Horse Fever Ocala: The Painted Horse Statue Trail
Thirteen hand-painted, life-size horse statues around Ocala, with addresses, artists and map links for a self-guided tour.
Horse Fever is the Marion Cultural Alliance's painted horse public art project, which began in 2001. The Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau's Painted Statue Trail lists 13 Horse Fever horses. Five are in downtown Ocala and can be walked from the square, starting with "Travels" at 109 W Silver Springs Blvd. The other eight are a short drive away.
How the Horse Fever trail works
The Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau (VCB) publishes a Horse Fever Painted Statue Trail listing 13 horses at 11 addresses in and around Ocala. The VCB updated the list on Oct. 9, 2026. The tour is self-guided. There is no set route or ticket, and the statues stand outside public buildings, parks and venues.
The easiest start is in downtown Ocala. Park once and walk to five horses: "Travels" at the VCB, "World Champ" on the Ocala Downtown Square, "Sky Dancing" and "Firecracker" at the Ocala Metro CEP, and "Legacy" at the Ocala Police Department. After that, drive to the Reilly Arts Center, the first responder campuses and the stops farther out. Parking options are covered in the downtown Ocala parking guide.
Before heading out: both the VCB and the Marion Cultural Alliance note that horses are sometimes removed for refurbishment or moved to a new location, so a horse may not be at its listed address. The VCB also notes that some painted horses around town were created independently and are not part of Horse Fever.
All 13 Horse Fever stops
Stops are grouped by distance from the downtown square, based on street address. Horse names, artists and locations come from the VCB trail list. Where the VCB does not name an artist, none is shown.
Downtown walking cluster (5 horses)
Five horses at four addresses within a few blocks of the downtown square. Park once and walk.
"Travels"
Artist: Yani Mikedis
An art deco horse in bold yellow, red, blue and green that stands at the front of the Visitors and Convention Bureau building in downtown Ocala.
Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau
109 W Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34475
Open in Google Maps"World Champ"
Artist: Sharon Crute
One side shows a horse farm landscape and the other a horse race in full stride. It stands on the historic downtown square.
1 SE Broadway St, Ocala, FL 34471
Open in Google Maps"Sky Dancing"
Artist: Linda Ballantine Brown
A sky-blue horse decorated with racehorses, displayed outside the Ocala Metro CEP offices a short walk from the square.
Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP)
310 SE 3rd St, Ocala, FL 34471
Open in Google Maps"Firecracker"
Artist: Gary Borse
The second horse at the CEP, installed after the chamber was named 2020 National Chamber of the Year. The artist painted it in bright, upbeat colors.
Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP)
310 SE 3rd St, Ocala, FL 34471
Open in Google Maps"Legacy"
A memorial to the late Ocala Police Chief Greg Graham. The design shows outdoor pursuits he enjoyed, including flying, skydiving and scuba diving.
Ocala Police Department
402 S Pine Ave, Ocala, FL 34471
Open in Google Maps
Edge of downtown (3 horses)
Three horses just outside the core: north by Tuscawilla Park, east on NE 8th Avenue and northwest on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. Most visitors drive between these.
"The heART of Florida"
Artist: Tyrus Clutter
A tribute to local arts and culture, with imagery of the Marion Theatre, the Reilly Arts Center, the Appleton Museum and the Silver Springs glass-bottom boats. It sits beside Tuscawilla Park, just north of downtown.
500 NE 9th St, Ocala, FL 34470
Open in Google Maps"Sláinte"
Named for the Irish word for "cheers," this horse marks the 2008 twinning agreement between Ocala and Newbridge, Ireland, two communities linked by the thoroughbred industry and their emergency services.
Ocala First Responder’s Campus
340 NE 8th Ave, Ocala, FL 34470
Open in Google Maps"Winners Circle of Life"
Artist: Esta Mann
A deliberately simple design: winner’s ribbons on the saddle and a garland of roses across the shoulders.
City of Ocala MLK First Responders Campus
515 NW Martin Luther King Jr Ave, Ocala, FL 34475
Open in Google Maps
Drive-to stops (5 horses)
Five horses at four locations farther out on Fort King Street, SE 26th Terrace, NE Jacksonville Road and SE Maricamp Road.
"Hero"
Dedicated "In Honor Of Those Who Keep Us Free," the horse depicts the branches of the U.S. military and stands at the veterans park off Fort King Street.
Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park
2601 E Fort King St, Ocala, FL 34471
Open in Google Maps"The Olympian"
Artist: Carlos Medina
Installed to honor Ocala speed skaters Erin Jackson, Brittany Bowe and Joey Mantia, who brought home a gold and two bronze medals. The design represents the Winter Olympics, Summer Olympics and Paralympics.
