Ocala, the Horse Capital of the World, Welcomes Equestrians of All Skill Levels to Florida
In partnership with: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Marion County, especially Ocala, Florida, is known as the “Horse Capital of the World” for good reason. With more horses and ponies than any other county in the United States, it’s a focal point for thoroughbred breeding and training as well as a destination for performance horses. On any given day, equine enthusiasts can watch a polo match, Olympic sports such as show jumping, eventing, dressage, driving and reining.
“We are fortunate in Ocala to have a thriving equestrian scene, where the thoroughbred and sport horse communities mutually support each other,” says Leah Tong, Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy for World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Ocala. “Ocala has a long-standing involvement in thoroughbred breeding, training and sales, which in turn bolsters the vibrant competition side of the equestrian world that we see at our venue.”
Ocala, Florida, is also wild for its horse sports, with several equestrian centers hosting various family-friendly events over the course of the year, most of which are free and open to the public.
“There is not a weekend that goes by throughout the year that you can’t go to some kind of equestrian event, so it’s just phenomenal,” says Jason Reynolds, Executive Director of the Florida Horse Park.
The Olympic Spirit Gallops
WEC’s main campus sits on 2,000-plus acres and includes outdoor and indoor temperature-regulated competition spaces in Ocala, Florida. With a variety of equestrian events throughout the year, WEC welcomes top-tier athletes from around the world.
In fact, during WEC’s 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series, it hosted 36 athletes who went on to represent their countries in show jumping at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Nine of the riders won a medal, including Team USA’s Laura Kraut and McLain Ward, who won team silver, and Kate Shoemaker, who won Individual Freestyle bronze. Olympic Dressage Paralympian team gold medalists Rebecca Hart, Fiona Howard and Roxanne Trunnell have competed at WEC as well. Hart and Howard also won gold medals in individual events, and Trunnell a silver medal.
In 2024, WEC hosted the Longines League of Nations, which attracted competitors from major medal-winning countries like the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, France and United Kingdom.
“It’s an incredible honor to be able to host such a high-level competition and attract those athletes from around the world,” Tong says.
In addition to WEC’s equestrian events, it hosts several community events throughout the year, including Oktoberfest and the Ocala Food and Wine Festival. WEC also opens its facility to animal and human evacuees by providing safety and comfort to those in need.
The WEC Campus is home to two world-class resorts, and in 2024, Time magazine included the facility on its World’s Greatest Places list, which highlights 100 global destinations to visit and stay.
“That is really a great honor,” Tong says.
Welcoming All Skill Levels
For more equestrian sport, travel south on I-75 to the Florida Horse Park, a 500-acre facility that hosts some of the largest three-day equestrian events in the nation.
Like WEC, Florida Horse Park in Ocala, Florida, has welcomed a number of Olympic athletes, who have utilized its grounds to train and compete in the “Horse Capital of the World.”
“The fact that these Olympians put their trust in the park is very humbling,” Reynolds says. “We have several disciplines that Olympic riders train at the park. It is a testament to the work we have done to provide a safe, friendly and competitive environment.”
Reynolds adds that the Florida Horse Park’s riding opportunities remain inclusive to all skill levels.
“We are constantly looking for ways to improve the park for every rider,” Reynolds says. “We pride ourselves on the fact that you can be a beginner rider at the park and love it, or you can be an Olympian and love it as well.”
The Horse Park play a big role in disaster staging and response. It serves as an active logistical support center for disasters such as hurricanes, partnering with local and state emergency management departments and storing supplies like generators to deploy as needed.
“That’s just our way of giving back and making sure that Florida’s safe,” Reynolds says.
Central Florida is an international destination for vacationers and equestrians, thanks in part to the “Horse Capital of the World.” Ocala, Florida, is an exciting place to visit to experience Florida’s world-class horse sporting venues. While you are visiting, look for “Fresh From Florida” in the grocery store and on the menu.
“Florida’s rich history in the horse industry is an important part of our rural, recreational, sports and economic landscape. The flourishing equestrian scene in Ocala, especially with the addition of the World Equestrian Center to the already established Florida Horse Park, has grown all disciplines of equestrian sport. WEC Ocala is a bucket-list destination for equestrians, and the opening of this top-notch venue is piquing the interest of non-equestrians. Spectators are welcome at both locations, and Ocala’s burgeoning horse industry is quickly becoming a fan favorite. It’s an exciting time to be a part of this industry in Florida!”
– Amy Center, trainer and owner of Cavallo Farms in Lloyd
Meet Florida’s Horse Specialist
Dr. Saundra TenBroeck’s role as State Extension Horse Specialist and Associate Professor at the University of Florida’s Department of Animal Sciences requires that she serve as both an equine expert to county agents statewide as well as adviser and teacher to dozens of students each semester. TenBroeck began her career as Florida’s first youth livestock specialist and at the time was only the second woman to join the Department of Animal Sciences. Over the years, TenBroeck has influenced the lives of thousands in her role, and in 2023 she joined 39 other distinguished women as Florida’s Woman of the Year in Agriculture.