A Taste of Life in Florida Horse Country 

Discover life in the Horse Capital of the World®, from world-class sport at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) to the region’s storied farms. Check the WEC event calendar to catch the action.

24 Hours | A Touch of Equestrian Life

24 Hours | A Touch of Equestrian Life

Step Into the Equestrian World
  • Get Ringside. Plan your stay for equestrian competition and experience world-class horse sport up close.
  • Dine with an Equestrian View. Reserve dinner at Stirrups Restaurant , a Southern-inspired steakhouse overlooking the Grand Arena.
Finish at an Easy Pace
  • See WEC come to life. Wander toward the arenas to take in the morning activity before setting out to explore the surrounding Horse Country.
  • Go behind the farm gates. Join Farm Tours of Ocala to meet horses and discover the breeding and training operations behind Ocala’s equestrian legacy.
Plan Your Stay
A horse and rider jump over an obstacle during an equestrian event at night in front of a large, lit hotel building.
Step Into the Equestrian World
  • Get Ringside. Plan your stay for equestrian competition and experience world-class horse sport up close.
  • Dine with an Equestrian View. Reserve dinner at Stirrups Restaurant , a Southern-inspired steakhouse overlooking the Grand Arena.
Finish at an Easy Pace
  • See WEC come to life. Wander toward the arenas to take in the morning activity before setting out to explore the surrounding Horse Country.
  • Go behind the farm gates. Join Farm Tours of Ocala to meet horses and discover the breeding and training operations behind Ocala’s equestrian legacy.
Plan Your Stay

3 Days | A Weekend in the Horse Capital of the World®

3 Days | A Weekend in the Horse Capital of the World®

Step Into the Equestrian World
  • Take the reins. Hop on a golf cart to explore WEC, find the arenas and stop to watch the action whenever something catches your eye.
  • Dine like a local. Head to The Polo Pony , a local favorite for cocktails and elevated pub fare, before tomorrow’s Horse Country adventures.
Experience the Heart of Horse Country
  • Watch the sport up close. Get ringside with a discipline you may have never seen before by checking for equestrian competition when you book.
  • Take the scenic route. Drive past rolling pastures and fence-lined farms, then discover equine legends along downtown Ocala’s Walk of Champions .
  • Get in the saddle. Ride with Cactus Jack’s Trail Rides through the Cross Florida Greenway for a horseback view of natural Florida.
  • Dine with an equestrian view. Overlook the Grand Arena at Stirrups or head to The Equestrian Manor for rooftop dining and countryside views.
Finish at an Easy Pace
  • Savor one last morning in Horse Country. Pick up house-made French pastries and coffee from Emma’s Patisserie before the day begins.
  • Meet the Gypsy Vanners. Visit Gypsy Gold Horse Farm to discover the breed’s story and meet the mares, foals and stallions that call the farm home.
Plan Your Stay
Step Into the Equestrian World
  • Take the reins. Hop on a golf cart to explore WEC, find the arenas and stop to watch the action whenever something catches your eye.
  • Dine like a local. Head to The Polo Pony , a local favorite for cocktails and elevated pub fare, before tomorrow’s Horse Country adventures.
Experience the Heart of Horse Country
  • Watch the sport up close. Get ringside with a discipline you may have never seen before by checking for equestrian competition when you book.
  • Take the scenic route. Drive past rolling pastures and fence-lined farms, then discover equine legends along downtown Ocala’s Walk of Champions .
  • Get in the saddle. Ride with Cactus Jack’s Trail Rides through the Cross Florida Greenway for a horseback view of natural Florida.
  • Dine with an equestrian view. Overlook the Grand Arena at Stirrups or head to The Equestrian Manor for rooftop dining and countryside views.
Finish at an Easy Pace
  • Savor one last morning in Horse Country. Pick up house-made French pastries and coffee from Emma’s Patisserie before the day begins.
  • Meet the Gypsy Vanners. Visit Gypsy Gold Horse Farm to discover the breed’s story and meet the mares, foals and stallions that call the farm home.
Plan Your Stay

5 Days | Immerse Yourself in Florida Horse Country

5 Days | Immerse Yourself in Florida Horse Country

Step Into the Equestrian World
Experience the Heart of Horse Country
  • Make a show day of it. Choose a featured class or discipline at WEC, settle in ringside and browse the equestrian shops between classes.
  • Have a horse adventure. Spot wild horses at Paynes Prairie , trail ride with Cactus Jack’s or explore The Canyons on horseback.
  • Shop the equestrian lifestyle. Explore WEC’s riding apparel, accessories and equestrian-inspired finds, then wander Equine Instincts for art inspired by horses and nature.
  • Meet the Clydesdales. Visit Grandview Clydesdale Farm for a guided tour of its breeding and training operation, meeting the horses and learning about the different stages of a Clydesdale’s life.
  • Toast to Horse Country. Head to The Equestrian Manor for rooftop dining at The White Willow or Genevieve’s with views across the rolling countryside.
Finish at an Easy Pace
  • Brunch overlooking the arena. Return to Stirrups Restaurant for a leisurely final meal with Grand Arena views before heading home.
  • Visit an official U.S. Equestrian Team training site. Stop at The Florida Horse Park on the way home to see a venue for disciplines from eventing to polo.
Plan Your Stay
Four people ride horses on a muddy trail through a green forest, passing under a large tree with sprawling, moss-covered branches.
Step Into the Equestrian World
Experience the Heart of Horse Country
  • Make a show day of it. Choose a featured class or discipline at WEC, settle in ringside and browse the equestrian shops between classes.
  • Have a horse adventure. Spot wild horses at Paynes Prairie , trail ride with Cactus Jack’s or explore The Canyons on horseback.
  • Shop the equestrian lifestyle. Explore WEC’s riding apparel, accessories and equestrian-inspired finds, then wander Equine Instincts for art inspired by horses and nature.
  • Meet the Clydesdales. Visit Grandview Clydesdale Farm for a guided tour of its breeding and training operation, meeting the horses and learning about the different stages of a Clydesdale’s life.
  • Toast to Horse Country. Head to The Equestrian Manor for rooftop dining at The White Willow or Genevieve’s with views across the rolling countryside.
Finish at an Easy Pace
  • Brunch overlooking the arena. Return to Stirrups Restaurant for a leisurely final meal with Grand Arena views before heading home.
  • Visit an official U.S. Equestrian Team training site. Stop at The Florida Horse Park on the way home to see a venue for disciplines from eventing to polo.
Plan Your Stay

Stay a Little Longer in Horse Country

There’s always another class to watch, country road to follow or story to discover. Stay at the heart of Horse Country and experience even more at your own pace.