This was my first time visiting the World Equestrian Center, and even though we were in a rush, I was so impressed. We stopped by last minute to take a few graduation photos of my niece before heading to her ceremony, and the grounds made the perfect backdrop. We didn't have much time to explore because we were trying to get to graduation, but everywhere we looked was beautiful. The property is well maintained, clean, and full of gorgeous photo opportunities. read more

UPDATE (July 2026): I also posted this review on a wedding review website. Approximately 18 months later, The World Equestrian Center disputed that review and asked the platform to remove it. I provided documentation supporting the factual statements in my review, yet it was still removed based on a technical eligibility determination, not because my experience was found to be untrue. Based on the platform's published review policies and the timeline of my case, I believe the review was removed in error. In my opinion, this is another example of WEC choosing to challenge customer criticism rather than take accountability. It only reinforces the lack of professionalism we experienced throughout our wedding planning process. I stand by every word of my original review and hope other couples will carefully consider our experience when choosing a wedding venue. - original review- Brides and grooms, beware. My fiancé and I signed a contract with the World Equestrian Center in December 2023 for our wedding ceremony in the Chapel and our reception on the Stirrups Terrace. We were thrilled, believing we had secured our dream wedding. However, just 41 days before our big day, I discovered on WEC's website that they were hosting a Grand Prix event in the main arena and selling tickets for a dining experience on the Stirrups Terrace where our dream reception was to take place. Learning about this significant change online, rather than through our WEC representative, highlights their unprofessionalism--unacceptable for a venue of this caliber. When we confronted WEC, they admitted to being aware of the conflict but insisted we relocate our reception to another area. All that was offered to my fiancé and I for this massive inconvenience was a 40 x 40 tent for 74 guests. Since we were unwilling to move our reception to a new location, WEC cancelled our contract with 37 days to go before our wedding date. They also refused to mass cancel our room block so my fiancé and I had to contact every guest that booked at the hotel to call and cancel. This breach of contract has utterly ruined our wedding day. It feels like a blatant bait-and-switch, driven by greed; they clearly prioritize making money over honoring commitments to their clients. They will toss aside your wedding contract if a better offer comes along. I strongly advise prospective couples to consider other options before trusting the World Equestrian Center with such an important occasion. read more

There is a LOT going on at the World Equestrian Center these days. Pretty soon we are going to see a world class shopping destination burst onto the world's shopping scene with the best of the best labels including Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and more. I don't know the complete list of stores yet but trust me, we haven't seen anything yet. People will fly from anywhere in the world to shop, dine, stay and compete with their horses here at the World Equestrian Center, which is still very much under development and not even close to being done yet. I'm amazed at the progress they are making every time I visit. This place is going to be something Florida has never seen before. FYI: Ocala International Airport is a flurry of private aviation activity read more

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We came for the arts and crafts show, which was really nothing special, but then we walked the grounds a bit. I'm sure we only saw a small part, but everything was pristine and looked amazing. We are going to have to check out the schedule and come back for an event. read more

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I found out about this place on an instagram reel and I've been wanting to visit for a while, we happened to visit Ocala last weekend and we were able to spend a good portion of the day here and it so happened that competitions were taking place! I had never seen an equestrian event in person, and it was such a beautiful and unique experience to watch. The facility is huge, and incredibly well maintained. Even if you don't practice the sport, it's still a great place to visit, walk around, and enjoy the atmosphere. One of my favorite parts was that it's dog friendly, which made the day even better for us. Highly recommend visiting for a fun and memorable day read more

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Went here for the Winter Wonderland Christmas Light display. This was our first time. You can buy tickets on-line or in person. The tickets on week days are $5, $7 same day or in person. The weekend prices are $10 and $12. Parking is free. It is quite a large area of lights and displays. They give you a wristband so you can go in and out of the display area. We went into the hotel for a bit to see all the amazing decorations in there. If you go on a Friday or Saturday, there is also extra entertainment, food and music. Even going on a regular week night, there were still food options, just not additional entertainment. We really enjoyed walking around. They also have a merch shop - clothing items, toys, etc. If you go early enough, the hotel has shops to explore. Unlike other displays I've been to, this one has a lot of interactive displays - i.e. a hot air balloon, a British phone booth, Santa's sleigh. Lots of opportunities to take photos in fun lit up displays. Many I've never seen before, and the quality of the displays was top notch. We took a lot of fun pictures! The last night for 2025 is Tuesday, December 23rd. I'd definitely go back next year - makes for a fun evening. Great for families! read more

