Horse Farms Forever, Author at Horse Farms Forever

P&Z Commission Meeting Update: Sports & Entertainment Complex + “Piggyback the RAC”

by Horse Farms Forever | Jul 2, 2025 | News, Ongoing

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At the June 30 Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Commission meeting, the Commission made two important recommendations:

✅ Recommended Approval – Golden Ocala’s 236-acre Sports & Entertainment Complex

❌ Recommended Denial – Thomas Moore’s proposal to expand the Rural Activity Center (RAC) adjacent to Gilbert’s Hardware

Despite overwhelming public opposition, the Sports Complex application was unanimously recommended for approval. We are grateful to the many Horse Farms Forever members and local residents who filled the McPherson Auditorium to speak out against both proposals.

⚠️ Important: These recommendations are not final. The Board of County Commissioners will vote on both applications at the following hearings:

Golden Ocala Hearing: Monday, July 21st at 1:30 p.m. at McPherson Auditorium

Thomas Moore Hearing: Tuesday, July 15th at 2:00 p.m. at McPherson Auditorium (Due to the large number of zoning cases, the Thomas Moore applications were moved to the July 15th County Commission meeting instead of July 21st.)

🏟️ The Sports and Entertainment Complex

Horse Farms Forever opposes the Sports and Entertainment Complex for two key reasons:

1. It’s in the Wrong Location

This facility is proposed on land within the World Equestrian Estates, which was approved as a low-density equestrian residential area. These lands were removed from the Farmland Preservation Area (FPA) to serve as a buffer—not to be repurposed for intense commercial development.

This application violates prior agreements made by Golden Ocala and threatens the integrity of our community’s planning vision.

2. There Are No Horses

Ocala is the Horse Capital of the World, and while the World Equestrian Center has significantly benefited our equine economy, this new proposal strays from that mission.

“Horses don’t play hockey, and they don’t ride roller coasters either.” This is the World Equestrian Center — not the World Sports Center.

The proposed uses are not equestrian in nature and are incompatible with the surrounding horse farms and rural neighborhoods. The development poses serious threats to:

The $4.3 Billion equine industry
Marion County’s rural character
Our global equestrian brand

The Sports and Entertainment Complex

Horse Farms Forever opposes the Sports and Entertainment Complex for two key reasons:

1. It’s in the Wrong Location

This application violates prior agreements made by Golden Ocala and threatens the integrity of our community’s planning vision.

2. There Are No Horses

Ocala is the Horse Capital of the World, and while the World Equestrian Center has significantly benefited our equine economy, this new proposal strays from that mission.

“Horses don’t play hockey, and they don’t ride roller coasters either.” This is the World Equestrian Center — not the World Sports Center.

The proposed uses are not equestrian in nature and are incompatible with the surrounding horse farms and rural neighborhoods. The development poses serious threats to:

The $4.3 Billion equine industry
Marion County’s rural character
Our global equestrian brand

🚫 “Piggyback the RAC” Proposal Denied

Horse Farms Forever strongly supported the P&Z Commission’s recommendation to deny the RAC expansion proposed by Thomas Moore.

This nearly 20-acre parcel lies deep within the Farmland Preservation Area, and the proposed land use change does not meet the criteria for RAC designation.

Why We Opposed It:

Not Needed: Only 30% of the existing 73-acre RAC is developed. There is no current or foreseeable demand for expansion.
Encourages Sprawl: County staff warned that the expansion would promote inefficient and premature sprawl.
Opens the Door to Intense Commercial Uses: Approval would allow over 35 commercial uses, including fuel plants, storage facilities, and 350,000+ sq. ft. of buildings.

Rural Activity Centers are intended to support rural life with limited, community-serving uses, not to introduce industrial-level development.

According to staff, this proposal violates multiple provisions of the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code and is not in the public interest.

“Piggyback the RAC” Proposal Denied

Horse Farms Forever strongly supported the P&Z Commission’s recommendation to deny the RAC expansion proposed by Thomas Moore.

This nearly 20-acre parcel lies deep within the Farmland Preservation Area, and the proposed land use change does not meet the criteria for RAC designation.

