Horse Farms Forever, Author at Horse Farms Forever

Horse Farms Forever Welcomes New Corporate Members

by Horse Farms Forever | Mar 26, 2020 | News, Uncategorized

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

Casse Racing

Owned and founded by one of the most decorated Thoroughbred trainers in the world, Mark Casse. While Mark has found international success, for over 50 years he has called Ocala home. He and his wife Tina own a 135-acre training center in the Ocala Horse Complex and have won nearly every major horse race in three countries including the 2019 Preakness and Belmont. Mark is deeply passionate about preserving the character and culture of Marion County for future generations and hopes to pass his legacy down to his children.

Ag-Pro

The largest privately-owned John Deere dealership in North America with over 90 locations nationwide. Proudly serves the agriculture, turf, and construction communities. Ag-Pro understands the enormous impact that Ocala’s equine industry has on their business, we thank them for their tremendous support.

FTBOA

The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association is a not-for-profit association which represents more than 1,300 Thoroughbred breeders and owners who breed, raise, train and race horses born in the state of Florida. Ocala’s Thoroughbred industry is world-renowned, and draws horsemen with the year-round moderate climate, mineral-rich water and soil, outstanding facilities and strong support industries. More than 75% of Florida’s horse farms are in Ocala/Marion County and the surrounding area.

Cone Distributing

Cone Distributing is a beverage distributor presently operating in 22 counties in north central Florida, with offices in Ocala and

Tallahassee. Founded in 1985 by Douglas Cone, the company was founded on healthy and mutually profitable relationships by providing the right product, at the right time. Team Cone is committed to seeking the highest standards at every level.

Imagine Thoroughbreds

Imagine Thoroughbreds handles the training of young Thoroughbred race prospects, as well as fitting weanlings and yearlings for upcoming sales. Layups and broodmare care are also available.

City of Ocala

The City of Ocala provides fiscally responsible services consistent with the community’s current and future expectations. Thank you to City of Ocala Municipal Government and Mayor Guinn for supporting Horse Farms Forever!

Newport Hay

Newport Hay is dedicated to providing the highest quality hay and feed products. They strive to offer excellent customer services and competitive prices in order to earn your business.

Western Ivy

Western Ivy is your one-stop-shop for all of your farm or business’s promotional needs. Located in the Golden Hills Center, Western Ivy is a staple in Northwest Marion County. We thank Western Ivy for their continued support of Horse Farms Forever.

NetSource Technologies

Netsource Technologies is a full service integrated digital marketing agency with headquarters in Ocala, Florida. With over 25 years of marketing business behind them, they have built successful, awardwinning websites for service, retail, real estate, construction, non-profit businesses, and more from every corner of the country.

Tri-Eagle Sales

Tri-Eagle Sales has been the leading beverage wholesaler in the North and North Central Florida area since 1996. Servicing over 2,000 retail customers in our 14-county territory from two facilities in Tallahassee and Ocala, Tri-Eagle proudly proudly markets, sells, and distributes Anheuser-Busch InBev brands such as Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Goose Island, and Stella Artois.

Seminole Feed

Over 75 years ago, Seminole Feed® established its position as a trusted company with a stellar reputation. To this day, we work hard to maintain that respect and honor. Seminole Feed®, a family-owned company, strives to provide the “World’s Best Equine Feed”. Seminole feeds are milled in the all-natural, non-medicated Seminole Feed® mill in downtown Ocala, right in the middle of the Horse Capital of the World.

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 find out more information or to join please contact our Director of Community Affairs, Sara Fennessy at sara.fennessy@horsefarmsforever.com .

Join Now

Halliday-Sharp & Desino – A World Class Partnership

by Horse Farms Forever | Mar 21, 2020 | News

Horse Farms Forever Founder and Director Rob Desino and Five Star Eventer Liz Halliday-Sharp pursue their World Championship and Olympic Dreams in Ocala!

With three major three-day eventing venues and an Olympic qualifying event in 2019, the eventing community continues to grow in Ocala. Liz Halliday-Sharp and Rob Desino are both proud to call Ocala home and are strong supporters of Horse Farms Forever.

Business Builder

Rob chose Ocala more than a decade ago for its ideal weather and scenic landscapes. He is part Owner and Agent at Ocala Horse Properties, which was founded in 2007. In 2010, he co-founded Wellington Equestrian Realty in Wellington, FL. Between the two real estate companies, Rob and his business partners proudly offer the largest inventory of listings in the country.

Passion for all things equestrian started with Rob as a young child. This blossomed into eventing as an amateur at the age of 28. During this time, he had two farms. One in New York and one in Ocala. Rob has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. He founded the Great Northern Pizza Kitchen restaurant chain in New York with his brother, Chris Desino. The brothers sold the chain in 2005 and eventually relocated to Marion County to pursue their equestrian and real estate ventures.

Although Rob no longer competes in three-day eventing, he owns five horses along with his partners at Ocala Horse Properties, ridden by one of Horse Farms Forever’s original members, Liz Halliday-Sharp.

