Ocala, FL – Join us this weekend for the World Equestrian Center – Ocala August Dressage competition presented by Hampton Green Farm & Discover Dressage from August 25-27 in the CaptiveOne Advisors Indoor Arena 1, UF Health Indoor Arena 2 and Indoor Arena 4. Click HERE for the prize list and daily ride times.
Mark your calendars for the remaining Dressage events in 2023:
September 14-17, 2023 – CDI3* and USEF/USDF competition
October 21-22, 2023 – USEF/USDF
November 16-19, 2023 – CDI3* and USEF/USDF competition
December 7-10, 2023 – CDI-W and USEF/USDF competition
Tickets for the September Dressage Dining Experience presented by Wheels Up are now available. Watch top-level international combinations dance to music on Friday, September 15 at 7pm while enjoying a delicious meal along with an open bar. Tickets and more information can be found here.
The October Dressage competition from October 20-22 will showcase the Iberian Horse Spectacular. Iberian breeds are invited to compete at all FEI levels from Young Horse through Grand Prix for special prizes. A highlight of the weekend is a one-night-only event on Friday, October 20, celebrating the majestic horses of Spain and Portugal in an exciting equestrian presentation. Brought to you by Hampton Green Farm and the Baroque Equestrian Institute, the IBERICON reception and exhibition will include PRE, Andalusian and Lusitano horses showing their signature movements in traditional dressage as well as costumes of the region.
Doors open at 6pm for the IBERICON reception, immediately followed by the Iberian Horse Spectacular, which begins at 8pm in Arena 1. The event is free and open to the public and free parking is available, while VIP seating is available for ad sponsors. CLICK HERE for information about the competition, or visit the Hampton Green Farm Facebook page and Baroque Equestrian Institute Facebook page for display and advertising information.
Read World Equestrian Center Magazine Free Online
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!
Upcoming Events!
Stirrups Wine Series: Passport to the Pacific Northwest
September 22 | 6:30pm-9pm
Journey with us to the Pacific Northwest by way of food and wine! Passport to the Pacific Northwest, the third event in our 2023 Wine Series presented by Wheels Up, will transport you to one of America’s most unique growing regions. Gather on the terrace from 6:30pm-9pm for wine samples, small plates and live music inspired by the PNW.
With influence from a wild terroir, the wine of the Pacific Northwest reflects its tremendous topographical diversity. From the rugged alpine mountains, bountiful valleys, arid deserts and jagged coastlines emerge some of the world’s most coveted grape varieties. Enjoy samples representative of the region’s bounty, including selections from Oregon’s lush Willamette Valley, Washington’s Columbia Valley and many in between.
Driven by a vibrant and earthen food culture, you’ll enjoy small plates of Pacific Northwest favorites from land and sea, including an oyster bar, Dungeness crab chowder and foraged morel mushroom orecchiette.
Purchase tickets at https://www.showclix.com/event/2023-stirrups-wine-series-pnw.
Oktoberfest | September 30 & October 7
Celebrate Oktoberfest in Expo 1 for two, back-to-back Saturdays of German-themed fun starting September 30! Break out the lederhosen and enjoy traditional food, fill a commemorative stein with draft pours and samples of German beer, play games (stein-holding competition, anyone?) and dance to live music with the Swinging Bavarians.
We’ll be serving up a full menu of your favorite German fare including pretzels with beer cheese, bratwurst, schnitzel, spaetzle and dampfnudel, and more. All food is included in the ticket price! October 7 will feature a pre-event Schnitzel Shuffle 5K Fun Run in keeping with the festivities (separate registration online).
Purchase tickets in advance and save. Don’t forget your commemorative beer stein! Find additional details on the ticket website.
Third Annual Ocala Food & Wine Festival presented by Lugano Diamonds | November 3-5
The third annual Ocala Food & Wine Festival presented by Lugano Diamonds returns to World Equestrian Center November 3-5. The 2023 event is a celebrity-chef-led celebration featuring three days of culinary competition, beer, wine and spirits education and samples of extraordinary cuisine. Tickets are now on sale!
The 2023 Ocala Food & Wine Festival is a 21+ event.
Upcoming Horse Shows
2023 November & December Show Series
Entries and stall reservations are now open for the World Equestrian Center – Ocala 2023 November & December Show Series featuring four-weeks of Premier Hunter/Level 6 Jumper competition sanctioned by US Equestrian (USEF).
The series consists of two-weeks of national level hunter/jumper competition from November 8-19 and new for 2023, the December Series will host two weeks of Fédération Equestre International (FEI) CSI3* from December 5-17 amid WEC – Ocala’s enchanted Winter Wonderland, a captivating festival with more than a million twinkling lights for the holiday season on full display from November 24-December 23, 2023.
Catch the thrilling action on Saturday Nights from the terrace of The Equestrian Hotel while enjoying a three-course chef’s dinner with complimentary beer and wine during The Grand Prix Dining Experience presented by Wheels Up. Purchase your tables before September 4 to save on sales tax!
2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series
The World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series will take place from January 3-March 24, 2024 and offer 12 weeks of world-class hunter/jumper competition sanctioned by US Equestrian (USEF) and the Fédération Equestre International (FEI).
Slated to be the best winter circuit yet, exhibitors can expect exciting additions to the schedule and facility, with seven additional outdoor rings for schooling and exhibition. The circuit will also showcase a line-up of the world’s best course designers, along with the 2024 Premier Equitation Cup Championship and five weeks of FEI competition that includes a grand finale week featuring a Longines League of Nations™ qualifying event.
Entries, circuit stall/paddock reservations and the prize list will be available on August 28.
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, August 23 | Cliff Dorsey
Thursday, August 24 | Jeff Jarrett
Friday, August 25 | Tim McCaig
Saturday, August 26 | Miranda Madison
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/.
Summer is the Season to Save
Enjoy three, 30-minute sessions for just $260 through August 31.
Reflexology | Mini-Facial | Neck & Scalp Massage
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.
Closed Monday
Tuesday – Sunday | 11am-8pm
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 & Tuesdays
Wednesday – Sunday: Breakfast 6:30am-11am | Lunch/Dinner 11am-6pm
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.
Closed Mondays & Tuesdays
Wednesday-Sunday | 11am – 8pm
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.
Closed Monday
Tuesday – Sunday: 11am-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. Receive 10% off your first online order when you enter the code “FIRST” at checkout. Learn more at orders.wec.net