Why We Opposed It:

Not Needed: Only 30% of the existing 73-acre RAC is developed. There is no current or foreseeable demand for expansion.
Encourages Sprawl: County staff warned that the expansion would promote inefficient and premature sprawl.
Opens the Door to Intense Commercial Uses: Approval would allow over 35 commercial uses, including fuel plants, storage facilities, and 350,000+ sq. ft. of buildings.

Rural Activity Centers are intended to support rural life with limited, community-serving uses, not to introduce industrial-level development.

According to staff, this proposal violates multiple provisions of the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code and is not in the public interest.

📣 Take Action

Your involvement makes all the difference. Here’s how you can help:

📧 Email your concerns to the County Commission:

countycommissioners@marionfl.org

🗣️ Attend the County Commission Hearing:

Monday, July 21st at 1:30 p.m. @ McPherson Auditorium – 601 SE 25th Avenue, Ocala

🙌 Support Our Work

Join Horse Farms Forever today and help us protect what makes Marion County special.

Join Today!

Protect – we are always watching. When a threat is identified, we quickly assemble a threat response.

Promote – we are out in the community and on social media, raising awareness and inspiring appreciation for all that we have here in Marion County.

Preserve – we guide and encourage landowners who wish to conserve their land.

Plan – we are working with the County on changes to the Comprehensive Plan that will make conservation easy and financially advantageous for farm owners.

Join Today!

View Current Threats

Celebrating 7 Years of Strength, Beauty, and Preservation

by Horse Farms Forever | Jun 23, 2025 | News

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Horse Farms Forever® was founded seven years ago in response to a critical threat—a proposed toll road that would have cut directly through the heart of the Farmland Preservation Area. United by a shared purpose, the community came together, and the toll road was ultimately stopped. But while that battle was won, the broader challenge remains: development pressure in Marion County continues to intensify.

In the years since, support for our mission has only grown. The outpouring of commitment from across the community—from small and large horse farm owners to realtors, developers, and local businesses—has given Horse Farms Forever a firm and lasting foundation. This broad coalition has become a powerful voice for farmland protection, ensuring that horse farms remain at the forefront of land use planning discussions. Because of this collective strength and wisdom, we’ve earned more than just a seat at the table—we’ve become a trusted, solutions-oriented partner. Together, we are not just reacting to change; we are shaping it.

Your commitment to conservation is the foundation of our success.

It is your unwavering belief in our mission that empowers us to advocate for responsible growth, safeguard Marion County’s irreplaceable agricultural lands, and protect the equestrian heritage that defines our community. Because of your support, we can continue this vital work—preserving the land, the lifestyle, and the legacy for generations to come.

Today, we are proud to say: we are helping write a land conservation success story for Marion County.

Here’s a look at the latest chapter.

Photos by Elma Garcia (1st) and Mark Emery (2nd).

PROTECTING OUR WATER AND SPRINGS

Finding a balance to growth and protecting our iconic landscape is paramount to protecting our farms and billion-dollar equine industry, which relies on the expansive pastures with mineral rich soils and water. The Farmland Preservation Area serves as the first line of defense in protecting two of Marion County’s First Magnitude Springs – Rainbow Springs and Silver Springs. In addition, the County is home to abundant natural resources, including two-hundred miles of trails for hiking and biking, and equestrian use, more than 150 miles of streams and rivers, and over 25 second and third magnitude springs.

HFF is working with the county leadership and other stakeholders to refine the Transfer of Development Rights Program to make it more effective and functional, adding further protections to the FPA with conservation easements.

PROTECTING OUR WATER AND SPRINGS

Photos by Elma Garcia (1st) and Mark Emery (2nd).

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT CONSERVATION

Over the past year, we hosted three major events that brought our community together in meaningful dialogue about conservation. The 2024 Conservation Summit featured Emmy Award-winning Cinematographer, Composer, and Photographer Mark Emery, whose storytelling brought the beauty and urgency of preservation to life. This spring, our 2025 Speaker Series welcomed Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, who shared insights on the importance of protecting Florida’s agricultural heritage, and our Behind the Gate event showcased the world-renowned Chi University. These events not only inform—they inspire a culture of land stewardship and strengthen the conservation movement here in Marion County.

