Florida Horse Park hosts Festival of the Horse 2009 presented by Ocala Star-Banner
Ocala, FL- With the Festival of the Horse less than a month away the Florida Horse Park is getting ready to host another first class international event.
The cross country maps are drawn and fences are being set as they prepare to see more than 300 riders enter the 2009 event and more than 5,000 spectators pass through the gates over the course of the weekend.
The Opening Ceremony will take place Thursday evening at 5 p.m. on the polo fields. Members of the 2008 Olympic team will be presented by Gloria Austen and her team of Friesians, Marion Therapeutic Riding Association will present the American flag as the national anthen is sung to kick off the competition weekend. International dressage will begin on Thursday and continue through Friday. Saturday is cross country followed by show jumping on Sunday. This year the Horse Park is pleased to announce the CCI** Colebrooke Cup sponsored by Brooke Crozier of Colebrooke Farm in Ocala. The $10,000 purse will be awarded to the top finisher of the CCI** competition. Crozier has also donated funds to build cross country fences to be added for the preliminary division.
The Horse Park's champagne luncheon, Day at the Park: Splendor in the Grass, will take place Saturday between 11:30 and 1 p.m. Reservations are required for the event and guests will be treated to a catered lunch served under a large tent situated between the cross country course and polo fields.
Sunday will be an early start as the Peoplechase, a 5K run around the Park, starts at 7:30 a.m. At 11:30 the Equine Extravaganza breed demonstration will host more than 28 national and international breeds that have all come to know Ocala and Marion County as home. Such exotic breeds as Knabstruppers, English Shires and Paso Finos will be there to perform. The event is concluded by a drill team of 16 horses and riders square dancing on horse-back.
Throughout the weekend, spectators will also be able to enjoy the Arts and Crafts Vendor Village and mounted archery demonstrations in addition to seeing some of the finest event riders in the world perform. For more details on any of the events taking place, visit www.horsefestival.com or www.flhorsepark.com.
Related Articles
Bellissimo Tops Stable View CCI4*-S Aboard Dyri
Charles Pinnell, cross-country announcer, said it best—it was a “picture-perfect Saturday here in Aiken, South Carolina.” The day at Stable View started early with the remaining national divisions starting their weekend in the Tree Arena with dressage. The FEI divisions got underway promptly at 9...
Spring Has Sprung at the Stable View Spring International with Bellissimo Leading the CCI4*-S
The first day of the Stable View Spring International started off with a little bit of fog but quickly turned into a beautiful day. The 2/3/4* FEI divisions kicked off the day with the first riders going down the center line at 8:20 a.m.
United States Pony Club Continues Partnership with USEA in 2026, Championing Education and Development
The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is pleased to announce its continued partnership with the United States Pony Club (USPC) in 2026, renewing its role as the Presenting Sponsor of the USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) Workshops. This ongoing collaboration highlights both organization...
