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WEC News & Media
WEC / Media

News & Media Releases

To access a list of World Equestrian Center press releases, click here.

Media

On-Site at World
Equestrian Center

The World Equestrian Center welcomes journalists and members of the media to visit our facility. We have dedicated Media Centers at both of our venues to accommodate your remote working needs. Each of the Media Centers is equipped with comfortable workspaces, printers, Wi-Fi and refreshments during our events.

Please let us know you plan to visit so we can be sure to help secure your accommodations, arrange any interviews you might need and make your visit successful.

Media Contacts

Press Officer:
Candace FitzGerald
603-738-2788 or contact candace.fitzgerald@wec.net

Official Photographers:
Andrew Ryback Photography
224-318-5445
info@andrewryback.com

Darian Quinn
Q2 Photography
518-709-5210
info@q2photography.com

Photography Policy

Please read and follow our official photography policy here.

Media Accreditation Form

Please complete this form for media accreditation.

Media Accreditation Form

Wilmington aerial

WEC Facts and Stats

WEC Background and History

The World Equestrian Center is part of a family legacy that has its origins in top Quarter Horse breeding and competition. With a rich history in Ohio as the ‘Showplace of the Midwest’, Roberts Arena hosted decades of top AQHA competitions and events. Over the years, the Roberts family became known in the Quarter Horse industry as well-respected breeders, competitors and event hosts.

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In 2015, a significant investment was made in the Ohio facility infrastructure with new indoor arenas and stabling; horse show dates were procured and the facility shifted its focus to hunter/jumpers. In 2016, Roberts Area was officially rebranded as the World Equestrian Center.

The World Equestrian Center brand debuted with a distinct logo that celebrated a love for the horse and a passion for equestrian sports. The World Equestrian Center facility aesthetic was bright, clean and well managed with an emphasis on customer service. The first competitions were run at sold-out capacity with a refreshing emphasis on great sport in a safe, fun, family-friendly environment.

Since their introduction, the World Equestrian Center brand horse shows have experienced steady growth. The World Equestrian Center Ohio hosts 44 events each year drawing nearly 70,000 people to the facility annually.

In late 2016, World Equestrian Center announced the development of a second, much larger facility in Ocala, Florida. The World Equestrian Center Ocala facility is the largest indoor/outdoor equestrian facility in the world.

Ocala, Florida

  • 300-acre Multidisciplinary facility
  • Exposition centers
  • 16 outdoor arenas with all-weather footing,
  • Dedicated schooling, warmup and lunging rings
  • Large turnout paddocks
  • Climate-controlled Indoor Arenas
  • Miles of hacking trails
  • Hotel overlooking Grand Outdoor Arena
  • Multiple restaurants and dining options throughout the property
  • Luxury and lifestyle retail

Wilmington, Ohio

  • 200 acres
  • Multidisciplinary facility
  • 200,000 sq. ft. of indoor riding space
  • Stabling for 800 horses
  • Dedicated schooling, warm-up and lunging rings
  • Large grass paddocks
  • 7 indoor arenas, custom blended GGT footing
  • Outdoor show complex with 5 rings
  • 2 on-site restaurants
  • Vendor Village upscale shopping experience
  • Fitness Center
  • Dark Horse Coffee Co. featuring Starbucks with ride through service
  • 32 Hunter/Jumper horse shows per year
  • 12 AQHA, Breed and Association events
  • Championships, Clinics and special events
Andrew Ryback

Equestrian Sport Information

Equestrian is the only sport where men and women compete equally.

Equestrianism debuted at the 1900 summer Olympics in Paris, France, and has appeared in every Olympics since 1912. Today there are three equestrian events in the Olympics: Dressage, Eventing and Jumping. Each discipline has both individual and team competitions during the Olympic games.

Media Resources

Horses: Economic Impact in the U.S.

  • According to the American Horse Council’s 2018 Economic Impact Study, the equine industry contributes approximately $50 billion in direct economic impact to the U.S. economy, and has a direct employment impact of 988,394 jobs.
  • Additionally, the industry itself contributes $38 billion in direct wages, salaries, and benefits. From those direct effects, the horse industry’s contribution ripples out into other sectors of the economy. Adding these ripple effects results in an estimate of the total contribution of the horse industry to the U.S. economy of $122 billion, and a total employment impact of 1.7 million jobs.

