Ocala’s World Equestrian Center Opened for Hurricane Ian Evacuees

As I write this piece midday Wednesday, Hurricane Ian, now a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 155 mph, is bearing down on Florida’s south western coastline. Ian’s initial path had him crashing in a bit further north near Tampa, and then traipsing across the state directly over Ocala. At present, it looks like the Horse Capital of Florida may be spared some of Ian’s ire, but certainly not all of it.

Late last week, in my quest to find a concrete barn for my herd — because they are legitimate hot house flowers and not to be trusted to their own devices outside in good weather, let alone a hurricane — I learned that The World Equestrian Center in Ocala would indeed open their facility for evacuees. Furthermore, they did so for free and provided shavings on site for just $5 a bag, delivered to your stalls. Once stall reservations were confirmed, I also received a text message stating that WEC is offering a buffet three times a day for anyone staying there in the barns with their horses on Wednesday and Thursday (there is a fee for the food, but it is quite minimal).

Please click here to read the rest of the article as it appears on the Eventing Nation website.

Article written By Morgane Schmidt