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.
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.
Ocala Horse Properties are Original Founding Members of the Horse Farms Forever Organization. Learn more here
OHP News & Events
A Weekend of Burghley Firsts for Liz Halliday Sharp & Deniro Z!
Liz Halliday-Sharp’s and Deniro Z’s steady rise to success at the international level is the result of natural talent combined with an unyielding dedication to becoming world class competitors. This past weekend at their first appearance at the Burghley Horse Trials in England, this duo tackled the historic event head on, achieving a 15th place finish…
It’s Show Time at Burghley!
We are buzzing with excitement for Liz Halliday-Sharp and Ocala Horse Properties’ Deniro Z, as they head into their weekend at the infamous Burghley Horse Trials! The trot up and day 1 of dressage is completed, with Liz and Deniro Z trotting down the grass center line Friday morning at 4:38am EST (9:38GBT). We hope…
Checkout The New Buzz in Downtown Ocala!
Historic Downtown Ocala offers an appealing small city vibe, perfectly offset by the bucolic views of Marion County’s horse country surrounding the city. What better way to top off a gorgeous fall day than a trip into the Historic District to grab a meal and to quench your thirst. With the subtle shift in temperature…
Liz Halliday-Sharp & Cooley Quicksilver Named To U.S. Eventing Team Ahead Of Military Boekelo
US Equestrian announced the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for FEI Eventing Nations CUP the Netherlands at the Military Boekelo CCIO4*-L, and we are so proud here at Ocala Horse Properties that Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver have been named to the team! Cooley Quicksilver is owned in part by Rob and Chris Desino of…
Horse Farms Forever – Preserving Ocala’s Equestrian Farmland and Heritage
The scope and depth of the impact that the equine industry has in Ocala Florida is far reaching in our community. Did you know that the horse industry in Marion County has created more than 21,000 jobs and there are more than 80,000 horses in our region? The financial impact on our region has been…
Reflections on CHIO Aachen and Onward to the Pan Am Games!
This past weekend in Aachen exemplifies the reason why the team at Ocala Horse Properties is involved in the sport of eventing. Not every weekend will end as one hopes – proven this past weekend by a thrown shoe and unfortunate slip late during their brilliant XC round. But by reflecting upon the determination, sportsmanship…
Greetings From the Nations Cup CHIO Aachen!
The team at Ocala Horse Properties is on the road to cheer on the US Equestrian Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ Aachen CCIO4*-S during CHIO Aachen, being held July 19-20 in Aachen, Germany. It is truly an honor to watch Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z, owned by Ocala Horse…
Golden Retrievers Get First Peek at WEC!
A “soft opening” has been scheduled at the World Equestrian Center, and it will be for another species of 4 legged animals – the 2020 Golden Retriever Club of America National Specialty event will be held from October 19th-22nd, 2020. We can think of no better way to unveil the new WEC to our community…
Liz Halliday-Sharp Named to Two US Eventing Teams!
Liz Halliday-Sharp is going to have a very busy summer, and the team at Ocala Horse Properties can’t wait to follow her on these competitive adventures! Liz has worked exceptionally hard to produce her current string of horses, and due to her talent and steadfast dedication to her horses – We are incredibly proud to…
Ocala Horse Racing Shines in the Headlines!
Mark Casse has been in the horse racing business for a long time, and his determined efforts, and exceptional resume, finally paid off in a remarkable win with War of Will in the 2019 Preakness. Casse, who has lived in Ocala for most of his life, is hitting his stride this race season with several…
