Equine

When Carl G. Rose came to Florida in 1916 to oversee the first asphalt road constructed in Florida, the company ran into problems with the asphalt due to the sandy nature of the area soil. The road problems were fixed using limestone, which was now an abundant resource. Rose knew that limestone is a good source of nutrition for raising horses so he bought land along State Road 200 in 1935 and soon after, Rosemere Farm became the first Thoroughbred farm in Marion County. In 1944, one of his horses became the first Ocala, Florida-raised Thoroughbred to win a Florida race held at Miami’s Tropical Park.

Bonnie Heath Farm soon followed. This breeding and training operation would gain recognition as a cornerstone of Marion County’s early Thoroughbred industry thanks to a colt who almost didn’t survive an early bout with pneumonia. In 1956, this virtually unknown 3-year-old Thoroughbred, named Needles, won the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, and Marion County became a focus for the racing world.

The area is proud to claim 50 Florida-bred National Champions, including Triple Crown winners, Affirmed (1978) and American Pharoah (2015), Holy Bull, the 1994 North American Horse of the Year, and Ocala-born Afleet Alex, winner of the 2005 Preakness and Belmont Stakes in New York. The area remains the top breeding center in the nation where many future champions are broken and trained.

Over the years, the success of the Thoroughbred industry attracted many other breed owners, and Marion County is now home to hundreds of horse farms of every type, coloring the personality of the area. Top-of-breed examples include two-time winner of the coveted American Quarter Horse title “Super Horse,” Rugged Lark, of Bo-Bett Farm and U.S. Reserve National Champion, H Embrace H, from Top Arabian Leading Owner, Hennessey Arabians.

As the home to over 3,500 farms, breeding and training facilities with over 70 different breeds represented and 30,000 residents employed in the county's equine industry alone, with an economic impact of well over $4 billion, it is easy to see why so many equestrians flock to the Ocala/Marion County Horse Capital of the World®. Marion County earned this title when it was read into the Congressional Record in 1999 and the U.S. Department of Agriculture put its seal of approval on promotions using that label since the USDA's Census of Agriculture continues to show that Marion leads all U.S. counties in total number of horses and ponies in residence.

Walk of Champions Bricks & Bronze Plaques honoring our Equine Heritage

The Ocala Metro CEP is partnering with the City of Ocala to celebrate our community as the Horse Capital of the World®.  You may have already noticed the horseshoes embedded in the sidewalk along with groups of bricks in front of the Hilton Garden Inn. These bricks are available for sponsorship with whatever copy you would like—your horse’s name and your name or farm name placed on your brick.  Just know that the more copy you add, the smaller the font on the brick.

Single bricks are available for $150 each or you may buy a group of 10 or more bricks for a discounted rate. (Please contact Louisa@OcalaCEP.com for information)  Bricks will be ordered in batches of 20 at a time.

All payments should be made payable to the Foundation for CEP and mailed to: Walk of Champions, Foundation for CEP, 310 SE Third Street, Ocala, FL 34471.

There are also 28 bronze plaques for each sidewalk segment available for Florida bred champions. If this does not apply to your horse, it may still be possible to sponsor a plaque if you can give a great story as to a strong connection to Ocala. For example, if the horse grew up here, was trained here by an Ocala resident, and/or won a major title. The board will review the story, decide if that fits the Gallop of Fame. These sponsorships are $3,600 for a two-foot by three-foot installed bronze plaque and requires submission of an application. These plaques will be available on a first applied, first created basis, and are limited to two plaques per breed. Please contact Louisa@OcalaCEP.com to apply for one of these bronze plaques

Don’t miss this opportunity to immortalize your horse or pony!  These bricks and plaques will be on display around the downtown square for visitors and residents to view and enjoy for years to come.

MARION SCHOOL DISTRICT CREATES FIRST HIGH SCHOOL EQUINE STUDIES PROGRAM AND PARTNERS WITH CEP TO EXPAND IT

Students in Marion County Public Schools are making history by participating in a high school Equine Studies program, which was approved by the state’s Department of Education. Based at North Marion High School in the heart of Marion County — the identified Horse Capital of the World®, students are taking Equine Studies classes within a curriculum designed by Marion County teachers, the first of its kind in Florida. This curriculum relies heavily on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) concepts.

This curriculum came to life for all other ages of students in 2023, expanding throughout Marion County, following unanimous School Board support and a partnership (MOU) with the Chamber's Equine Initiative, presented by Pyranha Animal Health, through donations made to Foundation for Chamber Economic Partnership, Inc., for equine education. The Foundation is the 501(c)(3) arm of the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership. Few students have the chance to interact with horses or know the opportunities that exist within the equine industry. By partnering with the CEP, MCPS can connect with local businesses and design ways to educate students through hands-on learning. Marion County's World Equestrian Center (WEC), which continues to expand, brings equine learning opportunities to all students and serves as a natural step in the progression of this partnership. Providing excellent educational outcomes for every student is the collective effort of the program’s success.

Student learning activities include field trips, reading with horses at schools for elementary age students, equine school visits, signature equine events, equine projects, connections with community partners, and meaningful, relevant experiences. Support for teachers from equine liaison Louisa Barton, along with fundraising, public awareness, and volunteer involvement, are also part of the Foundation’s contributions.

For more information, contact Louisa Barton, Director of the Equine Initiative at the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership, at 352.629.8051 or Louisa@OcalaCEP.com.

The Ocala CEP Equine Initiative will raise funds through donations and events such as the Hobby Horse Equestrian Games in order to help farms and horse owners during times of need. Donations may be made to Foundation for CEP and mailed to Equine Disaster Fund, Foundation for CEP, 310 SE 3rd Street, Ocala, FL 34471.

These donations are tax deductable to the 501(c)(3) Foundation for CEP.

The Horse Fever public art project is a celebrated initiative in Ocala and Marion County, Florida, blending the region’s rich equestrian heritage with vibrant artistic expression. Launched in 2001 by the Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) in collaboration with the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association (FTBOA), the project features life-sized, hand-painted fiberglass horse sculptures designed by local artists. These unique artworks are displayed throughout the community, creating a colorful “Painted Horse Trail” that enhances public spaces and attracts visitors.

Over the years, Horse Fever has evolved into a significant cultural event, with multiple herds introduced to commemorate milestones, including the 10th anniversary in 2011 and the 20th anniversary in 2021. Each herd consists of new designs, often sponsored by local businesses and individuals, with proceeds benefiting MCA’s arts programs and other local charities. The project has raised over $1.5 million, supporting grants, scholarships, and cultural initiatives across the community.

Beyond its artistic impact, Horse Fever has become a symbol of community pride and creativity, reflecting Ocala’s identity as the “Horse Capital of the World.” The sculptures not only beautify the area but also foster a deeper appreciation for the intersection of art and equestrian culture.

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