Welcome New Partners and Friends

Welcome New Partners and Friends

The environment where we work and live is important. Our local businesses, whether they serve the equine industry or not, know that the unique character of Ocala/Marion County expressed in its farmland and open space makes it an appealing place to be. Without it, we are just another Florida boom town. We welcome several new Corporate Members this month, and heartily thank those who have renewed their memberships..

Florida Horse Park Logo

JP Morgan Chase Bank

Charter – NEW

Chase Bank serves nearly half of U.S. households with a broad range of products. Chase online lets you manage your Chase accounts, view statements, monitor activity, pay bills or transfer funds securely from one central place. To learn more, visit the Banking Education Center.

de Meric Thoroughbred Sales

Founder – RENEWING

de Meric Stables, which also owns and manages adjoining Eclipse Training Center, is set on 240 acres of lush, rolling land in the heart of Florida’s celebrated horse country in Marion county. Rich in both the mineral concentrations in its soil and water and in its traditional role as one of the great Thoroughbred nurseries of the world, this area has produced some of North America’s greatest racehorses. In addition, Eclipse is an accredited training center and offers documented workouts for publication in trade press.

The Equine Chronicle

Founder – RENEWING

The Equine Chronicle is sent out free of charge to every AQHA, APHA, ApHC, NSBA and NRHA judge. It is also distributed FREE of charge at most AQHA, APHA and ApHC horse shows nationwide by over 150 distributors. And with a circulation of over 60,000 copies reaching that count, it’s no wonder The Equine Chronicle is…THE BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK!

Florida Horse Park Logo

Live Oak International

Founder – RENEWING

Entering its 30th year, Live Oak International is the largest international-level combined driving and show jumping tournament in the country, and each year welcomes some of the leading drivers, riders, trainers, coaches and owners from Europe and North America. Don’t miss all the action and celebration on March 3-6, 2022.

 

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Quail Roost Foundation

Patron – NEW

Quail Roost Foundation makes national and international grants in the areas of: All Creatures (Animal Welfare), Education, Emergency Relief, Health, Home Community (Taos County, NM and surrounding areas), Justice, and Sustainability.

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Equus Inn

Leader – NEW

Looking for an Ocala hotel that meets your expectations will no longer be a challenge. The remodeled Equus Inn in Ocala, Florida, is the only Equine Themed, Vintage Boutique Hotel. We’ve reimagined Equus’ 152 rooms to encompass rich equine history, lasting comfort, and modern conveniences. 

Mid Florida Heating & Air

Leader – NEW

You’re in Luck with the Big Orange Truck! Florida’s Leading Heating & Air Company Since 1983.

Next Level Farm

Partner – NEW

Next Level Farm is the premiere equestrian center located in Ocala, Florida. Next Level Farm is adjacent to the HITS showground and offers 78 acres of premium pastures, facilities and privacy in the heart of the equestrian world. 

Showcase Properties of Central Florida

Charter – RENEWING

Whether you’re buying or selling a home, farm, or land, Showcase Properties has the resources you need. They are committed to offering extensive real estate listings for every lifestyle, including luxury homescountry club livingequestrianwaterfrontfarms, and more.  Their comprehensive services include listing your property, marketing, staging your home for maximum curb appeal, pricing your property to sell, and guiding you from the contract stage through closing.

The Wood Stove and Fireplace Center

Partner – NEW

The Wood Stove, Inc. has been dedicated to providing Florida with alternative heating products which combine efficiency, beauty and practicality for over 44 years. We stock many unique hearth and home-related products chosen for quality and style, for both indoor and outdoor.

New to the Herd


We welcome you!

Merry Bain – Friend
Daniel Campos
– Friend
Joyce Hart
– Friend
Kathryn Koch – Friend
Wendy Lader – Friend

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.

ALL THE LOGOS

Corporate Members Gallery

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 

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.

A Growing Concern

A Growing Concern

Those who love our open spaces and beautiful places can no longer ignore the growth coming to Ocala/Marion County. We are so thankful for our members, new and renewing, who enable us to keep inspiring CONVERSATIONS about CONSERVATION of our precious farmland. Together, we can turn our concerns into smart planning for a future that both grows our economy and protects our horse farms.

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Brook Ledge Horse Transportation

Founder – RENEWING

Brook Ledge and the people behind the name are committed to providing the most outstanding service possible in horse transportation. They ship famous show and racehorses to pasture companions and faithful steeds. Whether your horse is a companion or a champion they are all equally important and treated with the highest care and attention. 

Greater Ocala Dog Club

Partner – NEW

The Greater Ocala Dog Club was founded in 1970 to further the advancement of all breeds of purebred dogs, to protect and advance the interest of all breeds of purebred dogs and to encourage sportsmanlike competition at dog shows and AKC performance events. In addition, the club conducts sanctioned matches, AKC dog shows, companion events and performance events under the rules and regulations of the American Kennel Club. This Club also promotes responsible dog ownership.

