World Equestrian Center – Ocala is showcasing an array of exciting events this week. Join us for the prestigious 2023 Premier Equitation Cup Championship powered by Gary Yeomans Ford on Saturday, February 11 in the WEC Grand Arena. The stakes are high as more than 100 of the best junior riders in America will face off in the grand arena competing in three phases: jumping, flat and a test with hopes of driving away in a brand-new Ford XLT SUV and the prestigious Premier Equitation Cup Champion title. This event will begin in the early afternoon and run throughout the evening. Please visit Show Management System to see the daily class schedule, estimated start times, locations, orders of go, live scoring and results. Admission and parking are free.
The 12-week 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala continues with seven more weeks of elite hunter/jumper competition featuring events at every level spanning over ten different arenas each week from Wednesday through Sunday. Spectators are welcome and all events are free and open to the public.
On Friday, February 11, there will be more ‘under the lights’ action as hunters take center stage in the WEC Grand Arena for the $20,000 MARS Equestrian 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby. *This class will run through the evening.
Grand Prix show jumping action resumes on Sunday, February 12 at 8am* as the $100,000 Budweiser Grand Prix will take over the large WEC Stadium (*start time is tentative).
*Visit Show Management System to see the daily class schedule, estimated start times, locations, orders of go, live scoring and results.
View the 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series Saturday night lineup:
January 7 | $100,000 Coors Light Grand Prix
January 14 | $100,000 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Grand Prix
January 21 | $100,000 IDA Development Grand Prix
January 28 | $100,000 UF Health Grand Prix
February 4 | $100,000 Alltech Grand Prix
February 11 | Premier Equitation Cup Championship powered by Gary Yeomans Ford
February 18 | $100,000 Florida Coast Equipment Grand Prix
February 25 | $100,000 Hampton Green Farms Grand Prix
March 4 | $140,000 Lugano Diamonds FEI CSI3* Grand Prix
March 11 | $100,000 CaptiveOne Advisors Grand Prix
March 18 | $100,000 Wheels Up Grand Prix
March 25 | $250,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix
Sunday Morning Grand Prix Schedule:
February 12 | $100,000 Budweiser Grand Prix | WEC Stadium
March 5 | $50,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix | WEC Grand Arena
The Grand Prix Dining Experience presented by Wheels Up
Join World Equestrian Center – Ocala on Saturday nights during the 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series for The Grand Prix Dining Experience presented by Wheels Up.
With a table offering the most coveted view of the Grand Arena, you can enjoy top-level equestrian sport under the lights at The Equestrian Hotel. Indulge in a three-course chef’s dinner featuring complimentary beer and wine. A cash bar will be available for spirits and bottles of wine from the in-house master sommelier’s selections.
On Friday, February 10 and Thursday, March 2 a special Grand Prix Dining Reception will be held on the terrace of The Equestrian Hotel for two premier equestrian events.
The country’s best hunter riders will take over the WEC Grand Arena on Friday, February 10 to compete for the blue ribbon in the $20,000 MARS Equestrian 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby. Watch elegant hunters compete in a two-round format over courses that mimic the hunt field. The first round is a classic round, where the horse is judged on style, quality and movement, and the top 12 highest scored combinations return to be judged on their horse’s rideability through a more technical track.
Thursday, March 2 will showcase the $50,000 Lugano Diamonds FEI CSI3* Welcome Prix. The night promises to bring elite international competition with the world’s best show jumping competitors racing head-to-head for the lion’s share of the prize money.
Friday, February 10 | Reception Tickets: https://www.showclix.com/event/winter-2023-series-grand-prix-dining-feb-10-reception
Thursday, March 2 | Reception Tickets: https://www.showclix.com/event/winter-2023-series-grand-prix-dining-experience-mar2-reception
Grandview World Nights returns to World Equestrian Center – Ocala from February 9-11 in Arena 5 with competition beginning around 4pm and culminating around 7pm. It is a glorious competition of the highest level in the draft horse industry. This competition consists of the Clydesdales, Percherons and Belgians; the largest and most powerful horses in the world. There is 3 days of competition, Thursday, Friday and Saturday with all days being casual. This auction ticket is for Friday.
