Florida Horse Park in Ocala
A 500-acre equestrian competition and event park on state-owned land south of Ocala
Who Runs Florida Horse Park?
Florida Horse Park is run by the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park Authority, which the park describes as a 501(c)(3) charity operating as a Direct Support Organization under the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The park sits on 500 acres owned by the State of Florida. It is not a Marion County park, though the park says it works closely with the county on many projects, and its staff are not state employees.
The grounds lie south of Ocala between S Hwy 475 and SW 16th Avenue, north of County Road 484, in the heart of Ocala horse country. Beyond horse shows, the park rents its grounds to organizations, clubs, businesses and individuals for shows, company gatherings, weddings, concerts and car shows, according to its facility rental page.
What Events Are Held at Florida Horse Park?
The park's own horse trials series combines dressage, cross-country and show jumping. Its 2026 schedule listed Ocala Winter I (Feb. 5-8), Ocala Winter II (March 12-15), Ocala International (April 16-19, with 4*S, 3*L, 2*L and 1* divisions plus Advanced through Novice), the Area III Championships with Ocala Summer I (May 30-31), Ocala Summer II (Aug. 15-16) and Ocala Fall (Oct. 3-4, Advanced through Beginner Novice), which closed the 2026 series. The park calendar opens 2027 with Ocala Winter I Horse Trials (Feb. 4-7, 2027) and lists the Ocala International Horse Trials for April 8-11, 2027. For more on the sport, see the guide to horse trials in Ocala.
The rest of the park calendar is a mix of open shows, dressage, schooling shows and rodeo. For spectators interested in equestrian events in Ocala, the park says most horse shows are free to the public, while ticketed events are marked on its calendar.
What Is Coming Up at Florida Horse Park?
| Dates | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 24 | Chad Smith Extreme Rodeo | Listed at the West Entrance, 11851 SW 16th Avenue |
| Oct. 24-25 | POP Schooling Show | Show on Sunday; cross-country schooling Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Oct. 28-29 | Notting Hill Invitational | |
| Nov. 6-8 | Ocklawaha River Raid Civil War reenactment | 42nd annual |
| Nov. 14-15 | Florida Whips Iron Horse CDE | Combined driving event |
| Nov. 16-21 | Educational 3 Day Event | |
| Nov. 21-22 | POP Schooling Show | Show on Sunday |
| Nov. 26 | Go and Gobble 5K | Thanksgiving morning |
| Nov. 27-29 | United Dressage and Jumping Club | |
| Dec. 5-6 | STRIDE Dressage | |
| Dec. 11-13 | Run for the Ribbons | |
| Dec. 19-20 | POP Schooling Show | Show on Sunday |
| Dec. 31-Jan. 3, 2027 | Florida Cutting Horse Association | |
| Jan. 14-17, 2027 | Florida Horse Park CDE and CT, FEI 1* and 2* | Combined driving |
| Jan. 28-30, 2027 | Grandview Invitational | Draft horse show |
| Feb. 4-7, 2027 | Ocala Winter I Horse Trials | The park's own eventing series |
Source: the Florida Horse Park calendar of events and POP Shows page, checked Oct. 21, 2026. Dates run through 2026 unless a year is shown. The park also lists Marion Saddle Club days (Nov. 14), Central Florida Scout Camp (Dec. 4-6), more STRIDE Dressage (Jan. 2-3, 2027), WDAFL Annual Western Dressage (Jan. 8-10, 2027) and a USEF Combined Driving Development Athlete Clinic (Jan. 21-24, 2027). Calendar dates can change, so confirm with the park before you go.
Is There Polo at Florida Horse Park?
Yes. The Ocala Polo Club lists its address as 11008 S Hwy 475, and the park map shows a polo field. The club's spectator guide lists Fall Sunset Polo on Saturday evenings at 6 p.m. from September to November and a winter season from December to March with matches most Sundays at 1 p.m. Tickets and tailgate spaces are sold through the club, and dogs on a leash are welcome.
Are There Rodeos and Barrel Racing Events?
The park lists barrels for barrel racing among its amenities, and the Chad Smith Extreme Rodeo is on its October 2026 calendar. Ocala's two PRCA-sanctioned rodeos are held across town at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion; see the Ocala pro rodeo guide.
What Non-Equestrian Events Use the Park?
The best known is Rock the Country, the touring country music festival, which lists the Florida Horse Park as its Ocala venue and played there on Aug. 28-29, 2026. The Ocala Jeep Club of Florida also appears on the park calendar. From Friday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, the park hosts the 42nd Annual Ocklawaha River Raid Civil War reenactment, with battle reenactments each day and sutler vendors. On Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26, 2026, the Go and Gobble 5K runs on the park grounds; see all holiday road races in Ocala.
The Ocala Christmas Light Spectacular is no longer held at Florida Horse Park. It moved to St. John Lutheran Church and School; the Ocala Christmas lights guide has the details. For more ideas, see things to do in Ocala.
