Horse Shows in the Sun, also referred to as HITS, kicked off its Ocala Winter Circuit today at HITS Post Time Farm near Ocala. It is a 10-week hunter/jumper show and attracts thousands of riders and horses each year. The show, which was once only regional, has become one of the largest in the country.
Ocala waits in anticipation every year of the horse show, with local grocery stores stocking up on carrots to feed the horses, and plenty of locals and visitors can be seen clad in riding pants.
One of the bigger competitions of the circuit is the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup, which takes place on February 19 and attracts national teams from countries all over the world. Teams compete for points to qualify for the finals that take place in Barcelona in September.
New to the circuit is the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, and it will take place on March 26. On March 27, the show will close with the $1 million Grand Prix.
The HITS circuit has brought a ton of economic growth to Ocala, and the town is only going to continue to reap its benefits. Horse properties are very valuable here, but are still less expensive than those in Wellington, an over-crowded equestrian community in Palm Beach. Many who cannot afford properties there, or who simply cannot find what they are looking for, are looking to Ocala to meet their horse property needs.
And speaking of horse properties, have you checked out what Savvy has to offer?
With 332 horse farms currently for sale, there are plenty of amazing options to choose from. With Ocala poised to become even more of a dynamic horse town, take the opportunity now to check out all we have to offer.
And for more information on the Ocala HITS circuit, check out the HITS website.