If you want a memory that you will treasure look no further. This is a show that you will want to take friends and family to year after year. When these 2000-pound draft horses come hammering into World Equestrian Center you have no choice but to be captivated by their majestic power. The competition is held within a climate-controlled arena and mapped stadium seating. Tickets can be purchased at www.grandviewworldnights.com.
Grandview World Nights is also hosting the World of Red Valentine’s Day Party on February 11 in Arena 5 with happy hour from 7:30pm-8:30pm and dancing from 8:30pm-12:30am. Enjoy access to a deluxe party with a renowned band out of Orlando that has mastered every genre. Enjoy cocktails and dancing within this safe upscale environment. Themed formal attire is red if you like shopping for that perfect outfit, if red isn’t your color, don’t worry, any color will work! Tickets can be purchased through World of Red After Party | Grandview World Nights.
Brick City Anime Festival is Ocala, Florida’s Anime and Cosplay event! The show will be held in Expo 1 on Saturday, February 11 from 10am-6pm and Sunday, February 12 from 11am-6pm featuring many events and activities for attendees to take part in such as meeting their favorite celebrity guest, cosplayers, creators, participating in guest panels, contests, and a gaming area. Tickets available online: https://www.tixr.com/groups/brickcity/events/brick-city-anime-festival-2023-43380. Kids 10 and under are free!
Bring a little romance into your life this Valentine’s Day with “Love in a Basket” from Miss Tilly’s, the sweetest shop at World Equestrian Center – Ocala.
Valentine’s Day baskets are the perfect pre-made gift to share with your sweetheart. “Love in a Basket” features an assortment of sharable candies, chocolates and romantic treats. Pre-order HERE and pick up in-store during regular operating hours up through February 14.
Join us this week for Food Truck Friday at the World Equestrian Center – Ocala RV Park!
From 5pm-9pm throughout the 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series, we’re bringing big flavor and big fun out to the WEC RV Park. Grab your people, bring your chairs and try out fun selections from our rotating themed menus, featuring eclectic items like Asian bowls, Gyros and more. We’ll keep it lively with a beer and wine bar, yard games and live music by Retro Express.
Open to the general public. Friendly, leashed pets are welcome. Menu themes and dates subject to change.
Gather on the terrace February 24 at Stirrups Restaurant for Passport to France, the first event in the 2023 Wine Series presented by Wheels Up. Travel through the diverse terroir of the world’s most prominent wine-producing region as you taste over 100 selections from iconic regions like Burgundy and Bordeaux, and influential areas like the Loire and Rhone Valleys. Small plates, wine samples and live music provided throughout the evening. Visit showclix.com/event/2023-stirrups-wine-series-france to secure your tickets.
Please note: event is 21+.
What to Watch
Thursday, February 9
$24,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix | WEC Stadium
Friday, February 10
$20,000 MARS Equestrian 3’6″-3’9″ Hunter Derby | WEC Grand Arena
$15,000 UF Veterinary Clinic 3′ Open Hunter Derby | Hunter 1
$15,000 WEC Ocala 3′ Jr/Am Hunter Derby | Hunter 1
$2,000 WEC Ocala Pony Hunter Derby | Hunter 1
$15,000 WEC Ocala 1.40m Jumper Classic | WEC Stadium
Saturday, February 11
$15,000 Taylor Harris Insurance Services 1.45m Jumper Classic | WEC Stadium
$15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix | WEC Stadium
WEC Premier Equitation Cup Championship powered by Gary Yeomans Ford | WEC Grand Arena
$3,500 WEC Ocala 2’6″ Amateur Hunter Derby | Indoor Arena 4
$3,500 WEC Ocala 2’6″ Junior Hunter Derby | UF Health Indoor Arena 2
Sunday, February 12
$100,000 Budweiser Grand Prix | WEC Stadium | 8am Start (tentative)
Visit Show Management System to see the daily class schedule, estimated start times, locations, orders of go, live scoring and results.
