Kenneth Banks. Photo: Cody Parmenter.

Tampa, Fla. – Dec. 29, 2019 – Families have been competing, some against each other, at the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit with the nation’s best Quarter Horses for more than half a century. Each year, hundreds of riders participate in the renowned event at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, so it is not unusual to find siblings and spouses vying for the top spots. One would expect them to be rivals, but in the case of the Banks family and the Potts family, the rivalry is more friendly than fierce.

This year, Kenneth and Laina Banks, of Schulenberg, Texas, trailered five horses to compete at the Florida State Fairgrounds in the Versatility Ranch Horse (VRH), Pleasure, and Western Riding classes. They live together, ranch together and, several weeks out of the year, show together. They wouldn’t have it any other way. The couple takes turns in the spotlight, but win or lose, they offer each other unending support.

The Potts siblings, of Fountain Inn, South Carolina, have been coming to the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit ever since they first sat in the saddle. Alexis, 14, and Riley, 10, have been past Circuit Champions and occasionally competed against each other. Instead of a fierce rivalry, the brother-and-sister duo have only respect and admiration for each other, making for friendly competition.

Watch all five days of the 2019 Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit live, sponsored by Morrissey Management Group, on the home page of the horse show’s website. The daily feed will rotate rings so that viewers are able to view competition in each ring at some point throughout the week.

To view the all-new 2019 Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit schedule of events, please click here.