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We had to go to the veterinary center for small animals at WEC. They were the closest emergency vet to be able to see my pup Raggy. As they are an emergency vet, there may be a wait, as they take patients on a need basis. That being said, we wIted 3 hours, but it wasn't unpleasant. The waiting area is larg and comfortable, with floor to ceiling windows that allows wonderful light. The staff is warm and friendly. If we need to, we will come back as we were happy with out experience. read more

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A very fun and free way to spend half your day! If there are no events, the center is free to the public. We parked and walked right in. The center is so beautiful and majestic. We were lucky enough to grab a drink and see the riders and their horses train for their next event in the shaded area. We walked around the beautiful hotel and got to look at paintings of animals. You can also dine and shop here, as it's a public hotel. There's no center like this place! read more

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This place is gorgeous!!! The valets and front desk staff were great!! We went when everything was decorated for Christmas. Looking forward to my second visit in April! read more

World Equestrian Center - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Ocala, Florida

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For the equestrian enthusiast who seeks a higher level of luxury, sophistication, and entertainment, the World Equestrian Center offers an unparalleled experience. Nestled in a stunning locale where refined elegance meets the thrill of horse riding, this exclusive retreat is a haven for both professionals and aficionados of the equestrian world. Premier Amenities and State-of-the-Art Facilities The Equestrian Hotel boasts state-of-the-art horse stables, designed to accommodate elite horses and their riders. Whether you are an accomplished equestrian or a passionate spectator, the facilities here ensure comfort and excellence for both horse and rider. From training arenas to elegant show grounds, the hotel and event center are tailored to meet the highest standards in equestrian sport and entertainment including a second posh hotel called the Riding Academy. A Year-Round Calendar of Prestigious Events Throughout the year, the estate hosts a curated calendar of events, including prestigious equestrian competitions, shows, and private gatherings. These events attract the finest professional riders and serve as a gathering place for those who wish to witness the graceful precision of show jumping, dressage, and polo in an atmosphere of unrivaled elegance. A Gastronomic and Shopping Experience Like No Other The estate also offers a variety of nostalgic eateries and retail experiences that add charm and allure to the overall experience. Visitors can indulge in a delightful range of cuisines, from hearty meals to delicate sweets: Ralph's Burgers - A classic American diner offering a variety of mouthwatering burgers and milkshakes in a vintage setting. Ariat Boots - A luxury retailer where equestrians can shop for premium boots, apparel, and accessories that fuse style with performance. Miss Tilly's Lollipops - A whimsical candy shop that brings back memories of childhood, with a selection of hand-crafted lollipops, chocolates and sweets. Mr. Pickles & Sailor Bear Toy Shoppe - A family-friendly toy store offering delightful gifts, plush toys, and equestrian-themed merchandise. Yellow Pony Pub & Garden - A chic pub and outdoor garden where guests can enjoy craft cocktails, local brews, and small bites in an equestrian-themed atmosphere. Emma's Patisserie - A luxurious patisserie that serves exquisite pastries, cakes, and other decadent treats, perfect with that morning coffee. Each shop, hotel and restaurant contributes to the unique charm of this esteemed venue, creating a memorable experience for visitors, whether you're relaxing between events or seeking a day of shopping and fine dining. Surely a place where every moment feels like a ride through paradise. read more

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It is world class indoor and outdoor Equestrian training center. I was wow by the facility. Tonight we are here for their Christmas Light display. Entry is free. Parking range from 10 dollars to 30. When they have special characters, parking is more expensive. I would encourage you be there close to opening hours to avoid long line for vehicles. The light is spectacular. Plenty of the photo spot. You can take the photo with Santa but the line is long. Same as long line for special characters. The night we have visited is the frozen and olie. The visit may take two or more. I like the horse course. read more

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This is the largest equestrian center in the United States and located in the horse friendly city of Ocala. This world-class multi-indoor and outdoor arena facility offering amenities for the equine industry. There are events most every day but we arrived after 4pm on a Sunday and no events going on. We were hoping to see a horse show. We walked around the complex grounds which includes several arenas, an upscale hotel, shops and restaurants. It is best to visit their website for the calendar of events. read more

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Love this place!!! I had fun here: https://youtu.be/cg4iMupHMxQ?si=X0hW057Uil8wsASU read more