The Synergy of Fashion, Function, & Sustainability. Veltri Sport is proud to be the sponsor of the champion prizes this week. Each champion crowned this weekend will receive a Veltri Sport Eaton Belt Bag.
2023 World Equestrian Center – Ocala Dressage
Top caliber dressage will return to World Equestrian Center – Ocala in 2023 when the venue hosts ten dressage competitions, presented by Hampton Green Farm and Discover Dressage. The schedule includes three Fédération Equestre International (FEI) internationally rated CDI3* shows and two CDI-W (World Cup Qualifying) shows with concurrent US Equestrian (USEF)/United States Dressage Federation-rated (USDF) classes as well as five additional nationally rated events (Pending USEF & FEI Approval). Click here for prize lists and more information.
Chapel
World Equestrian Center – Ocala is now hosting Sunday Services with Chaplain Edwin in The Chapel. The Sunday Services are 20 minutes long and open to all. Attendees can park by Barns E & F. See the weekly Chapel Service schedule below.
Sunday Services
7am – English
10am – English
11am – Spanish
Wednesday Service
6:30pm – English
What To Do
Shopping
Visit all of the vendors at World Equestrian Center – Ocala to finish your holiday shopping and pick up that special something for that special someone. Find a gift for everyone on your list at our amazing retailers, listed below along with their locations:
The Equestrian Hotel:
- Lugano Diamonds
- The Debonair Collection
- Mr. Pickles & Sailor Bear Toy Shoppe
- Calluna Spa
CaptiveOne Advisors Arena – Arena 1:
- Ariat
- Arista Equestrian
- Gordon Reiss Insurance
UF Health Arena – Arena 2:
- Stellina LLC/Romitelli Boots
- Haala Fashion LLC
- Farmhouse Chiropractic
- Hats Off Boutique
- Kelsey’s Rhinestones
- The Farm House, Inc.
- LM Boots
Arena 3:
- Exceptional Equestrian, Inc
- IDA Development, LLC
- I Love My Horse
- Basic Equine Health, LLC
- Everleigh Collection LLC
- Parlanti
Arena 4:
- The Farm House, Inc.
- Odette, LLC
- Sudden Impulse Boutique
- AGM Beyond Leather
- Exceptional Equestrian, Inc
- Grey Fox Designs
UF Veterinary Hospital at World Equestrian Center – Ocala
The UF Veterinary Hospital at WEC offers leading-edge care to equine athletes on site as well as horses from the surrounding area. We offer personalized service as well as a range of treatments and aids to ensure your horse performs at its best.
We offer ACVSMR performance evaluations and provide several rehabilitation modalities as well as state-of-the art diagnostic imaging. Our sports medicine specialists are supported by on-site board-certified veterinary radiologists with specialty certification in equine diagnostic imaging who provide real-time feedback on imaging and perform complicated imaging during your horse’s visit, ensuring that we provide the highest quality imaging for your horse. We offer standing CT scan, standing PET scan, standing MRI and high-powered X-ray equipment. To learn more about our offerings, visit hospitals.vetmed.ufl.edu/wec or contact us at (352) 414-3858 for information and appointments. Walk-in tours every Tuesday at 4:30pm.
Hours of operation:
Equine Hospital
Mon-Sat, 8am-5pm
Small Animal Hospital
Mon-Sun, 8am-5pm
A Sudden Impulse Boutique
Stop by A Sudden Impulse Boutique for the latest and greatest World Equestrian Center branded merchandise. A Sudden Impulse is located in Arena 4, right behind Miss Tilly’s Lollipops. The boutique features a collection of jewelry, beautiful apparel and perfect gifts for your family and friends. A Sudden Impulse is also the exclusive shop for custom embroidery, engraving and printing at World Equestrian Center – Ocala.