Things That Go Fast

Liz is a dynamic and world-renowned athlete competing in three-day eventing at the CCI5* level. She was also a professional race car driver and for many years dedicated her life to the pursuit of both. She also has a background in TV broadcasting and has worked with several companies in the United States and Europe. She calls both the Blue Fox Farm in Lexington, KY, and Horsepower Equestrian here in Ocala, FL, home for her equestrian pursuits.

Hoping to one day represent the USA at the Olympic Games, Pan American Games, and World Championships, she and her horse Deniro Z, owned by Ocala Horse Properties, were recently named to the 2020 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Eventing High Performance Pre-Elite Training List. The Pre-Elite program supports riders with the potential to compete on a Championship team in the next four years.

With an ideal climate, mineral rich soil and water, and an abundance of training opportunities in Ocala, Rob and Liz are well on their way to chasing their World Championship and Olympic dreams! We thank them for their commitment to protecting and preserving the way of life in Marion County for future generations.

“If you believe in Ocala, and the ‘open spaces, beautiful places,’ we ask that you support Horse Farms Forever so that your children may be able to enjoy what we are enjoying.”

Liz Halliday-Sharp aboard Cooley Stormwater alongside Rob Desino.
Source

Liz Halliday-Sharp aboard Deniro Z, Nations Cup CHIO, Aachen, 2019.
Source

Ocala Horse Properties Matt Varney, Liz Halliday-Sharp, Chris Desino and Rob Desino.
Source

M-Cores Map Designates the Farmland Preservation Area “Off Limits” for Toll Roads

by Horse Farms Forever | Mar 16, 2020 | Roadway Threats

On March 6, 2020 the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) released the M-Cores Avoidance and Enhancement Areas maps for the three proposed toll roads. The Northern Turnpike Avoidance and Enhancement Areas map designates the Marion County Farmland Preservation Area as “Will Not Impact” in hot pink.

This is such great news as it means the FDOT acknowledges the Farmland Preservation Area is off limits!

The inclusion of the Farmland Preservation Area in the hot pink areas was due to the leadership of Marion County Commission Chair Kathy Bryant. She has been attending the M-Cores meetings for several months and at the last meeting, she made the request to designate the Farmland Preservation Area as “Will Not Impact.”

Please thank Commission Chair Bryant for her leadership on this important issue that affects the livelihood and way of life for so many in Marion County.

In 2018, Marion County came together with one loud voice to stop the FDOT from planning the Coastal Connector toll road through the middle of the Farmland Preservation Area which includes many of the county’s most iconic horse farms.

Although the Coastal Connector was abandoned by FDOT, there is a new threat, something called the West Ocala Beltway. This beltway, which was proposed by Mr. John Rudnianyn, a private landowner in Marion County, would once again cut through the protected Farmland Preservation Area.

This proposed West Ocala Beltway is another reason we need to remain vigilant and proactive. Please help us in our efforts by joining Horse Farms Forever. Your support allows us to have a seat at the table.

There is a meeting for the M-Cores Northern Turnpike Connector Task Force (which may include southern Marion County) in Ocala on March 25th to take public comments about the proposed road. We will be there representing our members.

To be clear, the proposed West Ocala Beltway is not part of the M-Cores task force and was not proposed by FDOT.

M-Cores Northern Turnpike Connector Task Force Meeting

March 25, 2020 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Hilton Ocala, 3600 SW 36th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34474

More Information

Horse Farms Forever Opposes the proposed West Ocala Beltway

by Horse Farms Forever | Mar 10, 2020 | Roadway Threats

March 2020

About two years after the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) abandoned the proposed Coastal Connector, as documented in a letter sent to the Marion County Commission, it has re-emerged as the West Ocala Beltway.

But this time, instead of a proposal by FDOT, John Rudnianyn, a large landowner in Marion County has proposed the road. Mr. Rudnianyn is presenting the maps of a proposed beltway to elected officials and their staff, community leaders and other stakeholders in hopes that they will support the new road.

The proposed road follows a similar route as the Coastal Connector, and almost one-half of the road is located in the Farmland Preservation Area (the Rudnianyn maps misrepresent the actual boundary of the Farmland Preservation Area). The proposed beltway is located west of the World Equestrian Center and On Top of the World, and it cuts through the Cross Florida Greenway and the Halpata Tastanaki Preserve, which has one of the largest scrub jay habitats in Florida.

The Florida scrub-jay is protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is also protected as a Threatened species by the Federal Endangered Species Act and as a Federally-designated Threatened species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule.

Seven new interchanges are proposed at: CR 484, SW 80th Street, SR 40/CR 328, Hwy 27, CR 225A (one of the Golden Corridors), I-75 and Hwy 441.

If the road gains traction with community leaders, it could go to the FDOT in Tallahassee for further consideration, but that is unlikely as the Marion County Commission and the Florida Legislature both approved language to protect the Farmland Preservation Area from new roads.

