Summer Membership Roundup

Summer Membership Roundup

by | Jul 3, 2024 | News

In These Long Days of Summer, Our Grass Roots are Growing Strong.

Horse Farms Forever and our critical mission are carried forward by the longstanding commitments of our Board and members. Take a quick tour through our Member’s Logos and you’ll get a sense of the size and diversity of our herd. This bodes well for the future of horse farms in Marion County!

See who has renewed their commitments this quarter, and allow us to introduce you to our newest herd mates.

Thank you, new and renewing members!

* This spotlight features our new & renewing donors at the $500 & up level as of July 1st, 2024.

New to the Herd


We welcome you!

Corporate Bronze

Corporate Bronze

 

Renewing Founders/Directors

Our dedicated Board of Directors have served tirelessly – most for the entire six years of our existence. Please join us in thanking them. We couldn’t ask for a better group to represent us in the community and provide wise guidance as we grow.

GEORGE ISAACS
Bridlewood Farm

ROB DESINO
Ocala Horse Properties

MARY JANE HUNT
Horsefeathers!

CHESTER WEBER
Live Oak International

LINDA BAMMANN
Laughing Horse Farm

ELMA GARCIA
Elma Garcia Films

Paul Kaplan

PAUL AND ANN KAPLAN

NICK DE MERIC
de Meric Racing

TOM GRABE
Equine and Canine Chronicle

Bernie Little

BERNIE LITTLE
Misty Lane Cattle

Renewing Organizations

Corporate Founders – Gold

 

Brook Ledge Horse Transportation – Corporate Founder and Conservation Summit Title Sponsor

Saint Bernard Foundation – Corporate Founder

Lugano Diamonds – Corporate Founder

Advent Health Ocala – Corporate Founder 

Niall Brennan Stables – Corporate Founder

JP Morgan Chase – Corporate Founder

UF Health – Corporate Founder

Corporate Silver

Icard Merrill 

Renewing Individuals & Families

Individual Founders

Matt & Courtney Varney – Founder Family

Vivian Day and John Stroh 

Page Flournoy

Individual Leader – RENEWING

Tim & Cheryl Holecamp

Family Leaders – RENEWING

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 Executive Director,
Sara Fennessy 

Join Now

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's 193,000 acre Farmland Preservation Area.

Join the herd. Every voice matters.

Join Today!

DarkHorse joins Horse Farms Forever® as a Founder Member

DarkHorse joins Horse Farms Forever® as a Founder Member

by | Sep 21, 2022 | News

Laura competes Idara at the Grand Prix level. She is a 9 year-old mare formerly competed by Martin Fuchs. Here she is competing at the World Equestrian Center. 

Laura Connolly recently bought a new farm in Ocala and moved her private show jumping barn from Wellington to Ocala for the winter season. In the summer, she trains and competes out of one of the most beautiful barns in the Northeast, her DarkHorse Farm in Ridgefield, Connecticut. She joined Horse Farms Forever® (HFF) as a Founder Member as suggested by Matt Varney, a Realtor with Ocala Horse Properties.

 

Grand Prix Show Jumper

Connolly is a successful Grand Prix show jumper and has competed for many years in Europe and in the United States at top venues located up and down the east coast and throughout the Midwest, including Wellington, WEC, HITS, Old Salem Farm, Tryon, KY Horse Park, Traverse City, and many more. She currently owns 10 horses, including the talented gelding Rahmannshof Upgrade, who is competed by European Champion and FEI world #1, Martin Fuchs of Switzerland.

“When I think of Ocala, I think of horse country. Horse Farms Forever’s mission to preserve that character speaks straight to my heart and passion. I couldn’t be prouder to support this incredible organization and their purpose,” said Connolly to HFF.

Pony Paradise

In addition to her show jumping career, she is an attorney, as well as a business owner. Connolly’s love of horses, and the process of designing and building her dream barn in Connecticut, led her to develop Stables-4-Sport, a partnership with Alan Megerdichian of Sequoia Contracting Company, the builder of her farm. Together, they create very unique and special homes for horses.

Connolly’s gorgeous all-white New England style horse barn is one of Sequoia’s top featured building projects. The farm is nestled in the idyllic Connecticut countryside and the barn looks and feels more like a bright and airy New England cottage than a barn for horses. Stables-4-Sport, the partnership between DarkHorse and Sequoia Contracting, is focused on building and renovating horse farms tailored to modern day sport horse operations. Megerdichian brings over 30 years of building and designing to the table and Connolly’s knowledge as an equestrian and show jumper in both the United Stated and in Europe, as well as her deep understanding of the industry, offers valuable insight.

“We are focusing on renovating and building farms with all of the modern-day amenities the sport horse industry is begging for,” stated Connolly in a Stable Style article. “The sport horse industry has changed so dramatically over the years, and we are focused on creating leading edge equine facilities that keep up with the ever-expanding demands and desires of both the horses and the humans active in the sport.”

The Stable Style article showcases some of the unique features such as individual lights in each stall, which is convenient for evening checks on one horse, without disturbing the rest of the horses in the barn.

The unique features in her horse barn are just one way Connolly strives to make her horses more comfortable. She is always looking for new ways to improve the sport horse industry, which has recently led her to founding SportHorse Tech, a new endeavor focused on developing leading edge high-tech equestrian equipment.

 

At Home in the Barn

Connolly’s new businesses are helping her to fulfill her dream as a young girl to spend all day in the barn, as she spent countless hours in the barn. First at the next-door neighbor’s horse farm, and then at the barn that her parents built at their farm in Michigan so that she would spend more time at home – well, at least she was at home in the barn!

“My mom or dad would have to come and drag me out of there every evening kicking and screaming. I think my parents quickly realized they wouldn’t see very much of me unless they moved the horses to our property! So, when I was about eight years old, they built a small six stall barn and a ring on our farm, which is where I grew up riding,” stated Connolly in an article on Fei.org.

Connolly is excited about the possibilities in Ocala with the opening of the new World Equestrian Center and to work with horse farm owners to help make their vision and dream for their horse barn come true.

Horse Farms Forever welcomes DarkHorse and Laura Connolly to their winter home – in the barn!

DarkHorse recently moved its winter quarters from Wellington to Ocala.

Laura Connolly with two of her Grand Prix horses. (L to R) Sil and VDL Nuit de Pomme (aka Buddy). 

DarkHorse in Ridgefield, CT – the farm that inspired Connolly’s new businesses, Stables4Sport and SportHorse Tech.
Learn More

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.

https://www.marionfl.org/agencies-departments/departments-facilities-offices/growth-services/planning-zoning/ear

The workshops will be livestreamed. Check the County’s agenda webpage for the link: https://marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Join or Donate Now
HFF Welcomes Valerie Dailey, Owner of Showcase Properties, as a New Founding Member

HFF Welcomes Valerie Dailey, Owner of Showcase Properties, as a New Founding Member

by | Aug 19, 2022 | News

Dailey is also the President of the Board of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association (FTBOA.) and the first woman to hold the post of FTBOA Board President since the organization was established in 1945.

Dailey is a Community Standout

Valerie Dailey, Owner and Broker of Showcase Properties was one of HFF’s first Charter Members and has renewed every year since 2018. This year, the agency renewed and increased their support to the Founder Level! We are grateful for their continued support to help protect Marion County’s horse farms!

Showcase Properties is one of Marion County’s top 5 brokerages in total volume for 2021 with a combined total of over $200M in sales volume. Dailey, a Florida-licensed REALTOR® and owner of Showcase since 2013, specializes in the listing and selling of equine properties, as well as residential, commercial, and agricultural properties.

In 2018, Dailey was recognized as Realtor of the Year by the Ocala/Marion County Association of Realtors®. And in 2019, she was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year by the Ocala Women’s Council.

The real estate agency has grown substantially under her leadership. When she joined the agency in 2005, there were only 5 agents; now there are over 40 agents. In 2021, their team helped to close over 440 different transactions both on and off the market and were ranked #1 in farm sales by total transactions.

“To say that 2021 was a fantastic year doesn’t do justice to the hard work and dedication that our team put in, but it was, in fact, a fantastic year!” stated Dailey on the Showcase Properties website.

Her expertise in real estate sales includes being part of the sales of the three highest selling properties in Marion County. One of these properties was Bridlewood Farm as Showcase Properties represented the seller of the farm to John and Leslie Malone in 2013 for $14 million; making it one of the highest-selling farms in Marion County.

“The local horse industry breathed a sigh of relief to hear that not only would the operation remain a Thoroughbred farm, but that the Malones would continue to operate it under the Bridlewood name,” states the Showcase Properties website.

FTBOA President and Thoroughbred Breeder

Dailey is also the President of the Board of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association (FTBOA.) She is also the first woman to hold the post of FTBOA Board President since the organization was established in 1945. Valerie and her husband Hugh, along with their daughter Samantha, operate a successful Thoroughbred breeding farm called 3D Farm (for the three Daileys.) They have had multiple stakes winners, including a Breeder’s Cup qualifier. She has been a member of FTBOA for over 25 years.

Showcase Properties supported over 30 different charities, organizations, and events in 2021 to help enrich the lives of fellow Floridians. Horse Farms Forever® is grateful to be included as one of their selected organizations. Thank you!

