Day 12 Horse Farms around Ocala and World Equestrian Center

Ocala is known as the Horse Capital of the World.  It has more than 400 thoroughbred horse farms and training centers.  After attending the Palm Sunday service at the campground, we drove over to the World Equestrian Center outside of Ocala and then drove around looking at the horse farms.                    The World Equestrian Center is huge: 378 acres with 300 more acres under construction for hotels, retail!                          

This massive, luxury hotel is called "The Equestrian" and the main outdoor horse event arena is right in front of it so the people staying there can watch it from their rooms or when having lunch on the front patio:             

There are ceiling fans going for the guests eating outside.

The view of the arena from the outdoor eating area.

The 2 side spectator areas have protection from the Florida sun.

Inside the hotel:

This tall glass vase with a single orchid stem was gorgeous!

It's 90 degrees out today, but a fire in the fireplace still looked cozy.

Horse competition event:

Indoor arena #4 had an event going:  The Arabian Hunter Pleasure class competition:

Judging how the horses take the commands:  walk, back 4 steps, trot, canter, gallop, reverse

                                                                   And the winner is . . . . 

                                                                                

                                                                  This is not a horse.

Driving around the horse farms:     

                                                                                

                                                                    This is not a horse either.     

Tonite, Vernon helped our "next door neighbor" with the mechanics of the jacks supporting his 32 ft. 5th wheel camper.

Tomorrow:  ??  

Planning our brief Savannah and Charleston stops (any suggestions?) before arriving for sibling weekend in Lewes, DE