Concerts
Rock the Country used the park for its Ocala stop in 2026.
Facility Rentals
Shows, company gatherings, weddings, concerts and car shows, per the park's rental page.
Calendar
Dates are posted on the park's calendar of events at flhorsepark.com.
What Facilities Does Florida Horse Park Have?
The park's amenities page lists 350 acres of manicured grass fields within the 500-acre property. Show offices, two complete FEI-approved show jump sets with warm-up fences, the components for a stock horse trail class and barrels for barrel racing round out the list. For those interested in horseback riding in Ocala, the park also allows trail riding under the rules below.
What Are the Key Facilities?
Covered Arena
A 212-by-375-foot covered arena with clay and sand footing.
Fiber, Grass and Dressage Arenas
Four arenas with Martin Collins fiber footing (two 250 by 350 feet, two 140 by 240 feet), two grass arenas (300 by 500 feet and 250 by 350 feet) and five 20-by-60-meter FEI dressage arenas.
Cross-Country Course
More than 100 cross-country jumps from Entry Level (2 feet) through Intermediate (3 feet 9 inches), with a water jump shown on the park map.
320 Permanent Stalls
320 permanent 12-by-12-foot stalls in 12 barns, according to the park's FAQ, plus a lunging arena on the park map.
RV Hookups
40 RV hookups with 30-amp and 50-amp power and water, but no sewer, plus shower facilities. Shows reserve most of them on weekends; others can call the office to book a night.
Polo Field
A polo field near the administration office, home field of the Ocala Polo Club.
Can the Public Ride at Florida Horse Park?
Trail riders are welcome at Florida Horse Park, according to its FAQ and public access policy. Riders sign in at the front office, show proof of a negative Coggins test and sign a liability waiver. Trail riding does not include the arenas. Riders may use the cross-country course but may not jump, and the water complexes are closed. Trail riding closes on certain days, which the park notes on its events calendar and public access policy page.
The park's FAQ says trail riders have designated parking near the trailhead, shown on its map of the park. The Coggins and waiver can be submitted ahead of time on the park's online release of liability page. As of Oct. 21, 2026, the public access policy page listed no upcoming trail closures.
| Area | Fee | When open |
|---|---|---|
| Trail riding (includes cross-country course, no jumping) | No fee listed | Sign in at the office; closed on certain days |
| Fiber arenas | $50 per horse | Certain weekdays by phone; closed weekends; listed as currently closed |
| Covered arena | $50 per horse | Certain weekdays by phone; closed weekends; listed as currently closed |
| Driving obstacles | $50 per cart | Certain weekdays by phone; closed weekends; listed as currently closed |
For the arenas and driving obstacles, the park asks riders to call (352) 307-6699 for availability, then sign in, sign a waiver and show a Coggins at the administrative office. For riders who want to jump the cross-country fences, the park's POP Shows page offers cross-country schooling on the Saturday before each Sunday POP show, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with no pre-registration.
What Should Visitors Know?
Location & Directions
Address:
11008 S Hwy 475
Ocala, FL 34480
From I-75:
Take Exit 341 (County Road 484) east to S Hwy 475 and turn north. The public entrance is on the west side of S Hwy 475.
Entrances:
The park map marks the County Road 475 gate as the public entrance and the County Road 475A gate as the competitor entrance. Some park event listings, such as the Oct. 24 rodeo, use a West Entrance address of 11851 SW 16th Avenue, so check the listing for the event you plan to attend.
General Information
Phone:
(352) 307-6699
Office hours:
8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday; closed Saturday and Sunday (Google Maps listing). Events keep their own hours.
Accessibility:
The park says all events have handicap accessibility and wheelchair room in seating areas, though the outdoor ground is bumpy in places.
Admission:
Most horse shows are free to the public. Ticketed events are marked on the park calendar.
Website:
flhorsepark.com
By the Only In Ocala team. Verified Oct. 21, 2026 against the Florida Horse Park website (about, amenities, contact, FAQ, public access policy, handicap accessibility, park map, calendar of events, POP Shows, horse trials and facility rental pages), the Ocala Polo Club spectator guide and the park's Google Maps listing. See our editorial guidelines.
AI tools helped gather the sources and draft this page; each fact was checked against those sources before publishing.
Where Can You Explore More Ocala Equestrian Activities?
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Florida Horse Park located?
Florida Horse Park is at 11008 S Hwy 475, Ocala, FL 34480, south of Ocala between S Hwy 475 and SW 16th Avenue, north of County Road 484. The park map marks the County Road 475 gate as the public entrance and the County Road 475A gate on the west side as the competitor entrance; some park event listings use a West Entrance address of 11851 SW 16th Avenue. The office phone is (352) 307-6699.
How do I get to Florida Horse Park from I-75?
From Interstate 75, take Exit 341 (County Road 484) and head east to S Hwy 475, then turn north. The public entrance is on the west side of S Hwy 475 at 11008. Google Maps puts the drive from Exit 341 at roughly 4 to 6 miles depending on the route.
