Ocala’s Equine Initiative All-Breed Parade Showcases the Horse Capital of the World

The Ocala CEP's All-Breed Horse Capital Parade was held in downtown Ocala on Oct. 4, 2025.

On the left, store fronts, palms and a person holding a placard, in the center horses with riders in formal riding attire and on the right the thoroughfare and people lining the street, and lines on the street foreground.

352todayben-baugh-352-today The Misty Morning Hounds took part in the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership’s Equine Initiative, presented by Pyranha Animal Health, with its All-Breed Horse Capital Parade on Oct. 2, 2025. Courtesy: Ben Baugh/352today

OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Horse Captial of the World turned downtown Ocala into a global destination with the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership’s Equine Initiative’s all-breed parade, presented in conjunction with sponsor Pyranha Animal Health, on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.

The parade, presented by Pat Myers Electric, served as the perfect opportunity to showcase some of the 72 breeds that call Ocala home, said Louisa Barton, Ocala CEP director of equine engagement.

“We want to grow this event year after year to really show off who we are,” said Barton. “We’re the only chamber in the world that has an equine initiative. We think it’s important to be the catalyst for the equine industry because it’s worth $4.3 billion a year, which is huge. These people love their horses and they’re proud to show them off. We’re just happy to be part of that.”

To the left a live oak tree with Spanish moss hanging down, in the center more trees, and to the right people and vehicles. In the background on the left a brick building and in the far background homes. In the foreground to the left and right there is grass and a horse, with a rider on it. — Hall of Fame jockey Jacinto Vasquez, who rode two Kentucky Derby winners and arguably the greatest thoroughbred filly of all-time Ruffian, on a mangalarga marchador at the All-Breed Horse Capital Parade on Oct. 4, 2025. Courtesy: Ben Baugh/352today

As a child, Holly Badillo Wilson wasn’t familiar with the discipline of foxhunting. As an adult, she found herself in the right barn and around the right people. She rode Domino, a 22-year-old thoroughbred gelding, during the parade.

“Opportunity put me in the right place and it’s like living the dream,” said Wilson, who’s on the staff of the Misty Morning Hounds in Micanopy, serving as a whipper-in–a staff member who assists the huntsmen in control of the hounds. “[The Misty Morning Hounds] were invited to the parade, and we really appreciate that.”

Horse trailers and pick-up trucks to the left, a woman in formal riding attire holding a horse in the center, and to the right more horse trailers. In the far background trees. — Misty Morning Hounds whipper-in Holly Badillo Wilson and Domino, at the staging area for the start of the All-Breed Horse Capital Parade on Oct. 4, 2025. Courtesy: Ben Baugh/352today

A pony found on Craigslist, a horse that no one seemed to want, would transform two lives when Karen Ritchie made the decision to acquire the mare named Sugar, and for the past 15 years, the two have formed a strong and unique bond, competing in mounted shooting, dressage, endurance riding, ranch sorting and cattle work.

“This is perfect, for her to go in the parade,” said Ritchie, who owns Wild Windsong Ranch in Ocala with her husband Mark. “She’s very versatile.”

Also front and center during the parade was the national breed of a South American country, the Mangalarga Marchador, a gaited horse whose strong representation drew admiration from many along the parade route.

“The majority of my horses have been imported from Brazil,” said Claudia Bellandi.