We went to a "garage sale" at Expo 2 in the vast complex that is The World Equestrian Center. The Expo building is huge, clean, bright, has good bathrooms, and parking. So I know little about horses, and we did not attend an equine event, but I was impressed with the place as a whole, very nicely kept grounds, many large facilities, I will think warmy of attending relevant events in this venue read more

World Equestrian Center - And you thought Cody's had a big ceiling fan. - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Ocala, Florida

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Great venue for a volleyball tournament. Beautiful grounds and facility. Super nice people. I love how there's enough room to walk around the courts. Would definitely return to this facility again. read more

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Excellent hotel, terrific restaurant and a good gym. Service was excellent! Our second stay as this is a convenient halfway spot between us and the northern east coast. Be sure to make reservations for Stirrups and enjoy fine dining! read more

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Ocala is the Equestrian center of the world. There is a beautiful hotel on the grounds in addition to the stables and riding rings for the horses. We were there just as a junior jumping competition was starting. Beautiful horses and their riders came out on a course of jumps to be completed with a few errors as possible in the shortest time. While it might not have been relaxing for the competitors, it was very relaxing for us to watch these beautiful animals being led from jump to jump by their experienced riders. read more

This a must see if you are in the Ocala area. The staff was extremely friendly and welcoming - and the facilities are amazing.

The hotel was stunning, both room and lobby. Staff were very friendly and professional. Had a wonderful breakfast at Stirrups. Lunch was good and drinks were great at the Pony Lounge. read more

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Gorgeous, opulent and pristine rooms. This is an incredible hotel and venue for equestrian and dog shows. We were on property for 3 days for a corporate event. The staff were all very attentive and helpful. The equestrian center is a very unique complex and offers everything onsite from dining to shopping and accommodations. They also have a bakery and coffee shop as well as a chapel that can be rented for weddings. There are not as many dining options as there should be for such a sprawling complex and that was the only reason I did not give 5 stars. The dining options that were available were on the smaller side and I would have liked more variety. read more

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Greatvservice. Awesome food. Very clean definitely recommend this place. parking was easy and the line goes very fast.

We enjoyed seeing this center which is largest in the world. There are 25 barns: A barn thru Y barn around the outside! Fun picture ops, stores, interior of hotel center. Must be okay with walking read more

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like Disney World for horses. how can you possibly beat this unique and amazing place

Ten stars And I don't even ride a horse! What can I say, a picture is worth a thousand words in this instance. If you want to get in the holiday spirt you must go to the WEC. I have never seen such beautiful & elaborate Christmas decorations in my life. Not even in NYC. We went during the day on a Tuesday ( free parking) Wed- Sun parking is $30 but it's worth it. Just walk around & see the beauty of the season. As an added plus watch riders on their majestic horses practice jumping. So many selfie opportunities too with the decorations. Make sure you tour the grand hotel & stop to see the stunning Christmas tree in the lobby decorated with huge angel wings. If you want an upscale dining experience stop into or make reservations in one of their restaurants or grab a bite outdoors at one of the kiosks set up for the holiday or do what we did & go informal Mexican. ( see my review for Filo's) I can't say enough about this place during the holidays. Next year I'd love to book a room to have more time to see the place at night. I heard Santa comes to visit every night. Definitely a place to take the kids. Just note it's outdoors & there is a lot of walking. And ... they are dog friendly as I saw several poop stations around the venue. Just make sure your dog is horse friendly because there are a lot around of you go daytime. Great addition to the holiday rotation for me. read more

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What a cool place. We stopped in with the intention of having lunch at the Yellow Pony but we arrived later then expected and found Filo's Mexican Cantina first so had lunch there. What we found more enjoyable was just walking around the entire complex. When walking be very aware of golf carts and horses. There are several barns and they are all impeccable. We saw riders training as well as a jumping competition. I would come again to watch a competition under the covered stands. There are several dining options from casual like FILO's to Yellow Pony with a horseshoe-shaped bar to elegant Stirrups which overlooks the arena Cool shops and restaurants. The chapel was beautiful and serene. The hotel lobby is gorgeous. I would plan another visit and stay longer when there is a special event or competition read more

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Everything. The WEC was wonderful. We stayed in the Riding Academy- absolutely worth the money. Food was wonderful. French bakery had the most amazing croissants. We went during the Christmas lights. Out of this world. Watched Dressage, Jumping, shopping- what more could you want? read more

