Equine, Pets & Wildlife   

Chester Weber and members of his team will continue the conversation about Combined Driving and what it takes to stay competitive in this sport. Chester is not only committed to promoting combined driving, but also is an avid supporter of all equestrian sports as he serves on the USET Board of Trustees. Chester also serves on the USEF High Performance Driving Committee, the National Driving Committee, the Safety Committee, the Hearing Committee, the Licensed Officials Committee and the Driving Technical Committee. He is also active in the organization of Live Oak International, which showcases FEI level combined driving and showjumping at his and the Weber familys 5,000-acre thoroughbred breeding farm Live Oak Plantation. Chester has twice been named as a USEF Equestrian of Honor, but he always shares the limelight with his horses, most famously his horse, Jamaica, who was named the 2008 USEF Horse of the Year and in 2013 was inducted into the EQUUS Foundation Hall of Fame.

Join Chester Weber, the United States most celebrated combined driver, in this presentation to learn more about competitive excellence in Combined Driving.

Chester has earned numerous accolades and prestigious recognition for his accomplishments throughout the world. The Ocala, Florida native was raised on his family’s Live Oak Plantation, and started driving competitively at a young age, with mentoring from Jimmy Fairclough. When he was 18 years old, Chester was the youngest driver to be named to the United States Equestrian Team for the World Pairs Driving Championships in Beesd, the Netherlands. He earned 12 consecutive wins after advancing to the Four-in-Hand division in 1999. Then in 2008, Chester made history by becoming the first American to win an Individual Silver Medal in the Four-in-Hand FEI World Driving Championships.

The mission of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) is to improve the economics, integrity and pleasure of the sport on behalf of owners and breeders. TOBA offers educational seminars for prospective, new, and established Thoroughbred owners and breeders. TOBA’s mission with the seminars is to provide industry participants with knowledge or new perspectives, in hopes to improve the likelihood for success in the Thoroughbred business. These events are an opportunity to gain new information or insights, as well as network and connect with other attendees.

Specific topics, speakers, and sponsors for each seminar will be announced individually closer to each event. Each seminar for this year will cover topics pertaining to both Thoroughbred owners and breeders, pending the location and guest speakers available. Possible topics may include, but not limited to: racing and stable management, common training practices, common breeding practices, foaling and farm management, owner and trainer communications, horse selection with a bloodstock agent, common veterinary concerns, nutrition and health topics, partnerships, pedigree theory, conformation analysis, and equine business matters such as accounting and insurance. 

Prerequisites:Interest in Thoroughbred racehorse ownership or breeding.

 

     Enjoy a morning at Silver Springs State Park learning about the natural and cultural/historical resources of the area. Group will meet at the archway (main entrance off Rt 40). Participants will spend the morning with a Park Ranger to learn about the importance of the Silver River, starting near the head spring.
     After a Glass Bottom Boat tour, they will walk along the Ross Allen Boardwalk and Blue Trail to take a tram ride through the Sandhill Natural Community, with the last stop at the Silver River Museum. After the museum, they will tram back to the main entrance. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and must be able to walk at least one mile, some on uneven ground, and will meet at the Entry Arch to Silver Springs State Park, Route 40 entrance.

     Enjoy a morning at Silver Springs State Park learning about the natural and cultural/historical resources of the area. Group will meet at the archway (main entrance off Rt 40). Participants will spend the morning with a Park Ranger to learn about the importance of the Silver River, starting near the head spring.
     After a Glass Bottom Boat tour, they will walk along the Ross Allen Boardwalk and Blue Trail to take a tram ride through the Sandhill Natural Community, with the last stop at the Silver River Museum. After the museum, they will tram back to the main entrance. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and must be able to walk at least one mile, some on uneven ground, and will meet at the Entry Arch to Silver Springs State Park, Route 40 entrance.

You see them flitting about in your yard, and you hear them singing a musical song - but What Bird is THAT?

This two-part class for beginning birders will help you to sort them out quickly – how to identify birds.

You don’t need to be a “Bird Brain” to take this course. You just need to have an interest in identifying birds by sight and/or sound. We will also cover field guides, binoculars, bird feeders, and other useful tools to get a good start on a great hobby.

