News & Media Releases
To access a list of World Equestrian Center press releases, click here.
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:
Justin Garner
Sr. Director of Marketing and Brand Management
407.912.1735 or contact justin.garner@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.
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.
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
- 378-acre multidisciplinary facility
- Stabling for nearly 3,000 horses
- Two exposition centers
- 18 outdoor arenas with all-weather footing
- Dedicated schooling, warmup and lunging rings
- Large turnout paddocks
- 6 climate-controlled indoor arenas
- Miles of hacking trails
- The Equestrian Hotel overlooking the Grand Outdoor Arena
- Multiple restaurants and dining options throughout the property
- Luxury and lifestyle retail
Wilmington, Ohio
- 200-acre 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
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
Media Disclaimer
By entering the premises of World Equestrian Center (WEC), you enter an area where photography, audio and video recording may occur. By entering the property, you consent to photography, audio and/or video recording, and the release, publication, exhibition or reproduction to be used for news, web, social media, advertising and other promotional purposes by WEC and its affiliates and representatives. In entering the WEC grounds, you release WEC, its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, images, video and/or audio recordings. All rights to royalties, claims of payment in connection with any use of the media materials listed above, are waived, regardless of whether a fee or admission is charged or sponsorship applied. You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering WEC grounds.
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Visiting World Equestrian Center
Learn more about visiting both World Equestrian Center facilities in Wilmington, Ohio and Ocala, Florida.
