Leadership
Horse Farms Forever®, Inc., is a not-for-profit corporation registered with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as well as a 501(c)3 with the IRS.
Our mission is to inspire the conservation of horse farms by preserving the natural pasture land for horses and their habitats, and to protect the soil and water on which they depend, while minimizing land use conflicts in Marion County.
To achieve this mission, Horse Farms Forever® is overseen by a dedicated Board of Directors.
BOARD MEMBERS
Linda Bamman
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.
Robert Desino
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.
Nick de Meric
Board Member
For nearly 40 years the 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.
Elma Garcia
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.
Tom Grabe
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.
George Isaacs
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.
Paul Kaplan
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.
Bernard Little
Board Member
Retired owner of wholesale beverage distribution business. Extensive business investments and relationships. Ocala horse farm owner. Ocala cattle farm owner.
Chester Weber
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.
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