Ocala, FL – International competition resumes this week at World Equestrian Center – Ocala during week IX of the 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series. The week also features World Equestrian Center – Ocala’s inaugural All for the Horses, an all-equine industry tradeshow presented by Ariat International Inc. and Pat Parelli returns with the Parelli Natural Horsemanship team for Horse-Man-Ship Simplified.
FEI CSI3* competition is currently underway in the WEC Grand Arena until March 4, featuring top show jumping sport every day – come out and cheer on your favorite riders as they compete on an international stage. National hunter/jumper competition will be held from Wednesday, March 1 through Sunday, March 5. Admission and parking are free!
FEI CSI3* Competition Schedule in the WEC Grand Arena:
Wednesday, March 1
$6,000 1.40m CSI3* Speed | 8am Start
$40,000 1.45m CSI3* Speed
Thursday, March 2
$50,000 Wheels Up Welcome Prix CSI3* | 7pm Start
Friday, March 3
$40,000 CSI3* Power & Speed | 8am Start
Saturday, March 4
$150,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSI3* | 7pm Start
In addition to the $150,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSI3* on Saturday night, World Equestrian Center – Ocala is showcasing a national $50,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix on Sunday, March 5 at 9am.
Please visit Show Management System to see the daily class schedule, estimated start times, locations, orders of go, live scoring and results.
The inaugural All for the Horses Expo, an all-equine industry tradeshow presented by Ariat International Inc. will be held March 3-5 in Expo 1 from 9am-6pm at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. The expo will feature over 150 equestrian and lifestyle vendors. The three-day event will have special guests including adorable minis from The Peeps Foundation and on Saturday, March 4 there will be a special free performance by the incredibly talented duo Martin and Kelly who have been the supporting act for some of the biggest names in country music like Little Big Town, Kip Moore and Brad Paisley. Admission and parking are FREE!
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 | $150,000 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.
On Thursday, March 2 a special Grand Prix Dining Reception will be held on the terrace of The Equestrian Hotel for the $50,000 Wheels Up Welcome Prix CSI3*.
Thursday, March 2 will showcase the $50,000 Wheels Up Welcome Prix CSI3*. The night promises to bring elite international competition with the world’s best show jumping competitors racing head-to-head for the lion’s share of the prize money.
Thursday, March 2 | Reception Tickets: https://www.showclix.com/event/winter-2023-series-grand-prix-dining-experience-mar2-reception
Join Pat Parelli and the Parelli Natural Horsemanship team for Horse-Man-Ship Simplified in Ocala, FL. The mornings will consist of a Mustang Taming with Pat Parelli and his high-level instructors.
Afternoons will consist of demonstrations on the why, what, and how of the morning sessions as well specific topics such as:
– Colt starting versus taming
– Liberty sessions
– Savvy Teams
– Much more!
There will also be shopping, education, and join us to celebrate Natural Horsemanship. You will not want to miss this incredible Parelli event! Tickets can be purchased HERE.
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 JR Lewis.
Open to the general public. Friendly, leashed pets are welcome. Menu themes and dates subject to change.
What to Watch
Wednesday, March 1
$6,000 1.40m CSI3* Speed | WEC Grand Arena | 8am Start
$40,000 1.45m CSI3* Speed | WEC Grand Arena
Thursday, March 2
$50,000 Wheels Up Welcome Prix CSI3* | WEC Grand Arena | 7pm Start
Friday, March 3
$40,000 CSI3* Power & Speed | WEC Grand Arena | 8am Start
$15,000 WEC Ocala 1.40m Jumper Classic | WEC Grand Arena
$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
Saturday, March 4
$150,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSI3* | WEC Grand Arena | 7pm Start
$15,000 Taylor Harris Insurance Services 1.45m Jumper Classic | WEC Grand Arena
$15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix | WEC Grand Arena
$3,500 WEC Ocala 2’6″ Junior Hunter Derby | Indoor Arena 3
$3,500 WEC Ocala 2’6″ Amateur Hunter Derby | UF Health Arena 2
Sunday, March 5
$50,000 Lugano Diamonds National Grand Prix | WEC Grand Arena | 9am Start (tentative)
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
- Firm Water Road
- Walden Performance and Recovery
UF Health Arena – Arena 2:
- Stellina LLC/Romitelli Boots
- Haala Fashion LLC
- Farmhouse Chiropractic
- Hats Off Boutique
- Kelsey’s Rhinestones
- The Farm House, Inc.
- La Mundial Boots
- Rough Cut Boutique
Arena 3:
- Exceptional Equestrian, Inc
- IDA Development, LLC
- I Love My Horse
- Basic Equine Health, LLC
- Everleigh Collection LLC
- Parlanti
- Chi Rho Ranch
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. We 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. Our sports medicine specialists are supported by on-site board-certified veterinary radiologists with specialty certification in equine diagnostic imaging who provide real-time feedback on imaging and perform complicated imaging during your horse’s visit, ensuring that we provide the highest quality imaging for your horse. We offer standing CT scan, standing PET scan, standing MRI and high-powered X-ray equipment. To learn more about our offerings, visit hospitals.vetmed.ufl.edu/wec or contact us at (352) 414-3858 for information and appointments. Walk-in tours every Tuesday at 4:30pm.
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, March 1 | Palomino Blonde
Thursday, March 2 | Mark Smythe
Friday, March 3 | Conrad Marcum
Saturday, March 4 | The Mudds
Day at the Spa
Rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit in our 7,000-square-foot, full-service Calluna Spa. Featuring multiple massage treatments, body wraps, facials, manicures, pedicures and a hair salon for men and women.
Hours:
Monday – Saturday, 9am-7pm
Sunday, 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