While visiting Gainesville did some research on what to do on a beautiful Saturday and cool morning. The World Equestrian Center popped up as a location to go visit. It was 40 minutes south of Gainesville. Drive was not bad and quickly through I-75. Upon arrival we encountered this huge location with arenas, center court, hotel and shops. This place is as big as going to Epcot Center in Disney World. We happened to witness a horse competition of the non profit Special Olympics. It was very inspirational. There were two major shows, Arabian horses, dog competition and people practicing. The shops are beautiful with options to buy attires, boots, hats and much more. We were there for at least 4 hours. Then too the car to see the other locations. It's a lot of walking. Beautiful place to go but make sure to look at the calendar of events before heading over there. read more

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Amazing horses! I love watching competitions from our seats. There is also lots of yummy food and unique shops!

This place is absolutely gorgeous!! I moved from Ocala a long, long time ago, but I still have family there. When I visited the suggested that we should go check this place out and it did not disappoint. It's beautiful. The architecture, the decor, and so many beautiful horses. I had a delicious pastry from the patisserie, and the staff was so nice. I can't wait to go back and visit. Hopefully, I will stay in the hotel one day! read more

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Lots of Christmas lights & attraction for the kids too take pictures for this Christmas season even got to see some horses in the stables as we left. read more

World Equestrian Center - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Ocala, Florida

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Amazing time was had at the Ocala Food and Wine Festival at the World Equestrian Center! 11/2/24. The campus is huge upon arrival with buildings labeled by letters and gorgeous grounds for the horses. Parking was easy. The event was $150 per person but so worth it! ALL you can eat and drink (no lie!) and there were at least 20 food vendors and 20 wine+spirit vendors (see pics). They had chefs on stage showcasing their dishes and even the kid from Master Chef Jr. I left stuffed to the brim bc I tried every single food dish at each food booth, and a little inebriated with my designated husband driver (who did not get his moneys worth bc he's very conservative in trying new foods and does not drink). I look forward to coming back every single year for this event! read more

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Lizbeth and the WEC team are the best of the best! You will not find a better group. Lizbeth did a stellar job in coordinating the vendors and keeping everything on time. From the day before the wedding attending the rehearsal and meeting the wedding party to ensuring the outside lights were ready for a sparkler exit, she closely monitored everything. She oversaw that the reception area was perfect before the wedding, turned down the air conditioning in the chapel; she was ready and willing to help with anything, big or small. Lizbeth shuttled guests around in golf carts and at one point even held my dress. To find a wedding coordinator who becomes such a wonderful friend is the person that Lizbeth is. She made sure any dietary allergy needs were followed while working with the amazing banquet team of the World Equestrian Center. While guests ate dinner there was barely a sound- the food was the best food anyone had ever had, and all plates were finished. We have friends and family continuing to rave about the incredible food we know to be served only at WEC. We have so many memories from 5ks and events we have attended at WEC prior to our big day which made having our wedding there all the more special. The staff at the Riding Academy, where many guests stayed, and the whole wedding team are all the kindest and such hardworking individuals! Connie and Daniel who greeted guests at the new hotel were fabulous. Like the meal and dessert, the cake was delicious. Yohann is extremely passionate about what he does, and it shows. We look forward to eating the rest on our one-year anniversary! A huge thank you again to everyone at WEC! They all really care about what they do and will only provide the best. *Photo credit: Lyn Larson of Mahal Imagery Golf cart photo taken by guest read more

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What an awesome escape from the world for a family vacation combined with love of horses and equestrian activities. . World class - I could easily move in permanently. read more

I don't believe they care about local residents spending their money here We have been planning since last Christmas to treat our grandson and his girlfriend to visit this year for a nice dinner at StirUps and a nice walk through the Christmas lights display. Tonight after enjoying a very nice dinner. We were disappointed to find that the light walk through was closed to the public due to a private event. The event was for one of the owners companies (R&L). While attempting to begin our walk,we were stopped by a volunteer telling us that we could not enter the light area because of a special event. Since our primary purpose in going there was to see the lights we went to the front desk to register our complaint to no avail. They said that there was nothing they could do to allow our entry. They had the Manager of StirUps come out to talk to us who reiterated that there was nothing he could do about to allow our walk through because he didn't have the authority to do anything to help us (other than to offer wrist bands for us to come back another day. This did nothing for us since our grandson drove down from UF and couldn't come back another day because he was going home tomorrow for Christmas We called wEC earlier in the day to confirm our dinner reservation and the woman suggested that we make sure to walk through the display (looks like the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing!). Also there was no indication on the website about the display being closed to the public. The night cost us over $1000, and we did accomplish what we went to WEC to do I'd suggest that anyone going to view the lights call and ask if it's open to the public that evening. I'm sure they have many other private events booked during this season so the display will be closed to the public many more times this season read more

