Fox Lea’s AQHA/NSBA Winter Circuit Gets Underway in Venice, Florida

The 2015 Fox Lea Winter Circuit AQHA and NSBA show got underway on Tuesday with three arenas offering over fence, Trail, Hunter Under Saddle and Hunt Seat Equitation classes. “Our entries are up over last year,” said Mark Harrell, whose show management company is in its second year managing the show. “And we expect the numbers to increase as the week goes on.”

Large Entry Numbers

The first day’s classes saw large AQHA numbers especially in the Amateur Select and Open divisions. Among the largest classes of the day were Senior Trail with 47 entries; Amateur Select Hunter Under Saddle, which attracted 23 exhibitors; Senior Hunter Under Saddle, which had 17 horses shown; Junior Hunter Under Saddle, which saw 16 entries; and Level 1 Open Hunter Under Saddle, Level 1 Amateur Hunter Under Saddle and Amateur Hunter Under Saddle with 15 horses each shown.

Among Tuesday’s winners were Judy Davis, Reddick, FL, and Just Like June, showing for herself and husband Wayne Davis, who won the NSBA and AQHA Junior Hunter Under Saddle.

“She was a very good girl today,” Davis said. Davis admits that her four-year-old mare, by Just Like Detail and out of a Zippo Jack Bar mare, is special to her. “I keep saying that she’s my last show horse, because I’m not sure another one would be this easy,” she said.

New Teams and Returning Partners

 Cydney Benes and Call Me Blazin Hot made a triumphant return to the show ring by winning the AQHA and NSBA Youth Hunter Under Saddle. “This is our first show back in a while,” Benes said. “He got hurt after the AQHYA World Show last year. He sprained his suspensory so he was laid up for the past six months.”

The 11 year old gelding, by Hot N Blazing, competes in Hunter Under Saddle and Hunt Seat Equitation. “He’s learning Horsemanship too,” Benes said. “He’s really consistent and gives me his best every time. We’re working toward qualifying for the AQHYA World Show, and hoping for the best.”

In Senior Hunter Under Saddle, Scott Jones piloted Assets Agenda to the NSBA and AQHA win. “She’s one of my favorites,” Jones said of the eight-year-old gray mare known as Julia. “She’s such a big loper, trots great and is just great minded.” Jones and Julia are shown at left.

To read the full article on NSBA.com, click here.