November 16, 2020
To our Valued Exhibitors:
The health and safety of our equine and human athletes is of the utmost importance to us at World Equestrian Center. Our state-of-the-art facility was built from the ground up to be the safest, most modern venue in the industry.
We have assembled a group of industry professionals experienced in show management, competition support and footing maintenance in Ocala to ensure safe and fair competition at the World Equestrian Center.
The National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) is finalizing their updated rulebook to ensure a fair and level playing field. We will require Grand Prix horses to be on-site, checked-in and monitored before competition. In addition, reciprocity will be in effect with national and international organizations in terms of suspensions. However, we will not honor a suspension put in place by another organization that is in place solely as a result of competition at one of our unrated events.
Our facility is situated on 378 acres with an additional 600 set aside for future expansion. The spacious grounds include plenty of room around competition areas and green space. Our on-site lodging ensures that exhibitors can safely move about to train and care for their horses at all hours. We have urgent care services on-site for our exhibitors.
Overall safety monitoring is provided by our full-time professional security team while more than 800 security cameras capture digital video across the entire facility. Our horse shows will follow the Covid-19 protocols set forth by the national federation and local, state and federal authorities.
The traffic patterns of a bustling horse show have been considered in the creation of pedestrian walkways and bridle paths for horses heading to and from competition. Roads will be divided so that golf carts and scooters have their own lane, while there is sufficient space for cars and trucks.
For equine athletes, our permanent stabling is designed for the utmost in comfort and safety. Our barns are equipped with fire suppression systems. They are climate controlled with 12x14 stalls featuring Stable Comfort Mattresses and individual fans. There are more than 250 turnout paddocks adjacent to stabling. Our protocols during week-to-week turnover include sterilizing stalls and surface areas.
Each of our competition rings feature LED lighting and custom-blended, all-weather Silica GGT mix footing. We have ample parking so that cars will never be parked on our rings. There are designated loading and unloading areas for horses with parking around the barns and on-site trailer parking with security. We have veterinary services on-site along with a horse ambulance. There are 12 EMTs and an ambulance contracted for each day of competition during the 2021 horse show season.
I hope this will assure you that our facility is safe and ready to open, welcoming you to an amazing winter of horse showing in 2021.
Sincerely, Roby Roberts Owner, World Equestrian Center
About World Equestrian Center The World Equestrian Center features two premiere multidisciplinary horse show venues located in Wilmington, Ohio and Ocala, Florida.
Our Wilmington, Ohio facility includes more than 200,000 square feet of climate-controlled indoor riding space and features premium footing, permanent stabling and on-site accommodations. The facility hosts 32 WEC-owned US Equestrian rated hunter/jumper horse shows each year as well as top AQHA shows, breed shows, clinics and other events.
Slated to open in 2021, the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida will provide world-class equestrian competition in all disciplines and equestrian-inspired country club living adjacent to the fabulous Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club.
Dedicated to offering great sport and good fun in a family-friendly environment, the World Equestrian Center promises their exhibitors a horse show experience built on three core values: Quality. Class. Distinction. For more information please visit www.wec.net.