Florida Horse Life and Equestrian Events

Everything Horse in Florida

News Updates

This website will be updated frequently as relevant information becomes available about the effects of Coronavirus on Florida horse shows and equestrian events plus related national equine news.

As things begin opening up for more public events, keep up with horse show news and revised show schedules for the remainder of 2020 and early 2021.

While these are exciting developments it is important that each individual rider evaluate the risks involved in attending any particular event.

May 16, 2020
Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Internship
2020-2021 Intern Program
Equestrian Sport Productions is pleased to offer several internship opportunities for the 2020-2021 season at the Winter Equestrian Festival, Adequan® Global Dressage Festival, and International Polo Club Palm Beach, all located in Wellington, FL.

To apply, please read the descriptions of available internships below, then fill out our Internship Application.

All candidates must have their own housing and transportation. College credit or similar hourly/daily compensation is available. Weekend work and ability to stay for multiple night events each week (various Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays) is required. More info...

May 16, 2020
Wellington Horse Shows Resume at PBIEC
Tentative June 2020 Schedule for USEF Shows
Registration opens May 18, 2020 for June shows.
Tentative USEF Show calendar:
ESP June I: June 3-7, 2020 – USEF “A” Rated, Jumper 4*
ESP June II: June 10-14, 2020 – USEF “A” Rated, Jumper 4*
ESP Spring V: June 17-21, 2020 – USEF “A” Rated, Jumper 4* (Pending USEF approval) More info...

May 15, 2020
Majestic Oaks in Ocala is Open
Horse Jumping, Dressage, and Cross Country
Majestic Oaks Three Phase Schooling 2020
May 23rd, 2020
June 6th, 2020
August 8th, 2020
September 5th, 2020
October 3rd, 2020
December 12, 2020 More info...

May 15, 2020
Florida Horse Park in Ocala Reopens
Events Resume June 1, 2020
Summer Fun Saddle Horse Show June 4-6, 2020

POP Show June 14, 2020
Includes Preliminary Dressage, Show Jumping and Training Level Cross Country (XC)

USDF Dressage and Western Dressage June 20-21, 2020

Southeast Baroque USDF Dressage June 27-28, 2020

Open Pleasure Show June 27, 2020
More info...

May 15, 2020
Keep Up with Latest News from USEF
Up to the minute news from the United States Equestrian Foundation
The United States Equestrian Foundation is the governing body for formal equestrian activities in the United States. More info...

Florida Horseback Riding

Florida horseback riding includes everything from beginner horse riding lessons, guided trail rides, to advanced horse jumping, dressage, and barrel racing.

Many horse lovers compete in horse shows while others prefer to ride their horses on the many equestrian trails offered in Florida.

Where to find Beach Horseback Riding in Florida

Enjoy a beach horse ride along one of Florida's fantastic beaches with expert guides and seasoned horses to show the way. Florida offers some of the best beach horseback riding on both the Atlantic Ocean beaches and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.

You can find guided horseback beach tours at Jacksonville's Amelia Island, Ft. Pierce on Hutchinson Island, in the Tampa Bay Area, and in the Florida Panhandle. Riding horses on the beach will give you some wonderful memories of your visit to Florida.

Florida Trail Riding

In addition to the equestrian oriented spectator sports in Florida, most Florida horseback riders like to hit the numerous horse trails that dot the state. Horse trails are featured in many state and national parks such as Ocala National Forest. Riders can choose from guided trail rides or riding on their own horses. See our complete directory of Florida equestrian trails for the best trail riding experiences.

Florida - The Horse Show Center of the World

Florida has several of the world's most important horse show venues that support rated horse shows all year including Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, Fox Lea Farm in Venice, FL, and in Ocala the World Equestrian Center, HITS Post Time Farm, and Florida Horse Park.

 Horse jumping, dressage, western dressage, and eventing are featured   horse show venues throughout Florida.

Wellington, Florida

Wellington hosts major international horse shows during the winter and spring seasons, featuring the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and the Global Dressage Festival (GDF.) During the remainder of the year Wellington Classic Dressage and PBIEC sponsor horse shows almost every week.

Riders from all over compete in this famous equestrian competition which has become one of the premier horse show events in the world. Horse jumping competition levels range from FEI CSI*2 - CSI*5 events and dressage shows feature levels CDI*2 -CDI*5.

Ocala, Florida

Ocala is known as the horse capital of the world because of its numerous thoroughbred horse farms and world class horse show venues. Ocala is home to hundreds of horse breeding farms which have produced many champion thoroughbred race horses throughout the years.

Additionally, Ocala has several important horse show venues that attract horse riders from all over the world.

The new World Equestrian Center (WEC) opening in January, 2021 with a twelve week schedule of rated horse jumping shows. This impressive new horse show venue, adjacent to the equestrian community of Golden Ocala, will feature four climate controlled riding arenas, plus a fabulous five star hotel overlooking the oversized main show arena.

Each year the HITS Ocala twelve week horse jumping circuit draws top riders and riding fans Post Time Farms venue.

Ocala's Florida Horse Park is a favorite venue for state level horse shows including horse jumping, dressage, western dressage, eventing, western pleasure, and cutting horse shows.

Venice, Florida

Venice, Florida is home to Fox Lea Farm, an increasingly important horse show venue in Florida that features horse shows all year around including CSI* rated horse jumping shows. The Venice Equestrian Tour runs from January into March each year and features USEF Regional Hunter Level 3 Jumper shows. Other horse shows are held throughout the year. Fox Leas Farms also provides a unique summer camp for kids with all levels of equestrian skills.

Florida Barrel Racing

Florida has a busy barrel racing calendar with weekly races staged throughout Florida and races are currently being held. Barrel racing entails circling three barrels on horseback while striving for the fastest time. Barrel racing is an exciting sport that attracts many fans and riders of both sexes.

Florida Rodeos

Florida's top rodeo season is the winter months, but several major rodeos are held during the rest of the year.

The Ocala Shrine Rodeo, the Southeastern Pro Rodeo in Ocala, the Davie Pro Rodeo, and the Silver Spurs Rodeo in Kissimmee, are among the most popular with Florida residents and visitors. Most of the Florida rodeos are sanctioned by the PRCA and WPRA. Rodeo schedule.

Florida Polo

Florida Polo features daring riders and fearless polo ponies over the polo fields of Florida every winter. Polo reigns supreme on Sunday afternoons when high goal polo at the International Polo Club Palm Beach entertains crowds of enthusiasts sipping champagne and feasting on strawberries. If you like your sports with nonstop action and heart pounding excitement, a polo match is a must see when in Florida. Also, check out the Vero Beach Polo Club for weekly polo competitions in Indian River County and the Villages Polo Club near Ocala.

Florida Horse Racing

The winter season in Florida also brings the "Sport of Kings" to Gulfstream Park featuring the Pegasus Cup in January 2020 and the Florida Derby in March 2020. Tampa Bay Downs Racecourse which features the Tampa Bay Derby in March 2020. The racing season has been extended in 2020 to make up for lost dates. Check the track websites for updates.

more Florida horse news