To complement the visiting lecture on March 14 by Dr. Bill Hilton Jr. about hummingbird migration, this one-session class will describe the three species of hummingbirds found in Central Florida- the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the Rufous Hummingbird, and the Black-chinned Hummingbird. Information about identifying the three species, how to attract them, and how they live their lives will be provided through class discussion and a video presentation. 

Some of the largest and most powerful birds fall into the collective category of Raptors. Some soar high overhead and dive at speeds up to 200 MPH on unsuspecting prey. Some are smaller than robins and weigh in at less than 2.5 ounces. Many of these birds look alike. This two-part class is designed to help you sort them out.

There are 56 species in 15 genera in this family throughout North America. We will look at 32 which can be seen in north central Florida – 17 in Session I and 15 in session ll. They will be arranged in groups by the season during which they are expected to be seen. Warblers are very active little birds. Colors vary from very bright and cheery to very drab olive and dull brown, similar to sparrows. No matter the color, they will brighten any day!

Do opossums really hang from their tails to sleep? Do ostriches bury their head in the sand? This course will bust some common myths about animals.

Did you know bird watching is a billion-dollar industry? In this course you will learn how birds benefit humans economically and ecologically.

Recently, zoos around the world have come under fire from animal rights organizations spewing half truths and lies about the industry. This course will be taught by a retired zookeeper as we lift the curtain and go behind the scenes to see what life at a zoo is truly like for these animals.

The Attwater's Prairie Chicken is one of North America's most endangered bird species. In this course, participants will get an inside look at what the state of Texas and local zoos are doing to save this animal from extinction.

Did you know there are 17 different species of penguin? Did you know they can only be found in the Southern Hemisphere? Discover the penguins of the world and what makes these birds so unique!

Join us to learn about the status of our Florida bear populations, how they move around our urban neighborhoods and how to prevent nuisance issues. We will discuss appropriate concerns as well as resources to support our local black bears.  

Join the UF/IFAS Extension Marion County Ag & Natural Resource Agent to learn about wildlife, natural resources, and agriculture in Marion County.   

Wild hogs can be very problematic and can cause thousands of dollars in damage overnight. This course will discuss the biology of wild hogs in Florida, resources that may attract them and methods of control.  

  Join the UF/IFAS Extension Marion County Ag & Natural Resource Agent to learn about wildlife, natural resources, and agriculture in Marion County.

Coyotes are very common in residential areas. You may encounter them while walking your pet or looking for local food sources. Coyotes are very resourceful, we will talk about how to stay safe and prevent close encounters with coyotes. 

Join the UF/IFAS Extension Marion County Ag & Natural Resource Agent to learn about wildlife, natural resources, and agriculture in Marion County. 

Bats provide many ecological benefits in Florida including assisting with mosquito and insect pest control. Join in to learn more about bat species that may be inconspicuously flying around your neighborhood. 

Join the UF/IFAS Extension Marion County Ag & Natural Resource Agent to learn about wildlife, natural resources, and agriculture in Marion County. 

We live in "The horse capital of the world." Join Thomas Sweeney owner of Port Royal Racing, who is also working press for Tampa Bay Downs and a multi-state licensed professional horseman.

Part 1 of this 2 part course will cover the basics from breeding to the starting gate! In Part 2 we will attend a Thoroughbred auction at the world famous Ocala Breeders Sales where many of these equine athletes will fetch upwards of $1,000,000! Tom will "escort" you "backstage" at the sales! This is a great primer on "The Sport of Kings...and Queens!

We live in "The horse capital of the world." Join Thomas Sweeney owner of Port Royal Racing, who is also working press for Tampa Bay Downs and a multi-state licensed professional horseman.

Part 1 of this 2 part course will cover the basics from breeding to the starting gate! In Part 2 we will attend a Thoroughbred auction at the world famous Ocala Breeders Sales where many of these equine athletes will fetch upwards of $1,000,000! Tom will "escort" you "backstage" at the sales! This is a great primer on "The Sport of Kings...and Queens!

We live in "The horse capital of the world." Join Thomas Sweeney owner of Port Royal Racing, who is also working press for Tampa Bay Downs and a multi-state licensed professional horseman.

Part 1 of this 2 part course will cover the basics from breeding to the starting gate! In Part 2 we will attend a Thoroughbred auction at the world famous Ocala Breeders Sales where many of these equine athletes will fetch upwards of $1,000,000! Tom will "escort" you "backstage" at the sales! This is a great primer on "The Sport of Kings...and Queens!