Jacksonville Equestrian Center facts for kids
The Jacksonville Equestrian Center is a super cool place in Jacksonville, Florida, where horses and their riders can show off their skills! It's located at the Cecil Commerce Center and is a big part of the Cecil Recreation Complex. This center is designed for all sorts of horse-related activities and even some other fun events.
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Welcome to the Jacksonville Equestrian Center!
The Jacksonville Equestrian Center is a huge facility built especially for horses and their fans. It opened its doors in March 2004. Imagine a place where you can watch amazing horse shows, learn about different horse breeds, and even see some really powerful trucks!
What Can You Find Here?
This center has everything needed for big horse events.
- Championship Arena: This is a large indoor arena where many exciting shows happen. It can hold up to 4,000 people!
- Outdoor Arenas: There are two outdoor arenas for competitions and two more for warming up.
- Turf Arena: A special arena with grass for certain types of events.
- Horse Stalls: The center has 426 permanent stalls, which are like comfy rooms for the horses to stay in.
- RV Spaces: For people who travel with their horses, there are 70 spaces for RVs (recreational vehicles) with full services.
Fun Events and Shows
The Jacksonville Equestrian Center hosts many different events throughout the year.
- Horse Shows: You can see events like dressage, where horses perform fancy dance-like movements. There are also exciting Rodeo shows and events like the annual 4-H horse show.
- Famous Horses: Sometimes, special horses like the Royal Lipizzaner Stallions come to perform. These beautiful white horses are known for their elegant moves.
- Other Events: It's not just about horses! The center also hosts Monster truck shows, thrilling Demolition derby events, music concerts, and even band camps.
How It Was Built
The idea for the Jacksonville Equestrian Center came from a plan called the "Better Jacksonville Plan" in 2000. This big project cost about $25 million to build. It was an investment to create a top-notch facility for the community.
Who Manages the Center?
The City of Jacksonville's Parks and Recreation department is in charge of running the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. They work hard to make sure the facilities are well-maintained and ready for all the exciting events.
