While Central Florida is widely known for its Orlando theme parks, Ocala, Florida, just a 90-minute drive north, is a haven for horse-lovers. Known as the Horse Capital of the World, Ocala and Marion County residents embrace their equine history and culture by offering a myriad of unique horse-themed experiences to their visitors.
I discovered Ocala over a decade ago with my mom and my then-12-year-old hippophile daughter. That 12-year-old is now 25 and has moved to Ocala, so I’ve had plenty of opportunities to visit and explore.
Here are my top 10 recommendations of things to do in Ocala for Equestrian Travelers.
1. Spend a Day at the World Equestrian Center
Opened in 2020, the 380-acre World Equestrian Center is heralded as the premier facility for equestrian sports in the Western Hemisphere playing host to over 40 horse competitions and several special events each year. The grounds feature dozens of indoor and outdoor arenas, 23 barns, and world-class shopping and dining experiences. The facility and grounds are open to the public, and access to most of the arenas is free (except for special events).
Some of my favorite horse-themed activities here included:
- Browsing the extensive Breyer horse section at Mr. Pickles and Sailor Bear Toy Shoppe
- Grabbing a morning coffee and oversized sticky bun from Emma’s Patisserie, and watching the grounds crew at the Grand Arena inspect the footing and prepare it for the day’s competition
- Mozying on up to one of the saddle seats at the Yellow Pony Pub & Garden for a Mustang Margarita after getting my steps in around the grounds and watching some of the day’s competitions.
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you want a more upscale dining experience, check out Stirrups just around the corner. You won’t have the saddle seats, but the food is so divine you won’t miss them.
2. Explore the Walk of Champions
The Walk of Champions is a Hollywood Walk of Fame for Ocala’s most famous horses. Follow this self-guided tour to discover the history behind some of the champion thoroughbreds connected to the area, like Affirmed, the first Florida-bred thoroughbred to become a Triple Crown winner in 1978.
The app gives you the location of each plaque and a more in-depth history of each horse than what can be found on the sidewalk. Across the town square are the plaques that pay homage to Ocala’s non-thoroughbred breeds. My favorite was “The Gangsters,” a team of American Shetland ponies (Bugsy Malony, Tony Da Pony, Al Capony, and Kimba) who are described as “small in size, but not in talent.” The names alone made me fall in love with these hometown heroes.
Want more unusual travel ideas? Get inspired with our newsletter!
3. Get your Insta shots on The Painted Horse Trail
Part of a 2001 collaboration between the Marion County Cultural Alliance and the Florida Thoroughbred Owners’ and Breeders’ Association called Horse Fever, dozens of life-sized horse statues became the canvas for local artists. These colorful and eclectically designed horses stand guard at private and public properties throughout Ocala as part of its Painted Horse Trail. The Ocala/Marion app has listed the locations of accessible horses within a few miles of the downtown Ocala area.
4. Book a Food or Farm Tour
I met Karen Grimes on her award winning farm tour, Ocala Food Walks, a three-hour foodie adventure in historic downtown Ocala where I sampled some of Ocala’s top restaurant fare.
Karen also conducts farm tours in the heart of this horse country, making three 30-minute stops at various locations throughout Marion County. We learned about the vibrant horse culture in the region, what it takes to create a champion, and even got the opportunity to have some up close and personal encounters with a variety of breeds, ages, and training levels.
5. Saddle up for a Trail Ride
No equestrian vacation would be complete without a horseback ride, and Cactus Jack’s Trail Rides has some of the best horseback riding in Ocala, FL. These rides, geared to ages six and up, are labeled as “family-friendly beginner” rides along wooded trails and open fields at the Cross Florida Greenway State Park. Staff will choose the right horse for you and then you choose from one-, one-and-half-or two-hour rides. Cactus Jack’s also offers a two-hour Back Forty or a custom trail ride for experienced riders aged 18 and up.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Book your trail ride before you arrive, because these tend to fill up.
6. Learn about Horse Racing
Take a deep dive into Ocala’s thoroughbred history at the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners Museum and Gallery, packed with champion thoroughbred racing trophies, memorabilia and art. In case you missed him on the Walk of Champions, here you’ll learn about Needles, the first Florida-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby, compare the size and designs of old jockey uniforms, view numerous awards from local farms and enjoy photographs from years of Ocala racing history.
The museum is open weekdays, closed over lunch. Admission is free. Check the website to confirm hours prior to your visit.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Even though admission is free, you can donate to the Florida Thoroughbred Charities which funds student scholarships, educational programs and the retirement of Thoroughbreds.
7. Go to the Breeders Sales
According to a tip from a rep at the Ocala/Marion Visitors and Convention Bureau, the Ocala Breeders’ Sales is a unique opportunity to get your horse fix. The sales occur over several consecutive days three to five times a year (check their website for dates), and visitors are free to grab a catalog to learn about each horse on the block, peruse the grounds and horse barns, and view the auctions.
A few suggestions for your visit:
- Arrive early on sales days so you can get a good seat and tour the grounds before the auction.
- Be aware of your surroundings and silence your phones so you don’t spook the horses.
- Be sure not to raise your hand when the auction is in progress, or you might be trying to figure out how to fit a thoroughbred into your carry-on.
SheBuysTravel Tip: One of the best times to view the thoroughbreds is during the “under tack” date and times (the week before the auction) when jockeys are “breezing” or working out the horses at high speeds so prospective buyers can assess their racing potential.
