
The Ocala International Horse Show Story
The Ocala International Horse Show was the brainchild of the United Professional Horsemen’s Association Chapter 16 and the American Saddlebred Horse Association, and enjoyed a highly successful inaugural event in 2021. In 2022, it was voted the People’s Choice Show of the Year. With the support of a strong group of founding sponsors, this popular and exciting show has taken on a life of its own and will again be held October 22-26, 2024 at the prestigious World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, the perfect location to showcase the American Saddlebred, Morgan, Hackney Pony, Roadster, Dutch Harness Horse and many other performance breeds that attend our show. WEC is a dramatic backdrop for our show, drawing enthusiastic accolades by horsemen and spectators alike.
The Ocala International Horse Show strives to provide entertainment, engagement, and the hospitality of a premier event with world-class athletes and show horses at the center. This show is the product of a collaboration with our founding sponsors and we are honored to bring some of the world’s most exquisite show horse breeds to the spectacular World Equestrian Center. We are also proud that the proceeds from our show are used to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Marion County.
The largest equestrian complex in the United States, the World Equestrian Center of Ocala has been hosting some of the most notable and important world-class events in “The Horse Capital of the World.” Every year, WEC continues to add more enhancements including a 5-star, beautifully appointed hotel, over 100,000 sq ft of retail space, a 40,000 sq ft veterinary clinic serving both large and small animals, a chapel, over 2,040 permanent, climate controlled stalls, 17 outdoor arenas (including two outdoor grand arenas with stadium seating), and 4 indoor, climate controlled arenas. WEC has also broken ground on their second, pet-friendly four-story hotel that will be designed to accommodate extended-stay customers. The hotel expected to open in June 2024.
Ocala International Horse Show is honored to be a continued part of events and looks forward to providing spectators, exhibitors, vendors, and our sponsors with an exciting show in this spectacular equine facility.