Monday, November 7, 2006

Florida Horse Park Has Huge Successful Innaugural Event

FHP Prepares for 2006 with State of the Art Footing For Dressage Arenas

Olympian, Darren Chiacchia, one of the first riders to cross the finish line on the newly constructed Preliminary course, was more than a competitor at the inaugural event of the Florida Horse Park, Ocala’s premier equestrian facility featuring the Ocala Horse Trails and Sunshine State Driving Event, November 5-6. As a board member of the 500 acre state owned facility managed by the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park Authority, Chiacchia, along with fellow board member, world renowned combined driving champion Chester Weber, prepared breakfast on Saturday morning under a tent at the show grounds while explaining the scoring systems for each of their respective disciplines, to the media and local residents and tourists.

Not just an event for eventers, with the combined efforts of the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce, The United States Equestrian Federation, Team Ocala, and a large number of local businesses and individuals, The Ocala Horse Trials and Sunshine State Driving Event drew a crowd of over 5,000 people which came out to watch present and future Olympians compete. They also enjoyed a large trade fair, good food, and for those attending Saturday evening’s “Art of Riding Champion’s Party, at Richard Simons Foxtrotter Ranch adjacent to the Horse Park, a great party.

And as soon as the event is over, construction begins on the dressage areas installing state of the art footing in preparation for the upcoming dressage shows offered this winter, January 14-15, and March 11-12, as well as for their bid as a considered location for the 2006 World Equestrian Games Dressage Selection Trials in June.

On the Scene at the New Florida Horse Park