OCALA, FL (352today.com) – An event billed as “one of the most anticipated competitions on the equestrian calendar” is underway at the World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Ocala.
Ocala is the second stop on the global tour for the inaugural Longines League of Nations™ show jumping competition.
Eight of the top 10-ranked jumping athletes in the world will be at WEC this week to compete in the individual and team events that run through Saturday, March 23.
Riders represent teams from:
- United States
- Belgium
- Brazil
- France
- Germany
- Great Britain
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- Sweden
- Switzerland
The U.S. team will be represented by Kent Farrington, Laura Kraut, Aaron Vale and McLain Ward.
Vale is a local favorite. He manages Thinkslikeahorse, a full-service training facility in Williston with quality jumpers, hunters, and equitation horses.
On Thursday, March 21, a field of the world’s best jumping athletes vies for $330,000 in prize money in the Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSIO5* which will be held under the lights of the WEC Grand Arena.
Then on Saturday, spectators will witness the $770,000 Longines League of Nations™ team competition.
WEC says some tickets are still available for the week. But reserved seating for Saturday’s event is sold out. WEC says daily general admission tickets will remain available for purchase online. Walk-up, standing-room-only general admission tickets will also be available to purchase day-of as long as capacity allows. But note, seating is not included in general admission tickets.
|SCHEDULE: View the event schedule
If you can’t be there in person and still want to catch the action, live streaming of competition throughout the week in the WEC Grand Arena can be viewed here. Saturday’s Longines League of Nations™ will be available here.