February 14, 2007

Ocala Winter II Horse Trials at the Florida Horse Park Boasts Largest Number of Entries in the Southeast Region

Ocala, FL –The Florida Horse Park’s Ocala Winter II Horse Trials which will be held February 16-18, 2007 will make history as the largest Horse Trials ever to be produced in the US Eventing Association’s Southeast Region. The Trials, which is presented by Fox 51, boasts a record breaking 546 entries and marks a 20% increase over last year’s event.

The Florida Horse Park hosts numerous nationally and internationally recognized competitions, as well as community and charity events over the course of the Florida winter season, but this is by far the largest competition in the Horse Park’s history. Shelley Lambert, Director of Events, is pleased by the response. “We have seen a consistent increase in entries since we ran our first event in November of 2005. To become the largest Horse Trials in this region validates the investment that this community has provided to begin developing the facility. As we are able to create more facilities, especially permanent barns and a covered arena, we will have the opportunity to host multiple events at one time and draw even more of the national and international horse community to Marion County.”

Competitors will be coming from 30 states and 4 countries for this event. The Park expects over 1500 riders and support staff in addition to the 520 horses that are competing in the event. Olympian Darren Chiacchia of New York and Ocala will be competing on eight horses. Olympian Karen O’Connor of Virginia and Ocala will ride five horses. International riders Jonathan Holling (USA), Buck Davidson (USA), Mike Huber (USA), Peter Gray (CAN), Mike Winters (CAN), Hilda Donahue (IRE) and Lourdes Peralta (MEX) Donna Smith (NZL) will also compete.

The Horse Trials event consists of three phases of competition. The first phase, dressage, is equated to figure skating on horse back and will take place on Friday the 16th. In the second phase of cross country jumping, horse and rider maneuver over a 3 mile course, jumping over large jumps, some more than 4 feet wide and 3 feet high. The favorite cross country obstacle for spectators is the FTBOA Water Complex where horse and rider run through a pool of water, jump obstacles and leap up and over banks. The third phase, show jumping, demonstrates a horse’s athletic ability as competitors jump over show jumps in a timed event. Cross country jumping and show jumping will take place on Saturday and Sunday.

The competition is scheduled to run from 8-5 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A complete schedule will be posted on the Park’s website (www.flhorsepark.com) on February the 13th. The cost for spectators is $5/car and is a donation to the Florida Horse Park and Ocala Pony Club. Vendors will be on hand selling delicious food and equine related items. The spectator entrance is located in 475A, just 2 miles north of Hwy 484.