Ocala, FL – The 2024 Summer Series is officially underway at World Equestrian Center – Ocala with thrilling hunter/jumper competition Wednesday through Sunday through August 11. Spectators are welcome, there is no charge for admission or parking!
Saturday night grand prix events are back! Join us every Saturday night at 7:30pm* for elite show jumping action under the lights in the WEC Grand Arena. Visit the WEC Calendar to see the full lineup of exciting events.
Hunter Derby Friday will take over the WEC Stadium this Friday with three exciting hunter derbies: $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3′ Open Hunter Derby, $10,000 USHJA National 3′ Jr/Am Hunter Derby and the $12,500 Golden Ocala 3’6″-3’9″ Hunter Derby. Visit HorseShowing.com for estimated start times, the daily class schedule and results.
Note, all times and dates are subject to change. Please refer to the WEC Calendar for updates.
Grand Prix Dining Experience Presented by Wheels Up & Grand Prix Reception Experience
Join World Equestrian Center – Ocala on Saturday nights during the 2024 Summer Series for an unmatched experience. Choose from the Grand Prix Dining Experience presented by Wheels Up and the Grand Prix Reception Experience, each offering remarkable views and world-class hospitality.
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 terrace of 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. Weekly tables can be purchased at the link below!
Grand Prix Dining Experience Tickets
Grand Prix Reception Experience
Enjoy a premium view of the Grand Arena to watch the grand prix action. Enjoy a reception under the white canopy with included charcuterie and crudité from 6:30pm to 8pm, along with a complimentary drink ticket and dedicated private cash bar. $75 per person / Tax additional
On August 9, join VOCAL at J.McLaughlin located within The Equestrian Hotel for a sip and shopping event from 10am-2pm with adorable and adoptable pups from VOCAL. 15% of sales will benefit VOCAL, Voices of Change Animal League.
Upcoming Events
Sports at WEC’s five-week Academy 54 Player Development Program July 9 through August 8 is designed to provide elite soccer training for competitive youth players from the comfort of World Equestrian Center – Ocala’s climate-controlled, indoor soccer fields in Exposition Center 2.
Training sessions will be held twice-per-week on Tuesdays and Thursdays:
- Players Ages 8-10: 4pm – 5:30pm
- Players Ages 11-13: 5:45pm – 7:15pm
- Players Ages 14-16: 7:30pm – 9pm
Pre-registration is required. Learn more about program availability and pricing online at academy54.com.
Afternoon Tea presented by Stirrups
Monthly starting July 28 through December 29
Time: 12pm to 2pm
Location: The Paris Room
An enchanting teatime awaits in the Paris Room at The Equestrian Hotel on the last Sunday of every month from 12pm to 2pm July-December. Indulge in the English tradition of afternoon tea with an array of teas and gourmet creations, including savory finger sandwiches, delicate pastries and sweet treats. Full tea service is complemented by a glass of brut sparkling wine and sparkling lemonade for our younger guests. Purchase tickets!
Upcoming Horse Shows
2024 Dressage at World Equestrian Center – Ocala
WEC – Ocala’s 2024 dressage schedule, sponsored by Hampton Green Farm and Discover Dressage is bigger and better in 2024 featuring 15 qualifying opportunities throughout the year. The 2024 calendar includes eight national USEF/USDF-rated events, while those competing at the Fédération Equestre International (FEI) level will have six internationally rated competitions.
Labor Day Barrel Blast
Entries and stall reservations open June 15 through Saddlebook.com for the Labor Day Barrel Blast, held from August 28 to September 2 in Indoor Arena 5 at World Equestrian Center – Ocala.
The Championship Show 2024
The Championship Show 2024 is coming to World Equestrian Center – Ocala from September 6-15. With over $1 million in prize money and awards, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Mark your calendars: entries and stall reservations open August 1-23 (without late fees) through AnEquineProduction.com.
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
- John Craig
- Equestrian Collection
- Rooney’s – Now Open!
- J. McLaughlin – Now Open!
CaptiveOne Advisors Arena – Indoor Arena 1:
- Ariat International
- Gordon Reiss Insurance
- Walden Performance and Recovery
- Upper Echelon Academy
- La Mundial Boots
UF Health Arena – Indoor Arena 2:
- Stellina LLC/Romitelli Boots
- Haala Fashion LLC
- Farmhouse Chiropractic
- Hats Off Boutique
- Main Street Travel
- Rough Cut Boutique
Indoor Arena 3:
- Exceptional Equestrian, Inc
- IDA Development, LLC
- I Love My Horse
- LeMieux
- Parlanti
- Chi Rho Ranch
Indoor 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
Shop at 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 Indoor 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.
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, July 24 | Becky Baby
Thursday, July 25 | Jeff Jarrett
Friday, July 26 | Josh Tong
Saturday, July 27 | Tim McCaig
Calluna Spa
Calluna Spa is a state-of-the-art 7,000-square-foot full-service salon and spa. Offering luxury salon services and luxurious body treatments with a team of elite providers, Calluna Spa in The Equestrian Hotel is Central Florida’s go-to wellness destination.
Relax, restore and renew with treatments from our diverse menu featuring a variety of unique massage options, body wraps, facials, manicures, pedicures and hair services for men and women.
Hours:
Monday – Saturday, 9am-7pm
Sunday, 10am-5pm
Call 352.414.7862 or visit callunaspaocala.com to book your appointment.
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
Brunch: 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 | Kitchen service complete one hour prior to close
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.
Present-August 10: Wednesday-Saturday, 11am-8pm | Sunday, 11am-6pm | Closed Monday & Tuesday
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.
Present-August 10: Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 6:30am-6pm | Friday & Saturday, 6:30am-8pm | 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.
Present-August 10: Wednesday -Saturday, 11am-8pm | Sunday, 11am-4pm | Closed Monday & Tuesday
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.
Present-August 10: Monday – Thursday, 11am-8pm | Friday – Sunday, 6:30am-6pm
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