Use code BLOG for 10% off online of purchases.
Visit A Sudden Impulse at WEC or purchase your items online at suddenimpulse.com.
Entertainment
Each week The Yellow Pony Pub & Garden located within The Equestrian Hotel hosts live entertainment from 6pm-9:30pm. Here is the entertainment lineup for this week:
Wednesday, February 8 | Mark Smythe
Thursday, February 9 | TJ Brown
Friday, February 10 | Radlin’ Rootz
Saturday, February 11 | Uptown Music
Day at the Spa
Rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit in our 7,000-square-foot, full-service Calluna Spa. Featuring multiple massage treatments, body wraps, facials, manicures, pedicures and a hair salon for men and women.
Hours:
Monday – Saturday, 9am-7pm
Sunday, 10am-5pm
Call 352.414.7862 to book your appointment or click here.
In Need of a Doctor Visit?
World Equestrian Center – Ocala would like to welcome LifeForce Healthcare, LLC as the facility’s personal on-call primary care service. LifeForce Healthcare will be available to the venue’s exhibitors, visitors, vendors and guests for on-call medical provider visits at and around the World Equestrian Center – Ocala facility. Call 352.873.3800 to book your on-call appointment today.
Where to Eat
Located Within The Equestrian Hotel:
Stirrups Restaurant
Prime steaks and chops, sustainable Florida seafood and southern inspired seasonal specialties, served in a refined dining room and terrace overlooking the Grand Outdoor Arena.
Breakfast: Monday-Friday: 6:30am-11am | Saturday-Sunday: 6:30am-1pm
Dinner: Sunday-Thursday, 5pm-9pm | Friday-Saturday, 5pm-10pm
352.414.7864
Yellow Pony Pub & Garden
Boasting an outdoor patio and fireplace, this lobby gastro lounge offers shareable starters, pub fare, traditional draft beers, bourbons and whiskeys.
Sunday-Thursday, 11am-12am | Friday-Saturday, 11am-1am
352.414.7865
Emma’s Patisserie
A blissful, freshly baked array of authentic French macarons and European-inspired pastries are served within an ambiance of old-world elegance at this very special shop located within the Equestrian Hotel.
Open daily: 6am-8pm
352.414.7866
Restaurants throughout the facility:
Viola & Dot’s Italian Kitchen & Pizzeria
Design your own salad or pasta masterpiece with an assortment of delicious meats and toppings. Viola & Dot’s features pizzas and calzones crafted with homemade dough, classic Italian entrees and decadent sweet desserts.
Tuesday-Sunday | 11am-8pm
Closed Mondays
352.414.7877
Ralph’s Burger & Sandwich Shop
A classic, diner-inspired menu with a few contemporary upgrades! Ralph’s invites you to enjoy signature burgers, salads and sandwiches topped off with a homemade milkshake. Open for lunch and dinner, start your day with a breakfast sandwich or enjoy an evening slice of pie.
Tuesday-Friday | 6am-11am Breakfast, 11am-6pm Lunch/Dinner
Saturday, January 14 | 6am-11am Breakfast, 11am-8pm Lunch/Dinner
Sunday | 6am-11am Breakfast, 11am-6pm Lunch/Dinner
Closed Mondays
352.414.7875
Miss Tilly’s Lollipops
Indulging is strongly encouraged at this unique sweet shop where specialty ice cream flavors and homemade fudge are the stars. With an array of chocolates, confections and coffees, Miss Tilly’s is the perfect place for a tasty treat.
Tuesday-Sunday | 11am-8pm
Closed Mondays
352.414.7878
Filo’s Mexican Cantina
Traditional Mexican flavors coupled with custom-made convenience. Filo’s serves up street tacos, burritos, quesadillas and much more in a vibrant dining room and open-air patio.
Open Daily | 11am-8pm
352.414.7876