Marion County’s Comprehensive Plan (adopted June 2019) Policy 3.3.1 Elements of Rural Character states: “1. Transportation: New transportation corridors intended to be used specifically for the construction of expressways or limited access roadways shall avoid the Farmland Preservation Area…”

Florida Senate Bill 7068 passed in 2019 states that multi-use corridors will provide for: “Protection of primary springs protection zones and farmland preservation areas designated within local comprehensive plans adopted under chapter 163.”

While there is a need for improvements to the transportation system, this is not the right approach. Any expansion of the transportation system within the Farmland Preservation Area should use existing rights-of-way. The West Ocala Beltway will cause detrimental impacts to the Farmland Preservation Area and Florida’s unique wildlife habitat.

When the Coastal Connector was unveiled at the Ocala Hilton in May 2018, Marion County citizens sprang into action. Over this one galvanizing issue, the City of Ocala, the Marion County Commission and a large percentage of citizens and landowners joined forces to oppose the proposed routes of the Coastal Connector.

After several months of meetings and much dismay, FDOT mailed a letter to the County Commission stating that the proposed routes had been “abandoned.” Residents and elected official declared victory.

After all the effort, why has a private citizen proposed a similar road through parts of the iconic Farmland Preservation Area?

After the County and the Sate both declared the Marion County Farmland Preservation Area off-limits, why has a private citizen proposed a beltway road through the heart of it?

LINKS

John Rudnianyn
John@IPSRealtor.com
http://www.ipsrealtor.com

Marion County Comprehensive Plan

See related article about the M-Cores Northern Turnpike Connector Task Force (which may include southern Marion County.) HERE

There is a meeting in Ocala on March 25th to take public comments about the proposed road.

Northern Turnpike Corridor Task Force Meeting

Date:
March 25, 2020
Time:
10:00 am – 4:00 pm (public comment is at 4:00 PM)
Location:
Hilton Ocala
3600 SW 36th Avenue
Ocala, FL 34474 United States

Task Force Website

Busy Shires Byerly
Director of Conservation Strategies
Busy.Byerly@HorseFarmsForever.com
(352) 234-7175

For there to be horses and a horse industry, there must be farmland available for horse farms. The Marion County Commission recognized this truth and created the Farmland Preservation Area in northwest Marion County.

The developers are knocking loudly on the doors of government seeking exemptions to build inside the Farmland Preservation Area. The developers want to pave it; we want to save it!

There’s an old saying, “If you don’t have a seat at the table, then you are on the menu.” For far too long, the Farmland Protection Area has been on the developer menu.

It will take a unified effort to ensure that horse farms and the Farmland Preservation Area are forever a part of Marion County’s future.

Meet Horse Farms Forever Supporter Mark Casse

by Horse Farms Forever | Feb 27, 2020 | News

Ocala is fortunate to have horse racing powerhouse Mark Casse as a resident. As one of the most renowned and decorated horse trainers in North America, Mark continues to chase his dreams.

Mark’s horse racing roots go quite deep. He, along with his two brothers have followed in the footsteps of their father Norman Casse, who was one of the founders of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company. The third generation has also taken up the reins as Mark’s son, Norman is also a successful trainer in the horse racing industry.

He has fond memories of the Kentucky Derby. In 1973, he and his dad traveled to Churchill Downs and watched Secretariat win the Derby. This was an influential moment in his life and at 10 years old, Mark was asked the proverbial question: What do you want to do when you grow up?

His answer: “Win the Kentucky Derby!”

Mark almost won the 2019 Kentucky Derby with War of Will. But not to be deterred, War of Will came right back with an impressive victory at the Preakness and his other horse, Sir Winston, won the Belmont. As one of the most decorated horse trainers in North America and Canada, he was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. His horses have won the Canadian Queen’s Plate two times, and most recently he found international fame in 2016 as Tepin, the horse he trained, became the first U.S. winner of the Royal Ascot’s Queen Anne Stakes race in England.

Mark Casse, center, with owner Charlotte Weber, left, and jockey John Velazquez, right, after champion World Approval won a stakes race at Tampa Bay Downs. Photo Credit: Eclipse Sportswire | Source

While Mark has found international success, he calls Ocala his home where he and his wife Tina own a 135-acre training center in the Ocala Horse Complex. He’s been in Ocala for over 50 years and is proud to pass that legacy on to his family.

Mark strongly supports the mission of Horse Farms Forever to protect the character and culture that horses, horse farms and the horse industry bring to Marion County. “It was important for me to be involved with Horse Farms Forever because it’s been my entire life. I’ve been in Ocala for over 50 years and that’s why my dad moved to Ocala,” said Mark

He also wants to see the horse industry continue in Marion County. “Can you think of a better industry than horses? I don’t want to see them go. You can build around them,” he said.

“This is Ocala and it’s my life!”

War of Will, trained by Mark Casse, won the Preakness in 2019 with jockey Tyler Gaffalione. The Preakness is the second race of the Triple Crown. Photo credit: Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club | Source

Mark is looking forward to the 2020 Kentucky Derby. He has two potential horses: Enforceable and Lynn’s Map. “These two right now are obviously our best chances for the Kentucky Derby.” 2020 may be the year Mark’s lifelong Derby victory dream comes true. For more information on Casse Racing, visit Facebook and Instagram.