8. Catch a Polo Match
Ocala’s Horse Park is the region’s original premier equestrian event venue and hosts a number of horse shows and events throughout the year. It is also the home pitch for Team Resolute polo. If you’ve never witnessed a polo match, it could be the highlight of your equine experience during your trip to Ocala. Picture yourself “Pretty Woman”-style tailgating in your polo garb, “Woot-Wooting” at the players, and partaking in the stomping of the divots. There’s something magical about watching the athleticism of both horses and players as they expertly maneuver the pitch, players taking swift swings of the mallet as they battle to get a shot on goal.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Book your trip between May and July to catch the men and women of Team Resolute during their spring season matches or September through October for its Fall Sunset Polo. Also, stay tuned for more information about polo matches at the WEC set to begin in 2025.
9. Meet the Clydesdales
This is a not-to-be-missed horse-themed excursion, the Grandview Clydesdale Tour, in nearby Dunnellon (just a 20-minute drive from the WEC), you’ll be as enamored with its owners, Karen and Shannon Cobbs, as you are with the World Champion Clydesdales that call Grandview home.
This intimate experience provides an inside look at managing a modern-day farm — breeding, training, feeding, and more — as well as an up close and personal meet and greet with the horses themselves. You’ll also learn about the ins and outs of draft horse competitions, farm culture, the vulnerability of the Clydesdale species, and the farm’s connection to the world-renowned Budweiser Clydesdales.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Make a day out of your trip to Dunnellon and follow your tour with lunch at Swampy’s Bar & Grill, followed by kayaking the Rainbow River starting at KP Hole Park.
10. Download the Ocala/Marion App
To find nearly everything you’ll need to embark on your horse-themed vacation in Ocala and Marion County, you should start by downloading their app. The Ocala/Marion app is your one-stop shop for all things equestrian, with horse-related activities in the “Horse Capital of the World” section. You’ll find events, experiences, deals, a blog, and more. If you want to explore more than just their equine sites while in town, you can also explore other things to do in Ocala on the app, too— tubing or kayaking the natural springs, ziplining, hiking, biking, museums, dining suggestions, etc.
Where to Stay
When planning your horse-themed vacation to Ocala, booking your stay at the World Equestrian Center is a no-brainer. You could spend the entirety of your trip here and get your fill of all things horses.
I recommend The Equestrian Hotel , a 5-star luxury experience, or the recently opened more family-, pet- and budget-friendly Riding Academy Hotel.
Both hotels offer similar amenities such as luxurious bedding, a large bathroom with walk-in marbled rain shower, subzero fridge, and equestrian accents (my favorite was the leather saddle-inspired accent pillows on the bed), and access to world-class shopping, restaurants, dozens of indoor and outdoor arenas, fitness centers, Calluna Spa and swimming pools.
The Equestrian Hotel offers:
- 248-spacious rooms including one-bedroom king suites, king rooms, and double king and queen rooms
- European design that exudes luxury from the opulence of the main lobby to the textured wall coverings in the rooms, velvet draperies and upscale accents.
- Room options with a view of the Grand Arena
- Ideal accommodations for a romantic couples retreat
- Stirrups, The Yellow Pony Restaurant, Emma’s Patisserie, Mr. Pickles and Sailor Bear Toy Shoppe and several luxury shops right inside the hotel
Riding Academy Hotel offers:
- A more family-friendly atmosphere with its laid-back equestrian vibe and whimsical dog-themed art
- 390 rooms, approximately 250 of which are double queen or king one-bedroom suites
- Inviting king studios and double queen or king suites with spacious living room, table and chairs, and a pull-out sofa for additional sleeping
- Pet-friendly dog with a nearby dog park
- The Tack Room, a gourmet grab-and-go market, carrying fresh sandwiches, pastries and Starbucks coffee
- Outdoor swimming pool, sundeck and splash pad for kids
Getting There
If flying to your equestrian vacation, Ocala, FL, both Orlando and Tampa airports are about a 90-minute drive to the area, and Gainesville Airport is only 40 miles away. Renting a car is your best bet, especially if you plan on exploring the area. Shuttle options and private car services are available for those who plan on spending their entire trip at the World Equestrian Center. Call your hotel for more information.
Why is Ocala, FL, the Horse Capital of the World?
Whether wending your way through backroads or exiting off the interstate at Exit 352, the landscape is a dead giveaway as to where the “Horse Capital of the World” moniker comes from. Miles of lush verdant pastures, post and rail fences, and grazing equines welcome you to Ocala. The area has the largest concentration of horses and ponies in the United States, boasting 1200 working horse farms and 50 unique breeds. I’ve had the opportunity to observe Pasa Finos in training, world champion Clydesdales chilling in their corrals, thoroughbreds preparing to be bred, and numerous breeds preparing for hunter/jumper and dressage competitions.
Ocala and Marion County’s equine history dates back to the early 1900s when Carl Rose theorized that the mineral-rich soil and water from the heavy concentration of lime rock in the area could be the secret to breeding champion thoroughbreds in Florida. He founded Rosemere Farm in 1936, and his hunch proved to be true. Ocala and Marion County boasts six Kentucky Derby winners, 26 Breeders’ Cup champions, seven Preakness Stakes winners, and several World Champion Clydesdales. I’d say it’s earned its title as the Horse Capital of the World.
Read More:
Leave a Reply