Equestrian Center

Whether you’re warming up or going for the gold, the Equestrian Center has plenty of open ring space to accommodate. Choose from multiple practice and show rings: the Louise Serio Ring, the Gene Mische Ring, the Grand Prix Ring and the Covered Arena.

Enjoy hundreds of spacious stalls spread out between five barns, complete with newly renovated roofing and restrooms.

Enjoy incredible views from the bright and spacious indoor pavilion at the Equestrian Center! Perfect for banquets, receptions or just watching the horse shows.

In the event that an area within the State of Florida, is within a hurricane warning forecast cone, as determined by the National Weather Service, the Florida State Fair Authority (FSFA) will allow owners of horse[s] in the affected areas (“Owners”) to locate the horse[s] in the stalls at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center (“Stalls”), on a conditional basis. ONLY HORSES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Owners shall use the following procedure to register a horse[s]: 

• When an area is within a hurricane warning forecast cone, as determined by the National Weather Service, Owners may file a request for reservation of a Stall.
• Reservations for a Stall may ONLY be made by completing this form, on a first come first served basis.
• When an area within the State of Florida is within the hurricane warning forecast cone as determined by the National Weather Service, FSFA will begin to accept registrations. Owners with reservations will be contacted when the FSFA begins to accept Horses onsite.
• Registering for a stall does NOT mean that a horse is automatically accepted by the FSFA. We will prioritize acceptance based on the forecasted track of the storm.
• Must have current coggins, only horses will be accepted.

We have reached maximum capacity and are no longer accepting any new stall reservations for those in the path of Hurricane Milton.

Horses with approved reservations must check in by 7pm today (10/7) or between 8am and 12pm tomorrow (10/8).

Please remember that our facilities are not hurricane-rated, and the Fairgrounds are currently in the projected path of the storm. If your reservation has been confirmed, please exercise caution and understand that you assume full responsibility for any damages. The Florida State Fair Authority assumes no liability for damages related to hurricane pre-staging, during the storm, or post-storm.