November 14-17, 2019
Event Experience
Experience Olympic-level Competition in Northern Florida!
Florida like you have never seen it before! Keep the sunshine, forget the palm trees. Come to enjoy the thrill of watching top-level rider and horse teams conquer gravity-defying heights and complex obstacles over miles of rolling hill terrain. The Ocala Jockey Club 3-Day International Event is a stepping stone to riders seeking to qualify for 4* competitions around the world. The Individual Bronze Medal rider from the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Phillip Dutton, competed at the 2017 Event. * out of the top 10 US riders have competed here, also indicating the caliber of competition to expect here.
The Olympic sport of 3-day Eventing is the ultimate thrill to experience. Best described as an equestrian triathlon, it tests the boundaries of partnership, finesse and bravery. The first phase is dressage, the dance with horse and rider as partners. Show jumping tests precision and speed. The ultimate spectator thrill is the cross-country phase which tests rider and horse stamina and courage over miles of open countryside and jumps through water, ditches and other fences designed to mimic challenging natural obstacles. Clayton Fredericks is the cross country designer for all levels, with Olympic cross-country designer Mike Etherington-Smith acting as the mentor and assistant for the CCI3* and CIC3*.
Enjoy Family Festival Fun in Authentic North Central Florida Horse Country!
The Fall Family Festival will feature games, treasure hunt, and activities for kids and the whole family. Vendors will be available with food, equestrian items and other unique choices to jumpstart the upcoming holiday season.
Watch the Thoroughbred Eventing Champion Division!
The Ocala Jockey Club is a Thoroughbred farm. Ocala is Thoroughbred country, with hundreds of Thoroughbred breeding and training farms. Eventers love Thoroughbreds since they have no problems with enough stamina to gallop four miles while leaping over large obstacles. So it makes sense to do something special for Thoroughbreds at our Event. We give away extra prizes to top-placing Thoroughbreds in each of the three FEI Divisions, to compete in the Thoroughbred Eventing Champion category!
Ladies Day: Celebration of Women in Peak Equestrian Sports!
Here's the riddle: Horse-crazy girls make up almost all the young riders at every barn, yet top-level racing and equestrian competition still has mostly men. Where do they learn to ride? Regardless, despite the dominance by women in amateur equestrian sports, it still takes extra work and dedication for women riders to succeed at the top, riding against the best of the best. Friday, November 16th, is a day dedicated to top ladies in equestrian sports, human and equine! Click for more information here.
Hip, Handsome and Hoakey Hats Day!
Big racing and equestrian competitions love their hats, and this is our Florida's take on the tradition. If beauty and tradition is your style, we will look forward to watching you put on your most handsome hat. If you are into modern and hip styles, show off what you've got. And if odd and weird is what strikes your fancy, we can't wait to see your creativity at work. All the fun is slated for Saturday, November 17th. There will be prizes for the top entries!
Check out the preliminary schedule of activities, and check back for final times closer to the Event (the final schedule is subject to competitior entries closing end of October).
Plan your hotel stay, golf cart rental and other area attractions!
Shannon Brinkman Photography