Ocala, FL – World Equestrian Center – Ocala is hosting an array of events this week during week IV of the 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series including the Ocala Home Show, Food Truck Friday, and on Monday, January 30, The Black Stallion Challenge Cup – A Salute to Literacy. All events are free and open to the public!
The World Equestrian Center – Ocala 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series continues with nine more weeks of elite hunter/jumper competition featuring events at every level and spanning ten different arenas each week from Wednesday through Sunday. Admission and parking are free. Please visit Show Management System to see the daily class schedule, estimated start times, locations, orders of go, live scoring and results.
This week World Equestrian Center – Ocala is showcasing TWO exciting night classes of top show jumping in the WEC Grand Arena at 7pm*. Admission and parking are FREE.
Please come out to cheer on your favorite show jumping riders during our TWO night classes:
The $15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix will be held on Friday, January 27 featuring riders or horses that are moving up to higher levels of competition.
The $100,000 UF Health Grand Prix will take place under the lights on Saturday, January 28.
*Weather permitting.
Hunter Derby Friday will take over the WEC Stadium with the $15,000 WEC Ocala 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby opening the day, the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital 3’ Open Hunter Derby will follow and the day will culminate with the $20,000 Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby.
Visit Show Management System to see the daily class schedule, estimated start times, locations, orders of go, live scoring and results.
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.
The Ocala Home Show will be held in Expo 2 on Saturday, January 28 from 10am-5pm and Sunday, January 29 from 10am-4pm. There is no charge for admission! For more information visit OcalaHomeShow.com.
Come celebrate National Croissant Day all weekend at Emma’s Patisserie! Located on the first floor of The Equestrian Hotel, Emma’s offers a selection of flaky, authentically French croissants. Try mouthwatering new flavors from Executive Pastry Chef Yohann Le Bescond created exclusively in honor of National Croissant Day like Chocolate and Triple Chocolate, Strawberry-White Chocolate, Pistachio Cream, Coconut Ganache, Praline Buttercream, Crème Brûlée and of course, the traditional butter croissant. Special croissant flavors will be available from Friday, January 27 to Monday, January 30.
Pre-order assortments of 6 or 12 specialty flavors online: www.showclix.com/event/national-croissant-day-at-emma-s-patisserie
On Monday, January 30 from 6pm-8pm in the CaptiveOne Advisors Arena 1 the Mayor of Ocala, Sheriff Billy Woods, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gullett and all five School Board members will ride horses in a competition in support of literacy. All riders have coaches; Aaron Vale, Pat Parelli, Karen O’Connor, Jacinto Vasquez, Lauren Barwick, Abby Fuller, John Rannenberg. An evening of fun and community support for The Black Stallion Project, now in 31 elementary schools in Marion County.
Join us this week for Food Truck Friday at the World Equestrian Center – Ocala RV Park!
From 5pm-9pm 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 Sandra & Alex LeKid.
Open to the general public. Friendly, leashed pets are welcome. Menu themes and dates subject to change.
Gather on the terrace February 24 at Stirrups Restaurant for Passport to France, the first event in the 2023 Wine Series presented by Wheels Up. Travel through the diverse terroir of the world’s most prominent wine-producing region as you taste over 100 selections from iconic regions like Burgundy and Bordeaux, and influential areas like the Loire and Rhone Valleys. Small plates, wine samples and live music provided throughout the evening. Visit showclix.com/event/2023-stirrups-wine-series-france to secure your tickets.
Please note: event is 21+.
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 26
$24,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix | WEC Grand Arena
Friday, January 27
$20,000 Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club 3’6″-3’9″ Hunter Derby | WEC Stadium
$15,000 UF Veterinary Clinic 3′ Open Hunter Derby | WEC Stadium
$15,000 WEC Ocala 3′ Jr/Am Hunter Derby | WEC Stadium
$2,000 WEC Ocala Pony Hunter Derby | Hunter 3
$15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix | WEC Grand Arena | 7pm Start*
$15,000 WEC Ocala 1.40m Jumper Classic | WEC Grand Arena
Saturday, January 28
$100,000 UF Health Grand Prix | WEC Grand Arena | 7pm Start*
$3,500 WEC Ocala 2’6″ Amateur Hunter Derby | UF Health Indoor Arena 2
$3,500 WEC Ocala 2’6″ Junior Hunter Derby | Indoor Arena 4
Sunday, January 29
$15,000 Taylor Harris Insurance Services 1.45m Jumper Classic | WEC Grand Arena
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 board-certified veterinary specialists are highly trained in sports medicine, rehabilitation and diagnostic imaging, and offer personalized service as well as a range of treatments and aids to ensure your horse performs at its best.
We offer ACVSMR performance evaluations and provide several rehabilitation modalities as well as state-of-the art diagnostic imaging. Among our rehabilitation modalities, used for a variety of conditions and to improve overall fitness and wellness in horses, are halotherapy, also known as dry salt therapy; hydrotherapy via two water treadmills with cold or warm salt water; vibration therapy (Theraplate) and solarium therapy. To learn more about our offerings, visit hospitals.vetmed.ufl.edu/wec or contact us at (352) 414-3858 for information and appointments.
Hours of operation:
Equine Hospital
Mon-Sat, 8am-5pm
Small Animal Hospital
Mon-Sun, 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 25 | Michelle Ingrham
Thursday, January 26 | The Joey & Jenny Duo
Friday, January 27 | Mark Z
Saturday, January 28 | JR Lewis
Day at the Spa
Stop by Calluna Spa to book a 50-minute Rider’s Recovery massage in January. Enjoy a $25 credit toward your service when you mention the Winter Spectacular Show Series! Promotion valid January 1-31, 2023.
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-Friday | 6am-11am Breakfast, 11am-6pm Lunch/Dinner
Saturday, January 14 | 6am-11am Breakfast, 11am-8pm Lunch/Dinner
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