World Equestrian Center – Ocala is hosting a wide variety of events this week including the St. Patrick’s Day Block Party, Ride The Wave Premier Horse Sale, National Hot Tub Expo and Week XI of the 2022 Winter Spectacular Show Series.
Grab a Guinness and raise a glass to the Irish as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day block-party style in the Yellow Pony parking lot. Show up in green and shamrock out to the live music, jig along with the Irish Dancers, and sample traditional beer and fare from the Emerald Isle. Tickets include entertainment and samples from a menu full of modern spins on Irish pub classics, like corned beef sliders and shepherd’s pie potato bowls. The beer garden features yard games and cash bars pouring all ye favorite St. Paddy’s sips.
Tickets are $25, purchase online tickets HERE.
The Ride the Wave Premier Horse Sale will take place in Arena 5 on March 18 from 11am-4pm and March 19 starting at 11am. Click HERE to learn more about the Ride the Wave Horse Sale event. Admission and parking are free.
The National Hot Tub Expo will be held from March 18-20 in Expo 2. This event is FREE and open to the public. Visit the WEC Calendar for additional information.
Week XI of the 2022 Winter Spectacular Show Series will host TWO night classes. The $10,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix will be held on Friday, March 18 at 7pm in the WEC Grand Arena. The $75,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix will be held on Saturday, March 19 in the WEC Grand Arena at 7:30pm. Other featured competition includes Thursday’s $20,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix, Hunter Derby Friday in the WEC Stadium and more!
Hunter Derby action will kick off at 8am on Friday with the $15,000 WEC Ocala 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby in the WEC Stadium. The $15,000 WEC Ocala 3’ Open Hunter Derby will follow, then the $20,000 WEC Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby.
To view daily class schedules, estimated start times, orders of go, counts and results visit Show Management System.
Hunter/Jumper exhibitors, don’t forget to check if you are a 2021 Year-End Award winner! Click the links below to see the list of winners.
Year-end awards may be picked up at either facility. Find them at the show office in Ohio, located in the lobby of the Sanctuary Arena or at the awards room in Ocala, located between Indoor Arena 2 and 3.
Thursday, March 17
$20,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix | WEC Grand Arena
Friday, March 18
$20,000 WEC Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby | WEC Stadium
$15,000 WEC Ocala 3’ Open Hunter Derby | WEC Stadium
$15,000 WEC Ocala 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby | WEC Stadium
$2,500 Pony Hunter Derby | Hunter 3
$12,500 1.40m Jumper Classic | WEC Grand Arena
$10,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix | WEC Grand Arena – 7pm Start Time
Saturday, March 19
$75,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix | WEC Grand Arena – 7:30pm Start Time
$2,500 2’6” Non Pro Hunter Derby | Indoor 4
Sunday, March 20
$15,000 1.45m Jumper Classic | WEC Grand Arena
Watch via live stream through ClipMyHorse.TV.
What To Do
Shopping
Many vendors at World Equestrian Center – Ocala have established storefront locations where they are open year-round. Below are our amazing retailers and their locations.
The Equestrian Hotel:
- Lugano Diamonds
- The Debonair Collection
- Mr. Pickles & Sailor Bear Toy Shoppe
- Calluna Spa
CaptiveOne Advisors Arena – Indoor 1:
- Ariat
- Ocala Shoe Shack division of Tack Shack of Ocala
- Rough Cut Boutique
- Arista Equestrian
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
Visit Andrew Ryback Photography for show photos or view them online at andrewryback.com.
Entertainment
Each week The Yellow Pony Pub & Garden located within The Equestrian Hotel hosts live entertainment from 6:00pm-9:30pm. Here is the entertainment lineup for this week:
Wednesday, March 16 | Cliff Dorsey
Friday, March 18 | Noah Hunton
Saturday, March 19 | Retro Express
Day at the Spa
Start your year off with a relaxing day at Calluna Spa. Located on the second floor of The Equestrian Hotel, Calluna Spa offers multiple massage treatments, body wraps, facials, manicures, pedicures and hair salon for men and women. Give yourself the treat of a beautiful blowout this new year! Receive a complimentary glass of champagne and a blowout for $50. Book an appointment by calling 352.414.7862.
Calluna Spa is open Monday – Saturday from 9am-7pm and on Sunday from 10am-5pm. Click here to learn more.
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.
Open daily: 11am-9pm
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.
Open daily:
Breakfast: 6am-11am
Lunch/Dinner: 11am-9pm
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.
Open daily: 11am-9pm *Closed until February 24 for renovations.
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:
Breakfast: 6am-11am
Lunch/Dinner: 11am-9pm
352.414.7876
2022 Winter Spectacular Show Series
VIP Viewing & Dining Experience
Enjoy Saturday night Grands Prix during the 2022 Winter Spectacular Show Series from the terrace of The Equestrian Hotel. The VIP viewing and dining experience will include a 3-course Chef’s dinner, along with complementary beer and wine, courtesy of Stirrups Restaurant.
Click HERE purchase your 2022 Saturday Night Grand Prix Table.
World Equestrian Center – Ocala 2022 Winter Spectacular
World Equestrian Center – Ocala is excited to announce that entries are NOW OPEN for the Winter Spectacular 2022 Show Series featuring National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) sanctioned hunter/jumper competition. The 12-week show series will begin January 5, 2022 and offer all levels of competition. Highlights include feature classes such as the popular weekly Saturday night Grand Prix in the Grand Arena, Friday Hunter Derby day in the WEC Stadium and the prestigious Premier Equitation Cup Championship.
Click here to view the prize list, schedule and much more!
2022 World Equestrian Center Horse Shows
A Sudden Impulse NSBA & Futurity Horse Show
ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN. Save the date for the A Sudden Impulse AQHA & NSBA and Futurity, April 20-30, 2022 at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. A Sudden Impulse AQHA & NSBA and Futurity horse show is managed by An Equine Production. Click the link below now to view the show bill.
2022 Dressage Show Dates
World Equestrian Center – Ocala is excited to announce nine dates for dressage competition in 2022 presented by Hampton Green Farm and Discover Dressage. The events will span the year from January through December and include USEF/USDF nationally-rated competition. Click here for more information.