OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Ocala’s own, beloved Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses organization does quite a bit for the community, from the annual “Reading with Horses” summer youth literacy program to their “field trips” to visit and bring calming joy to retirement homes, medical facilities and veterans’ organizations.
Now in its 29th year, the organization is going all-out for its latest fundraiser, the Black and White Gala, which also happens to coincide with Magic the Hero Horse’s 20th birthday. Magic is perhaps Gentle Carousel’s best-known therapy ambassador; he went to Sandy Hook, Pulse, Parkland and more sites of tragedy, and has also helped bring peace and hope to tornado survivors, trafficked children and others.
Coming to town for the Gala on Saturday, October 10, 2026, to help celebrate Magic’s birthday (and help raise some green for Gentle Carousel) are three legendary Nashville songwriters who’ve penned tunes for some of country music’s biggest names:
- Billy Montana (Garth Brooks’s “More than a Memory,” “Bring on the Rain” by Jo Dee Messina & Tim McGraw)
- Bent Maher (multi-platinum producer, engineer and songwriter with more than 20 #1 singles for Elvis, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Jimmy Buffett and more)
- Leslie Satcher (George Strait’s “Troubador,” “Politically Uncorrect” by Gretchen Wilson & Merle Haggard)
This is basically a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this trio of titans together in one room, telling stories and swapping songs they wrote for household names.
The Black and White Gala takes place Oct. 10 at Circle Square Cultural Center in On Top of the World, 8395 SW 80th St., Ocala. Doors open for drinks and appetizers at 6 p.m.; dinner begins at 6:40, followed by the concert at 8.
Individual tickets are available here, and we believe there might still be some opportunities for table sponsorships as well, so you can invite the whole family, division or company to this unique and beneficial evening.