Great American Insurance Group

Charter – NEW

For nearly 150 years, Americans have trusted Great American to protect them. Their innovative insurance solutions and specialization serves niche marketplaces that they know well. This expertise gives them a successful foundation that spans generations.

Pyranha-Adeptus

Charter – NEW

For over 40 years Pyranha, Inc has been innovating and providing pest control solutions for the residential and livestock industry. Pyranha not only offers ready-to-use and concentrated insecticide products as well as their misting systems, but they also offer a line of odor-management products ideal for homes, kennels, livestock areas and more.

Ocala Stud

Charter – RENEWING

Ocala Stud sold its first crop of two-year-olds in 1958. Since that time, it has become a tradition for the farm to sell its entire juvenile crop, either at the Ocala Breeders’ in training sales in Ocala, Florida (obssales.com), or privately, right off the farm.

The Farm never races, and never holds back promising juveniles. Yet year after year, runners bred, raised, and sold by Ocala Stud rank among the best of their divisions in the U.S. and abroad.

 

New to the Herd


We welcome you!

Gary Bybee – Leader

Sandy Davis – Friend

Rona Garm – Partner

Brooke Hamlin – Friend

Suzanne Jensen – Friend

Kit Mauer – Friend

Jennifer Shuck – Friend

Winding Way Farm – Friend

Angela Yates – Friend

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.

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 Director of Community Affairs,
Sara Fennessy 

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.

A Bright Future For Horse Farms

A Bright Future For Horse Farms

So many of Marion County’s iconic local businesses have chosen to align with our mission of farmland preservation, year after year. We recognize together that a bright future for horse farms is a bright future for us all.

Don Stewart Stables

Leader- NEW

We are pleased to welcome Don Stewart Stables as a new member! In the Hunter/Jumper world, Don Stewart Stables has a sterling reputation and a 45 year history.During that time, he’s proven his expertise by winning innumerable championships as a rider and a coach at all the major shows, including Devon, the Pennsylvania National, the Washington International and at the National Horse Show. Don is currently focused on developing and training horses and expanding into the jumper arena. He and his wife, Nancy, are based here in Ocala.

Florida Horse Park Logo

Florida Horse Park

Leader – RENEWING

Our home town horse park has been an enthusiastic supporter of Horse Farms Forever since 2018 when we began with a fight to keep the state toll road out of the Farmland Preservation Area. The Horse Park is a private non-profit organization operating on state-owned land. They truly serve the equine community at the grass roots by offering facilities for a range of equine events as diverse as can be. There’s always something fun to do at the Horse Park.

 

Newport Hay

Patron – RENEWING

In the distinguished field of hay suppliers that Ocala has to offer, Newport Hay works hard to earn and keep their customers. They apply that same degree of effort to supporting causes they believe in. Newport Hay eagerly stepped up to get behind our first Conservation Summit in 2020. They love to make their customers famous. Have you entered their Show and Tell

 

Florida Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners Association (FTBOA)

Charter – RENEWING

The FTBOA coined the phrase Horse Capital of the World® for Ocala/Marion County. Their support brings the horsepower of the Florida Thoroughbred industry behind it. We are so grateful for the FTBOA, who acts as a media partner for us as well as a supporting member. Check out their fun Florida Thoroughbred History Moment videos on their website.

Photo by Elma Garcia Cannavino

This Week in Ocala

Check out what some of our Corporate Members are offering in the next couple of weeks:

MARCH 1-27
Horse Fever Rides Again
The Horse Fever public art project was created in 2001 by Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) in partnership with Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.

 

MARCH 3-7
Winter Spectacular #9
Featuring “A New Way to Go” The NSBA Hunter/Jumper and $4 Million in prizes
World Equestrian Center

MARCH 4
Ocala RV Show
Florida Horse Park

MARCH 4
LPGA Drive On Championship
Golden Ocala

MARCH 4-7
Grand Oaks Live Combined Driving Event
Grand Oaks Resort

MARCH 16-17
OBS March sale of 2 year olds in training, under tack March 11-13
Ocala Breeder’s Sales

 

 

 

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 Director of Community Affairs,
Sara Fennessy 

New and Renewing Members Continue to Strengthen Horse Farms Forever

New and Renewing Members Continue to Strengthen Horse Farms Forever

Photo by Elma Garcia-Cannavino

Like one of Marion County’s beautiful live oaks, we are growing broader as an organization even as our roots stretch deep. A dedicated group of supporters continue 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.

Founders

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.

 

Renewing Founders:

  • Paul & Ann Kaplan – who graciously doubled their renewal 
  • Lauren Kay
  • Richard Helms
  • Rick & Danielle Sherman
  • Dave & Ann Quanbeck
  • Chester Weber
  • Dave & Esther Wright

Renewing Founder Businesses:

Ocala Breeder’s Sales

says Tom Ventura, president Ocala Breeder’s Sales:

“Horse Farms Forever’s purpose is to protect the culture that we have here in Ocala. It is just a logical connection for Ocala Breeder’s Sales to be a part of it.”