Equestrian culture is so deeply woven into the collective DNA of the area. It’s a collegial, collaborative and inclusive community that is very invested in efficient land use and sustainability. Marion County is known for being a place of incredible natural beauty, with plenty of parks and recreational areas to hike and ride and explore. It’s a wonderful place to live and work.

Valerie Dailey

Owner and Broker, Showcase Properties of Central Florida

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 Executive Director,
Emily Holmes

Join Now

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.

https://www.marionfl.org/agencies-departments/departments-facilities-offices/growth-services/planning-zoning/ear

The workshops will be livestreamed. Check the County’s agenda webpage for the link: https://marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Join or Donate Now
Liz Halliday-Sharp Becomes an HFF Founder

Liz Halliday-Sharp Becomes an HFF Founder

by | Aug 11, 2022 | News

Five Star Eventer Liz Halliday-Sharp Aligns With Ocala’s Horse Farm Preservation Movement

Horse Farms Forever® is thrilled to have Liz Halliday-Sharp-HS Eventing join our growing herd of Founding Members.

Liz Halliday-Sharp is a unique sportswoman. Originally from California, she calls both the Blue Fox Farm in Lexington, KY, and Horsepower Equestrian located in Fellowship, in the heart of Marion County’s Farmland Preservation Area, home for her equestrian pursuits.

A Master of Speedy Things

On the one hand, Liz is an international three-day eventer who competes successfully up to the CCI5* level, while on the other she’s formerly a professional racing driver in sports car and GT endurance disciplines. Liz is also an experienced TV broadcaster and presenter and has worked with numerous different channels and companies in both the US and Europe.

For the past twenty years, Liz split her time between the UK and USA which helped her to create a successful business producing and selling horses, as well as providing an opportunity to compete and train in both Europe and America. Now she is lucky to be based full-time in the United States.

Over the last few years, Liz has enjoyed wins and top results up to the CCI5* level of Eventing competition across both continents. Those results have helped her to become an established member of the US Equestrian Eventing High Performance Training List for many years. She has also appeared on multiple Nation’s Cup Teams and was the reserve for Team USA at both the 2018 World Equestrian Games and 2019 Pan American Games. With a strong team of horses in the barn, Liz is very excited for the future.

Rider of the Year

Over the course of the 2020 season, Liz amassed 590.5 leaderboard points to clinch the US Eventing Association Rider of the Year title – the first female since 1981. She rode 13 different horses including Deniro Z, Fernhill By Night, Cooley Quicksilver, Shanroe Cooley, Cooley Seeking Fortune, Cooley Be Cool, Cooley Stormwater, Cooley Black Hawk, Flash Cooley, Cooley Moonshine, Cooley Starship, Maryville Sir Henry, and Cooley HHS Calmaria, at 22 different events including Grand Oaks, Rocking Horse, Pine Top, Three Lakes, Red Hills, Ocala, Stable View, Maryland Horse Trials, Champagne Run, Virginia Horse Trials, River Glen, Fair Hill, Great Meadow International, Chattahoochee Hills, Blue Ride Mountain Horse Trials, Plantation Field, Hagyard Midsouth, Galway Downs, and Tryon International. Including her 25 national and international wins, she finished in the top five a whopping 67 times.

More about Liz in 2022:

 

​Please join us in thanking Liz and Horsepower Equestrian for their support. She does Marion County proud in her eventing pursuits.

Liz Halliday-Sharp aboard Cooley Stormwater alongside Rob Desino of Ocala Horse Properties, who partner with Liz as an owner/sponsor.
Source

Most recently, US Equestrian named Liz and Miks Master C, owned by Deborah Palmer and HFF Founders Ocala Horse Properties, to the Bromont CCI Three Day Event Nations Cup Team. They will compete on August 18-20 at Bromont in Quebec, Canada.

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

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.

https://www.marionfl.org/agencies-departments/departments-facilities-offices/growth-services/planning-zoning/ear

The workshops will be livestreamed. Check the County’s agenda webpage for the link: https://marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Join or Donate Now
April Showers Bring New Members

April Showers Bring New Members

by | May 6, 2022 | News

New members are popping up all over the place this Spring as we celebrate the success of the Amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. As a large herd, we can turn our concerns into smart planning for a future that both grows our economy and protects our horse farms. We thank our renewing members and welcome new members this month:

horse-farms-forever-farmland-preservation-area-ocala-marion-county

Longwood Arenas

Founder- NEW

Longwood Arenas has focused on building the highest quality all-weather riding arenas around the United States. We are equestrian builders who understand the needs of fellow equestrians.

