Ocala Horse Shows | Horseback Riding

Horse Capital of the World in Marion County, Florida

Ocala, Florida

Welcome Ocala, the equestrian paradise of north central Florida located in the rolling hills of Marion County. Here, many of the nation's top race horse breeders perfect their craft, producing thoroughbred race horses for the horse racing world. Visitors are able to enjoy some of the scenic Ocala horse farms from a horse drawn carriage from Farm Tours of Ocala.

Ocala Horse Shows

Ocala, Florida is winter headquarters for the HITS Ocala FEI show jumping winter series at Post Time Farm and the World Equestrian Center Ocala featuring national and international horse shows all year. Numerous other horse shows polo are held at Florida Horse Park.

Nearby eventing venues include Barnstaple South, Majestic Oaks, and Rocking Horse Stables.

Horseback Riding in the Ocala National Forest

Ocala is the main gateway to the Ocala National Forest and its numerous horseback riding and hiking trails as well as a stop along the Florida Greenway. The Florida Greenways and Trails are a series of multipurpose trail supporting biking, hiking, and horseback riding.

Horseback trail riding in Ocala National Forest features numerous horse rental opportunities, including guided horseback trail rides. You do not have to be an experienced rider to participate in guided trail rides as the horses are well trained.

Ocala Horse Farms and Ranches

Horse farms in Ocala create stunning vistas of endless green grass accented by classic horse fencing and majestic oak trees. Here, future racing thoroughbreds and horse show champions are born.

A visit to a one of the many horse farms open to the public is a must. Enjoy a horse carriage ride through the many horse farms in Ocala.

Ocala Horse Park

The term "Ocala Horse Park" is sometimes used as a general term refering to any of the several horse show venues in Ocala such as Florida Horse Park, but here is no specific venue named Ocala Horse Park.

Florida Horse Park in Ocala

Florida Horse Park is an attraction in itself, and is the center for many Florida horse shows and the Ocala Polo Club. On any given weekend you will find skilled show jumpers or disciplined dressage riders as well as western dressage, polo, eventing, barrel racers, open, pleasure, and stock shows.

Florida Horse Park features 350 acres of grass, a covered arena, grass arenas, five official dressage arenas and 320 stalls for shows. Florida Horse Park is located a few miles southeast of downtown Ocala.

HITS Ocala Winter Circuit Show Jumping 2023

The HITS Ocala Winter circuit schedule will be posted when available. Many of the nations top riders are attracted to the famous Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS horse shows) circuit that has been performing at Hits Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida from mid December to end of March for over 30 years.

The HITS Ocala Winter Circuit offers grand prix horse jumping classes in divisions for the beginner, novice and experienced rider. Shows are sanctioned by the USEF.

Hits Post Time Farm is located 16 miles northwest of Ocala at 13710 US Highway 27 in Ocala, Florida. Hotels Near HITS Post Time Farm

World Equestrian Center Ocala

The World Equestrian Center Ocala is bringing more world class equestrian events to Florida and Marion County.

The 3,000 acre World Equestrian Center Ocala is adjacent to the Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club  features an on site hotel and four climate controlled indoor riding.

Book the Equestrian Hotel

Southeast Florida Livestock Pavilion

An Ocala landmark since 1945, the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion enjoys a reputation as Marion County's premier agricultural showplace. It is also home to the annual Shrine Rodeo, Southeastern Pro Rodeo, and the Southern Cowboy Classic Rodeo and Stock Show.

Barnstaple South (Morriston, FL)

Barnstaple South is a Cross Country, Dressage, and Stadium jumping schooling and event center near Ocala, FL. Riders of all disciplines are invited to school their horses at the facilities. The property is located just behind HITS Ocala, 20 miles northwest of Ocala at 10210 NW 145th Ave. Morriston, FL.

Majestic Oaks (Reddick, FL)

This stately facility has been the site of the Majestic Oaks Three-Phase Schooling Shows and the Majestic Oaks Horse Trials since January 2018. Majestic Oaks Ocala is open daily for schooling and the host of clinics, schooling shows, and three-phase horse trials. Majestic Oaks is located about 12 miles north of Ocala in Reddick, Florida.

The Grand Oaks Resort (Weirsdale, FL)

With over 400 acres, the Grand Oaks Resort is a popular venue for horse shows and events and is located about 20 miles southeast of Ocala in the bucolic town of Weirsdale, FL. Grand Oaks is a favorite for equestrian driving events (CDE) as well as USEF sanctioned dressage, hunter jumper, and horse trials.

The Grand Oaks Resort hosts the Grand Oaks Bistro for all meals as well as gourmet coffee and free wifi service. You can also enjoy a romantic carriage ride around the property. The full service on grounds RV park is available by reservation.

Rocking Horse Stables (Altoona, FL)

Rocking Horse Stables offers a full slate of Dressage Shows, Combined Training Schooling Shows, and Pony Club National Testing events. Rocking Horse Stables is located in Altoona, Florida which is in Lake County about 46 miles southeast of Ocala on State Rd 19.

Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center (Newberry, FL)

This beautiful Equestrian Center is located in Newberry, just west of Gainesville, Florida and is open to horse-related events, horse eventing, and classic horse shows. Newberry is about 46 miles northwest of Ocala and 17 miles west of Gainesville, FL.

More About Horse Shows and the History of Horse Jumping

One of the most popular equestrian events in Ocala is show jumping. Horse jumping has its roots in early European sport riding that required jumping fences between estates. Read more

Ocala's Famous Painted Ponies

Throughout Ocala you will spot these fantastic, full size, painted ponies. These horse statues speak to Ocala's equestrian heritage and bring color and fun around town.

Each painted pony has a story, and the unique coloring and patterns illustrate those stories.

Horse Fever: Sunny. Artist: Carlynne Hershberger. Sponsor Name: Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital. Ocala Marion County.