Horse Farms Forever Welcomes New Member Businesses

Horse Farms Forever Welcomes New Member Businesses

by | Jun 24, 2020 | News

Every new member makes us stronger. We welcome the following new and renewing businesses who have chosen to stand with us.

Agricon Equipment Kubota Superstore

Leader

The one and only Kubota superstore! If you are looking for innovative, quality-driven agriculture or construction equipment PLUS an exceptional sales experience- look no further!

Cloverly Farm

Charter

Owned and operated by the Stroh family, Cloverly Farm is a state-of-the-art hunter jumper show stable located in the heart of the Farmland Preservation Area.

Fox Hill Paso Fino Farm

Patron

Home to World Champions and Grand National Champion Paso Fino Horses offering training, boarding, sales, and breeding. Located in beautiful NW Ocala, Fox Hill encompasses 70 beautiful acres in the heart of horse country.

Gilligan, Gooding, Franjola & Batsel, P.A.

Partner

Honest, Diligent & Effective Legal Representation. Serving Central Florida since 1991.

 

Lane’s Mark Farm

Charter

Lanes Mark Farm specializes in sales prep, layups, and care for both Thoroughbred and Sport Horses. This spectacular facility offers rehabilitation and conditioning programs and modalities including an above ground Aqua Treadmill.

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Oakmont Rehabilitation Center

Partner

Premier equine rehabilitation and wellness facility located in Ocala, FL. Offering state-of-the-art in-house and portable services to meet the needs of equine athletes across all disciplines. Working directly with veterinarians and trainers to create customizable programs that are personalized to the needs of the individual horse.

Ocala Jockey Club

Leader

950-acre unspoiled equine paradise. The OJC is a Thoroughbred horse training and layup facility featuring 7 barns, pastures, and a 5/8-mile training track. Host of OJC CCI3* 3-day event venue. The unique 9,700 sq ft Ocala Jockey Club restaurant perched on one of the highest points in the County with a view of the farm and training track serves as a perfect setting for weddings, clinics, corporate meetings and retreats, family reunions and holiday parties.

Photonic Health

Partner

Providing simple, safe, effective healing solutions to pet owners so they can experience the joy and love that a pet brings, instead of the frustration and fear that occurs when your pet is sick. Specializing in equine, canine, and feline acupressure, equine touch, photonic light therapy, and spiritual response technique.

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Michael J. Saxe

Partner

Answering the call of the community for 32 years, Michael J. Saxe is a candidate for District 1 County Commission in Marion County, FL. A retired NYPD Detective (32 years), Former NY Volunteer Fire Fighter, Michael served in his capacity during the 9/11 crisis. He arranged the ringing of the opening bell of the NASDAQ and participated in the closing bell of the NY Stock Exchange.

Corporate Membership

Looking for a way to promote your business throughout the equine community? Becoming a Horse Farms Forever Corporate Member gives you access to our members in Ocala/Marion County and beyond.  Donating to Horse Farms Forever, a registered 501(c)3 with the IRS, reaches our members, friends, and subscribers though our newsletters, social media, advertising, and events.  To learn more or to join please contact our Director of Community Affairs,
Sara Fennessy 

Join Now
Florida Bred Horses Make Strong Showing in the Belmont!

Florida Bred Horses Make Strong Showing in the Belmont!

by | Jun 22, 2020 | Events, News

Tap It to Win bred by Live Oak Plantation and trained by Casse Racing. Photo Ryan Thompson.

Upside Down Crown.

With the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes moved to Sept. 5 and Oct. 3, the Belmont took an unusual position as the first jewel in the Triple Crown this year. Last Saturday’s race, held at New York’s Belmont Park, was shortened to 1-1/8 miles and run with limited audience attendance.

The 6-5 favorite, Tiz The Law, won by over 3 lengths. The New York bred was started in Ocala at New Episode Training Center by Tony Everard.

The second place finisher, Dr. Post, was purchased by Ocala’s Crupi’s New Castle Farm as a yearling for $400,000. He is trained by Todd Pletcher.