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT CONSERVATION

COASTAL CONNECTOR TOLL ROAD

HFF joined other major stakeholders to stop the proposed Coastal Connector Toll Road through the heart of the Farmland Preservation Area.

NEW FARMLAND PRESERVATION AREA SIGNS

HFF partnered with Marion County to help highlight the FPA with the design and installation of new signage that includes the horse.

CONSERVATION EASEMENTS

HFF is working with the county leadership and other stakeholders to refine the Transfer of Development Rights Program to make it more effective and functional, adding further protections to the FPA with conservation easements.

HFF AMMENDMENT

HFF successfully amended the Marion County Comprehensive Plan to add further protections to the FPA by more tightly defining rural character and compatible land uses.

HFF LAND DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT

HFF has applied to amend the Marion County Land Development Code to add further protections from subdivision of rural parcels in the FPA.

WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER AGREEMENT

HFF reached an agreement with the WEC leadership to save 275 acres from being removed from the FPA.

ATV RACETRACK IN FLEMINGTON

HFF lead the charge to stop the development of an ATV park and ¼-mile dragstrip in the heart of the FPA and a large area of horse farms.

QUALITY OF LIFE SURVEY

HFF served as the catalyst for the Quality-of-Life Survey to gauge the community wide support for preserving horse farms and the FPA. Over 90% of the community designated farmland preservation as the #1 issue facing the county.

WATCHDOG

HFF monitors all development, zoning, land use and special use permit applications made to the County with a focus on any that could affect horse farms and the Farmland Preservation Area.

COASTAL CONNECTOR TOLL ROAD

HFF joined other major stakeholders to stop the proposed Coastal Connector Toll Road through the heart of the Farmland Preservation Area.

NEW FARMLAND PRESERVATION AREA SIGNS

HFF partnered with Marion County to help highlight the FPA with the design and installation of new signage that includes the horse.

CONSERVATION EASEMENTS

HFF AMMENDMENT

HFF successfully amended the Marion County Comprehensive Plan to add further protections to the FPA by more tightly defining rural character and compatible land uses.

HFF LAND DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT

HFF has applied to amend the Marion County Land Development Code to add further protections from subdivision of rural parcels in the FPA.

WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER AGREEMENT

HFF reached an agreement with the WEC leadership to save 275 acres from being removed from the FPA.

ATV RACETRACK IN FLEMINGTON

HFF lead the charge to stop the development of an ATV park and ¼-mile dragstrip in the heart of the FPA and a large area of horse farms.

QUALITY OF LIFE SURVEY

WATCHDOG

HFF monitors all development, zoning, land use and special use permit applications made to the County with a focus on any that could affect horse farms and the Farmland Preservation Area.

Protect – we are always watching. When a threat is identified, we quickly assemble a threat response.

Promote – we are out in the community and on social media, raising awareness and inspiring appreciation for all that we have here in Marion County.

Preserve – we guide and encourage landowners who wish to conserve their land.

Plan – we are working with the County on changes to the Comprehensive Plan that will make conservation easy and financially advantageous for farm owners.

Join Today!

View Current Threats

HFF Opposes Golden Ocala Sports and Entertainment Complex

by Horse Farms Forever | Jun 12, 2025 | Development Threats, Ongoing, Watching

Golden Ocala Equestrian Land, L.L.C. has submitted applications to allow for an intense commercial sports and entertainment complex on 236 acres of land with a low residential land use adjoining the Farmland Preservation Area. These parcels were previously inside the Farmland Preservation Area until they were removed at the request of Golden Ocala to allow for the low residential World Equestrian Estates.

In 2017, Golden Ocala applied to remove almost 1,000 acres from the Farmland Preservation Area to build the World Equestrian Center on 480 acres and to allow for low residential development on the remaining acreage. The Urban Growth Boundary was also moved west to NW 100th Avenue. The County Commission granted the changes conditioned upon the low residential World Equestrian Estates serving as a stepdown buffer for the new Farmland Preservation Area boundary. The proposed applications seek to undo those promises and agreements.

