The Florida Horse Park Hosts Second Annual
Festival of the Horse

Combines fundraising efforts with

GALLOPING AHEAD

OCALA, Fla. – After an initial year that drew thousands of spectators and scores of international-level competitors, Florida Horse Park will once again host the Festival of the Horse, sponsored by the Ocala Star-Banner.

The festivities and spectacle will last from Wednesday, April 18 to Sunday, April 22, yet the competition is known as a “three-day event” in equestrian circles because of the successive challenges of internationally recognized dressage, cross country and show jumping. The festival will feature both one- and two-star competitions on the Concours Complet International (CCI) rating system.

On Wednesday of the festival, officials will brief competitors, hold preliminary judging and inspect the horses. The dressage competitions will follow on Thursday and Friday. Dressage can be compared to ballet on horseback, testing the horse’s ability to conduct a series of dance-like maneuvers.

Saturday will bring the cross-country competition, where horse and rider test their strength and agility over huge jumps, up banks, through water and over dunes. The final event, show jumping, will conclude the challenges on Sunday. Show jumping involves leaping over hurdles at high speed. 

Kids Central, Inc. and Florida Horse Park have partnered to raise funds for the two organizations through additional events. The first will be PeopleChase, a three-mile obstacle race organized by the Ocala Runners’ Club for Friday.

Then, the “Day at the Park” elegant benefit lunch, sponsored by Joan Pletcher, Realtor, will be held Saturday. The cost is $150 per ticket or $1,500 for table of eight, and it will feature polo matches, hat contests and a silent auction in “a day of whimsy.” Parking spaces for tailgating by the polo field are also available for $250.

In addition, there will be a “Field of Dreams” filled with children’s activities on Saturday. A $10 wristband allows children unlimited reentry throughout the day.

General admission costs $5 per vehicle, and Kids Central and the Horse Park will share the proceeds. Spectators coming in general admission will be able to watch the three-day event competitions and polo matches from bleachers, and trolleys will shuttle attendees around the park. Plus, guests will have the chance to enjoy Jack Russell Races on Saturday, a multi-breed demonstration on Sunday and food and shopping throughout the festival.

For more information, call Florida Horse Park at 352-307-6699 or visit www.FLhorsepark.com.

Please direct media inquiries to Margaret Rowell, Florida Horse Park Director of Development at 352-266-3970 or margaret@flhorsepark.com, or to Keith Gold at GOLD & Associates at 904-285-5669 or gold@strikegold.com.

See HorseFestival.com for the event and FLHorsePark.com for the venue.