Welcome to Florida Horse Life.

Explore the vibrant world of equestrian activities in the Sunshine State! Whether you're a seasoned rider, a horse owner, or a horse enthusiast, Florida Horse Life is your ultimate destination for everything equestrian.

World-Class Equestrian Events

Florida is home to international equestrian competitions, including the Winter Equestrian Festival and Adequan Global Dressage Festival  in Wellington, both of which are considered world class equestrian events. Additionally, the World Equestrian Center in Ocala has made a lasting impact on the community with its top-notch horse shows and events.

Other quality horse show venues include Fox Lea Farm and TerraNova Equestrian Center, both located in SW Florida and both host top rated horse shows.

Western Riding Culture

For those drawn to western riding, Florida offers year-round opportunities for reining, cutting, pleasure, and AQHA shows. Western horse shows, rodeos, and barrel racing, are favorites among riders and spectators. The state’s vast rural landscapes and ranches provide the perfect backdrop for these traditional equestrian activities.

Equine Health and Wellness

Florida's climate is generally favorable for horses, providing mild winters that allow for year-round outdoor activities. However, the hot and humid summers require diligent care to ensure equine and rider well-being. Proper hydration, shade, and regular health check-ups are essential to prevent heat-related issues. Here are 10 tips for hot weather horseback riding.

The state is also home to several top-tier veterinary hospitals and equine medical facilities, particularly the University of Florida large animal facilities in Ocala and Gainesville. These centers offer advanced medical care, including surgery, diagnostics, and rehabilitation services, ensuring that horses receive the best possible treatment.

Wellington, Florida hosts the world class Equine Clinic with over 30 veterinarians providing state of the art surgery, diagnostic imaging, and sport horse rehabilitation.

Florida Equine Veterinary Directory

Equestrian Education and Careers

For those looking to pursue a career in the equestrian industry, Florida offers numerous educational opportunities. Colleges like the University of Florida in Gainesville provide specialized programs in equine science, veterinary medicine, and equine business management. These programs equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in various equine-related careers.

Additionally, many horse farms and training facilities offer internships and apprenticeships, providing hands-on experience in horse care, training, and management. These opportunities allow aspiring equestrians to learn from seasoned professionals and gain valuable industry insights.

Florida Collegiate Equestrian Teams

Most of Florida's Universities support equestrian teams that compete in dressage, hunter/jumper, and western riding, with other universities in Florida and Georgia.

Horseback Riding on the Beach in Florida

Enjoy 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 both the Atlantic Ocean beaches and the Gulf of Mexico beaches. You can even experience fantastic sunrise and sunset rides.

Florida Horse Riding Trails

The best Florida horse riding trails sorted by geographic areas of Florida from the Florida panhandle to the Florida Keys. The state is home to numerous state parks and nature preserves with well-maintained equestrian trails. Enjoy horse riding in places like the Florida Greenway, Florida State Parks, and Ocala National Forest offering scenic trails from pine forests to coastal marshes.

Hotels near Wellington International, the World Equestrian Center, HITS Ocala, Florida Horse Park in Ocala, FL.,  Fox Lea Farm in Venice, Florida, and TerraNova Equestrian Center near Sarasota, FL.

Florida Rodeos

Florida hosts numerous professional rodeos throughout the year in including the Silver Spurs Rodeo near Orlando, the Saturday Night Rodeo at Westgate River Ranch, the iconic Davie Rodeo, and the Ocala Shrine Rodeo. Here is a list of various rodeos throughout Florida, including dates and locations for events such as bull riding, roping, and team riding.

Florida Barrel Racing

Barrel racing, a fan favorite, can be witnessed throughout Florida with prize money attracting both female and male riders to these weekly events. These fast moving horse races involve both speed and agility on the part of the horse and rider. There is a barrel racing venue in virtually every Florida community as well as barrel races being a feature of Florida's many rodeos.

Florida Polo Clubs

Florida is now host to the United States Polo Association, headquartered at the National Polo Center, Wellington, FL. Polo is a great spectator sport at any one of the active polo clubs throughout the state. Check out this link for a comprehensive listing of Florida Polo Clubs and their playing schedules.

Florida Horses for Sale

Buying and selling horses is part of the horse culture and Florida is no exception. In addition to the normal horse inventory, Florida has many horse breeding farms that sell horses through direct sales and periodic auctions. Also, many horse show participants bring horses for sale to the horse shows.

Horse Show Venues in Florida

Florida hosts several of the world's most important horse show venues that offer rated horse shows all year. These include Wellington International in Wellington, FL, Fox Lea Farm in Venice, FL, Ocala, FL, often called the Horse Capital of the World, features the World Equestrian Center, HITS Post Time Farm, Florida Horse Park, Southeastern Pavilion, and Majestic Oaks.

Hotels Near Florida Horse Show Venues

Wellington - Palm Beach Horse Show Venues

Wellington International

Wellington International hosts major FEI international horse shows during the winter and spring seasons. Riders from all over the world compete in the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and Global Dressage Festival (GDF) in Wellington which have become two of the premier horse show events in the world.

During the remainder of the year ESP Productions, Wellington Classic Dressage, and Gold Coast Dressage sponsor horse shows almost every week.

 -Palm Beach Equine Sports Complex at Wellington, FL

White Fences Equestrian Center at Wellington - Loxahatchee, FL

The Ridge at Wellington Groves at Wellington, FL

National Polo Center at Wellington, FL

Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, West Palm Beach

Jupiter Park Farms Equestrian Center in Jupiter, FL.

Ocala - Marion County Horse Show Venues

Ocala, FL is known as the horse capital of the world because of its world class horse show venues and numerous horse breeding farms. Ocala's horse breeding farms produce many champion thoroughbred race horses and sport horses.

Additionally, Ocala ho several important horse show venues that attract horse riders from all over the world.

World Equestrian Center Ocala

(WEC) is a very impressive horse show venue in Ocala, Florida. Featuring, five climate controlled riding arenas, plus a fabulous five star hotel overlooking the oversized main show arena. The World Equestrian Center has attracted many top level FEI horse shows and is becoming an international destination for equestrians.

HITS Ocala at Post Time Farm

Operating only during the early months of the year, HITS Ocala conducts the twelve week winter USEF sanctioned horse jumping circuit draws top riders and riding fans during its January - March season. HITS Ocala features some of the largest prize money awarded in the United States in show jumping contests.

Florida Horse Park Ocala

Florida Horse Park is operated by the State of Florida and hosts multiple horse shows including dressage, eventing, cutting horses, and pleasure shows. The park allows horse riders to practice at available times. Check out the show schedule for all events.

Florida Horse Park is also home to the Ocala Polo Club, a men's and women's polo club that plays throughout the year. The club offers an orientation for those interested in learning to play polo.

Majestic Oaks

Majestic Oaks just north of Ocala in Reddick, FL and is popular cross country and eventing site. Majestic Oaks is open daily for schooling, clinics, schooling shows, and three-phase horse trials.

Southwest Florida Horse Show Venues

Fox Lea Farm, Venice, Florida

Venice, Florida is home to Fox Lea Farm, an increasingly important horse show venue in Florida. Furthermore, the venue features horse shows all year around including CSI* rated horse jumping shows.

The Venice Equestrian Tour runs from January into March each year and features USEF Regional Hunter Level 3 Jumper shows. Other horse shows are held at Fox Lea almost every weekend throughout the year. Fox Lea Farms also provides a unique summer camp for kids with all levels of equestrian skills and features USEF level shows with large cash prizes.

TerraNova Equestrian Center near Sarasota, FL

TerraNova Equestrian Center is a multi-discipline equestrian competition facility in Manatee County, near Bradenton and Sarasota. TerraNova provides a beautiful backdrop for all levels of a range of equestrian disciplines.

North Florida Horse Show Venues

Jacksonville Equestrian Center

The Jacksonville Equestrian Center is a multi-purpose facility located in Jacksonville, Florida, dedicated to equestrian events and community activities. Spanning over 80 acres, it boasts world-class amenities, including a massive indoor arena, outdoor arenas, a cross-country course, and trails for riding. It's an ideal venue for horse shows, rodeos, dressage, and other equestrian competitions.

Tampa Bay Area Horse Show Venues

Tampa Fairgrounds Bob Thomas Equestrian Center

The Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, located at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida, is a top-notch facility designed for equestrian enthusiasts. Spanning 23 acres, it features multiple rings, including the Grand Prix Ring and Premium Covered Arena, as well as warm-up and exercise areas. The center boasts 471 permanent stalls across five barns, plus bleachers and grassy hills for spectators.