Who owns and runs Florida Horse Park?
According to the park, it sits on 500 acres owned by the State of Florida and is run by the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park Authority, a 501(c)(3) charity that operates as a Direct Support Organization under the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The park is not owned by Marion County, and its staff are not state employees.
Is it free to watch horse shows at Florida Horse Park?
The park says most horse shows are free to the public. Some events are ticketed, and those are marked on the calendar of events at flhorsepark.com.
What are Florida Horse Park's hours?
The park's Google Maps listing shows hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday. Those are office hours: horse shows and other events run on their own schedules, often on weekends, so check the event listing on the park calendar for times.
Can I trail ride at Florida Horse Park?
Yes. The park welcomes trail riders who sign in at the front office, show proof of a negative Coggins test and sign a liability waiver. Trail riding does not include the arenas. Riders may use the cross-country course but may not jump, and the water complexes are closed. Trail riding closes on certain days, which the park notes on its events calendar and public access policy page; as of Oct. 21, 2026, that page listed no upcoming trail closures. The waiver and Coggins can also be submitted online through the park's release of liability page.
How much does it cost to ride in the Florida Horse Park arenas?
The park charges $50 per horse for the fiber arenas and the covered arena, and $50 per cart for the driving obstacles. Riders must call (352) 307-6699 to check availability, then sign in, sign a waiver and show a negative Coggins. These areas open only on certain weekdays and are closed on weekends; on Oct. 21, 2026, the park's public access policy page listed all three as currently closed.
Does Florida Horse Park have RV hookups?
Yes. The park's FAQ lists 40 RV hookups with 30-amp and 50-amp power and water, but no sewer, plus shower facilities. Most weekends the hookups are reserved by the shows on the grounds; visitors who are not with an event can call the office at (352) 307-6699 to reserve one for the night.
What facilities does Florida Horse Park have?
The park lists 350 acres of grass fields, 320 permanent stalls, a 212-by-375-foot covered arena with clay and sand footing, four fiber-footed arenas, two grass arenas, five 20-by-60-meter FEI dressage arenas, two FEI show jump sets, and more than 100 cross-country jumps from Entry Level (2 feet) through Intermediate (3 feet 9 inches). Its FAQ says the 320 stalls measure 12 by 12 feet and sit in 12 barns, and the park map shows a polo field, a lunging arena and restrooms.
What events are held at Florida Horse Park?
Coming up on the park calendar after Oct. 21, 2026: the Chad Smith Extreme Rodeo (Oct. 24), POP Schooling Shows (Oct. 24-25, Nov. 21-22 and Dec. 19-20), the Notting Hill Invitational (Oct. 28-29), the Ocklawaha River Raid Civil War reenactment (Nov. 6-8), the Florida Whips Iron Horse CDE (Nov. 14-15), the Go and Gobble 5K (Nov. 26), Run for the Ribbons (Dec. 11-13), the Florida Cutting Horse Association (Dec. 31-Jan. 3), the Grandview Invitational draft horse show (Jan. 28-30, 2027), Ocala Winter I Horse Trials (Feb. 4-7, 2027) and the Ocala International Horse Trials (April 8-11, 2027). The Ocala Polo Club plays at the park, and the Rock the Country festival played there on Aug. 28-29, 2026.
Is Florida Horse Park wheelchair accessible?
The park says all of its events have handicap accessibility, the bathrooms are easy to reach and all seating areas have room for wheelchairs. Because it is an outdoor facility, some ground is bumpy or uneven, and most events are reached by grass or dirt roads. The office takes specific questions at (352) 307-6699.
Is the Ocala Christmas Light Spectacular at Florida Horse Park?
No. The Ocala Christmas Light Spectacular moved from Florida Horse Park to St. John Lutheran Church and School in Ocala.
Ready to Experience Ocala's Equestrian Heritage?
From horse trials and open shows to polo and concerts, Florida Horse Park hosts events across its 500 acres south of Ocala.
Florida Horse Park en Ocala
Florida Horse Park es un parque ecuestre de 500 acres en 11008 S Hwy 475, Ocala, FL 34480, en terrenos del Estado de Florida. Cuenta con 320 establos permanentes, una arena techada de 212 por 375 pies y más de 100 saltos de campo traviesa. Según el parque, la entrada a la mayoría de los concursos hípicos es gratis para el público; los eventos con boleto aparecen en su calendario. La oficina abre de 8 a.m. a 4 p.m., de lunes a viernes, según su ficha de Google Maps. Los jinetes pueden montar en los senderos si se registran en la oficina, presentan una prueba Coggins negativa y firman una exención; montar en las arenas cuesta $50 por caballo cuando están abiertas. El parque tiene 40 conexiones para casas rodantes con electricidad y agua, sin desagüe. Teléfono: (352) 307-6699.
Explore horse country
From world-class shows to trail rides, real estate, and family-friendly farms — keep exploring everything that makes Ocala the equestrian capital.