McPherson Government Complex (Marion County Administration Building)
319 SE 26th Terrace, Ocala, FL 34471
Open in Google Maps"Oak-Ala"
Artist: Yani Mikedis
Painted to look like oak wood and sponsored by Live Oak Stud and Charlotte C. Weber. It greets visitors arriving for auctions, rodeos and expos at the pavilion.
Southeastern Livestock Pavilion
2232 NE Jacksonville Rd, Ocala, FL 34470
Open in Google Maps"Freedom"
Artist: Maggie Weakley
The pavilion’s second horse traces the many roles horses have played in American history.
Southeastern Livestock Pavilion
2232 NE Jacksonville Rd, Ocala, FL 34470
Open in Google Maps"Slugger"
Artist: Gene Hotaling
A baseball horse with pinstriped socks and a glove for a saddle, showing Cal Ripken Jr. chasing a fly ball off the bat of Manny Ramirez.
Rotary Sportsplex of Marion County
5220 SE Maricamp Rd, Ocala, FL 34480
Open in Google Maps
Quick reference table
| # | Horse | Artist | Location | Address | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Travels | Yani Mikedis | Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau | 109 W Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34475 | Map |
| 2 | World Champ | Sharon Crute | Ocala Downtown Square | 1 SE Broadway St, Ocala, FL 34471 | Map |
| 3 | Sky Dancing | Linda Ballantine Brown | Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) | 310 SE 3rd St, Ocala, FL 34471 | Map |
| 4 | Firecracker | Gary Borse | Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) | 310 SE 3rd St, Ocala, FL 34471 | Map |
| 5 | Legacy | Not listed | Ocala Police Department | 402 S Pine Ave, Ocala, FL 34471 | Map |
| 6 | The heART of Florida | Tyrus Clutter | Reilly Arts Center | 500 NE 9th St, Ocala, FL 34470 | Map |
| 7 | Sláinte | Not listed | Ocala First Responder’s Campus | 340 NE 8th Ave, Ocala, FL 34470 | Map |
| 8 | Winners Circle of Life | Esta Mann | City of Ocala MLK First Responders Campus | 515 NW Martin Luther King Jr Ave, Ocala, FL 34475 | Map |
| 9 | Hero | Not listed | Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park | 2601 E Fort King St, Ocala, FL 34471 | Map |
| 10 | The Olympian | Carlos Medina | McPherson Government Complex (Marion County Administration Building) | 319 SE 26th Terrace, Ocala, FL 34471 | Map |
| 11 | Oak-Ala | Yani Mikedis | Southeastern Livestock Pavilion | 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd, Ocala, FL 34470 | Map |
| 12 | Freedom | Maggie Weakley | Southeastern Livestock Pavilion | 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd, Ocala, FL 34470 | Map |
| 13 | Slugger | Gene Hotaling | Rotary Sportsplex of Marion County | 5220 SE Maricamp Rd, Ocala, FL 34480 | Map |
Address notes: the VCB lists ZIP 32271 for the downtown square, but 1 SE Broadway St is in 34471. For "Winners Circle of Life," the VCB lists 515 SW Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, while Google Maps places the MLK First Responders Campus at 515 NW M.L.K. Ave, 34475. This page uses the Google Maps address. ZIP codes missing from the VCB list were taken from Google Maps.
Horse Fever history
Horse Fever is run by the Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA), which created the project in 2001. The idea came from the painted-animal public art trend that, according to MCA, began with 200 painted cows in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1998. Ocala, the Horse Capital of the World, chose horses. Each life-size sculpture is painted by an artist, and many are sponsored by a local business, organization or individual. Proceeds support MCA's arts programs and other local charities.
According to MCA, the original 2001 herd had 53 hand-painted horses. Horse Fever in Motion, a traveling herd for community events, followed in 2005. The 10th-anniversary herd in 2011 added 31 new artist designs, and the fourth herd, Horse Fever 20/20, celebrated MCA's 20th anniversary and was unveiled in early 2021. MCA says the project has raised more than $1.5 million for grants, scholarships and cultural programs. Horses stand at public and private sites across the county. The VCB trail covers the ones easiest to reach near downtown Ocala.
The City of Ocala keeps an online catalog of the Horse Fever horses in its public art collection. MCA's own Horse Fever page features "Aggie" by Carlynne Hershberger outside Ocala City Hall.
