What's Happening this Week at World Equestrian Center - Ocala

^{Join us a for a spooktacular weekend of free family-friendly events!
Photo by MAVEN Photo+Film.}

Ocala, FL – World Equestrian Center – Ocala has an exciting lineup of family-friendly events this week, featuring the Ocala International Horse Show, our inaugural Hocus Pawcus Canine Costume Contest, and a Halloween Celebration to get everyone in the spooky holiday spirit!

The Ocala International Horse Show returns to World Equestrian Center – Ocala from October 24-28 in Indoor Arena 4 and the WEC Grand Arena. The five-day event features a variety of performance show breeds including Saddlebreds, Hackney Ponies, Morgans, Roadsters, and Dutch Harness Horses. This event is free. Nightly VIP offerings are available. Please note, competition times may vary per day. For more information, visit the Ocala International website.

Two free spooktacular celebrations are coming up this weekend at World Equestrian Center – Ocala! For the first time ever, Ocala dog owners can join in the howl-ween fun. Dress up with your pup and compete for top-dog prizes at the Hocus Pawcus Canine Costume Contest on Saturday, October 28 from 4pm-6pm in Exposition Center 2.

The very next day, trick-or-treat your way through the Grand Plaza’s retailers and restaurants at the Halloween Celebration on Sunday, October 29 from 1pm-3pm. Ghosts, superheroes, princesses and monsters of all ages are invited to this free event.

Grab a free copy of the World Equestrian Center VOL III 2023 Magazine in the CaptiveOne Advisors Arena 1 lobby or read the issue online here!

Upcoming Events!

Calling all Ocala dog owners, join us for the first-ever Hocus Pawcus Canine Co s tume Contest Saturday, October 28 from 4pm to 6pm in Expo Center 2. This free social event is guaranteed to be a barking good time. Owners and pets alike are encouraged to dress in their Halloween best to compete for top-dog prizes in a selection of costume categories, including:

Best-in-Show (Owner/Dog Combination)
Funniest Dog Costume
Most Original Dog Costume

Impressive prizes are on-the-line, including gift cards, WEC merchandise and more. Final selection for winners will take place live at 5:30pm. Don’t miss the opportunity to spend the afternoon socializing with your furry friends, enjoying canine vendors and entertainment, as well as all your fall favorites for humans and pups from the WEC food truck and cash bars. Ocala animal welfare non-profit Voices of Change Animal League (VOCAL) will showcase several of their adorable, adoptable dogs at the event.

Please be advised:

Dogs must wear a collar with ID tags and remain leashed and attended to at all times
Dogs must be current on all required vaccinations
Please refrain from bringing in-tact male dogs, female dogs in heat or puppies less than 8-weeks old
Owners will be responsible for all actions and any damages caused by their dogs
Owners must clean up after their dogs

Calling all ghosts, super heroes, princesses and monsters, too! They’re all invited and so are you to celebrate Halloween in the WEC Grand Plaza from 1pm-3pm on Sunday, October 29.

Bring the family to trick-or-treat at retailers and restaurants throughout the Grand Plaza. Decorate cookies and pumpkins courtesy of Signature Brands and pose for a photo of the family all dressed up. A spirited balloon artist will be on the plaza creating spooky balloon creatures for the kids.

Free event, leashed dogs welcome.
Please note: all pumpkins, cookies and candy will be first-come, first-served and available as supplies last.

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.

8th Annual VOCAL Furball, Paws and Pearls presented by Lugano Diamonds

Save the date for the 8th Annual VOCAL Furball, Paws and Pearls presented by Lugano Diamonds on Friday, February 23, 2024. Visit https://vocalforpets.org to learn more about the organization and 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.

November & December Grand Prix Dining Experience

2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series

World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) presents the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series sanctioned by US Equestrian (USEF) held from January 2-March 24, 2024. WEC – Ocala is pleased to announce circuit stalls/paddocks and entries are now OPEN for the 12-week hunter/jumper circuit featuring Premier Hunter/Level 6 Jumper competition and five-weeks of Fédération Equestre International (FEI) competition.

The circuit is slated to be the best yet with exciting additions to the schedule and facility, including a sixth climate-controlled indoor arena and seven additional outdoor arenas for schooling and exhibition. The five-weeks of FEI international show jumping competition will include three weeks of CSI3* competition from February 13-March 3, 2024 and a week of CSI2* and CSI4* competition during week X from March 5-10, 2024. The circuit will come to an exhilarating close with the Longines League of Nations™ qualifying event on March 20-24, 2024.

2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series

Mark you calendars for the remaining World Equestrian Center Dressage events in 2023. Place your entries and reserve your stalls through eqentries.com.

November 16-19, 2023 – CDI3* and USEF/USDF competition
December 7-10, 2023 – CDI-W and USEF/USDF competition

To view the prize lists, click HERE.

Worship

*^{Photo courtesy of Maven Photo & Film.}*

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 – Now Open!

CaptiveOne Advisors Arena – Arena 1:

Ariat International
Gordon Reiss Insurance
Walden Performance and Recovery
Upper Echelon Academy
La Mundial Boots

UF Health Arena – Arena 2:

Stellina LLC/Romitelli Boots
Haala Fashion LLC
Farmhouse Chiropractic
Hats Off Boutique
Main Street Travel
Rough Cut Boutique

Arena 3:

Exceptional Equestrian, Inc
IDA Development, LLC
I Love My Horse
Le Mieux
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, October 25 | Conrad Marcum
Thursday, October 26 | Charity Cox
Friday, October 27 | Miranda Madison
Saturday, October 28 | Nate Mercado

Calluna Spa

Indulge in our Autumn-inspired spa treatments, featuring our Butter Rum Wrap, Spiced Bourbon Pedicure and The Revived Rider massage. Available from October 1-November 20, 2023.

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
Brunch: Saturday – Sunday, 6:30am-1pm
Dinner: Sunday – Thursday, 5pm-9pm | Friday & Saturday, 5pm-10pm

Holiday Hours:

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

Holiday Hours

Christmas Eve: Sunday, December 24, 11am-10pm
Christmas Day: Monday, December 25, 11am-8pm
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

Holiday Hours

Christmas Eve: Sunday, December 24, 6am-6pm
Christmas Day: Monday, December 25, 6am-6pm
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.

October 22-November 23: Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-8pm | Closed Mondays
November 24-December 31: Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-9pm

Holiday Hours

Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 23, 11am-8pm
Christmas Eve: Sunday, December 24, 11am-6pm
New Year’s Eve: Sunday, December 31, 11am-6pm
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.

August 13-October 21: Wednesday-Sunday, 6:30am-6pm | Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
October 22-December 31: Sunday-Thursday, 6:30am-6pm | Friday-Saturday, 6:30am-8pm | Closed Mondays
October 23: Monday, 7am-3pm

Holiday Hours

Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 23, 11am-6pm
Christmas Eve: Sunday, December 24, 6:30am-6pm
New Year’s Eve: Sunday, December 31, 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.

October 22-November 23: Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-8pm | Closed Monday & Tuesday
November 23-December 31: Monday & Tuesday, 3pm-9pm | Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-9pm

Holiday Hours

Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 23, 11am-8pm
Christmas Eve: Sunday, December 24, 11am-9pm
Christmas Day: Monday, December 25, closed
New Year’s Eve: Sunday, December 31, 11am-6pm
New Year’s Day: Monday, January 1, closed
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.

August 13-October 21: Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-8pm | Closed Mondays
October 22-December 31: Monday-Thursday, 11am-8pm | Friday-Saturday, 6:30am-8pm| Sunday, 6:30am-8pm

Holiday Hours

Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 23, 11am-8pm
Christmas Eve: Sunday, December 24, 6:30am-6pm
New Years Eve: Sunday, December 31, 11am-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