OCALA, FL (352today.com) – If first impressions are everything, the World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Ocala has exceeded expectations. And it’s fair to say that in the arena of all things equestrian, the bar is set really high.
“My first impression of WEC is fantastic,” said Simon Delestre representing Team France. He’s the number-seven-ranked rider in the world. “I think everything is done for the horse, and everything is perfect for the horse. You can feel even a really, really sensitive horse would like it. Here they feel so good, almost like they’re at home, which is great for them.” Delestre came in first place in the Coca-Coal Beverages Florida Grand Prix Qualifier at WEC on Wednesday, March 21, with a time of 65.41 seconds.
Elite athletes and their horses have trotted to WEC from around the globe for the Longines League of Nations (LLN) jumping competition which runs through Saturday, March 23.
Riders compete individually and as a team in the four-day event. Ocala is the second leg of the qualifying event which started last month in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. From here, the competition moves on to Switzerland, then the Netherlands and finishes in Spain in October.
For the U.S. Jumping Team, having the opportunity to compete against the best teams in the world on home soil is rare.
“We’re always abroad and never at home. To bring it so close to our fans here is really fabulous,” said Lizzy Chesson, US Equestrian Managing Director, Show Jumping. “Here at Ocala, we have our big guns. We have McLain Ward, Laura Kraut, Kent Farrington, and Aaron Vale, and we are looking to have a strong performance here. With great riders, great horses, and great owners, we feel really happy and proud to be here.”
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“I want to echo how proud we are as Americans to bring the world to this venue,” said Team USA rider McLain Ward. “This is spectacular. I don’t see anything like this anywhere else in the world. So, I’m proud to be an American in this moment. We have our A-team here in most aspects. It shows how serious this is to us and how important this event is to us. I think we’re very focused and dialed in and expecting a great performance in front of a home crowd.”
The LLN is a big test for WEC which was designed specifically to host events of this caliber.
“It’s one of the most horse-friendly facilities we have anywhere in the world,” said Todd Hinde, Director of Jumping, Fédération Equestre Internationale, of WEC – Ocala’s inclusion in the Longines League of Nations™ series. “From the size of the stables to the horse paths and the green spaces we have around, it’s extremely horse friendly. It’s pretty obvious when we arrive at the facility and drive through the front gate that it has that ‘wow’ factor. The unique aspect of the whole facility and looking at that arena, it’s incredible.”
For the staff at WEC, it’s all about the details.
“The careful nature of the facility and how it was developed and the detail that was put into the footing, the stabling. The ease of access for the facility for the horses and for the exhibitors is critical to us,” said Justin Garner, Senior Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy for WEC. “We built the hospitality infrastructure around that. That’s one of the key differentiators for our facility is the hospitality. It’s going to be a great environment.”
The event wraps up on Saturday with two rounds of highly anticipated competition. Reserved seating for Saturday is sold out but organizers tell us there are still some general admission, standing-room-only tickets available for Saturday.
“We know it will be a raucous environment on Saturday night and being here in Marion County in the Horse Capital of the World®. We have a very educated crowd that really appreciates the level of riders that are here, the level of horses that are here,” said Garner.
For the spectators, Garner says they have some surprises up their sleeves for Saturday evening.
“It will really be a great show from the beginning to the end,” said Garner.
Some tickets are still available for the events during the week. Click here to purchase tickets.
