Founder Spotlight
A dedicated group of supporters continues to keep us alive and healthy as our mission gains momentum in the community. Thank you to all who have recognized the importance of open spaces and beautiful places in Ocala/Marion County and the importance of preserving what makes us unique – horses and horse farms.
Our Founders initial pledges of $10,000 or more in 2018 got us off the ground and helped us to defeat the toll road in the Farmland Preservation Area. Founders who renew each year are demonstrating their iron clad commitment to continuing the work of preservation. New threats are appearing all the time, and the Founders are behind us all the way. We are beyond grateful.
We would like to thank the Founders that have renewed their 2023 membership with a gift (as of July 2023):
“horsefeathers!” is situated on 120 acres of land formerly owned by the Plumley family. The Plumleys used this land in their cattle operation. It was purchased in 2014, so these are the first horses on the land. A barn was built and paddocks were fenced. Surrounding the horse property is 430 acres used for raising Wagyu cattle.
Previously, “horsefeathers!” was located on a different farm in Northwest Marion County. At that location, Mary Jane Hunt operated a boutique style nursery for Thoroughbred mares and foals for more than 35 years.
Mary Jane and her husband Bernie Little are committed to the well-being of all the animals in their care. The focus of “horsefeathers!” is to provide a comfortable retirement for the Thoroughbred mares and teaser ponies that were a part of the former nursery operation. The horse population has a few riding horses and a young off-track Thoroughbred that is being retrained for a second career.
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
Timothy & Cheryl Holekamp
A dedicated group of supporters continues to keep us alive and healthy as our mission gains momentum in the community. Thank you to all who have recognized the importance of open spaces and beautiful places in Ocala/Marion County and the importance of preserving what makes us unique – horses and horse farms.
Our Founders initial pledges of $10,000 or more in 2018 got us off the ground and helped us to defeat the toll road in the Farmland Preservation Area. Founders who renew each year are demonstrating their iron clad commitment to continuing the work of preservation. New threats are appearing all the time, and the Founders are behind us all the way. We are beyond grateful.
“horsefeathers!” is situated on 120 acres of land formerly owned by the Plumley family. The Plumleys used this land in their cattle operation. It was purchased in 2014, so these are the first horses on the land. A barn was built and paddocks were fenced. Surrounding the horse property is 430 acres used for raising Wagyu cattle.
Previously, “horsefeathers!” was located on a different farm in Northwest Marion County. At that location, Mary Jane Hunt operated a boutique style nursery for Thoroughbred mares and foals for more than 35 years.
Mary Jane and her husband Bernie Little are committed to the well-being of all the animals in their care. The focus of “horsefeathers!” is to provide a comfortable retirement for the Thoroughbred mares and teaser ponies that were a part of the former nursery operation. The horse population has a few riding horses and a young off-track Thoroughbred that is being retrained for a second career.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A landowner in Marion County, Ms. Mars has protected over 400 acres of land through donations of conservation easements in the Virginia countryside. Her passion for land conservation is a great example for Marion County landowners.
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.
Arthur Appleton, Linda’s father, created Bridlewood Farm in the 1960’s. Since then, more than 100 stakes winners have been bred and raised under the name Bridlewood, and superstar Champion Smarty Jones is among the many top horses trained at the farm. Many top stallions have stood there as well, including Silver Buck (sire of Hall of Fame champion Silver Charm), Skip Trial (sire of Hall of Fame champion Skip Away), and Stormy Atlantic (Champion Juvenile Sire of 2006). Eight stallions will stand at Bridlewood in 2015, all Graded stakes winners: Aikenite, Backtalk, Benny the Bull, Big Drama, Corfu, Fort Loudon, Mach Ride, and Wagon Limit.
Linda and her husband Bill now live in Hailey, Idaho. Linda was a member of the Board of the Sun Valley Center for the Arts for 6 years. Linda and her family are involved in the STEPS scholarship program at The College of Central Florida and she is also a member The Appleton Museum of Art Advisory Council (since 2005). In December of 2008, Linda received the Distinguished Service Award from The College of Central Florida.
While Bridlewood Farm was sold in 2013, Linda is a frequent visitor to Ocala in her continuing role with the Appleton Museum.
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
Retired owner of wholesale beverage distribution business. Extensive business investments and relationships. Ocala horse farm owner. Ocala cattle farm owner.
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.
Contact the County about the EAR:
For any additional questions regarding the EAR process, please email Planning@MarionFL.org with your subject line including 'EAR' or call us at 352-438-2675 & ask for a planner.
The workshops will be livestreamed. Check the County’s agenda webpage for the link: https://marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
