Ocala, FL (352today.com) – Are the Olympics on the horizon for an Ocala-based rider?
Ocala’s name is synonymous with being renowned as the Horse Capital of the World®, but its depth in diversity and breeds showcases its excellence.
Not only has the area produced outstanding horses, but many of the nation’s leading riders make Marion and Levy Counties their home, earning accolades annually.
Recently, 24-year-old Mia Farley joined those ranks as she was awarded the prestigious United States Equestrian Team’s Jacqueline B. Mars National Competition and Training Grant.
The purpose of the grant is to provide training and financial resources so promising athlete/horse combinations can travel to compete at a higher level and potentially the world stage.
“To young riders who are in a similar situation with limited funds, grants like this and surrounding yourself with good people mean that anything is possible. On days when it doesn’t feel possible, it’s inspiring to be able to apply for these grants and look forward to the opportunities they can provide,” said Farley in a U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation news release.
Promising Future
The three-day event rider, an equestrian sport and an Olympic discipline that consists of three phases, dressage, cross-country and stadium or show jumping, has been riding with O’Connor Equestrian for the past seven years in Ocala.
Farley and Phelps, an 11-year-old thoroughbred, whose father is hall of famer, two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and the 2000 Horse of the Year, Tiznow, have been a team for the past seven years.
International eventing competitions have a specific rating system, one that is designated with stars based on difficulty. Five stars indicates the most difficult.
Farley and Phelps completed their second 5-star in late April. The duo placed 13th in the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Farley recently worked with the 2004 Olympic eventing gold medalist Leslie Law, who resides in Ocala, and is living up to her promise as a premier athlete.
“Mia’s been in our USEF (United States Equestrian Federation) program for a number of years since she was about 16,” said Law. “She was talent-spotted, year after year. She’s fulfilled everything that was seen in her from the beginning. She’s an extremely talented rider. It’s been very rewarding to watch them (Farley and Phelps) develop up the levels as to what’s (now) the highest level.”
Phelps, who’s developing a following in his own right, is owned by the 2000 Olympic eventing gold medal winner David O’Connor. The off-the-track thoroughbred gelding was purchased by O’Connor from a friend for the hefty sum of $1.
Like Farley, Phelps continues to evolve as an athlete, reaching the highest echelon of the sport.
“Mia’s extremely talented, has great ethics, morals and is a great person,” said O’Connor. “I’ve known her since she was 13, and when she was 17, I gave her an opportunity to come ride and work with Karen (David’s wife and an Olympic Silver and Bronze medalist) and I in Florida, and she’s been here ever since. She just keeps progressing. I think she’s a real great talent for the future, for the United States, she’ll ride on teams in the future on different horses. She has a great career in front of her.”