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!

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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.”

Chad Crawford and Traci Deen presenting excerpts from the Protect Our Paradise documentary.

All Photos Courtesy of: Sean M. Dowie

Many thanks again to our Presenting Sponsor, Lugano Diamonds, and our Program Sponsor, SouthState Bank, for their generous support of the Spring Speaker Series!

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Founders Forward: Honoring Our March–May Founders

by Horse Farms Forever | May 15, 2025 | News

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As we ride into a new season of purpose and progress, Horse Farms Forever is proud to shine a spotlight on the dedicated individuals and businesses who have chosen to lead the charge in conservation by becoming—or renewing as—Founders between March and May.

Founders are more than supporters. They are visionaries. They’ve made a deeper commitment to safeguarding the Farmland Preservation Area and the rural character of Marion County for future generations.

Joining as a Founder is a powerful statement—one that says you believe in protecting what makes Marion County so special. Your elevated support helps fund critical initiatives, outreach, and advocacy efforts to ensure the open spaces and equestrian heritage of our region remain preserved and respected.

We’re especially grateful to those who have renewed their Founder Membership this spring. Your ongoing dedication sets an inspiring example and provides the long-term stability that allows our work to grow in both reach and impact.

We invite you to scroll through the names below and see the community of Founders that stand behind the mission of Horse Farms Forever. Each one plays a vital role in preserving the land, legacy, and lifestyle we all treasure.

Thank you for believing in the power of preservation—and for being at the forefront of the movement to keep Marion County’s horse country forever protected.

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Charisse Rivers, founder and CEO of Zinnia Wealth Management, is a financial storyteller and retirement architect who blends heart, strategy, and purpose to help people design lives they love beyond the nine-to-five. Rejecting one-size-fits-all solutions, she leads a team that crafts customized, 360-degree retirement plans while sharing approachable advice and inspiring stories on her nationally syndicated show, Retirement Coffee Talk. Charisse also founded The Grilled Cheese Foundation, which empowers underserved children through access to music, sports, dance, and scholarships—honoring the kindness her own family once received and paying it forward to the next generation.

Learn More About Charisse

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Come visit us at our Ocala branch, located in the Historic District, near Ocala Downtown Square and Silver Springs State Park. As a leading regional bank in the Southeast, we’re committed to helping our customers find their success. With a robust suite of products including checking and savings accounts, mortgages, wealth management, and commercial and small business loans and solutions our bankers are here to help tailor a solution to fit your unique needs. This paired with our convenient ATMs, online banking and mobile app, means you can bank conveniently anytime, anywhere. This is banking at its best. This is banking forward.

Visit Website

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Located in The Equestrian Hotel at The World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida. This world-class facility is the largest equestrian complex in the United States and we are very proud to be a founding partner. Our newest salon can be found in the lobby of the hotel overlooking the VIP Terrace and Grand Prix arena.

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UF Health, the medical network of the University of Florida, includes UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, UF Health Jacksonville, and multiple facilities across North Florida. Formerly known as Shands Healthcare, it encompasses UF’s colleges of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health and Health Professions, and Veterinary Medicine. The network also includes hospitals in Leesburg and The Villages®, UF Health North, and an academic campus in Jacksonville. With primary and specialty care practices throughout Florida and Southeast Georgia, UF Health is committed to exceptional patient care, innovative education, and impactful research.

Visit Website

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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

Questions About Membership and Sponsorship?

Contact Sara Fennessy – Executive Director

859-553-5510

Email Sara

Riding Into Summer with Gratitude and Growth: May Membership Roundup

by Horse Farms Forever | May 7, 2025 | News

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Riding Into Summer with Gratitude and Growth

As spring transitions into summer, Horse Farms Forever is energized by the incredible momentum we’ve built together. From March 6th to April 30th, we welcomed a wave of new members and celebrated the continued support of loyal renewals—each a vital part of our shared mission to preserve the character, culture, and open spaces of Marion County’s iconic Farmland Preservation Area.

Your commitment to conservation inspires us every day. It’s because of your belief in our cause that we can continue advocating for responsible growth, protecting vital agricultural land, and ensuring our equestrian heritage remains intact for generations to come.

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We’d also like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who participated in our Farmland Preservation Month fundraiser this April. Every dollar you contributed was doubled, and every gift made a real impact. Together, we turned awareness into action and laid the groundwork for meaningful preservation projects in the year ahead.

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To all our new members & friends—welcome! And to our renewing members & friends, thank you for continuing to stand with us. Your membership is more than just a name on a list—it’s a statement of values, a promise to protect the land that makes Marion County unique.

Look at the names below and get to know the businesses and individuals who share your dedication to keeping horse country, horse country.

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

Questions About Membership and Sponsorship?

Contact Sara Fennessy – Executive Director

859-553-5510

Email Sara

Welcome, Charisse Rivers: Founder Member of Horse Farms Forever

by Horse Farms Forever | Apr 29, 2025 | News

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Horse Farms Forever is proud to welcome Charisse Rivers as a Founder Member. As the founder and CEO of Zinnia Wealth Management, Charisse has redefined retirement planning—not as a rigid formula, but as a life-building experience. Her firm takes a comprehensive, personal approach to each client’s financial journey, crafting plans that reflect their values, dreams, and goals. Through her nationally syndicated radio show and podcast, Retirement Coffee Talk, she makes financial wellness approachable and empowering. With guests ranging from country music legend Jason Aldean to NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, she weaves inspiration into every episode.

Charisse’s dedication extends far beyond wealth management. She is also the Chair of the Ocala CEP’s Board, and the founder of The Grilled Cheese Foundation, a heartfelt initiative named in honor of the kindness her family once received. The Foundation funds music, dance, sports, and higher education programs for underserved youth, helping kids discover their passions and build the confidence to chase them.

Charisse embodies what it means to lead with faith, intention, and generosity—this same spirit brought her to Horse Farms Forever.

Why She Joined Horse Farms Forever

“I believe God expects us to be good stewards of the land, not just owners of it. I joined Horse Farms Forever because protecting our farms, our traditions, and our rural beauty is about honoring the past and preserving the heart of what makes this community so special.”

For Charisse, joining Horse Farms Forever is about more than preserving open space—it’s about maintaining identity. She sees horses and farms as vital to the spirit of Marion County: symbols of faith, family, and hard work that unite people and keep them grounded.

The Equine Industry’s Role

Zinnia Wealth Management serves many families whose lives are intricately tied to the equine world. Charisse herself is a horse owner and understands firsthand how deeply the industry shapes Marion County—economically and culturally.

“Our business serves families whose lives and livelihoods are deeply connected to the horse industry. It’s an honor to support the community that makes this place so extraordinary.”

What Makes Marion County Feel Like Home

For Charisse, Marion County offers more than scenic pastures and rolling trails—it’s a place of connection. From horse shows to golf outings to quiet moments outdoors, the region is a backdrop for her values: family, community, and gratitude.

“Whether it’s a horse show, a local event, golfing or just a quiet afternoon outdoors, it’s a place where my family feels at home—grounded by strong values, surrounded by good people.”

We’re honored to welcome Charisse to Horse Farms Forever. With her leadership, heart for community, and unwavering belief in the power of stewardship, she embodies everything our mission stands for.

Live by Design, Not by Default.

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

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