The Spirit of the Horse Show is an unpaid labor of love and commitment from all of us who want to speak for those with no voice of their own. Our four-legged friends that served us so well but now need us to keep them from harm or poor health. Top riders, trainers, dancers, set designers and our remarkable Director, Jessica Lawton, have combined and donated their incredible talents toward this benefit production.

For the last twelve years, the sensational Spirit of the Horse has been touring around the country to sold-out audiences. We are excited to be bringing this magical, heartwarming theater story on horseback to the World Equestrian Center for the first time!

This family-friendly holiday show is a tale of hope, love, and the greatest treasure of all…family. The show features two orphans, whose only wish is for a family to love them. In the story, they have been selected to carry the magic of the horse onto the next generation of horse lovers and are brought to the Snow Palace, where they learn the magic is within them. 

The delightful one-and-a-half-hour event features a story rich with characters and diversity. See the beautifully costumed horses and riders perform a dazzling and spectacular dance in the enchanting Snow Palace ballroom among the amazing dancers, villains, royal fairies and toy soldiers. Watch the Snow Queen inspire two abandoned orphans to believe in love and redemption, the good of everyone, and the astonishing Spirit of the Horse! It’s an experience the whole family will enjoy and a stunningly beautiful tribute to people and horses alike!

Paula Frasz and the fabulous Pas de Cheval dancers are also featured in the show, amid a holiday atmosphere with theater sound and lighting. The costuming is amazing, the horses are beautiful, and the story is one that all can embrace.

Highlights of the evening include five USDF Grand Prix gold medalist riders:  Matt McLaughlin – a well-known trainer from the Ocala area, Kiersten Main, Kassie Kuz, Kayla Barteau, and Yvonne Barteau as the beautiful Snow Queen.

“This year marks a grand entrance onto the world stage at WEC and we are so grateful to our new and returning sponsors. Proceeds from the three shows will allow us to care for more at-risk horses and provide the need rehab to find their forever home” – Yvonne Barteau, Founder of Horse Without Humans Rescue” she said.