Ocala, Marion County is home to the World Equestrian Center Ocala, over 1,200 horse farms, and over 50 breeds of horses.
It is no wonder Ocala is known as the "Horse Capital of the World"!
Nowhere else in the world will you find this combination of superior natural footing, beautiful weather year-round, countless numbers of equine competitions, and a seemingly unlimited number of retail services that focus solely on horses.
Ocala is home to a vast number of competitions and world-class equestrian venues that will keep you busy every weekend of the year. Ocala is proud to be home to the World Equestrian Center Ocala, Winter Circuit Hunter/Jumper Show, HITS; the Florida Horse Park, which hosts a number of eventing, dressage, and driving competitions; and the 70,000-acre, 110-mile corridor Greenway Trail System, where you can hack your horses out for long beautiful trail rides.
It is staggering to consider the impact these stately animals have had on the Ocala community.
For the horse lover, there’s no better place in the United States to maintain a horse farm for any discipline.
We always enjoy the chance to talk first-hand about our deep roots and love for Ocala/Marion County. We are honored to have been on the cover of, and share our story with one of the area’s most-read magazines, Ocala Style. Ultimately, our success belongs to our community and the entire Ocala Horse Properies family, with whom we share our passion for our home, Ocala.
Home of the World Equestrian Center, Ocala
The World Equestrian Center Ocala is a premier equestrian facility located in Ocala, Florida, United States. It is a world-class destination for horse enthusiasts and hosts a wide range of equestrian events and competitions. (Browse Ocala Farms for Sale near the World Equestrian Center)
The facility covers a vast area of approximately 3,000 acres and features state-of-the-art amenities and infrastructure to cater to various equestrian disciplines. It boasts multiple competition arenas, including a grand outdoor stadium with seating for thousands of spectators, as well as several indoor arenas. These venues are designed to accommodate events such as show jumping, dressage, hunter/jumper competitions, and more.
World Equestrian Center Ocala offers top-notch stabling facilities, with thousands of stalls available to accommodate horses during events. The stables are equipped with modern amenities to ensure the comfort and well-being of the horses.
The facility includes luxurious onsite lodging options for riders, trainers, and spectators. There are upscale hotels, rental cottages, and RV hookups available, providing convenient and comfortable accommodations for visitors.
World Equestrian Center Ocala offers a variety of dining options, shopping boutiques, and recreational amenities for visitors to enjoy. There are restaurants, cafes, and bars that serve a range of cuisines, as well as shops that cater to equestrian needs, including tack and equipment.
So what’s there to do after you’ve ridden your horses in Ocala? Plenty! At the end of the day, Ocala has so much to offer!
Ocala is home to numerous Country Clubs with some of the best golf courses around such as the legendary Golden Ocala. Many of these offer beautiful gyms, tennis facilities, spa treatments, and fantastic dining options. Every year, we are thrilled to welcome great new independent restaurants that are making quite a splash! The coast is just a short drive as well as the beaches. There are so many great areas within the county to snorkel, kayak through beautiful clear waters. In addition, Ocala’s downtown and historic district is experiencing a renaissance, with restaurants, cafes and specialty boutiques catering to the growing, more sophisticated. Additionally, we have great shopping with most every national store represented making Ocala a very convenient place to live.
And when you want to get out of town, there is plenty to do that is still close by. With Orlando only 76 miles away, an hour’s drive to the south gets you to Walt Disney World and all the other major theme parks in the area. An hour’s drive to the west takes you to the Gulf of Mexico, and just 64 miles to the east is the Atlantic Ocean! What’s more, Gainesville, home to the University of Florida and its infamous Gators, is only 35 miles to the north; so, if you want to enjoy the ambiance of life in a college town, nothing could be easier.
When we’re not playing matchmakers to buyers and their new homes, we’re hitting up our favorite Ocala hot spots with each other, our friends, and our families. Read about our favorite Ocala venues here.
Ocala Horse Properties are Original Founding Members of the Horse Farms Forever Organization. Learn more here
OHP News & Events
We Are Opening A New Office in Ocala!
“Our office, which should be opening in March, will be more than just a real estate office,” he says. “In essence, it will be a one-stop shopping experience for anyone in the market for an Ocala luxury home or Ocala farm “ready to go”, or a property that needs some updating. We will be positioned…
Horse Farms Forever Summit Balances Conservation & Growth in Ocala
Horse Farms Forever, is a conservation minded non-profit organization which was founded in 2018 in response to the steady growth and threat of encroaching road development in Marion County. Since its inception, Horse Farms Forever has received enormous support from farm owners, community leaders and businesses in Ocala who share the same passion; to protect…
Terranova Inaugural Event Dominated by Ocala Equestrians
Florida equestrians celebrated the opening of another top class competition venue at the inaugural 4* Event at Terranova, a new expansive 225 acre equestrian facility located in Myakka City, Florida. Myakka City is located just a few hours from Ocala, Florida and minutes from downtown Sarasota. Ocala Horse Properties was honored to sponsor the official unveiling…
World Equestrian Center Acquires Ocala Jockey Club!
The Roberts family continues their massive support of horse sport in Marion County through the recent acquisition of the 950 acre Ocala Jockey Club. Proving their long term dedication to the equestrian industry in Ocala, WEC plans to continue to host eventing competitions at the already established property of the Ocala Jockey Club CCI4*L 3-Day…
WEC Delights Equestrian Competitors and Spectators Alike!
The World Equestrian Center, Ocala opened this past winter season to rave reviews. Marion County horse enthusiasts were treated to an exceptional horse show experience at this country’s finest new state of the art equestrian sports complex. Due to mileage rule complications over winter show dates with the USEF, The World Equestrian Center (WEC) made…
Three Stellar Performances by Liz Halliday-Sharp at The 2021 LRK3DE!
As the 2021 eventing community began the season with cautious optimism, Liz Halliday Sharp kept her head down and continued to focus on the spring competition season leading up to The Land Rover Kentucky 3 Day Event. History appeared destined to repeat itself in early 2021, when the event organizers announced another cancellation due to…
Halliday-Sharp Finishes All 3 Horses Inside Top 5 at Liftmaster’s Grand-Prix of Eventing!
This past weekend, Ocala Horse Properties traveled to Aiken, South Carolina as a sponsor of the Liftmaster’s Grand-Prix of Eventing, and to cheer for Liz Halliday-Sharp and all of our friends and clients hailing from Ocala. This was an incredible USEF sanctioned event, which offered $50K in prize money to top eventing athletes looking for…
Client Spotlight: Nancy Ditty’s Family Legacy of Producing Champion Quarter Horses Thrives in Ocala
At Ocala Horse Properties, one of our most satisfying experiences as Marion County realtors is getting to know our clients and community members. The Ocala equestrian world is a diverse one, representing multiple breeds and disciplines, which is what makes “The Horse Capitol of the World” so unique! Our clients who have purchased farms in…
Ocala Horse Properties Hosts 2021 USEF Eventing Training Sessions at Hampton Lane
Ocala Horse Properties recently had the honor of hosting the USEF Elite and Pre-Elite Training Sessions, held February 1st-4th, at our own Hampton Lane equestrian facility in Ocala. Hampton Lane, a 29 acre farm located across the street from the new World Equestrian Center, offered the perfect location for this gathering of world class athletes.…
Hands Above the Rest
What makes someone a true leader in their industry? Some would argue that it’s a person who helps others by providing guidance and insight of their knowledge. This is precisely why Ocala Horse Properties’ Matt Varney is continuously recognized as the areas top agent. The latest recognition was highlighted by Ocala Style in an article…