This is one of the most beautiful facilities you could ever imagine for the Equestrian. I absolutely love the grounds, landscaping, chapel and restaurants. The arenas are equally gorgeous! You will be impressed coming here, especially the hotel and restaurants! read more

This place is AMAZING. It is in the middle of nowhere but we'll worth the trek. I wish I would have planned to stay longer to experience the vast grounds and all of the restaurants. It's beautiful, romantic and just a great experience read more

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This place is Horse Heaven! Wait, that's terrible. Totally not a place for dead horses. But this complex is absolutely stunning and live horses will be telling Mr. Ed so he can tell us how appreciative they are of this place. Tons of stables surround the complex of indoor and outdoor arenas, event spaces and a pretty nice looking hotel (we didn't go in) and just an amazingly clean set of grounds. We were there for a non-horse event (FL Marching Band State Finals) and I'll say all the staff we encountered was friendly and helpful, the restrooms were kept amazingly clean for an event that lasted 12+ hours, and the concession stands kept delivering stadium quality nachos throughout the day. There were other restaurants on site we didn't try, but others seemed to be gobbling it all up. Ever since good ol' local horse Needles won the 1956 Kentucky Derby and his posters lined the bedroom walls of boomers everywhere, Ocala has grown and produced some of the finest horses, which is why it was named Horse Capital of the World (sorry Lexington). If I was monetarily rich and had a desire to own a horse or two, I would totally brush him and ride him and call him George at this place. Actually, I'd name my horse Principal Gelding, but that's another story. read more

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Beautiful places excellent food great service the ambiance is amazing Couldn't ask for more.......... read more

Down and dirty: beautiful, clean, HUGE, friendly staff, shops, equine/dog shows, delicious treats, golf cart rentals, hotel, RV park,...need I say more? Housing: I rented the Home Away From Home. Great value for the space provided and was cheaper than one of the hotel rooms. The home was very new but seemed a little "thrown" together. Several water spots on the walls. It was clean and had everything we needed (towels, blankets, pillow, dishes, pots/pans,basic toiletries). It didn't have any salt and pepper so bring that with you. It has a keurig machine so bring kcups too if you want coffee. They have a washer and dryer but would recommend doing any laundry early as it's loud and you won't sleep when it's going. They are still adding more homes but when it's done I would highly recommend they have the street sign/entry sign bigger and lighted as it was really hard to find in the dark. It's about 2 miles off property so expect to drive to and from and you don't have access to the pool if you stay at the Home Away From Home. Food: we didn't eat at any of the restaurants so I can't really provide those reviews but we did eat at the candy and sweets shop. I got a cookie, it was good but not worth the $5 I paid for 1 cookie. My kids got ice cream and Italian ice and they devoured it so I assume they liked it. I do like that it's clean, efficient and many options from ice cream and Italian ice to coffee, smoothies and baked goods. Something for everyone. Shops: great shops with many cute items but very high dollar and expect to pay for it. However, the quality of the merchandise was legit and likely worth it but I didn't purchase anything at the horse/clothing shops. We did buy a few things at the toy store inside the hotel. Golf Cart: cart rental was fairly priced and the check in/out process was simple. Be warned that if you go 19 mph for more than 30 seconds your cart will shut down for 1 minute. Internal speeding time out I guess. . I definitely would recommend getting one if you plan on going to more than one arena as they are spaced out pretty far and would be a lot of walking (which isn't bad if you're trying to get your steps in ‍) Shows: we were there for barrel racing and dressage as spectators. It was well organized and efficient getting through each rider. Clean and plenty of space. They had concessions too if you were wanting food or drink. Staff: everyone we met was so nice and accommodating. Shared information and expertise. read more

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WOW, booked a weekend there over V day, little pricey, $800 a night . we had an arena view and the Longines world cup championship horse jumping was there the weekend we were ( thus the pricey note ) Room was awesome, staff was awesome as was the food. Dee and Thomas were great and made us feel very welcome. huge grounds with a lot going on. The big even was Saturday and there were plenty off food options at the arena. Several bars, live music and various entertainers. Going back soon! regular price is around 2-300$ a night for a great room. read more