The CEP's Equine Initiative Ocala, presented by Pyranha

06/08/2026

06/06/2026

Reading with Horses #1 with Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses for this summer, presented by Pat Myers Electric and the series sponsored by Horse Farms Forever, bringing children and horses together and encouraging literacy during the summer!!

05/28/2026

Check this out and join us on June 4th at Midtown Station in the horse capital!!

Pick up your free coloring book on June 4th and select a book to take home too!

The kickoff summer reading program for Gentle Carousel's Reading with Horses will include the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard, the mayor of Ocala and a ribbon cutting by the Ocala CEP. It will also include the debut of a coloring book for each child about careers in the horse industry.

The coloring book is an educational project by the CEP's Equine Initiative Ocala, presented by Pyranha to teach local elementary students. Thousands of copies were printed to be distributed to Marion County schools this coming school year. Therapy horse Moonshadow is on the coloring book cover and will be at the first reading program this summer.

Gentle Carousel's Reading with Horses summer literacy programs are back again on Thursdays at 10:00 AM starting on June 4, 2026. They will take place at Midtown Station overlooking Tuscawilla Park at 235 NE Watula Ave, Ocala, FL 34470.

Each week will feature a book by different authors and publishers and the ACTUAL equine character from that story to bring the book to life.

Gentle Carousel's Reading with Horses is free to the public including summer schools and camps. Children will be able to select a free new book each week they attend to build their own library at home. Children without a summer reading routine can lose one to three months of the reading skills they spent the previous school year building.

05/20/2026

05/19/2026

Congratulations to all connections of the Preakness 151 winner, especially our local connection, Jorge Villagomez, who gave Napoleon Solo a great start under saddle right here in the horse capital.

05/16/2026

Congrats to Florida Bred My Miss Mo, winner of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes today!! Local connection: Breeder Tristan de Meric, de Meric Thoroughbreds

05/15/2026

Reminder CEP partners and their guests!!

This Monday, we are at the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association at 2pm for the The CEP's Equine Initiative Ocala, presented by Pyranha meeting and 101 and a tour!!

Surprise guests: hint Derby

Thank you Pyranha Animal Health for your support

Also, thank you Meldon Law for the refreshments!

05/15/2026

Ocala and Marion County will be well represented at the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes with three local connections taking center stage at Pimlico:

🏇 Post 1 — Taj Mahal
Representing Vegso Racing Stables and started right here in Ocala by Eddie Woods Stables.

🏇 Post 2 — Ocelli
Owned in part by Ocala’s Kevin Page.

🏇 Post 11 — Corona de Oro
An OBS yearling sale graduate from Beth Bayer and Tom McCrocklin.

From local farms and training grounds to one of horse racing’s biggest stages, Marion County’s impact on the sport continues to shine bright. 🌟

05/13/2026

How incredible to see this undefeated Florida bred in the Preakness this coming weekend!!

EDITED LAUREL PARK PRESS RELEASE LAUREL, MD— Florida-bred Taj Mahal, an impressive debut winner on Feb. 6, steps up into stakes company for Saturday’s $100,000 Miracle Wood for 3-year-olds over a one-turn mile for breeder Vegso Racing Stable. Owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables...