Florida Horse Shows | Wellington | Ocala | Lodging

Horse Shows in Florida

Florida horseback riding includes everything from beginner riding lessons to advanced horse showing including dressage and barrel racing. Many Florida horse lovers compete in horse shows while others prefer to ride their horses on the many equestrian trails offered in Florida.

Whatever your preference, our website is here to provide information about equine services in each area of Florida from the Keys to Orlando to the Panhandle beaches.

Florida Horse Riding on the Beach

Thrill to a beach horse ride along one of Florida's fantastic beaches with expert guides and seasoned horses to show the way. Florida offers some of the best beach horseback riding on all coasts of Florida.

You can find guided horseback beach tours at Jacksonville's Amelia Island, Ft. Pierce on Hutchinson Island, the Tampa Bay Area and in the Florida Panhandle.

Florida Trail Riding

In addition to the equestrian oriented spectator sports in Florida, the most Florida horseback riders like to hit the numerous horse trails that dot the state and are listed at Florida Horse Trails. Horse trails are featured in many state and national parks such as Ocala National Forest. Riders can choose from guided trail rides or riding on their own horses. See our complete directory of Florida equestrian trails for the best trail riding experiences.

Florida Horse Shows Year Around

Florida has several important horse show venues that support rated horse shows all year including Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, Fox Lea Farm in Venice, FL, Rocking Horse Stables in Altoona, FL, HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, FL, and Canterbury Showplace. Show jumping, dressage, and eventing are featured at each of these horse show grounds. Fox Lea Farm hosts the Open Show Series featuring rated shows and points for USHJA for registered riders.

 Wellington and Ocala Horse Shows

The horse population of Florida doubles each winter as horses are shipped in from all over the world for horse shows and polo events in the two major show venues, the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington and HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida. The horse show season starts in January and ends in March.

Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) Wellington, FL

Florida hosts major international horse shows during the winter and spring seasons, featuring WEF and GDF in Wellington. Over the course of ten weeks, show jumping, dressage, and polo prevail as the equestrian world soaks up the incomparable South Florida winter climate.

Riders from all over compete in this famous equestrian competition which has become one of the premier horse show events in the world. Show jumping competition levels range from FEI CSI*2 - CSI*5 events and dressage shows feature levels CDI*2 -CDI*5.

Ocala, Florida

Further up state is wonderful Ocala, known as the horse capital of the world. Each year the HITS Ocala horse shows draw top riders and riding fans at Post Time Farms and features a $1 million dollar grand prix. Florida Horse Park in Ocala hosts equestrian and community events throughout the year. Under construction near equestrian oriented Golden Ocala is the new World Equestrian Center which will feature four climate controlled riding arenas, plus a hotel overlooking the main arena.

Barrel Racing | Rodeos

Florida has a busy barrel racing calendar with weekly races staged throughout Florida. Barrel racing is one of the most exciting horse sports and women often outshine the men in daring. Barrel racing and pole bending are also featured at Florida's many exciting cowboy rodeos held throughout the year.

Polo

The sport's daring riders and fearless polo ponies takes over the polo fields of Florida every winter, where high goal polo at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, entertains crowds of enthusiasts every Sunday afternoon. If you like your sports with non stop action and heart pounding excitement, a polo match is a must see when in Florida.

Florida Horse Racing Highlights

The winter season in Florida also brings the "Sport of Kings" to Gulfstream Park featuring the Pegasus Cup in January 2020 and the Florida Derby in March 2020. Tampa Bay Downs Racecourse which features the Tampa Bay Derby in March 2020. Horse racing news...

more Florida horse news