Horse Shows and Horse Life in Florida

Florida is not only famous for its sunny beaches and theme parks but also for its vibrant equestrian culture. The state's favorable climate, diverse landscapes, and well-established horse communities make it a haven for horse enthusiasts. From competitive show jumping to leisurely trail rides, horse life in Florida offers a wide range of activities and experiences for both equines and their human counterparts.

A Thriving Equestrian Community

Florida boasts a robust equestrian community, with numerous farms, ranches, and training facilities scattered across the state. Ocala, often referred to as the "Horse Capital of the World," is home to over 600 horse farms and some of the finest equestrian facilities in the country. This region is renowned for its thoroughbred breeding and training, attracting top-level trainers, breeders, and jockeys.

The state offers a plethora of equestrian disciplines, catering to all levels of riders and horses. In Ocala and Wellington, you'll find world-class show jumping, dressage, and eventing competitions. The Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington is one of the largest and longest-running horse shows, drawing elite riders and horses from around the globe. Also, the World Equestrian Center in Ocala has made a significant impression on the horse show community with its world class horse shows.

For those interested in western riding, Florida offers plenty of opportunities to participate in rodeo events, barrel racing, and cattle drives. The state's vast rural areas provide ideal settings for these activities, with ranches offering training and events year-round.

Leisurely Rides and Trails

Beyond the competitive scene, Florida's natural beauty offers countless opportunities for leisurely horseback riding. The state is home to numerous state parks and nature preserves with well-maintained equestrian trails. Places like Florida Greenway, Myakka River State Park, and Blackwater River State Forest offer scenic trails that wind through diverse ecosystems, from pine forests to coastal marshes.

Equine Health and Wellness

Florida's climate is generally favorable for horses, providing mild winters that allow for year-round outdoor activities. However, the hot and humid summers require diligent care to ensure equine well-being. Proper hydration, shade, and regular health check-ups are essential to prevent heat-related issues. Here are 10 tips for hot weather horseback riding.

The state is also home to several top-tier veterinary hospitals and equine medical facilities, particularly in Ocala and Gainesville. These centers offer advanced medical care, including surgery, diagnostics, and rehabilitation services, ensuring that horses receive the best possible treatment.

Equestrian Education and Careers

For those looking to pursue a career in the equestrian industry, Florida offers numerous educational opportunities. Colleges like the University of Florida in Gainesville provide specialized programs in equine science, veterinary medicine, and equine business management. These programs equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in various equine-related careers.

Additionally, many horse farms and training facilities offer internships and apprenticeships, providing hands-on experience in horse care, training, and management. These opportunities allow aspiring equestrians to learn from seasoned professionals and gain valuable industry insights.

Florid is truly a Horse Lover's Paradise with an equestrian culture that is rich and diverse, offering something for every horse enthusiast. Whether you're a competitive rider aiming for the top, a leisure rider looking for scenic trails, or someone interested in equine health and education, Florida provides a welcoming and supportive environment. The state's commitment to equine welfare, combined with its natural beauty and vibrant communities, makes it a true paradise for horses and their caretakers alike. So, saddle up and explore the unique and rewarding horse life that Florida has to offer!

Where to find Horseback Riding on the Beach

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 even experience fantastic sunrise and sunset rides.

You can find guided horseback beach tours at Jacksonville's Amelia Island, at Ft. Pierce on Hutchinson Island, Bradenton in the Tampa Bay Area, and at Port St. Joe in the Florida Panhandle. Riding horses on the beach will give you some wonderful memories of your visit to Florida. All the horses are well trained so you don't have to be an experienced horseback rider to join the fun.

You can expect rides of one to three hours depending on your choice. Occasionally inclimate weather will call for cancellation of a scheduled ride which can be rescheduled or refunded.

Florida Horseback Riding

Like horses? Horseback riding is available in every area of Florida. Rent a horse by the hour of enjoy a guided trail ride through some of the finest trails in the eastern United States.

Florida Horse Show Venues

Florida is the horse show capital of the world with top rated FEI show jumping, dressage, eventing, equestrian driving, and western horse shows. Florida hosts some of the most prestigious equestrian show venues in the world including Wellington International, the World Equestrian Center, HITS Ocala, and the Florida Horse Park in Ocala, FL. Additionally, Fox Lea Farm in Venice Florida, and TerraNova Equestrian Center near Sarasota, FL offer rated horse shows all year.

Florida Pro Rodeos

Florida hosts numerous professional rodeos throughout the year in including the Silver Spurs Rodeo near Orlando, the Saturday Night Rodeo at Westgate River Ranch, the iconic Davie Rodeo, and the Ocala Shrine Rodeo. Here is a list of various rodeos throughout Florida, including dates and locations for events such as bull riding, roping, and team riding.

Florida Barrel Racing

Barrel racing, a fan favorite, can be witnessed throughout Florida with prize money attracting both female and male riders to these weekly events. These fast moving horse races involve both speed and agility on the part of the horse and rider. There is a barrel racing venue in virtually every community as well as at Florida's many rodeos.

Florida Polo

Florida is now host to the United States Polo Association, headquartered at the National Polo Center, Wellington, FL. Polo is a great spectator sport at any one of the active polo clubs throughout the state. Check out this link for a comprehensive listing of Florida Polo Clubs and their playing schedules.

Florida Horses for Sale

Buying and selling horses is part of the horse culture and Florida is no exception. In addition to the normal horse inventory, Florida has many horse breeding farms that sell horses through direct sales and auctions. Also, many horse show participants bring horses for sale to the horse shows.

Florida Horseback Riding Trails

Many 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.

Southwest Florida includes riding trails near Naples, Fort Myers, Venice, and Sarasota. Southwest Florida offers numerous scenic horseback riding trails, perfect for nature enthusiasts and equestrians alike.

