Ocala, FL – The World Equestrian Center – Ocala 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series is officially underway with 12 consecutive weeks of top-level hunter/jumper competition sanctioned by US Equestrian. Competition of all levels takes place across ten arenas from Wednesday through Sunday. Admission and parking are free. Visit Show Management System to see the daily class schedule, estimated start times, locations, orders of go, live scoring and results.
Don’t miss the first Saturday night grand prix of the 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series on January 7 at 7pm in the WEC Grand Arena. Other highlights include the $24,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix on Thursday, January 5 and Hunter Derby Friday in Hunter 1 on January 6.
Enjoy samples of Coors Light, Coors Banquet, and Fresca Hard Mixed RTD Cocktails courtesy of Cone Distributing Inc. on the Grand Plaza during the grand prix event.
*Weather permitting.
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.
Join us this week for our first ever World Equestrian Center – Ocala Food Truck Friday!
From 5pm-10pm 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 The Grass Campers.
Open to the general public. Friendly, leashed pets are welcome. Menu themes and dates subject to change.
World Equestrian Center – Ocala is also hosting the Ocala Boat Show from January 6-8 in Expo 2. Visit 2023 Ocala Boat Show (ticketspice.com) for ticketing information and additional details.
VOL IV of the 2022 World Equestrian Center Magazine is out now! Grab a free copy in the CaptiveOne Advisors Arena 1 or read it online here.
What to Watch
Thursday, January 5
$24,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix | WEC Grand Arena
Friday, January 6
$20,000 Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club 3’6″-3’9″ Hunter Derby | Hunter 1
$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 3
$15,000 WEC Ocala 1.40m Jumper Classic | WEC Grand Arena
Saturday, January 7
$15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix | WEC Grand Arena
$100,000 Coors Light Grand Prix | WEC Grand Arena | 7pm Start*
$3,500 WEC Ocala 2’6″ Non Pro Hunter Derby | Indoor Arena 3
Sunday, January 8
$15,000 Taylor Harris Insurance Services 1.45m Jumper Classic | WEC Grand Arena
Elegance, innovation, and passion are the cornerstones of the Harcour brand, a premier designer of equestrian fashion for rider and horse. Harcour USA is proud to be the sponsor of the champion prizes this week. Each champion crowned this weekend will receive a Harcour USA Saddle Pad. RIDE & WEAR WITH PASSION!
Visit Show Management System to see the daily class schedule, estimated start times, locations, orders of go, live scoring and results.
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. Our team of consists of specialists who are board-certified in equine sports medicine as well as experienced performance horse veterinarians. We are well versed in the demands of each individual horse sport and offer a range of treatments and aids to ensure your horse performs at its best. We offer ACVSMR performance evaluations for lameness, purchase, neurologic, respiratory, poor performance as well as additional categories, including soloshot videography, gastrointestinal tract examinations and telemetric electrocardiography.
In addition to sports medicine, we offer a variety of rehabilitation treatments and programs, as well as state-of-the art equine diagnostic imaging by board-certified veterinary radiologists. To learn more about our offerings, visit hospitals.vetmed.ufl.edu/wec or call (352) 414-3858 for information and appointments. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 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, January 4 | Cali McCord
Thursday, January 5 | Zach Maruniak
Friday, January 6 | Nate Mercado
Saturday, January 7 | Uptown Music
Day at the Spa
Stop by Calluna Spa to shop luxurious products for those you love. Their holiday baskets are curated by expert staff to combine wellness, skincare and salon products in a gorgeous display – prefect for holiday gifting!
Mon – Sat: 9am – 7pm
Sun: 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-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