Ocala, FL – It’s the final week of the 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series come out to cheer on your favorite equestrian athletes! On Friday, March 24 the WEC Stadium will play host to three $75,000 Hunter Derbies and the finale of the 12-week series, the $250,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix will be held Saturday, March 25 at 7:30pm in the WEC Grand Arena. There is no charge for admission or parking! Visit SHOW MANAGEMENT SYSTEM for the daily class schedule, estimated start times, counts, orders of go, live scoring and results.
Before the start of the grand prix, Francesca and her Tiny Trio are set to put on a fun performance sponsored by Schneiders. There is no charge for admission or parking!
The week also showcases the Pre-Spectrum & Spectrum International Paso Fino Horse Show. From March 22 through March 26 witness the best Paso Fino horses compete for the coveted title of Spectrum Champion in Arena 5. For additional information and to view the schedule, visit Florida Paso Fino Horse Association (floridapfha.org). There is no charge for admission.
Join us this week for the FINAL Food Truck Friday of the 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series at the World Equestrian Center – Ocala RV Park!
From 5pm-9pm 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.
Open to the general public. Friendly, leashed pets are welcome. Menu themes and dates subject to change.
World Equestrian Center Magazine VOL I 2023 is out now! Grab your FREE copy in the lobby of the CaptiveOne Advisors Arena 1 or read it online HERE!
What to Watch
Thursday, March 23
$24,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix | WEC Grand Arena
Friday, March 24
$75,000 Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club 3’6″-3’9″ Hunter Derby | WEC Stadium
$75,000 UF Veterinary Clinic 3′ Open Hunter Derby | WEC Stadium
$75,000 WEC Ocala 3′ Jr/Am Hunter Derby | WEC Stadium
$2,000 WEC Ocala Pony Hunter Derby | Hunter 3
$15,000 WEC Ocala 1.40m Jumper Classic | WEC Grand Arena
Saturday, March 25
$250,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix | WEC Grand Arena | 7:30pm Start
$15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix | WEC Grand Arena
$10,000 WEC Ocala Jr 2’6″ Non Pro Hunter Derby | Indoor 4
$10,000 WEC Ocala Am 2’6″ Non Pro Hunter Derby | Indoor 3
Sunday, March 26
$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.
Upcoming Events
Easter Celebration
From 10am to 2pm in Indoor Arena 4, you can celebrate Easter at World Equestrian Center – Ocala with spring crafts, bounce houses and face painting for the kids, along with Easter egg and cookie decorating courtesy of Signature Brands and a special appearance from the Easter Bunny.
Calling all egg-spert hunters! Ocala’s most delightful Easter egg hunt is back in Indoor Arena 4. Free and open to the public, families of all ages can enjoy the timeless search for candy-filled eggs starting at 12pm with divisions based on age. Be lucky enough to find the special golden egg and you’ll be treated to an Easter surprise. Don’t forget to bring your own basket!
Don’t miss a special Easter brunch on the terrace at The Equestrian Hotel with seatings at 9am, 11:30am and 1:30pm. Reservations required via Stirrups OpenTable.
WEC Spring Festival powered by Gary Yeomans Ford
May 13, 2023
Bring the family to the WEC Grand Plaza as we roll out an outdoor celebration of spring with live music, yard games, a kid’s zone and more at the WEC Spring Festival powered by Gary Yeomans Ford, formally known as WEC Blueberry Festival. Enjoy the freshest seasonal fare and shop at the artisanal farmer’s market with a wide-ranging assortment of handmade goods from local vendors. Register separately for the 8am Daisy Dash 5K Run and purchase tickets for the 9am pancake breakfast at the links below.
8am to 4pm | WEC Spring Festival Live music, local vendors, children’s activities. Free admission.
8am Start | Daisy Dash 5K Race Separate race registry required at runsignup.com
9am to 10:30am | Pancake Breakfast $20 per person (kids under 6 free with adult ticket); Pre-purchase online HERE.
If you are interested in being a vendor for this event please contact the exclusive event organizer, Kim Kent at kimberly.kent@wec.net
Worship
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 22 | Houston Keen
Thursday, March 23 | Jeff Jarrett
Friday, March 24 | Mark Z Grass Campers
Saturday, March 25 | Uptown Music
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