riders will be returning in pairs.

“It’s going to be a Pairs Stake Classic,” explained Petix. “Everyone will compete over an individual course, and they’ll have already chosen their riding partner. After the individual course, each obstacle is widened and for the callback each pair of riders ride the course jumping each fence as a pair…very exciting!”

The new $1,000 Gulf Coast Hunter Pairs Classic is sponsored by David Connors and Bill Ellis, Chuck Briggs, Elise and Richard Cognetti, Mona’s and The Collection. Vendors will provide all Pairs exhibitorswith gifts and prizes as well as stakes monies, allowing non-pro riders to compete for impressive awards.

“The Quarter Horse people truly had the largest part in building The Collection over the years. Supporting these events is a thank you to my customers and to the trainers and people around the shows who have supported our business for years and years,” Petix said.

To learn more about The Collection, visit http://www.thecollectiononlinestore.com.

For more information about the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Show, please visit www.flgoldcoastcircuit.com. The schedule and stall reservation form are now available for download. For regular updates about the competition, please find us on Facebook by searching “Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit.”