The Live Oak Combined Driving Event one of the premier Combined Driving Events in North America. Since it's inception in 1993, it has become an event that draws the top CDE drivers and teams from all over the world to the Horse Capital of the United States, beautiful Ocala, Florida. Since 1995, the Event has hosted Selection Trials for both the United States and Canadian Equestrian Teams and in 1998, was granted international sanctioning by the Federal Equestre Internationale. In 2003, the Event was elevated to a CAIA, the only event of this level in the United States.
The schedule of events includes:
- Thursday, March 21: FEI Dressage and Intermediate Dressage
- Friday, March 22: Intermediate Dressage and Preliminary Dressage, $15,000 EyeD Welcome Stake
- Saturday, March 23: Cross Country Marathon, Live Oak International CSI $50,000 Grand Prix, Signature Brand Kids' Zone
- Sunday, March 24: Obstacle Competition, Coaching Drive, Classic Car Show, Signature Brand Kids' Zone
In 2000, a classic car show was added and this popular display has grown to over 150 beautifully restored classic cars and are exhibited throughout the final day of the Live Oak Event. In 2002, Live Oak hosted the Horse Fever auction, which raised over $800,000 for numerous Marion County charities. Horse Fever II was welcomed during the 2012 Event and raised over $208,000 for charity through the sale of 30 beautiful art horses. Due to the success of the Horse Fever Auction, we worked with The Marion Cultural Alliance to host an equestrian art auction to benefit charities in 2004 and 2005.
Beginning in 2007, Live Oak partnered with the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association and proceeds from admissions are donated to this worthy cause annually.
The 2012 Event, our 20th Anniversary, introduced Show Jumping for the first time. Featuring a Jumping Speed class Friday afternoon following Driving Dressage, and a Jumping Grand Prix Class following the Driving Marathon Saturday, this is an Ocala staple sport and adds yet another exciting equestrian performance facet to our fabulous weekend in Horse Country.
The site of the Event is Charlotte Weber's pristine Live Oak Plantation, in Ocala, Florida, one of the South's largest and most extensive Thoroughbred operations, spanning over 4,500 acres. It is also home to the Live Oak Stud, Chester Weber's public, commercial training operation and home of one of the world's top CDE drivers.
