After a wonderful holiday season spent resetting and spending time with family, I officially kicked off 2026 by heading south to the Florida Gulf Coast Horse Show in Ocala. To break up the drive, I stopped at my mom’s farm in South Carolina. It was a nice pause on my trip, and I enjoyed seeing all the beautiful barns along the way.
I was particularly excited about attending this show because it was my first time visiting the World Equestrian Center. I arrived on Friday evening and was immediately struck by the scale of the property. I started by making my way around the grand arena and looking at all the gorgeous Christmas lights they had set up. I took my time soaking it all in and then stopped into Mr. Pickles & Sailor Bear Toy Shoppe, a place that I’ve heard from friends about its cute and charming toys. After the long drive I was craving a sweet treat, so I made my way to Emma’s Patisserie and enjoyed a pastry. I overheard announcing in the distance and made my way over to the outdoor arenas. I was met with familiar faces and watched the final halter classes as the sun set.
The next morning, I started by making my way around the rings and catching up with people throughout the showgrounds. There was rain threatening to roll in, so classes were moved indoors. The indoor arenas at WEC are quite large. One ring alone had three pens showing at the same time, along with having a warmup area next to each one. Set up between the show rings was vendor Miguel Aguilar- sponsor of the Congress Queen’s crown and saddle. I stopped by and found out that they were throwing a surprise birthday party for him that afternoon. What fun! Laughter, cake, and good company set the tone perfectly. I also enjoyed visiting with other vendors and spending time catching up along the way.
I fulfilled my queenly duties for that day by handing out my gifts to the leadliners and awarding the NSBA added money classes. Before heading home for the evening, I stopped by the grand arena to watch the Grand Prix show jumping, which was packed with spectators and full of excitement. I wrapped up the day with a visit to good ole reliable Panera.
The following morning greeted us with misty conditions, giving the showgrounds a completely different feel. I awarded a few more NSBA added money winners before it was time to pack up and head home. Knowing I had a long drive ahead of me, I decided to try something new to pass the time: an audiobook. With Universal Studios nearby, it felt fitting to finally start the Harry Potter series. It turned out to be the perfect choice and made the drive go by much faster. I finished the first book just as I got home, and it's safe to say I’ll be continuing the series on future trips.
Adding one final “first” to the list, I stopped at Buc-ee’s for the first time. After fueling up and grabbing some snacks, I hit the road for the final stretch. All in all, it was an incredible way to start the year. New places, new experiences, and reconnecting with people I hadn’t seen since the Congress. I’m excited about what the rest of 2026 has in store and can’t wait to share the next adventure with you.
Ashlyn Gonzalves
2025 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen
