August 1, 2023 – Ocala, FL – Organizers from the World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) in Ocala, FL, are proud to announce that the venue has been chosen by the Fédération Equestre International (FEI) as the only North American site of the Longines League of Nations™ qualifier for 2024 through 2027. The qualifier is one of only four events in the world as part of the Longines League of Nations™, which will be held on March 20-24, 2024, as part of the CSIO5* internationally rated competition week during the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series.
World Equestrian Center – Ocala is a 378-acre complex that was purpose-built to host world-class equestrian competitions such as the Longines League of Nations™. In 2023, the competition calendar at WEC – Ocala includes seven weeks of FEI-rated Jumping competition and five weeks of FEI-rated Dressage competition. In addition to unrivaled equine stabling and premier footing in warm-up and competition arenas, WEC – Ocala boasts a stunning Grand Arena with The Equestrian Hotel backdrop, family-friendly atmosphere, five-star on-site accommodations and a variety of dining options.
“We are grateful to the FEI for choosing World Equestrian Center – Ocala to host this prestigious event and thank US Equestrian for its support through the bid process,” said Roby Roberts, World Equestrian Center CEO. “World Equestrian Center was built on our three core values of quality, class and distinction, and hosting a qualifier for the Longines League of Nations embodies these values as well as achieves a long-held goal of welcoming the best equestrians in the world to our facility.”
WEC – Ocala was one of 18 organizers from Europe, North America and the Middle East to bid to host a qualifier of the newly created Longines League of Nations™, which launches in 2024 as the world’s preeminent series in team Jumping. The Longines League of Nations is a fresh start for the century-old equestrian team series and features a unified and global format where the top 10 nations compete at four incredible venues in order to qualify for a Final. Other venues that will host Longines League of Nations qualifiers include Abu Dhabi (UAE), St. Gallen (SUI) and Rotterdam (NED), while the final will be held in Barcelona (ESP).
The Longines League of Nations consists of a two-round format where all four athletes from all 10 teams participate with the three best scores to count, followed by a second round where the best eight teams compete in reverse order with only three athletes per team and no drop score.
The Longines League of Nations information can be found here.
About World Equestrian Center
World Equestrian Center features two premier equestrian and multidisciplinary venues in Ocala, Florida, and Wilmington, Ohio.
These exclusive facilities comprise state-of-the-art arenas, expansive stadiums, versatile outdoor space, sporting fields and well-appointed exposition centers. An abundance of lodging options and luxury accommodations are conveniently located on-site, along with shopping and award-winning dining concepts throughout each property.
Dedicated to offering great sport and good fun in a family-friendly environment, World Equestrian Center promises an unparalleled experience for exhibitors, spectators, vendors, sponsors and retailers built on three core values: Quality. Class. Distinction.
Learn more at wec.net.
Media Contact:
Candace FitzGerald
candace.fitzgerald@wec.net