Ocala, a mid-size city located in north-central Florida, is one of five sites in the world permitted under Chamber of Commerce guidelines to use the the title, "Horse Capital of the World." The equine industry in Ocala generates $2.2 billion in annual revenue. This area exploded on the international scene when Affirmed, bred and trained in Marion County, won the Triple Crown in 1978. What follows are my experiences in this incredible horse town.

An annual event in Ocala is the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix. In March of every year at HITS Post Time Farm, 40 riders compete based on the Great American Million Rider Rankings. Since its first horse show in 1982, HITS has evolved into a nationwide company with world-class hunter/jumper circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York, Virginia and Illinois. The event shown below is one of the richest Grand Prix events in the world, part of the HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping.

Winding Oaks Farms has a mile-long track. Horse owners throughout the country send their 2-year olds here to be evaluated as prospects for what is hopefully a racing future. Located on 72 acres, the Equestrian Center features a new 14-stall barn, a new 12-stall barn and 15 pastures.

The sport of cutting developed as a result of ranchers in the American West who hired cowboys to work herds of cattle in the open range. Over the years, it has become a competition governed by the National Cutting Horse Association, with some purses at the national and international levels of up to $1,000,000.

The horse and rider become one unit, with a panel of judges assessing the horse’s athleticism and ability to handle cattle. The cutting cattle are young steers and heifers that range between 400-650 lbs. The contestant’s goal is to isolate a cow from deep within the herd. Once separation is accomplished, the rider commits the horse by dropping his rein hand, giving the horse freedom of movement. The cutter is now responsible for preventing the cow from returning the herd. The horse and rider are then judged according to their aggressiveness and style on a scale of 60-80, with 70 being average.