Tap It to Win started well, led early, and ultimately finished fifth. He is bred by Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Plantation – born and raised in Ocala. His trainer, Mark Casse, won last year’s Belmont with Sir Winston. He is based in Ocala. A member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, Casse was named for induction into the American National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame earlier this year. He joins Lucien Laurin and Roger Attfield as the only trainers in both racing shrines.

Finishing sixth, Sole Volante was sold at the 2019 Ocala Breeders’ Sales April 2-year-old auction. He has earned nearly $300,000.

The ninth place finisher was Fore Left, who went through the 2019 OBS March sale but did not sell. He was consigned by Ocala’s Wavertree Stables. The son of Unbridle’s Song has more than $355,000 in earnings.

Look for more Florida-breds in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness.

July 14-16 is the date for the next Ocala Breeder’s Sales July 2 Year Olds & Horses of Racing Age Sale.

The racing season has officially begun. Don’t miss the sale!

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.

Join the herd. Every voice matters.

Join or Donate Now
The County Commissioners say YES to the Farmland Preservation Area, and NO to the ATV Racetrack!

The County Commissioners say YES to the Farmland Preservation Area, and NO to the ATV Racetrack!

by | Jun 18, 2020 | Double Gate ATV Race Track, News

Proposal is Denied on All Three Counts

At their meeting on June 17th, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted as follows:

  1. To deny Comprehensive Plan Amendment 20-L05 submitted by Blitch Plantation, LTD to amend the future land use designation from Rural Land to Rural Activity Center for 18.2 acres.
  2. To deny Application 200507Z to rezone 18.2 acres from Rural Land to Rural Activity Center; but to approve the rezoning for 5 acres within that parcel with land use already designated as Rural Activity Center. This means that the 5 acres with the future land use designation of Rural Activity Center now has the zoning to match, and development that is allowed within a Rural Activity Center can now take place there.
  3. To deny Application 200508SU to permit ATV racetrack with ancillary recreational uses, limited ATV sales and repair, RV Park, and event venue requested as a Special Use Permit in RAC and A-1 Zoning Districts.
Thank the County Commissioners

What Does This Mean? 

It means that the developer, Blitch Plantation, and the applicant, Double Gate, did not convince the Commissioners that these three applications were in the best interest of the community, compatible with the other uses in the area, or consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Blitch Plantation will have to find another use for the 235-acre property, and Double Gate will have to find another location for their ATV racetrack. There will be a 5-acre portion of the property that will receive the zoning for Rural Activity Center, consistent with other properties on that corner. Any use consistent with Rural Activity Center zoning, such as a general store, gas station, or grocery, will be allowed on that 5-acre parcel.

While we are grateful for this action by the County Commission, we are especially thankful for their professional conduct during the meeting. The Commissioners patiently and intently listened to each and every public comment for over 3 hours. We thank them for listening, for reading hundreds of letters, for maintaining order and offering gracious respect to everyone who spoke. Because of their commitment to civil public discourse, the consensus of the community was allowed to emerge.

Thank you, Commissioners, for keeping the discussion civil and fair, and for respecting all who asked to be heard.

 

Civil Discourse

Everyone who spoke, no matter what your view, thank you. You were brilliant. Each of you had a perspective to share, and you expressed it so well. There were so many intelligent, well-thought out, and articulate views expressed in that four-hour meeting. While the public comments were overwhelmingly in opposition to the proposals, the voices of those in favor of the proposals were equally important to be heard.

Double Gate ATV proponents, thank you for your clear intentions to do something good and safe for ATV enthusiasts in the area, and for wanting to provide a service to the community. We wish you success as you adapt your business plan to another location and to the desires of the community so clearly expressed in the hearing. 

You Are The Forever

Finally, we express deep, deep gratitude to our members and supporters. It took considerable resources and effort to get the word out and gather the voices of the community. You were there, writing letters, making phone calls, cheering us on, helping and giving every step of the way. You are the FOREVER in Horse Farms Forever. You are the reason that the next generation will inherit the open spaces and beautiful places that create the character and culture that make Marion County the Horse Capital of the World.