Horse Farms Forever® opposes the application by Golden Ocala Equestrian Land, L.L.C. and its related entities (collectively, Golden Ocala) to convert 8 parcels totaling 236 acres from a low density residential land use reserved for the World Equestrian Estates into a high-intensity commercial land use for a regional sports and entertainment complex.
Horse Farms Forever® further opposes the applications by Golden Ocala to change the WEC Future Land Use classification to allow non-equestrian sports facilities.

The proposed conversion of the World Equestrian Estates for an intense commercial sports and entertainment complex and the addition of intense non-equestrian commercial activities in the WEC Future Land Use classification runs in direct conflict with the agreements previously made by Golden Ocala to ensure compatibility of the World Equestrian Center complex with the surrounding horse farms and the Farmland Preservation Area.

What’s Proposed?

The proposed sports and entertainment complex to be built on the low residential World Equestrian Estate lots has no equestrian-related activities. Instead, it includes:

Outdoor sports fields: 17 multi-purpose fields for soccer, softball, and football, and a soccer stadium with increased seating.
Expo and Indoor Facility: 2 full-sized ice sheets, 8 full-sized basketball courts with the ability to function as 16 volleyball courts, and a full-sized synthetic turf soccer pitch.
1 hotel, 2 restaurants, and multiple other support buildings.
Unlimited concerts.

Watchdog Alert!

Horse Farms Forever will be attending the Monday, June 30th, Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at 5:30 PM to oppose the applications by Golden Ocala Equestrian Land to change the land use on 236 acres from low residential to allow for an intense commercial sports and entertainment complex.

The P&Z Commission meets at the McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Avenue, Ocala, FL.

The Location – Why it Matters

The issue with the proposed applications by Golden Ocala is not what is proposed, but rather where it is proposed. It’s in the wrong place. These activities belong on land designated and zoned for commercial uses, not residential uses.

The Farmland Preservation Area is located directly South of the site plan.

Read Our Position Statement

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Email the Commissioners

Read the Applications

Golden Ocala Equestrian Land, LLC, et. al., Requests a Comprehensive Plan Large Scale Text Amendment to Amend Policy 2.1.28 - World Equestrian Center, Table 2-1 - Summary of Future Land Use Designations, and Policy 10.5.1 - Golden Ocala, Map 15.H - Golden Ocala

Golden Ocala Equestrian Land, LLC, et. al., requests a Comprehensive Plan Large Scale Map Amendment to change Future Land Use Map on ±250.86-acre land from Low Residential (LR) to World Equestrian Center (WEC)

Golden Ocala Equestrian Land, LLC, et. al., requests a Zoning Change, Articles 2 and 4, of the Marion County Land Development Code, to amend two existing Planned Unit Development (PUD) projects to combine the PUDs into a single united PUD and amend a portion of the united PUD to allow for an indoor/outdoor sports complex and event venue facility, along with establishing and modifying development standards for the new and existing uses, on a ±4,276.21 Acres consisting of 391 parcels.

Protect – we are always watching. When a threat is identified, we quickly assemble a threat response.

Promote – we are out in the community and on social media, raising awareness and inspiring appreciation for all that we have here in Marion County.

Preserve – we guide and encourage landowners who wish to conserve their land.

Plan – we are working with the County on changes to the Comprehensive Plan that will make conservation easy and financially advantageous for farm owners.

Join Today!

View Current Threats

Don’t Piggyback the RAC!

by Horse Farms Forever | Jun 6, 2025 | Development Threats, Ongoing, Watching

Thomas R. Moore, a landowner abutting the Rural Activity Center (RAC) at the intersection of NW Hwy 225A & NW Hwy 326 (Gilbert’s Hardware), has applied to change the land use and zoning on 19 acres of a 24-acre parcel from Rural/Agriculture to commercial RAC.

The landowner proposes a landscape contractor yard and plant nursery. Don’t be fooled by this attempt to Piggyback the RAC by changing the 19 acres from agricultural to commercial.

If approved, this change would allow this landowner, or any potential new owner, over 35 commercial uses, including many intense uses like large-scale storage facilities and fuel plants, and over 350,000 sq. ft of buildings. These commercial uses threaten the rural character and agricultural integrity of the surrounding farms and the Farmland Preservation Area.