 

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world-equestrian-center-ocala-florida

Golden Ocala/World Equestrian Center

One of the most exciting developments in the equine history of the county is the upcoming opening of the World Equestrian Center.  The Roberts family, developers of the Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Center, and the World Equestrian Center, have aligned with our mission since we began in 2018 and have recently renewed as Founders.

Bridlewood Farm

John and Leslie Malone, owners of Bridlewood Farm, continue to support us as Founders. Bridlewood Farm, a name synonymous with success at the highest levels in Thoroughbred racing, breeding and sales, encompasses more than 1600 acres. 

Charter Members

At the $5,000 level, Charter membership represents a stalwart commitment to Horse Farms Forever’s long term impact. We are thrilled to announce our latest renewing Charter Members:

  • Phyllis Harlow
  • Matt Varney

and NEW Charter Member:

  • Joel Wiessner Productions

Renewing Charter Businesses:

Mars Equestrian

“No doubt, the world would be a lesser universe without the horse. The joy, the sorrow, the beauty, the wildness, the service they render to mankind. We are lucky to be able to share in their story.” Jacqueline Mars

Horses are deeply rooted in MARS history dating back to the 1930s. Giving back through Equestrian partnerships illustrates the MARS commitment for a better world.

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Brook Ledge Horse Transportation

Our presenting sponsor for the Conservation Summit, Brook Ledge Horse Transportation, has also renewed as a Charter Member. Their motto is “You don’t have to be a world champion to travel like one,” emphasizing the deep care and attention to detail that Brook Ledge puts into every trip. 

Patrons

Thank you for your continued and generous support at the $2,500 level!

 

Renewing Patron Businesses:

Eddie Woods Horse Farms Forever Ocala Marion County

Eddie Woods Stables

Eddie Woods, a native of Meath, Ireland, has built an impressive 240-acre facility in Ocala, through hard work and a tremendous desire to produce quality horses. 

Woods has now been based in Central Florida for more than 15 years, and has increased his knowledge of the Thoroughbred industry working for fellow horsemen Tony and Joanne Everard. His knowledge, management and communication skills all have played a role in his success, and he deploys a pragmatic and disciplined approach while working toward a set of well-defined goals.

Autumn Schweiss Eventing

Having grown up in Minnesota on horses since a very young age, Autumn Schweiss has moved to the heart of horse country in Ocala, Florida, considered by many as the premier eventer’s location in all of the United States.

From here, she continues to compete and is willing to share her vast knowledge of the sport she learned from other renowned world-class clinicians and Olympians during her lifetime.

Imagine Thoroughbreds

Imagine Thoroughbreds is a one stop thoroughbred shop. 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.

Leaders

Renewing Leader Businesses:

Ocala Equine Hospital

Ocala Equine Hospital is a surgical referral center established in 1997 to treat elective surgical cases and orthopedic emergencies. They have a full range of advanced surgical and diagnostic equipment enabling them to provide premiere surgical referral services for the region. Their swimming pool recovery system is unique to the region and complements expertise in fracture repair. They also provide ambulatory services for emergencies, preventative care, lameness, reproduction, radiography and general medical care.

New Founders, Brandon & Diannah Perry

Brandon and Diannah Perry of Paragon Farms & Estates, have made a generous pledge of $100,000 to Horse Farms Forever in honor of Brandon’s mother, Cathy D. Perry. The Perrys conserved their farm in Kentucky with the American Farmland Trust and have enthusiastically joined the movement to conserve our iconic Marion County farmland.

 

New and Renewing Partners and Friends

Welcome to the Herd!

Ann Cottongim
Amber De Berry
Fawzy Ebrahim
Helena Smejda
Dave Squier
William & Noelle Vander Brink

 

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 Executive Director, Sara Fennessy at sara.fennessy@
horsefarmsforever.com
.

Brook Ledge Horse Transportation is Title Sponsor of Conservation Summit

Brook Ledge Horse Transportation is Title Sponsor of Conservation Summit

Support for Farmland Conservation from a Premier Horse Transportation Company

As we look forward to our First Conservation Summit in just two short months, we are thrilled to announce Brook Ledge Horse Transportation as our Title Sponsor. An HFF member since 2018, Brook Ledge is distinguishing themselves as a family business that cares about Marion County’s horses and horse farms.

In 1955, Bill and Bob Gotwals started in the trucking business with one truck. Since that time, the family owned and operated business has grown to include Brook Ledge Inc. and XpressWay. Brook Ledge Inc. is now one of the largest Horse Transportation companies in North America. In addition to operating out of its home office in Oley, PA, Brook Ledge Inc. maintains terminals on small farms in Lexington, KY and Ocala, FL. There are 3 generations of Gotwals currently working at Brook Ledge.

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.