Horse Shows & Equestrian Venues
H.I.T.S | Horse Shows in the Sun
A multi-week, internationally-recognized circuit that began in Gainesville in the 1980s. In the mid 1990s, HITS moved to Ocala to accommodate increasing numbers of entries and in 2002 relocated to an even larger 450-acre venue at Post Time Farm in Ocala. The HITS Winter Circuit is the premier hunter-jumper exhibition in the North Central Florida region, beginning in late December and culminating each March in the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix.
Florida Horse Park
The Florida Horse Park is a 500-acre, year-round, world-class facility, and an invaluable element of the Ocala/Marion County equestrian community. It offers not only international-caliber competitions, but also a variety of outdoor activities from foot races, to dog shows, and charity events.
Ocala Jockey Club
The Ocala Jockey Club hosts a spectator and media-focused International 3-Day Event with a family-friendly atmosphere in the middle of November. This prestigious event, running since 2016, has already attracted two of the top three Rio Olympic individual medal winners and other top US and international riders. The event won the 2018 Florida Sports Foundation Small Market Event of the Year award, in recognition of its contribution to Florida sports tourism. The Ocala Jockey Club is a private 900-acre Thoroughbred and 3-day eventing training and breeding farm community with a 35-townhome village and clubhouse for weddings and special events.
OBS | Ocala Breeders' Sales
OBS is one of the nation’s leading auction and sale companies in the Thoroughbred industry offering seasonal sales of yearlings, two year olds, and mixed stock.
World Equestrian Center
When the meticulously-imagined, 3,145-acre World Equestrian Center opens its gates to guests and events, it will bring not only a new level of equestrian sport to the Marion County area, but of classic horse country living as well. Adjacent to the Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club, this upcoming development features plenty of amenities, including: Permanent stabling for 1,500 horses, 3,100 additional acres of real estate, 17 outdoor arenas on 300+ acres, 4 indoor arenas, an open-air stadium with seating for 10,000 spectators and Vet clinics on site. The property is in close proximity to I-75 as well as the Ocala International Airport which is well suited to accommodate equestrian flights.
Grand Oaks Resort & Museum
Grand Oaks is a 340-acre property hosting an eclectic variety of equestrian events such as pleasure and professional driving competitions, dressage exhibitions, Arabian shows, and much more. The venue also offers personal training from expert equine instructors and first-class boarding facilities and arenas for training. Their impressive carriage museum is not to be missed; boasting one of the world’s largest private collections of carriages and equestrian artifacts.
HSITP | Horse Shows in the Park
HSITP prides itself on providing riders, trainers, and families one of the highest quality horse showing experiences in Florida. By incorporating excellent course design, beautiful fences, and top-notch footing, the seasoned and customer friendly show staff at HSITP has put together a winning combination.
4-H Horse Specialty Club Show Series
4-H has numerous clubs throughout Marion County, including special interest clubs like steer and horse, in-school, and general community. The Horse Specialty Club offers programs and opportunities specific to youth interested in equestrian activities, and hosts shows at the Southeastern Livestock Pavillion that showcase the talents of young local equestrians.
Marion Saddle Club
Founded in 1958, the Marion Saddle Club is known for hosting family-friendly events and for its mission to support local hunter/jumper riders by providing an entertaining series of schooling shows in the Ocala area
Williston Horseman’s Park
Home base for the Williston Horseman’s Association, the Park hosts family-oriented competitions and events from equestrian events to car exhibitions to dog shows. The WHA is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to support the community and its youth.
FQHA Horse Shows
The Florida Quarter Horse Association, Florida’s branch of the AQHA, is a non-profit organization that promotes cooperation among breeders and owners of American Quarter Horses. The Florida Quarter Horse Association holds twenty of its own AQHA recognized Quarter Horse shows each year, and sanctions some forty five more within the state. All shows are open to any AQHA member.
Southern Regional Paso Fino Shows
The Southern Regional Paso Fino Horse Association (SRPFHA) is located here in Ocala, and dedicates itself to promoting the interests of Paso Fino breeders and owners. They hold numerous shows throughout the year displaying the unique talents and show styles of the Paso Fino breed.
Orange Blossom Mini Horse Shows
Dedicated to the promotion of the Shetland pony and miniature horse throughout the state of Florida, the Orange Blossom Miniature Horse Club provides the public with opportunities to learn more about miniature ponies, and hosts shows that exhibit the breed’s charming and eclectic talents.
Florida Morgan Horse Shows
The Florida Morgan Horse Association is a local member club in cooperation with the American Morgan Horse Association, and is focused entirely on promoting the Morgan breed of horse in Florida. It manages its own events, including dressage clinics, charity shows, and competitions.
FTBOA Museum & Gallery
The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association Museum and Gallery features the history and promotion of the Florida thoroughbred in the Horse Capital of the World, Ocala/Marion County.
RODEOS & RANCH EVENTS
Ocala Shrine Rodeo
The Ocala Shrine Rodeo offers audiences a weekend of classic rodeo favorites such as bull-riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, team roping, bareback riding, and rodeo clown tricks.
PacWest Barrel Racing
PacWest Barrel Racing, a production company based out of Oklahoma with a focus on fun, affordable races for the general public. The organization currently holds races in Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arizona
Southeast Pro Rodeo
The Southeast Pro Rodeo comes to the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion each March. A weekend of performances includes exciting competition in saddle and bareback bronc riding, tie down roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and bull riding.
OTHER LIVESTOCK & ANIMAL EVENTS
SEYF | Southeastern Youth Fair
The Southeastern Youth Fair is the premier event for 4-H and FFA students in Marion County. The SEYF is a non-,profit all-youth fair held in February of each year, and features numerous agricultural events, competitions, and exhibitions in almost every discipline you can name. Funding for the Southeastern Youth Fair comes from the enormous generosity of local citizens, corporations and organizations.
Ocala Bull Sale
The Ocala Bull Sale brings quality cattle breeders, buyers, and sellers into an ideal central location at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion every October for commerce in the beef industry.
If you would like to learn more about Ocala’s beloved equestrian venues, please click here. Our team is deeply involved in the local equestrian industry and if you have any questions we would love to hear from you. Contact us today!