RACs in the Farmland Preservation Area are there to provide needed goods and services that make sense in a rural area. They are limited in size and scope to prevent needless sprawl from eating away at the Farmland Preservation Area. But that doesn’t stop some landowners from trying…

At the January Planning & Zoning Commission hearing, with a denial recommendation from the professionals at Growth Services and strong opposition from Horse Farms Forever and neighbors, the applicant requested a continuance for further review.

In April, Moore reduced the acreage to 18.72 acres from the total of 23.6 acres in an effort to gain a recommendation of approval from the Growth Services staff.

At the June 30th Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, the P&Z Commissioners recommended denial of the applications by Thomas Moore to change the Land Use and Zoning to Rural Activity Center (RAC) on the nearly 20-acre parcel adjacent to Gilbert’s Hardware. These applications were an attempt to Piggyback the RAC!

We thank the members of Horse Farms Forever who spoke against the rezoning to RAC at the meeting!

The P&Z Commission’s vote is just a recommendation and not the final vote. The Marion County Commission will vote on the application on Tuesday, July 15th at 2:00 PM at the McPherson Auditorium, located at 601 SE 25th Avenue, Ocala, FL.

Join our efforts to protect the Farmland Preservation Area!

View Our Position Statement

View RAC Uses

View Revised Land & Zoning Application

View Revised P&Z Staff Report: Rezoning

View Revised R&Z Staff Report: FLUMS

View Concept Map

Always Watching

We work hard to keep you informed, and to represent our members' interests in preserving our horse farms, farmland and the unique character and culture of Marion County's 193,000 acre Farmland Preservation Area.

Join the herd. Every voice matters.

Join Today!

Wilton Simpson Inspires at Spring Speaker Series

by Horse Farms Forever | Jun 4, 2025 | Events, News

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Wilton Simpson, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture, gave an inspiring speech at Horse Farms Forever’s fourth annual Spring Speaker Series held on Tuesday, May 20th, at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club. Over 125 guests joined us to create more awareness about the importance of Florida’s agricultural industry to the state’s economy and our nation’s food supply.

Our Presenting Sponsor was Lugano Diamonds, and our Program Sponsor was SouthState Bank. Many thanks for their generous support! The Spring Speaker Series is an invitation-only event for our top-tier partners and members.

Presenting Sponsor:

Program Sponsor:

Presented by Horse Capital Television

Commissioner Simpson spoke passionately about the recent signing of the 2025 Florida Farm Bill, which is one of the most significant legislative victories for Florida. The Farm Bill helps to protect the future of the state’s agricultural industry, which generates $182.6 billion in revenues and supports more than 2.5 million jobs.

“Food security is a matter of national security, and by protecting and preserving lands that have an immense amount of economic impact to food and agricultural production in our state, we are securing the livelihood of Florida,” said Commissioner Simpson. “As Commissioner of Agriculture and a lifelong farmer, I will do everything within my power to support, promote, and defend Florida agriculture.”

(L) George Isaacs, General Manager of Bridlewood Farm and a member of the Board of Directors for Horse Farms Forever and (R) Bernie Little, President of Horse Farms Forever, presented Commissioner Wilton Simpson with an award in recognition for his efforts to protect and preserve our open spaces and beautiful places.

He also spoke about the importance of protecting farms and ranches through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program that has successfully preserved nearly 200,000 acres of land, with over 130,000 acres preserved during Commissioner Simpson’s administration.

In 2021, Commissioner Simpson championed the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act and was instrumental in securing a historic level of funding to protect land for endangered species like the Florida Panther and, at the same time, protect farms and ranches within the Corridor.

Traci Deen, President & CEO of Conservation Florida, and Chad Crawford, Founder of Crawford Entertainment and five-time Emmy Award-winning producer and director, presented excerpts from the Suncoast Emmy Award-winning documentary Protect Our Paradise. The documentary highlights the people and organizations that are working to solve some of the most pressing environmental issues in Florida.

In the Our Land episode of Protect our Paradise, Chad Crawford interviewed Matt Pearce, an 8th-generation Florida cattle rancher and owner of Pearce Cattle Company, who is passionate about protecting habitat for ranching and wildlife. He believes that land conservation and ranching go hand-in-hand. “We love the land, and we try to leave it better than we found it,” said Pearce. “I was born a conservationist.”