Estimated number of horses in the U.S.

7.2 million

Estimated number of horses by activity

Recreation : 3,141,449
Showing : 1,227,986
Racing : 1,224,482
Working : 537,261

2019 USEF Member Demographic Profile

  • 85% Female
  • Average age: 39
  • 66% have a college degree
  • Average income of $185,000
  • Average net worth of $955,000
  • Own an average of four horses
  • Compete at least six times per year
  • Average home value is $600,000
  • 22% own two or more homes
  • Own three vehicles
  • 40% own a farm; 66% of those are 10 acres or more

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Visiting World Equestrian Center

Learn more about visiting both World Equestrian Center Wilmington, Ohio and Ocala, Florida.

Visit WEC Ocala    Visit WEC Wilmington

News

World Equestrian Center – Ocala 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series Week V Highlights

Ocala, FL – National hunter/jumper competition resumed last week at World Equestrian Center – Ocala as Aaron Vale piloted Cristo Beech to the horse’s very first grand prix win at WEC – Ocala on Saturday night, while Tiffany Cambria scored the $20,000 Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby victory aboard Malibu Ken. Read on for more exciting feature class highlights from the […]Read More

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Why World Equestrian Center

The WEC (Wilmington) staff was a dream to work with!  The staff is friendly, responsive, and cares deeply about your satisfaction and the quality of the facilities.  Any issues were minor and the team worked quickly to remedy through great communication.  I will return again soon!

Susie McMichael
Savanna's Sweet Horse Treats

The WEC Organization has come together to provide a state of the art facility for the equestrian community, and we at FarmVet are proud to be able to service our customers at this beautiful venue. The professionalism of their leadership team has made doing business here a win-win for us, and for our customers.

Wayne Gibson
CEO, FarmVet

WEC is much classier and cleaner than most facilities I’ve been at and the faculty is tremendous to work with! The simplicity with setting up and tearing down in between shows in vendor village and not having to cover up or put away product is very convenient. The security that goes along with our product in vendor village is very important and with WEC’s security we never have to worry about product being taken or ruined. Being able to have a booth in the village that I am able to close a door, lock, and walk away from allows for peace of mind.

Holly Gregg
Haala Denim

I have been a regular vendor at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala for over a year.  What a beautiful and fun place to work!  The management and vendor coordinator have been so pleasant and easy to work with, I’m eager to come back for the next show!

Amanda Grace
Independent BEMER Distributor, Bemer USA

WEC ensured that vendors were in high traffic areas, but done safely to make sure horses, riders and spectators did not get congested within the show grounds.

Jill Grant
Gillian Valentine

As a vendor I particularly like the indoor village square setting and beautiful storefronts of Vendor Village. Not only is it the best environment to display products rain or shine, but it also keeps the merchandise protected from damage. I design and sell fashion apparel and show competition coats, so this is especially important to me. It is a pleasant shopping experience, and I always meet friendly and interesting customers.

Annette Wallander
Annette Ellen Designs

Tenney’s is proud to be a vendor at World Equestrian Center.  Our missions are aligned in providing an exceptional experience for the exhibitors and general public as well.  The staff is great to work with and the fees are very fair.  I’m looking forward to an amazing summer at WEC!

Katherine Tenney
Tenney’s Custom Saddlery

Throughout the winter circuit, the WEC vendor team checked in with me weekly to ensure I had everything I needed to be successful as a vendor and brainstorm on solutions to any challenges I experienced.

Jill Grant
Gillian Valentine

The opportunity to be a vendor at WEC has been very advantageous for both brand awareness as well as sales. The vendor village is second to none – well laid out, cozy, and inviting, with amenities beyond what is available at most other show venues.

Catherine Winter
Ride Equisafe
2021 Gold Key Awards Finalist

The Equestrian Hotel

This facility is truly world class. As a vendor that travels to some of the nicest horse facilities in the USA, this place is unequaled. WEC offers the finest in all aspects of horse showing, with wonderful amenities for the horse, rider and vendor. The Harris family is so grateful for the opportunity to attend shows here at WEC. The staff is amazing and they are always ready and willing to do whatever it takes to make our setup smooth and uneventful.

Phil Harris
Harris Leather & Silverworks

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