Horse Fever at 25 (2026)
"Tribute 25" raffle. MCA is raffling a 25th-anniversary horse painted by Sharon Crute, the artist behind "World Champ." Tickets are $75, or six for the price of five, and can be bought online through MCA or in person at MCA, 23 SW Broadway St. The drawing is Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Brick City Center for the Arts. Details are on MCA's Horse Fever 25 page.
"CELEBRATION." Community members painted this horse, designed by Maggie Weakley, as part of the anniversary. MCA says it will be on permanent display at Brick City Center for the Arts. An installation date has not been announced.
Ocala Art Trail. MCA is building an interactive platform to map Horse Fever horses, other public art, galleries, museums and studios. It is scheduled to be unveiled at MCA's Applaud the Arts in October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Horse Fever in Ocala?
Horse Fever is the Marion Cultural Alliance’s public art project, created in 2001. Artists paint life-size horse sculptures, which are often sponsored by local businesses and individuals and placed around Ocala and Marion County. Proceeds support the arts and other local charities, and MCA says the project has raised more than $1.5 million.
Where can I see the painted horses in Ocala?
The Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau lists 13 Horse Fever statues on its Painted Statue Trail. Five are downtown: Travels at the Visitors and Convention Bureau (109 W Silver Springs Blvd), World Champ on the downtown square, Sky Dancing and Firecracker at the Ocala Metro CEP (310 SE 3rd St), and Legacy at the Ocala Police Department (402 S Pine Ave). The rest are at the Reilly Arts Center, two first responder campuses, Veterans Memorial Park, the McPherson Government Complex, the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion and the Rotary Sportsplex.
Where should I start the Horse Fever trail?
Downtown Ocala makes the easiest start. "Travels" stands outside the Visitors and Convention Bureau at 109 W Silver Springs Blvd, and four more horses are within a few blocks: World Champ on the square, Sky Dancing and Firecracker at 310 SE 3rd St, and Legacy at 402 S Pine Ave.
How many Horse Fever horses are there?
According to the Marion Cultural Alliance, the original 2001 herd had 53 horses. Horse Fever in Motion, a traveling herd, followed in 2005, and a 10th-anniversary herd of 31 designs came in 2011. The fourth herd, Horse Fever 20/20, was unveiled in 2021. Horses stand at public and private locations across the county, and the VCB trail lists 13 of the most accessible ones near downtown Ocala.
Is the Horse Fever trail free?
Neither the VCB nor MCA lists an admission fee for the trail. The statues stand outside public buildings, parks and venues, so they can be seen from outside. Hours for each building or venue are set by its operator.
Are all painted horses in Ocala part of Horse Fever?
No. The VCB notes that some painted horse statues around the community were made independently and have no connection to the Marion Cultural Alliance or Horse Fever. Horses on the trail are also sometimes removed for refurbishment or moved, so a listed horse may not be at its address.
Can I win a Horse Fever horse?
MCA is raffling a 25th-anniversary horse, "Tribute 25," painted by Sharon Crute. Tickets are $75 each, or six for the price of five. The drawing is set for Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St., and the winner does not need to be present.
More arts and culture in Ocala
First Friday Art Walk
Monthly downtown art walk
Art Galleries
Galleries around Ocala
Appleton Museum
Art museum
Tuscawilla Park
Next to the Reilly Arts Center
Downtown Ocala Guide
Shops, dining and galleries
Visitors Bureau
Start point for the trail
Free Things to Do
No-cost activities
Weekend in Ocala
Plan a visit
Sources: Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau, Horse Fever Painted Statue Trail (updated Oct. 9, 2026); Marion Cultural Alliance, Horse Fever and Horse Fever 25th Anniversary; City of Ocala Cultural Arts, Horse Fever collection; addresses and ZIP codes checked on Google Maps, Oct. 12, 2026. See our editorial guidelines.
Horse Fever: la ruta de los caballos pintados de Ocala
Horse Fever es el proyecto de arte público de la Marion Cultural Alliance, creado en 2001, con esculturas de caballos de tamaño real pintadas por artistas. La Oficina de Visitantes y Convenciones de Ocala/Condado de Marion incluye 13 caballos en su ruta autoguiada. Cinco están en el centro de Ocala y se pueden recorrer a pie, empezando por "Travels" en 109 W Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34475. Los demás están a poca distancia en auto, en lugares como el Reilly Arts Center, el Veterans Memorial Park, el Southeastern Livestock Pavilion y el Rotary Sportsplex. Ninguna de las dos organizaciones publica un precio de entrada para la ruta. Algunos caballos se retiran a veces para restaurarlos o se cambian de lugar.
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