Halliday-Sharp & Desino – A World Class Partnership

by | 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.
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Liz Halliday-Sharp aboard Deniro Z, Nations Cup CHIO, Aachen, 2019.
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Ocala Horse Properties Matt Varney, Liz Halliday-Sharp, Chris Desino and Rob Desino.
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Meet Horse Farms Forever Supporter Mark Casse

Meet Horse Farms Forever Supporter Mark Casse

by | 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 Casse Video

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 Case

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

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.