OCALA, FL (352today.com) – It’s an event that has evolved over more than three decades, and is one of the most eagerly awaited stops on the winter calendar not only for those competing, but also for volunteers and spectators alike, as the 35th Annual Live Oak International, brings the world’s best to Ocala’s Live Oak Stud from March 12-15. Tickets for the event are still available.
The festivities begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026, beginning with the youth driving. At 11 a.m., the Kentucky Equine Research FEI Driving Dressage at the two-star and three-star levels begin. Read about the full schedule here. There’s something at the event for everyone.
“When you’re trying to build something that’s sustainable, that’s going to last 35 years, you have to kind of do it step-for-step, we’ve tried to do that and be a little bit better every year,” said Chester Weber, Live Oak International co-organizer, who will be seeking his 23rd National title this weekend in the four-in-hand division in the combined driving tournament. “That’s helped create a fan base for not only the spectator, but also the athletes who make the decision to come here and compete. It’s also the venue that brings people to Ocala. It’s a venue that’s about green space, oak trees and farmland, and preservation. We feel like this venue has added a lot of that, and of course we have a venue in our main stadium, that’s a world class venue. There’s a lot of energy and excitement there. We’re super excited about what we’ve built there as well. I’ve always felt like there’s a place for somebody to drink a Budweiser, and there’s a place for champagne and caviar.”
The grounds are picturesque, offering competitors and spectators the opportunity to see the best in equestrian sport with an aesthetically pleasing background, adding to the event’s popularity. It’s an excellent venue to introduce those who may not have had the opportunity to watch equestrian sport in a world class facility that offers the best in competition.
“We have a little bit of something for everybody,” said Weber. “The arena here is one of the nicest driving arenas that I’ve really been in and competed in, in the world. It’s like a billiard table flat. It’s also a lot of fun to have a venue, that is really world class. The best thing about combined driving is you really don’t have to be a horse fan or a carriage driving fan at all, if you like excitement and adrenaline, I think you’ll love to come out and watch this, it’s super exciting, watching horses and drivers go through these obstacles super-fast. It takes a lot of timing and agility and a real synergy of communication between the driver and the horse. It’s super exciting.”
Family fun
There’s also a kids’ zone for spectators who come out with their children. It’s a huge value; it’s not an expensive ticket for the day at all. There are food vendors, shopping, and it’s a fun and family-friendly environment, said Weber.
Milestone moments
One of the most decorated drivers in the history of four-in-hand driving, Weber is a world-class athlete, who finds himself in a position to reach another milestone this weekend, while competing at home.
“This weekend, we’re contesting that 23rd national championship,” said Weber. “I have my eyes set on the World Equestrian Games, which are at the end of August in Aachen, Germany, and we hope to have a great presentation, the judges and jury this year, we’re very fortunate, there’s a lot of crossover with the juries and judges for the dressage from Aachen. We’re trying to make sure we’re going to put on an exciting show for them (on March 12), and they leave here feeling like I’m a contender, a contender for Aachen. I also feel like the team is really in form for both Saturday and Sunday, we’ve been focusing a lot this fall and winter on the cones driving. I’ve trained more for cones driving this winter than I probably have in my life, just trying to be super consistent. I want to make myself into sort of a clear round machine that everybody knows that if he’s in the lead going in on Sunday, the competition is over.”
The opportunity to compete in front of family and friends, against the world’s best takes on added meaning for Weber, who finds himself in the unique position of being the co-organizer.
“People watch me prepare, whether it’s in the gym in the mornings, myself, trying to be as fit as I can be,” said Weber. “It’s super fun to see those people come out and understand a little bit more about what you do, whether they have any horse interest in their life, they come out and enjoy the vendors, and watch the sport, get fired up and really excited about it. That makes it a lot of fun. Driving horses is my passion, and it’s something I do, but it’s not my traditional day job. I get to interact with a lot of wonderful people from the community. It’s exciting to share that with the different people I interact with all the time.”
Wearing many hats
Chloe Reid is a world-class show jumper, but she’s also the Live Oak International’s co-organizer and managing director, in charge of sponsorships for the event and, like her uncle Chester Weber, is wearing multiple hats this weekend. The response from competitors and exhibitors, many who will be competing in show jumping, which includes multiple CSI-4* classes, has been impressive, as spectators will get to view the best human and equine athletes. There will be 185 volunteers working this year’s event.
“Honestly, it’s a large compliment for both Chester and I, but especially me with the show jumping riders who choose to come, and I travel all year, I go to a lot of horseshows myself and take a lot of notes to bring back here,” said Reid. “It’s truly special that a lot of my friends and fellow competitors then choose to come here and compete. It means a lot that they think it’s a good show, it means a lot that they choose here to come for the weekend. It’s a really good crowd here this weekend. I think that’s going to continue to raise the level of sport that we have at this competition and continue to make us as organizers better too. We’ll just have to keep on rising to the level that gets here.”
Pups in paradise
This year’s event features the Ocala Dog Ranch Dock Dogs Competition, adding an extra attraction that any animal lover will appreciate.
“The dog people are our neighbors, and I reached out to them a few years ago about coming, if they could do it,” said Reid. “And last year, they brought them out and they were in the marathon field, and this year we were talking again. They were like we loved it, but we want to be closer to the scene. This year, we’re putting them right in the middle of the vendor village. I just hope that gives them more attention and exposure and gives them the attention they deserve. Anyone can bring their dog. I think it’s like $5, and they can have a go, is what they call it, so you can bring your dog from home, but it’s also for competing dogs who come here specifically for that, but also for anyone who may want to bring their dog out for the weekend, I think that speaks to the family-oriented side of it.”