Myakka River State Park features extensive trails winding through diverse landscapes, including wetlands and prairies.

Babcock Ranch Preserve provides guided trail rides through its lush, preserved lands, showcasing native wildlife and plants.

The Caloosahatchee Regional Park offers equestrian trails along the Caloosahatchee River, perfect for a leisurely ride.

Horse Creek Trails in Punta Gorda is another fantastic option, offering serene trails through beautiful, natural settings. These trails provide a unique way to experience the region's natural beauty on horseback.

Includes trails Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. Horseback trail riding in South Florida offers an incredible way to explore the region's natural beauty.

Everglades National Park provides unique trails where riders can experience the stunning subtropical wilderness, spotting diverse wildlife along the way.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park offers miles of equestrian trails, with picturesque views of rivers, pine flatwoods, and mangroves. These trails provide a peaceful and immersive experience, showcasing the diverse landscapes and ecosystems of South Florida from the back of a horse.

Includes trails in Brevard County, Indian River County and Volusia County in Florida.

Includes riding trails in Orlando, Claremont, Lakeland, and Apopka in Florida. Trail riding in state parks in Orlando and Central Florida is a great way to explore the natural beauty of the region. There are many state parks in Central Florida that offer trail riding opportunities.

For example, Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont and offers over 20 miles of equestrian trails. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including alligators, deer, and bald eagles. The trails at Lake Louisa State Park are well-maintained and offer scenic views of the park’s lakes and wetlands.

The Ocala National Forest is one of the largest state forests in Florida and offers over 100 miles of trails for horseback riding. The forest is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, wild turkey, and black bears.

Wekiwa Springs State Park is another popular destination for trail riding. The park has over 13 miles of equestrian trails that wind through pine forests and along the Wekiwa River.

Jacksonville and Northeast Florida offer some of the most scenic riding trails in a cooler part of Florida.

Julington Durbin Creek Preserve Yellow and White Loop is an easy trail, rated 4.5 out of 5, and is one of the top trails for horseback riding in Jacksonville.

Cecil Field Recreational Trail is another easy trail, rated 4.4 out of 5, and it's a popular choice for horseback riding.

The Florida Panhandle is one of Florida's most visited locales, mainly for the fantastic snow white beaches and clear blue water of the Gulf of Mexico. But, it also host some of Florida's most interesting horse trails through slash pine and shaded live oak hammocks.

Horseback trail riding in the Florida Panhandle offers a unique way to experience the region's natural beauty and diverse landscapes.

Blackwater River State Forest features well-maintained trails through lush pine forests, providing riders with scenic views and opportunities to spot local wildlife.

Torreya State Park offers challenging trails with stunning vistas of the Apalachicola River and rich, dense hardwood forests.

Eglin Air Force Base allows limited access to its extensive trail network, where riders can explore vast tracts of undeveloped land.

Coldwater Gardens near Milton offers guided trail rides through their expansive property, featuring serene woodlands and open fields.

These horseback trails cater to all levels of riders and provide a peaceful escape into nature, making the Florida Panhandle a great destination for equestrian enthusiasts seeking adventure and tranquility.

Horse Shows in Florida

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

Wellington, Florida

Wellington International hosts major FEI 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 Gold Coast Dressage sponsor horse shows almost every week.

Riders from all over the world compete in the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and Global Dressage Festival (GDF) in Wellington which has become one of the premier horse show events in the world. Additionally, horse jumping competition levels range from FEI CSI*2 - CSI*5 events and dressage shows feature levels CDI*2 -CDI*5.

Palm Beach Equine Sports Complex at Wellington

Palm Beach County, Florida

Ocala, Florida

Ocala is known as the horse capital of the world because of its world class horse show venues and numerous horse farms. Ocala is home to hundreds of horse breeding farms that produce many champion thoroughbred race horses and sport horses.

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

The World Equestrian Center Ocala (WEC) is a very impressive horse show venue in Ocala, Florida. Featuring, five climate controlled riding arenas, plus a fabulous five star hotel overlooking the oversized main show arena. The World Equestrian Center has attracted many top level FEI horse shows and is becoming an international destination for equestrians.

The HITS Ocala twelve week winter USEF sanctioned horse jumping circuit draws top riders and riding fans during its January - March season. HITS Ocala features some of the largest prize money awarded in show jumping contests.

Florida Horse Park in Ocala is operated by the State of Florida and hosts multiple horse shows including dressage, eventing, cutting horses. and pleasure shows. The park allows horse riders to practice at available times. Wellington Classic Dressage offers shows here several times a year.

Florida Horse Park is also home to the Ocala Polo Club, a men's and women's polo club that plays throughout the year.

Majestic Oaks is just north of Ocala in Reddick, FL.and is popular cross country and eventing site. Majestic Oaks is open daily for schooling, clinics, schooling shows, and three-phase horse trials.

Fox Lea Farm, Venice, Florida

Venice, Florida is home to Fox Lea Farm, an increasingly important horse show venue in Florida. Furthermore, the venue 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 at Fox Lea almost every weekend throughout the year. Fox Lea Farms also provides a unique summer camp for kids with all levels of equestrian skills and features USEF level shows with large cash prizes.

TerraNova Equestrian Center near Sarasota, FL

TerraNova Equestrian Center is a multi-discipline equestrian competition facility in Manatee County, near Bradenton and Sarasota. TerraNova provides a beautiful backdrop for all levels of a range of equestrian disciplines. Especially, top international, national, and regional competition in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere with many amenities.

Florida Horses and Equestrian Events

Wellington | World Equestrian Center | Fox Lea Farm | TerraNova