Ocala Horse Shows | Horseback Riding | Equestrian News

Horse Capital of the World in Marion County, Florida

Ocala, Florida

Welcome to the equestrian paradise of Ocala located in the rolling hills of Marion County, Florida. Here, many of the nation's top race horse breeders perfect their craft, producing thoroughbred race horses as well as virtually every other breed of horse.

Ocala Horse Shows

Ocala, Florida is also winter headquarters for the HITS Ocala show jumping winter series at Post Time Farm, World Equestrian Center Ocala featuring show jumping and dressage, and numerous other horse shows and trials at Florida Horse Park.

Eventing venues include Barnstaple South, Majestic Oaks, and Rocking Horse Stables.

Horseback Riding and Hiking in the Ocala National Forest

Ocala is the main gateway to the Ocala National Forest and its numerous horseback riding and hiking trails as well as a stop along the Florida Greenway. The Florida Greenways and Trails are a series of multipurpose trail supporting biking, hiking, and horseback riding.

Horseback trail riding in Ocala National Forest features numerous horse rental opportunities, including guided horseback trail rides. You do not have to be an experienced rider to participate in guided trail rides as the horses are well trained.

Ocala Horse Farms and Ranches

Horse farms in Ocala create stunning vistas of endless green grass accented by black horse fencing and majestic oak trees. Here, future racing thoroughbreds and horse show champions are born.

A visit to a one of the many horse farms open to the public is a must. Enjoy a horse carriage ride through the many horse farms in Ocala.

Florida Horse Park in Ocala

Florida Horse Park, sometimes called Ocala Horse Park, is an attraction in itself, and is the center of local horse shows for North Central Florida. On any given weekend you will find skilled show jumpers or disciplined dressage riders as well as eventing, barrel racers and stock shows.

Florida Horse Park features 350 acres of grass, a covered arena, grass arenas, five official dressage arenas and 320 stalls for shows.

HITS Ocala Winter Circuit Show Jumping 2021

The HITS Ocala Winter circuit schedule is now available. Many of the nations top riders are attracted to the famous Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS horse shows) circuit that has been performing at Hits Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida from mid December to end of March for over 30 years.

The HITS Ocala Winter Circuit offers grand prix horse jumping classes in divisions for the beginner, novice and experienced rider.

Hits Post Time Farm is located at 13710 US Highway 27 in Ocala, Florida.

World Equestrian Center Ocala

The World Equestrian Center Ocala is bringing more world class equestrian events to Florida and Marion County.

The 3,000 acre World Equestrian Center Ocala is adjacent to the Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club  features an on site hotel and four climate controlled indoor riding.

Present horse shows include the Ocala Winter Spectacular Show Jumping Circuit and a series of sanctioned Dressage shows.

Southeast Florida Livestock Pavilion

An Ocala landmark since 1945, the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion enjoys a reputation as Marion County's premier agricultural showplace. It is also home to the annual Shrine Rodeo, Southeastern Pro Rodeo, and the Southern Cowboy Classic Rodeo and Stock Show.

Barnstaple South (Morriston, FL)

Barnstaple South is a Cross Country, Dressage, and Stadium jumping schooling and event center near Ocala, FL. The property is located just behind HITS at 10210 NW 145th Ave. Morriston, FL. Riders of all disciplines are invited to school their horses at the facilities.

Majestic Oaks (Reddick, FL)

This stately facility has been the site of the Majestic Oaks Three-Phase Schooling Shows and the Majestic Oaks Horse Trials since January 2018. Majestic Oaks Ocala is open daily for schooling and the host of clinics, schooling shows, and three-phase horse trials.

Rocking Horse Stables (Altoona, FL)

Rocking Horse Stables offers a full slate of Dressage Shows, Combined Training Schooling Shows, and Pony Club National Testing events. Rocking Horse Stables is located in Altoona, Florida which is between Ocala, Tampa and Orlando.

Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center (Newberry, FL)

This is a beautiful Equestrian Center located in nearby just west of Gainesville, Florida and is open to horse-related events, horse eventing, and classic horse shows.

More About Horse Shows and the History of Horse Jumping

One of the most popular equestrian events in Ocala is show jumping. Horse jumping has its roots in early European sport riding that required jumping fences between estates. Read more

Ocala's Famous Painted Ponies

Throughout Ocala you will spot these fantastic, full size, painted ponies. These horse statues speak to Ocala's equestrian heritage and bring color and fun around town.

Each painted pony has a story, and the unique coloring and patterns illustrate those stories.

Horse Fever: Sunny. Artist: Carlynne Hershberger. Sponsor Name: Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital. Ocala Marion County.

Ocala 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 9, 2021
Used Horse Saddles
Brand Name Saddles Cheap
Consider a quality brand name used saddle for your next saddle. You can upgrade to a better saddle that is already broken in. These saddles are like new and have many years of service left. Choose from names like Billy Cook, Circle Y, Collegiate, Bates, Tucker, Big Horn, Crates, and Wintec. More info...

Jan 8, 2021
Horse Shows Underway in Florida
Wellington, Ocala, and Venice
It's horse show season with all of Florida's major venues swinging into action this week. At Wellington, the January 6-10: WEF Premier USEF Premier “AA” show began on January 6. The Adequan Global Dressage Festival will open with the AGDF 1: (January 13–17) CDIW.
Up in Ocala, the World Equestrian Center has launched the World Equestrian Ocala Winter Spectacular #1 January 5-10, 2021. Level II Dressage is underway January 8 -10, 2021.
Over at Post Time Farm, HITS will launch its season, Ocala January Classic - I January 19-24, 2021 USEF National / 5*.
And finally, Fox Lea Farm in Venice, Florida has gotten underway with its 2021 Winter Circuit - January 7-13, 2021.
Check out links to all of these Florida Horse Show venues and others. More info...

Jan 1, 2021
Happy New Year 2021
Looking Forward
Last year saw many horse events cancelled in the spring, but as the year went on horse show venues started adapting to the new reality. The new year promises to be better, especially if everyone can get vaccinated over the next several months. In a meantime, the horse shows will go on, many without spectators. Check-in with the show sponsors to see what COVID-19 protocol is in place. More info...

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