Individual Renewing Founder

Matt Varney is an accomplished real estate professional who started his career in residential site construction and estimating before working for a privately held Florida-based real estate developer; where at just 26, he quickly became the leading salesman in the company.  In 2010 (along with Chris & Rob Desino), Matt started Ocala Horse Properties’ sister company, Wellington Equestrian Realty. Even though Wellington is widely known as one of the most competitive places in the country to sell horse farms, Matt excelled quickly selling more farms than any other realtor in Palm Beach County.

Matt lives his equestrian competitiveness vicariously through his wife, Dr. Courtney Varney, DVM. Matt enjoys accompanying Courtney, an accomplished FEI Dressage rider, USDF gold medalist, and equine veterinarian, to as many competitions as his schedule will allow. Matt and Dr. Varney remain active in helping preserve Marion County’s horse farms with Horse Farms Forever.

Individual Renewing Founder

As president of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra and Reilly Arts Center, Bill Nassal is an Ocala legend. Internationally, the Nassal Company is the most prestigious fabricator for theme parks and other attractions.

Their showplace Stonecliff Farm in Ocala is highly regarded breeder of Thoroughbred horses.  Cindy’s annual Kentucky Derby party at their showplace Stonecliff Farm are renowned.

Corporate Renewing Founder

Success is no accident was chosen as Niall Brennan’s motto because it embodies his philosophy of life. Sometimes people are lucky in the horse business but success generally comes from:  hard work, attention to detail, integrity, leaving nothing to chance, and striving to fine tune the quality services of our program are what defines our operation.

Stephanie has been involved in the racing industry for over 20 years. Originally from Western Canada, Stephanie’s background in both show horses, racehorses as well as has a degree in Sales and Marketing help keep the organization running smoothly. Stephanie is very active in aftercare of racehorses, founding Final Furlong to ensure a safe landing for graduates of NBS after their racing career. She is on the board of the Ocala Farm Ministry and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

Niall was a successful jockey and won his first race at the age of 16 in his native Ireland. He soon discovered his special talents as a trainer and traveled around the world working at tracks and farms in New Zealand, Australia, California and Kentucky, broadening his knowledge of the thoroughbred industry. In 1987, he relocated to Florida to train for George Steinbrenner at his Kinsman farm. In 1991 Niall Brennan presented his first consignment at Select Two-Year-Old sales and since then has consistently ranked as a leading consignor in North America numerous times. Niall is also an active member on the board of The Breeder’s Cup, Ocala Breeder’s Sales Company, Fasig Tipton Sales Company and is the president of the Ocala Farm Ministry.

Corporate Renewing Founder

Jacqueline Mars is the owner and operator of Stonehall Farm, The Plains, Virginia, a working farm that specializes in organic farming, horse training and horse breeding. She retired from a long and distinguished career at Mars Inc., begun by her grandfather as a candy manufacturer and where she was president of the Food Product Group and served on the board. Today, she is a passionate promoter of the arts, conservation, and women’s education. She serves on a variety of boards including the Smithsonian Institution and is president of the Mars Family Foundation.

Horses are deeply rooted in Mars history dating back to the 1930s. Frank C. and Ethel V. Mars’ Milky Way Farm in Tennessee was well known for producing Thoroughbred racing champions, including the 1940 Kentucky Derby Winner, Gallahadion. The SNICKERS® Bar was named after one of their beloved horses. Spanning across generations, the Mars family continues to be involved in a variety of equestrian disciplines and interests including breeding and competing top-class international level eventing horses, Quarter Horses, and Arabians, and caring for retired service horses. Giving back through Equestrian partnerships illustrates the Mars commitment for a better world.

Corporate Renewing Founder

Corporate Renewing Founder

New to the Herd

We welcome you!

Stone Petroleum

Andy Burns

Kingwood Foxden LLC

Renewing

Thanks for your continued support!

Greater Ocala Dog Club

Peter & Diane Halpin

Gary Bybee

Dressage Naturally

Bill & Cindy Nassal

Timothy & Cheryl Holekamp

Board Member

A principal at Ocala Horse Properties; a real estate brokerage company specializing in the sale of horse farms, properties, raw land in Ocala, FL. A Principal at Wellington Equestrian Realty, a real estate brokerage company specializing in the sale of horse farms, properties, raw land in Wellington, FL. Dual Ocala horse farm owner as well as several vacant land properties.

Board Member

Linda was drawn to Ocala by the equine industry. She is an avid equestrian and with her husband owns Laughing Horse Farm. After an extensive career in banking and finance, Linda chose to transition to Florida and pursue her life passion. Laughing Horse Farm is situated on 30 acres and is used to raise and compete event horses, and the local business has evolved over time to now privately train a handful of show jumpers, which are trained and sold with a partner.

Board Member

For nearly 40 years Nick and his wife, Jaqui, called Ocala home. They own de Meric Thoroughbred Sales which includes a 240-acre farm in northwest Marion County. de Meric Thoroughbred Sales has produced numerous graded stakes winners and OBS sales toppers most recently, at the April sale with a colt by Into Mischief out of Dixie Song for $1.3 million and a filly by Gohstzapper out of Palanka City for $445,000 at the June sale.

Board Member

Elma and her husband Jim Cannavino chose Ocala as a winter headquarters for Elma’s award-winning passion for dressage. Upon arriving in Ocala, Elma immediately connected with the mission of Horse Farms Forever and became a Founder.

Board Member

Owner of Endeavor Publications, Inc. – publishers of The Canine Chronicle and The Equine Chronicle. Former managing partner of The Sanctuary Equine Rehabilitation and Conditioning Center. Ocala farm owner.

Board Member

General Manager of Bridlewood Farm since 1989. Forever a fan of the cultivation of top-quality equine athletes and Marion County as the ideal place for a thriving horse industry.

Board Member

Retired partner of Wellington Management Company where he served as senior vice president and portfolio manager.  Owner of a horse farm in northwest Ocala.

Board Member

As an international champion, co-president of Live Oak International, and advocate for equestrian sports he is the ideal addition as a Director of Horse Farms Forever. Chester, like many of our members, responded to the threat on the Farmland Preservation Area immediately becoming a Founder Member of Horse Farms Forever in June of 2018.  Chester observed the rapid growth, accomplishments, and necessity of Horse Farms Forever. When approached to join the board, Chester welcomed the opportunity to further his commitment to Ocala/Marion County, the Farmland Preservation Area, and the equestrian community.