Ocala, FL – The 2023 Ocala Summer Series begins this week! Exhibitors and spectators alike can enjoy top-level hunter/jumper action spanning nine different arenas from June 13 – August 13 with competition held Wednesday through Sunday. Click here to place entries, reserve stalls and view the prize list.
Grand prix show jumping action returns to the WEC Grand Arena on Saturday nights at 7pm from June 17 – August 12. Spectators can enjoy a second evening of show jumping under the lights on Thursday nights at 7pm for the $50,000 UF Health Grand Prix Qualifier CSI3* during the first four weeks of the 2023 Ocala Summer Series!
The action doesn’t stop there! On Sunday morning at 8am (tentative) come out to watch the $50,000 IDA Development National Grand Prix in the WEC Grand Arena!
Come cheer on your favorite athletes! There is no charge for admission or parking.
Visit HorseShowing.com to see the daily class schedule, estimated start times and results. View live scoring through Rygate.Live.
For more information about the 2023 Ocala Summer Series, visit the button below.
The Grand Prix Dining Experience presented by Wheels Up
Join World Equestrian Center – Ocala on Saturday nights during the 2023 Ocala Summer 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.
Passport to Germany
Journey with us to Germany to explore a rich culture of food and wine! Passport to Germany, the second event in our 2023 Wine Series presented by Wheels Up, will transport you across the sea to experience the flavors of German culture on Friday, June 16. Gather on the terrace from 6:30pm-9pm to explore German culture and taste more than 100 selections from the country’s unique wine-making regions. Small plates, wine samples and live music will be provided throughout the evening. Visit www.showclix.com/event/2023-stirrups-wine-series-germany to secure your ticket for the event and view the full menu. Event is 21+
Grab a free copy of the World Equestrian Center VOL II 2023 Magazine in the CaptiveOne Advisors Arena 1 lobby or read the issue online here!
What to Watch
Wednesday:
$6,000 1.40m Speed CSI3* | WEC Grand Arena | 8am
$40,000 1.45m Speed CSI3* | WEC Grand Arena
Thursday:
$50,000 UF Health Grand Prix Qualifier CSI3* | WEC Grand Arena | 7pm Start
Friday:
$40,000 1.45m Two Phase Special CSI3* | WEC Grand Arena | 8am Start
$10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA 3′ Open Hunter Derby | CaptiveOne Advisors Arena 1
$10,000 USHJA 3′ Jr/Am Hunter Derby | CaptiveOne Advisors Arena 1
$12,500 WEC Ocala 3’6″-3’9″ Hunter Derby | CaptiveOne Advisors Arena 1
$2,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby | UF Health Arena 2
Saturday:
$10,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix | WEC Grand Arena
$150,000 IDA Development Grand Prix CSI3* | WEC Grand Arena | 7pm Start
$3,500 WEC Ocala Non Pro Hunter Derby 2’6″ | Indoor Arena 4
Sunday:
$50,000 IDA Development National Grand Prix | WEC Grand Arena | 8am Start (tentative)
$7,500 THIS 1.40m Jumper Classic | WEC Grand Arena
Upcoming Events
Father’s Day Brunch
Spend Father’s Day honoring Dad with brunch on the terrace for the whole family. Fill your plate with offerings from our steak-centric menu featuring grilled goods like smoked pork belly with apple cider barbecue and our popular buttermilk fried chicken. Don’t miss the over-the-top, build-your-own Bloody Mary bar and featured cocktail made with World Equestrian Center exclusive Maker’s Mark private barrel for an additional price. Two seatings available at 11am and 1pm. Secure required reservations online at OpenTable.$79++ for adults; $29 children 6-12; children 5 and under free with adult meal purchase.
Food Truck Fridays | June 30, July 7, July 21, July 28
Food Truck Fridays are returning to WEC select weekends this summer! From 5pm-9pm during the 2023 Ocala Summer 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. 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.
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 International
- 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.
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, June 14 | Cliff Dorsey
Thursday, June 15 | TJ Brown
Friday, June 16 | Grass Campers
Saturday, June 17 | Mark Smythe
Calluna Spa
Calluna Spa has been nominated for a Hemispheres Readers’ Choice Award in the category of Best American Spa. Those who have visited the full-service luxury spa and salon at The Equestrian Hotel have experienced first-hand the quality, class and distinction that makes Calluna stand out. But we need your vote to secure the win for our world-class spa! Vote online before awards close on June 30: https://www.hemispheresmag.com/readerschoiceawards/.
Day at the Spa
Summer Cooldown Special
Enjoy a complimentary Cosmopolitan or Manhattan cocktail when you book a 50-minute Calluna Signature Massage, Signature Facial or Body Glow Exfoliating Treatment at the special price of $139. Mention “Summer Cooldown” at booking!
Promotion valid through June 29, 2023. Terms and restrictions apply.
An Old Fashioned Father’s Day
Searching for the perfect gift for Dad this Father’s Day? Send him to Calluna Spa to enjoy an 80-minute massage and an Old-Fashioned amenity package featuring WhistlePig whiskey, candied bacon cashews and beef jerky. Must be booked one week in advance!
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 Monday
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.
Closed Mondays
Breakfast 6:30am-11am | Lunch/Dinner 11am-7pm (8pm on Friday & Saturday)
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.
Wednesday-Sunday | 11am – 8pm
Closed Monday & Tuesdays
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
Friday, Saturday & Sunday: 6:30am-8pm
352.414.7876
Skip the Line:
Want to save time and skip the line? Online ordering is now available from select property locations! Simply place your desired order online and customize the date and time you’d like to pick it up on-site. Learn more at orders.wec.net