Membership Roundup Fall-Winter 2024

Membership Roundup Fall-Winter 2024

by | Dec 30, 2024 | Informational, News

Wrapping Up 2024 with Gratitude for Our Friends and Supporters

As 2024 draws to a close, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible support of our members, supporters, and community. This year has been nothing short of extraordinary, and it’s all thanks to you. Your generosity and enthusiasm have fueled our mission. Whether you attended an event, shared our vision with friends, or contributed to our initiatives, you’ve played a vital role in our success.

As we celebrate the holidays, we’re reminded of the warmth and kindness that defines our community. Your belief in what we stand for inspires us to keep moving forward in our quest to protect the Farmland Preservation Area.

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 this month, and allow us to introduce you to our newest herd mates.

New to the Herd
We welcome you!

FOUNDER

 

BRONZE

 

PATRON

LEADER

RENEWING Organizations

Corporate Founders

Chi University

Ocala Chamber & Economic Partnership

Ocala Stud

Showcase Properties of Central Florida

Saint Bernard Foundation, Inc.

Yard Stop

Tri-Eagle Sales

Silver

Imagine Thoroughbreds – Silver

RENEWING Individuals & Families

Founders

Phyllis J Harlow
Dave Quanbeck & Ann Lindbald

Vivian Day & John Stroh

Kim Van Kampen Crook
 

Family Leaders

Barbara Stoia

James Goodwin

Elizabeth Goodwin

John S Gaither

John & Alston Kerr

NEW Friends

Ducks Unlimited

Amy Davis

Sandy McFarlin

National Christan Foundation

Carlos Tobon

Car Mart of Ocala

Stewart Newman

Tripton DeAngelis

Thomas J Flannery

Tracy Dowson

RENEWING Friends

Alexis Evanich

Carol Tremblay

Debra Stevenson

Douglas Shearer

Edith Gandy

Elen Verlen

Gail Thompson

Gloria Oest

Hedi Allespach

Jeff Ulmer

Jenaay Brown

Jennifer Shuck

John Crowe

John Rowe

Joyce Tyson

Julia Davies

Marc Asher

Mary Frasure

Mary Windsor-Nespolo

Melissa Havens

Michelle Stone

Mike Lutetgert

Ron Beschmann

Sarah Almedia Dennis

Shelia Wickstrom

Sheryl Osorio

Wendy Madden

Questions About Membership and Sponsorship?

Sara Fennessy, Executive Director

859-553-5510

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!

A Bright Future For Horse Farms

A Bright Future For Horse Farms

by | Mar 4, 2021 | News, Uncategorized

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 

Join Now
Marion County Votes for Farmland

Marion County Votes for Farmland

by | Feb 3, 2021 | News

Farmland Matters

As the year turns over, Horse Farms Forever celebrates the growth of our membership at the grass roots. Although 2020 was a challenging year in many ways, the economy in Ocala/Marion County remained strong. Threats to the integrity of the Farmland Preservation Area did not abate, and there’s no sign that they will in the future. More and more farm owners, concerned citizens and businesses have joined us, publicly aligning with our mission to preserve the character and culture that horses and horse farms bring to Ocala/Marion County and protect the Farmland Preservation Area. Here are our new Individual and Corporate members from the last 2 months:

Welcome to the Herd!

Leader

Jessin Blossom

Partner

Jill Norair

Friends

Lura Bergh
Victoria Conway
Ann Cottongim
Janice Garvin
James Henningsen
Leyla Hook
Ellen Seavey Oman
Alyssa Pascucci
Corinne Zellner

Flourishing at the Grass Roots

In 2020, we welcomed hundreds of new members. Our growth at the grass roots (Friend) level shows growing support for our mission in the community-at-large.

Join Horse Farms Forever

Businesses

Serving the Suncoast since 1953. Icard Merrill has been named to U.S. News and World Report’s Best Law Firms List for eleven years running.

All the info. All the pages. All the time. The Equine Chronicle brings Ocala’s equine community together with features, events, and training tips.

ACE Equestrian offers top quality durable elastic equestrian belts and accessories. Proudly celebrate the equestrian and sporting lifestyles.

Why Support Horse Farms Forever?

Horse Farms Forever was born in 2018 to fight the State’s plans to build a toll road through the Farmland Preservation Area. A small group of farms, businesses and individuals came together with the County, and successfully convinced the State to respect our iconic farmland. In two short years, Horse Farms Forever (HFF) has become a lightning rod, attracting and gathering the voices in Marion County who care about protecting the character and culture created by horses and horse farms. HFF is now an effective 501c3 nonprofit organization with a clear mission to:

  • Protect the Farmland Preservation Area,
  • Promote the equestrian culture and character of Marion County,
  • Preserve farmland for future generations, and
  • Plan collaboratively with government and community stakeholders to ensure that open spaces and beautiful places remain forever.