One thing was abundantly clear from the testimony – the Farmland Preservation Area is well worth protecting – it is the essence of what makes Marion County unique and special. It was a beautiful thing to listen to so many supporters convey what the Farmland Preservation Area means to them.

The farmland preservation movement in Marion County is alive and well.

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.

Join the herd. Every voice matters.

Join or Donate Now
Today is Hearing Day: Participation Options

Today is Hearing Day: Participation Options

by | Jun 17, 2020 | Double Gate ATV Race Track, News

The Marion County Board of Commissioners meets today, June 17th at 2pm at the McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala, to consider adoption of the Blitch Plantation (Rudianyn) proposal for Double Gate ATV Park and Recreation. Here is the agenda and full application.

How to Attend and Comment

 

 

Attend in Person:

The County will have social distancing practices in place. It would be wise to bring a face mask and expect seating to be limited and spaced out in the auditorium. There will be provision for those who are waiting to come in to watch the meeting outside on screen. As comments are made, speakers will be asked to leave the auditorium so that others wishing to speak can come in.

 

When public comment is opened, walk to the front of the auditorium and stand at either speaker’s lectern to be recognized by the board. The lecterns will be sanitized in between speakers. Give your name and address and indicate who you represent. If you are distributing additional back-up material, please provide the county administrator with 10 copies prior to the beginning of the commission meeting. You will have exactly 2 minutes to speak. Be prepared – you will not be given extra time unless the Board asks you a question. Make sure what you have to say adds a new perspective or new information to the Hearing – if you wish to echo another’s comments, simply say “I agree with…” and move on to something non-repetitive.

Watch the Meeting Online:

Go to this page. Today’s meeting is the first one on the list. You will see the Agenda link in blue. About 5 minutes before the meeting, a second link will appear next to the Agenda. Click that link to join the live stream video of the meeting via WebEx with your computer or mobile device.

This page provides further instructions on how to operate the live stream controls. If you wish to speak, you can use the raise hand icon in the participants panel on your screen and the moderator will call on you during the public comment period. When you speak, be sure to turn the volume down on your video player so that we can hear you free of feedback. Connectivity-related questions? Contact the IT Helpdesk, 352-671-8801.

Call In to Listen and Comment:

The number is 352-671-8808. If you wish to speak, press *9. The moderator will see your request and connect you when it is your turn. Please call from a quiet location and do not use speakerphone.

Public comment-related questions? Dawn Phelps, dawn.phelps@marioncountyfl.org, 352-438-2327.

Further assistance? Any person with a disability requiring assistance, auxiliary aids, and services county government meetings may notify the human resources director: Amanda Tart, amanda.tart@marioncountyfl.org, 352-438-2345.

 

It's Not About ATVs. It's About Location.

We at Horse Farms Forever like ATVs. Many of us own and enjoy them. We support family-oriented outdoor recreation, just like the Double Gate ATV Park applicants. Our concern continues to be about the location of the subject property:

  • in the Farmland Preservation Area;
  • in a flood zone and spring protection area;
  • in a peaceful residential area where noise will be a factor.

Our message continues to be the same as our mission:

We ask that the Farmland Preservation Area be respected and protected. Once it's erased, it can't be replaced.

Overwhelming Grassroots Support for the Farmland Preservation Area

by | Jun 16, 2020 | Double Gate ATV Race Track, News

The County Commissioners report receiving hundreds and hundreds of letters in opposition to the Double Gate ATV Park Land Use and Zoning changes, and Special Use Permit. Thank you for speaking out! As a supporter of the Farmland Preservation Area, you are in strong company.

Take a look at some of these letters: click on the > and < to scroll through.

And here is our letter to the Commissioners: click on the > and < to scroll through.

The Hearing is Tomorrow, June 17th, 2pm

You have shown great energy and commitment toward denial of this proposal. The Commissioners have received your input. Let’s finish this by turning out. There is no substitute for being there – either in person or through virtual attendance. You will be able to call in or email comments that will be heard by all during the meeting. The link below directs you. The virtual attendance link will appear next to the Agenda five minutes before the meeting starts.

Attend the June 17th Hearing
Contact the County Commissioners

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.

Join the herd. Every voice matters.

Join or Donate Now