Over the last 44 years, we have experimented with horse riding arena footing from all over the world that mimicks grass. We’ve developed an extensive knowledge base about equestrian development and horse arena footing through this research and experimentation. There is no better way to understand a subject than through real-world experience and trial and error. When you build with Longwood Arenas, you can rest assured that our work is tried and true.
‍
“When it comes to horse arena footing and equestrian construction, we have seen and done it ALL at our own facility. That gives us the confidence to guarantee perfection at your facility.”
‍
– Joe Watkins – President, Longwood Arena.

New to the Herd


We welcome you!

Christina Parker – Partner

Fran Brown– Friend

Alexis Macaulay – Friend

James Moore – Friend

Julio Viteri – Friend

Renewing


Thanks for your continued support!

Laura Payner – Partner

Melissa Henry– Friend

And our monthly recurring supporters!

Ron Beschman

Sara & Bryan Fennessy

Karen & Lonny Powell

Donna Saatman

Paula & Craig Wehde

horse-farms-forever-farmland-preservation-area-ocala-marion-county

Charlie & Rachel Cantrell

Founder- NEW

Charlie Cantrell is a movie producer, entertainment consultant & New York Times best selling author. He has been featured in hundreds of newspapers and magazines across the globe, and has appeared on Oprah, The View, Today Show, Good Morning America, Early Show, Super Tiny Animals, Animal Planet, National Geographic, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX, ITV, BBC, CBC, PBS, including scores of international TV networks. He is the proud owner of EINSTEIN – The Smallest Stallion.

 

When horse lovers Charlie Cantrell and his wife, Dr. Rachel Wagner, received the news that a tiny horse had just been born to champion miniature horses, they knew they had to meet the mini-miniature foal. Sure enough, it was love at first sight, and Charlie bought the baby as a present for Rachel, an experienced rider and owner of a number of horses. Two weeks after Einstein was born, the Cantrells were shocked to discover a procession of 4,000 visitors, soggy and shivering in the rain, lined up to pay homage to their little horse.  Cars were parked all the way to the center of the small New England town, and local police had to shut the roads down a mile from Einstein’s barn and turn many more cars away.  Some people stood for over an hour just to get a sixty-second glance at the fast asleep baby stallion.

As Charlie and Rachel greeted the half-mile line of fans from all walks of life, they immediately recognized an unmistakable connection among the crowd: Einstein elicited a feeling of pure joy and remarkable gladness in everyone he touched.  The good feeling spread as videos of newborn Einstein swept the Internet.  Within days the tiny foal was featured in newspapers, magazines, and television programs as far away as Australia. 

Dr. Rachael Wagner is an MD with a family practice. In late 2021, they bought a house in NW Ocala and have fallen in love with the open spaces and beautiful places.

horse-farms-forever-farmland-preservation-area-ocala-marion-county

Cone Distributing

Founder- RENEWING

Cone Distributing is a distributor of craft beer, hard seltzer, and other beers and beverages. We have offices in Ocala and Tallahassee, serving over 20 counties and stocking everything from local brews to internationally recognized brands.

In every pour of every pint, we take pride in the people and the passion that got that liquid from grain to glass to you. We believe it takes excellence every step of the way. We strive to deliver the highest quality beverages from all around the world and with excellence in service

Whether beer or soda, tea or cider, Red Bull or red ale, all of our products were handled with care by people committed to excellence and quality day in and day out.

Cheers.

Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership

Founder – RENEWING

We welcome the Ocala CEP in their new level of support as Corporate Founders and thank them for aligning with our mission.

The Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) works to be the leading voice of business. We strive to improve economic prosperity with our key areas of focus Business Attraction, Business Retention and Business Creation. Moving Forward is our charge and it reflects our desire to be a catalyst for the business community. By working together with our partners and community investors, we will continue to improve our quality of life and build a strong base for economic growth in our community.

the-yard-stop

The Yard Stop

Founder – RENEWING

We welcome The Yard Stop in their new level of support as Corporate Founders and thank them for aligning with our mission.

The Yard Stop of Ocala is a one stop shop for quality outdoor power equipment including Stihl, Hustler, Spartan, Wright, and Big Dog. Authorized eNVy Crossover Electric Cart Dealer. Full service Garden Center with first picks from regional nurseries. Industry Leading LandscapeDesign and Installation Division. All proud to serve our Ocala, Fl community and beyond.

 

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 Executive Director,
Emily Holmes

Join Now

Who Belongs to Horse Farms Forever?

Individuals, farms, businesses from all over Marion County who share an appreciation for our farmland and a desire to preserve our open spaces and beautiful places. Visit our interactive map for a bird’s eye view.

MEMBERS MAP

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