Since our inception, we have steadily added members, both Individual and Corporate. Member support fuels our Threat Reserve Fund – this critical resource enables us to quickly ramp up our activity when our watchdog efforts uncover a new development or roadway threat to the FPA.

If you have been following us lately, you have seen us tackle two such threats in rapid succession. As we have raised awareness in the community, new friends and supporters have emerged and joined us. Our new members are individuals and businesses who share a deep regard for farmland and want play a part in keeping our area healthy, beautiful and worthy of being called the Horse Capital of the World®. It is not necessary to be in the horse business or to even own a horse to appreciate how horses and horse farms create a special sense of place that is worth preserving. We want to represent everyone who cares about the Farmland Preservation Area and protecting it for future generations. Thank you, new and renewing members, for your support. We are stronger together.

"Thank you so much for being there to support our farmland. It takes a lot of dedication and resources to do what you do. I am proud to be a member."

Sandra Vann

"So glad to see HFF continue to increase in numbers! As we’ve just witnessed, HFF is the best defense against the constant threat to the Farmland Preservation Area and our peaceful way of life. I do think “Border Collies” is a fitting description…….all paws on board…..keep those wolves out!"

Peter Fleming

"Hooray! Horse Farms Forever is a great organization, able to rally its members and the community effectively. You made it so easy to understand the issues and to contact the Commissioners. Great job."

John Toenjes

"Congratulations. You all are doing a fantastic job staying ahead of and on top of all the threats against our farm preservation areas. Thank you for watching out for the future of farm lands. God bless you."

Erna Jean Miller

"As a Real Estate Broker living in the Ocala area for over 30 years and dealing almost exclusively in Equine properties, I must agree strongly with those interested in preserving the FPA and the ambiance connected with the horses and farms that ARE Ocala. Many changes have occurred here over the years, and the majority of those changes are not in favor of keeping Ocala peaceful and beautiful."

Patricia Hawkesworth

"Thank you for keeping me in the loop of everything. I don’t have a horse farm but we live very close to all of you and I love our surroundings and we are so very lucky to see your beautiful horse farms and cattle farms. I truly love living here and it would truly be awful for this expansion to happen in our community. I love the quiet and beauty of this land. Thank you for all that you do."

Sunni Ziroff

"So glad to see a proactive group addressing this. Farmland lost is farmland lost forever. We watched development in Virginia and the way it ruined the countryside before preservation groups realized the consequences. By that time it was too little too late in many instances especially northern Virginia."

Pug & Susie Hart

Join or Donate Now
New and Renewing Members Continue to Strengthen Horse Farms Forever

New and Renewing Members Continue to Strengthen Horse Farms Forever

by | Dec 9, 2020 | News

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.”

 

world-equestrian-center-ocala-florida
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.

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

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 .

Join Now

Conservation Summit Will Be Streamed Live

Conservation Summit Will Be Streamed Live

by | Nov 2, 2020 | Events, News

Photo courtesy of Founder and Summit Bronze Sponsor, Elma Garcia Cannavino.

Thanks to new member and Silver Sponsor, Dillon Video, the Horse Farms Forever Conservation Summit will be Live Streamed over YouTube on November 19th, 12:00 to 2:30pm. Seats for live attendance at Golden Ocala are nearly sold out, but virtual attendance opportunities are unlimited! The link will be private, so you must register for the conference first. Once you are registered, we will send you a link for the livestream 24 hours before the Summit. Just click the link at noon on the 19th and join us.

We are thankful for the professional services of long-time local business, Dillon Video, to make our live stream run smoothly. Dillon Video and Film Productions, Inc., was established in 1985. Since its inception, Dillon Video has specialized in professional video production services and has added additional services as technology evolved. They specialize in multi-camera live streaming events, videography of all things equine, photography, aerial video and photography (drones), virtual tours and more.

Thank you, Dillon Video, for joining us as a member and partner in making our first Conservation Summit a success. To learn more about Dillon’s services, contact TJ Ready or call (352) 229-2711.

We also want to mention and thank our other Silver Sponsor, Showcase Properties of Central Florida. Owner Valerie Dailey has been aligned with our mission and a member of Horse Farms Forever since day one. As an additional gesture of support, Showcase will be providing pads, pens and hand sanitizer to all live attendees of the Summit.

Showcase Properties is committed to offering extensive real estate listings for every lifestyle, including luxury homes, country club living, equestrian, waterfront, farms and more.

Their staff are energized to use their industry acumen and love of horse country living in service of your buying and selling needs. Marion County is home to many internationally renowned horsemen and horsewomen, and Showcase Property’s real estate agents are long-time active members of the equine community.  Contact them here or call (352) 351-4718.

Thank you, Silver Sponsors!
Register for the Summit Here
Register for the Summit Here

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!
Join or Donate Now