MAJESTIC HORSES

The only horse show of its kind in Florida, Grandview Invitational is coming to the Florida Horse Park early this month.

Once a year, the Horse Capital of the World welcomes the top eight-horse and six-horse hitches in the world to compete in an elite driving competition. Grandview Invitational, which takes place at the Florida Horse Park February 5-7 this year, showcases all three major draft horse breeds: Clydesdales, Belgians and Percherons.

“This year is a very unique year,” Karen Cobbs, president of Grandview Invitational, says, “as it will be the largest display of competitive draft hitch horses ever to hit the state of Florida.”

These extra-large horses and their drivers compete in a variety of classes, from a single horse and cart and the unicorn class, which features three horses, to a four-, six- and eighthorse hitch. The event o ers the two-horse team class, junior driving classes and the four abreast class, which features four horses lined up in a row across the front of the wagon.

And as Karen explains for those of us unfamiliar with the sport, hitch is the term used to describe the number of horses hooked together to drive as one.

While all the events are exciting—just imagine the possibility of 168 one-ton horses

// BY MELISSA PETERSON

in a ring at the same time, along with 21 worldclass hitch wagons—Karen’s favorite event is the four abreast, as Grandview Invitational is one of the only shows that features this spectacular class.

“You [also] don’t want to miss the six-horse hitch championship classes,” Karen explains. “People can purchase one-day passes, or if you can’t make up your mind, there is a three-day pass for a deal. I have all the days balanced nicely, but Friday features the eight-horse hitch, and Saturday and Sunday have the six-horse hitch championships, which will be the biggest and most prestigious classes.”

Many people come to the show just to see the famous Clydesdales in action. If you’re one of those spectators, Karen completely understands.

“Clydesdales are unique, with the feathering on their legs and an array of colors that they can come in,” says Karen. “We show a black Clydesdale hitch, where Budweiser displays the bay Clydesdale color. The bay is the dominant gene, so the blacks are much more rare.”

While you’re at the event, take a walk through the barns for an up-close view of the horses. But if you’d like to see even more, consider going behind the scenes on a Grandview Clydesdales farm tour. O ered year-round, the 90-minute tour of the Grandview Clydesdales operation showcases about 40 head of Clydesdales and takes you right into the horses’ home and training facility.

Beyond the show competition, the event also hosts two special events that are open to the general public, the Grandview Casino Night and the Grandview Gala. These events serve as fundraisers for the 2022 event. More information can be found on the website.

“In this day and age, I consider the Florida Horse Park to be the perfect venue to get out of the house and see one of the most anticipated horse shows of the year,” says Karen. “The arena is covered but all open air and no closed buildings. The barns are open air as well, and the facility o ers 500 acres to social distance.”

Grandview Invitational // February 5-7 // Florida Horse Park, 11851 SW 16th Ave., Ocala // Purchase tickets at grandviewinvitational.com // Learn more about the Grandview Clydesdales tour at grandviewclydesdales.tours

Naturally reducing & removing pollutants from stormwater

The Ocala Wetland Recharge Park incorporates treated wastewater and stormwater from the Old City Yard, a drainage retention area (DRA), that is located near the park and has historically flooded during heavy rain events. The park captures this water, therefore redreducucining g regional flooding. Stormwater can contain many contaminants like nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers, pet and yard waste, oil, grease, heavy metals, vehicle coolants, bacteria and litter. These stormwater contaminants are the leading cause of water pollution. By sensending this water to the Ocala Wetland Recharge Park, the total nitrogen can be reduced to nearly undetectable levels, and the total phosphorus will be greatly reduced. This freshly cleaned water will improve water quality and boost regional groundwater supplies.

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This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement C9.994515617 to the city of Ocala through an agreement/ contract with the Nonpoint Source Management Program of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the viewsviews andand policiespolicies ofof t the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does the EPA endorse trade names or recommended the use of commercial productions mentioned in this document.