Marion County has earned its’ designation as the “Horse Capital of the
World” due to the number of horses of various breeds residing within
the county. There are certainly plenty of horse events of all shapes and
sizes in Marion County, yet the Ocala Jockey Club International 3-Day
Event is one of the few international-caliber equestrian competitions in
the area capable of drawing top talent along with a festival experience
that makes it a fun weekend outing for the entire family. This potential
has already been recognized with the support of the Marion County
Visitors and Conventions Bureau and sponsor partners such as Sky Fine
Dining that will cater the popular competitors’ party on the Saturday of
the Event. The 2017 event added experiences such as an inspirational
Ladies’ Luncheon talk by Olympian Karen O’Connor, the “Hip, Hoakey
and Handsome Hat Contest”, Saturday night competitors’ party with a
band, and the Kid Zone with fun activities such as horse stick races, inflatable
jump and face painting. The OJC Event, despite its recent creation,
has already been compared to European 3-day events such as
the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials each September in England, with
rich history and immense popularity by spectators attending both to observe
top level competition, bravery in horses and riders, visually stunning
scenery, one-in-a-kind shopping experience, tailgating and picnicking
out in the country. The 2018 event will build on similar interactive experiences
along with a vendor village for opportunities to get unique equestrian
themed items and a head start on holiday gift shopping. With involvement
by world-class organizing team and advisory members that
include Shelley Page, the eventing organizer of this year’s World Equestrian
Games, and Alec Lochore with rich organizing experience in multiple
Olympic games and other world-class eventing competitions around the
world, the Ocala Jockey Club International 3-Day Event is well positioned
to grow into a strong destination event for riders and spectators alike.
www.OJC3de.com
November 15 - 18, 2018
8720 W. Highway 318, Reddick, FL 32686
50 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
EE
352-591-1212
events@ocalajc.com
See our ad on page 67
Photos this page by Elite Equestrian magazine.
/www.OJC3de.com
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