OCALA, FL. — It was no secret that we were in horse country once we moved to Ocala nearly two years ago. We were quick to find the magnificent World Equestrian Center, a 15-minute drive from our place, and have been frequent visitors for shows, dining, shopping and just prowling the premise.
In the horse world, though. the Ocala/Marion County area is much more than the WEC. Joy and I had long intended to go on one of the horse farm tours in the area. We recently did it and – in a seven-hour guided tour – we learned how aptly the area has been labelled the Horse Capital of the World.
A big reason is apparently the unique soil composite. It is rich in limestone, which boosts the calcium that helps horses develop strong bones and healthy muscles.
The WEC, created by the late Ohio trucking magnate Larry Roberts, is a family-owned center of activity that opened in 2021. It has two luxury hotels a Grand Arena, 25 barns with 3,000 stalls, six climate-controlled arenas, seven restaurants and lots of shopping options and more is being added to its sprawling 378 acres. A Sports Complex and huge Event Center figure to be the next big thing.
There’s a regular schedule of horse and dog shows, many with free admission, and its Winter Spectacular is not to be missed. Tour guide Karen Grimes, though, showed us that we have by no means seen all that the area has to offer horse-wise.
There are over 1,200 horse farms, and we got an up close and personal look at Conway Arabians from Lori Conway who, with her husband Peter, moved from Minnesota to Micanopy – near Ocala – in 2022. They’re involved in all phases of horse life from breeding, to training to competitions, and Conway Arabians will also host the Black Stallion reading project — an annual fund-raiser that benefits fourth-graders in Marion County on Nov. 6. Lori’s presentation for us was enlightening, to put it mildly.
Other sections of the area include the Florida Horse Park, where polo matches are held; an art gallery and museum; and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners Association headquarters, where auctions bring in buyers from around the world several times a year and generate $180 million in sales. Next auction is for yearlings on Oct. 7-8.
An estimated 75,000 horses reside in Marion County and about half are thoroughbreds.
