Florida Horse Shows and Equestrian Events

Horseback Riding Lessons

The latest news about horse shows and equine activities in Florida including updated equestrian event calendars.

Horse Shows

Florida's fullest horse show schedules during the winter months of January through March of each year. During this period, equestrian show series stretch over 12 to 13 weeks with a different show each week. Horse show venues are described below.

Florida Horseback Riding Lessons and Horse Rentals

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 Horseback Riding on the Beach 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, at 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. You don't have to be an experienced rider to join the fun.

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

Types of Equestrian Events

Horse jumping, dressage, western dressage, English and western pleasure shows, and eventing are featured at horse show venues throughout Florida. Rodeos and barrel racing are typically held at show arenas designed for their sport. Polo is played at venues featuring the large playing fields required for the fast moving polo ponies.

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 equine shows almost every week. Wellington also is home to the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPCPB.)

Competition

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) opened in January, 2021 with a twelve week schedule of rated horse jumping shows plus a dressage show schedule for the year. This impressive new horse show venue, adjacent to the equestrian community of Golden Ocala, features 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 to its Post Time Farm 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. 

Majestic Oaks Ocala is a fabulous equestrian venue covering 100 acres of rolling hills and stately oak trees, and is located in the heart of horse country. Majestic Oaks features daily schooling, jumper shows, horse trials, and clinics.

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 almost every weekend throughout the year. Fox Lea 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 almost every weekend. 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 schedule is during the winter months, but several major rodeos are held at various times throughout 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 means horse racing at Gulfstream Park featuring the Pegasus Cup in January 2021 and the Florida Derby in March 2021. (Currently, Gulfstream is closed to spectators, but races are live streamed with online betting.)

Tampa Bay Downs Race Course is now open to spectators and features the Tampa Bay Derby in March 2021.

Gulfstream Park Racing Season is Dec 2, 2020 - Mar 27, 2021 every Wednesday - Sunday.

Tampa Bay Downs Racing Dates are Nov 25, 2020 -May 2, 2021 featuring live and simulcast racing.

Florida Equestrian News

Jan 16, 2021
HITS Ocala Winter Season Premiers January 19, 2021
Twenty Years of Shows in Ocala
A long time horse show tradition returns to Ocala with a USEF 5* competition. Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS,) with top-level jumping horses and riders from all over the world, is known for its quality horse shows. And with a $1 million Grand Prix prize at season's end, the excitement builds each week during the winter circuit. More info...

Jan 14, 2021
Florida Horse Shows
Horse Show Season
Well, Florida's horse show season is well underway, with all venues showing now, but mostly without spectators. We can still see enjoy the photos and videos of the beautiful equines and talented riders showing their stuff. Check out the Florida Horse Shows Facebook page for lots of pics and videos of each week's action. More info...

Jan 12, 2021
Best Deals on Florida Vacation Rentals
Book through VBRO
Getaway to Florida with these flexible cancellation vacation rentals from Vrbo! More info...

Jan 12, 2021
Florida Barrel Racing
Somewhere in Florida
Almost every night there is a barrel racing contest somewhere in Florida. These exciting events offer cash prizes to the winners and provide lots of fun for the participants and spectators. Everyone attending should adhere to the COVID-19 protocols in place for each event. Check this link for a calendar of barrel races near you. More info...

Jan 9, 2021
Silver Spurs Rodeo
Kissimmee, Florida
Friday, February 19, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 21, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
The health and safety of our partners, performers, fans, and staff remains a top priority for us. The Silver Spurs Club is committed to taking the following safety measures during our events.
- Online ticket purchase is required to manage capacity limits and minimize touchpoints at the entrance.
- Appropriate fan-selected seat spacing that allows for 6’ social distancing between guests.… See More
More info...

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