World Equestrian Center Ocala in May of 2026. How bad is the heat?

[Joanne]

The USEF Grand Prix dressage national championships are going to be held in Ocala May 13-17, 2026. The WEC says it will be held in the Grand Area which is the big outside arena that has covered bleachers on a couple of the sides. I might like to go.

It is a 5-day show just for grand prix and I am thinking maybe they will just have classes in the evenings. Does that seem reasonable? Sounds like it is going to be wicked for the riders and horses to perform during the daytime.

Has anyone attended a show there at the WEC during May?

[libgrrl]

May (typically) isn’t too odious.

[Mersidoats]

May is the last month I will consider showing outside. It’s usually in the mid-80s, sometimes we have a dry spell for part of the month. If you’re from up north you might be slightly shocked, but with water, a hat, and sun protection you will be fine.

[Annie10]

It was already in the mid 90s in N FL this past May.
I know the indoor arenas there are air conditioned. If you’re in those you’ll be ok

[ThreeWishes]

Yeah. May is 90’s. And humid AF. And if you say it’s in the 80s think like 88 or 89.

[Annie10]

Right? I took my horse to a show in mid April this year in NE FL and it was 100 that weekend. He colicked and spent 3 days in the horse hospital , I think I posted on the vent thread about the issues with the vet .

[Joanne]

@Annie10

I know the indoor arenas there are air conditioned. If you’re in those you’ll be ok

They said it will be held in the grand arena which is outside.

https://worldequestriancenter.com/us-equestrian-announces-location-of-2026-usef-grand-prix-dressage-national-championship/#:~:text=US%20Equestrian%20Announces%20Location%20of%202026%20USEF%20Grand%20Prix%20Dressage%20National%20Championship,-14%20Aug%2025&text=Lexington%2C%20Ky.,May%2013-17%2C%202026.

[4horses]

May can be brutally hot. My friend and I used to go camping for memorial weekend. After getting heat exhaustion I stopped going. One of her other friends took their kids with and one of the kids ended up in urgent care due to heat stroke. That was the end of camping in May.

You might survive if you have AC and a generator in your trailer and you keep the rides really really short.

Colic can be an issue. I’m always cold hosing the horses all summer and feeling heat sick myself. It’s miserable. Last summer I had 3 colics. Now I cut way back on hay for the horses during the summer. Too difficult to keep them hydrated.

Some years we do have a week or two of nice weather in May but you are definitely gambling on that.

[ThreeFigs]

We moved down here just 5 years ago and I would not show here, indoors or out, between mid-May and mid-October. That said, I’m old and heat intolerant anyway. Keeping the horses going through summer here is a challenge. Ride very early or very late and in the heat of summer, keep the rides short and simple.

[pluvinel]

.

[Annie10]

@Joanne

@Annie10

I know the indoor arenas there are air conditioned. If you’re in those you’ll be ok

They said it will be held in the grand arena which is outside.

https://worldequestriancenter.com/us-equestrian-announces-location-of-2026-usef-grand-prix-dressage-national-championship/#:~:text=US%20Equestrian%20Announces%20Location%20of%202026%20USEF%20Grand%20Prix%20Dressage%20National%20Championship,-14%20Aug%2025&text=Lexington%2C%20Ky.,May%2013-17%2C%202026.

Well, in that case, I wouldn’t even consider it, but that’s up to you

[bingbingbing]

For this year’s summer circuit at WEC jumpers going in the Grand could warm up in the air conditioned indoor that was just as close as the outdoor schooling area. But Idk if they will do that for the Dressage show in May.

[BostonHJ]

Yes, I was about to reply with this. WEC seems to be pretty smart about keeping everyone safe and comfortable.

[ThreeWishes]

Weenies? More so cognizant of heat stress on our horses and selves.

[StormyDay]

Warm up will likely be inside in the AC, so you’ll only be outside for your test. And the barns have AC so the horses stay comfy. Do keep in mind is there is no night turnout; so if you pay for a turnout paddock you can only use it during daylight hours.
If you haven’t shown there, it’s an awesome facility.

[pluvinel]

@ThreeWishes

Weenies? More so cognizant of heat stress on our horses and selves.

Yes. Weenies. That’s what happens when you get a bunch of northern transplants moving to Florida.

[ThreeWishes]

I’ve lived here since I was 6. And I’m 56. Pretty sure I’m used to the heat. I’m just smart about it.

[pluvinel]

@ThreeWishes

I’ve lived here since I was 6. And I’m 56. Pretty sure I’m used to the heat. I’m just smart about it.

OK. Each to their own. I have ridden bicycles and horses mid-day in South Florida…no indoor…for many years. Dressage and jumping. Of course, this was back in the dark ages when dinosaurs roamed the earth, Kendall was just a dream in some developer’s mind and air-conditioned barns had not been invented.

[ThreeFigs]

OK, Pluvinel, try riding at Estes Park with asthma. Then tell me I’m a weenie!

It’s not just the humans, it’s the horses. My geldings have always had trouble in the heat, even the old guy who’s main career was in Colorado. I learned I could not show him even in Colorado on the Front Range after mid-June. Unless the show was in Estes, where the temps are considerably cooler. Fortunately for me, Old Figs was good to go for Championships in late September.

The other gelding had an episode of heat stress. I called the vet for that one. Both horses were from Germany and not acclimated to Florida’s climate. Colorado was more forgiving.
After that episode, I do not take chances with my horses! Weenie or no, I’m too old at this point to start again with a new horse.

[SusanO]

I grew up in the South. I did not have AC the first part of my childhood. No AC in schools until college. So I should be acclimated. I can’t take the heat. Could not take it when I was young and skinny either. My body thinks it should be living in northern Europe, not the southern US. Having dry heaves from the heat after you get off the horse is no fun. I am not a weenie. My favorite temperature is 30 degrees. Best temperature to ride a horse.