An Equestrian Competition Getaway Awaits in Ocala at Live Oak International Each Spring

ERIN GILMORE PHOTOGRAPHY

Stable of Champions

TUCKED BEHIND THE HUSTLE and bustle of Ocala’s urban sprawl is a magical place where time stands still (at least until the equestrian competitions start). A place with a majestic canopy of live oaks dripping with Spanish moss and perfectly manicured fields. A place where you can be at one with nature, and the beauty and power of a horse.

Welcome to Live Oak Stud, a 5,000-acre working farm that hosts Live Oak International, founded by Charlotte Weber. When Weber came to Ocala in 1968, the area had approximately 68,000 people; today its population is almost 400,000, an increase of 483 percent. But you wouldn’t know that by walking these grounds. Here, the beauty of the land is unblemished, the landscape dotted with only the necessary structures, fences, and during Live Oak International, tents and event equipment. The world is in harmony, and you can feel that coming out of every inch of this special place.

It’s no wonder that the stud farm has produced horses that have won Breeder’s Cup World Championships and Eclipse Awards, in addition to producing some of the equestrian world’s most sought- after bloodlines.

The cap in its feather, however, is Live Oak International, the nation’s only combined driving and show jumping tournament, which recently celebrated its 33rd event. Live Oak International began as a small club-level driving tournament in 1991 and each year continues to grow, now hosting both international level show jumping and driving, which attracts competitors from around the world. It regularly hosts the U.S. Equestrian Federation combined driving national championships, in addition to the final leg of the qualifier of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping North American League.

Considered the finest in outdoor equestrian entertainment, the tournament brings in more than 200 horses from 20 countries. This unforgettable event, which takes place every March, brings fun along with its games—there’s a food truck competition, cocktails under the oak trees, VIP parties, awards for the best tailgating displays and a unique vendor fair.

ERIN GILMORE PHOTOGRAPHY

Particularly notable, however, is the VIP tent, with fine food and beverage options offered throughout the day, a chic spot from which to enjoy all the festivities. There’s no need to worry about dehydration with Pure Wellness Med Spa’s IV Therapy Treatment, which will quickly replenish your body with essential vitamins and minerals.

This year, Chester Weber won the 2024 USEF Combined Driving National Championship, for Advanced Four-in-Hand Horses. It was his 21st win in that category. He’s not only one of the most exciting drivers to watch at Live Oak International, but he is also co-president of the tournament alongside his niece, Chloe D. Reid.

Born and raised in Ocala, Weber is the most celebrated combined driving athlete in the United States; in addition to his impressive wins at Live Oak International, he made history in 2008 by becoming the first American to win an individual silver medal in the Four-in-Hand FEI World Driving Championships. At the 2018 World Equestrian Games, Weber won a combined driving individual silver medal and a team gold—the first ever for the United States.

Reid also competed all weekend with strong results.

And with the equestrian Olympic events taking place at the end of the month, all eyes are on Kent Farrington, who was second on the podium at the Grand Prix during 2024’s Live Oak International. Farrington and his horse Greya are on the short list of contenders for the U.S. jumping team, which will be announced July 7.

Equestrian events originated in ancient Greece, where it was thought that a perfect partnership was needed if a horse and rider were to survive in battle. Thus, dressage was developed as a way of training horses for war. In the Olympics, equestrian events first took the form of chariot racing, a thrilling spectacle that fell out of favor and was not reinstituted until the Renaissance.

Today, Olympic Equestrian includes three events: Jumping, where riders and horses are timed as they jump over obstacles; time penalties are imposed for each obstacle toppled; Dressage, where horse and rider perform a series of artistic movements to music. Judges evaluate the ease and fluidity with which they move around the course; Eventing, which combines jumping and dressage with cross-country, where a long course with solid and natural obstacles challenges the athletes’ endurance and experience.

It’s no doubt that Live Oak International helped Ocala and Marion County earn the nickname “Horse Capital of the World.” For more information on the tournament, liveoakinternational.com

YOUR EQUESTRIAN ESCAPE

Here are a few additional equestrian stops you don’t want to miss when in Ocala.

The 248-room Equestrian Hotel is a unique spot to relax or watch weekly competitions in the horse capital of the world. (BETHANY KANDEL)

WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER

The largest equestrian complex in the country, World Equestrian Center has 16 outdoor rings (including a grand stadium and grand arena), f i ve climate-controlled indoor arenas, 26-climate controlled barns, 3,000 technologically advanced stalls, fi ne dining experiences and a state-ofthe-art University of Florida Veterinary Hospital on the grounds. Equestrian events take place year-round, as do conventions and other sporting events. It’s also a “Best in Class” dog venue and hosts indoor and outdoor canine events such as obedience, national specialty, fl ying disc and more. With the pet-friendly Riding Academy hotel on site, you and your best friend will be just steps away from the action. worldequestriancenter.com/ocala-fl

FLORIDA HORSE PARK

A longstanding events facility, Florida Horse Park encompasses 500 acres, with 350 of those manicured grass fi elds. The park has a 80,000-square-foot covered arena, with moveable bleacher seating, and two complete FEI-approved show jump sets, including warm-up fences. Complete your practices with more than 100 cross-country jumps, ranging from entry to intermediate levels and barrels for barrel racing; there are also all necessary components for a stock horse trail class here. flhorsepark.com

Canyons Zip Line & Canopy Tours

GUIDED HORSE TRAILS

Cactus Jacks Trail Rides is the State of Florida’s designated provider for the Cross Florida Greenway at the Land Bridge Trailhead, a pathway on the Florida National Scenic Trail. It o ers guided horseback riding every day of the year for those 6 years and older. floridahorseriding.com

For an insider’s tour of Ocala’s working farms, visit Farm Tours of Ocala. You’ll get up-close and personal with the equine athletes and the professionals who train and care for them. farmtoursofocala.com

Love Clydesdales? Grandview Clydesdales Tours is for you. Take part in a two-hour guided tour during which you’ll learn about all aspects of Grandview’s operations and witness the beauty of these majestic creatures first-hand. grandviewclydesdales.tours

Add some thrills to your experience at Canyons Zip Line and Adventure Park, where you can ride alongside lakes, canyons and their sheer cliff walls, then ride a zip line, go gem mining and take a kayak ride. Air, land and water —you can do it all. zipthecanyons.com

TRAILHEADS & CAMPGROUNDS 

Should you wish to mosey at your own pace, there are plenty of places to do so. One of the best is Ross Prairie Trailhead & Campground, with a ecologically diverse habitat—sightings of whitetail deer, wild turkeys, bobcats, alligators, Gopher tortoises and an abundance of waterfowl and wading birds are not uncommon. floridastateparks.org/parksand-trails/ross-prairie-trailhead-campground