Celebrating a Decade of Excellence: Fox Lea Farm’s 10th Annual Show Jumping Under the Stars
Fox Lea Farm, a cornerstone of Southwest Florida’s equestrian community and one of Sarasota County’s top sports tourism economic drivers, is marking a significant milestone with the 10th anniversary of its Venice Equestrian Tour (VET) Winter Horse Show Series. This prestigious event, backed by Visit Sarasota County, offers over $1,000,000 in prize money and features the beloved “Show Jumping Under the Stars” every Friday night. Spectators can enjoy thrilling performances from world-class competitors vying for their share of the $25,000 purse.
“Fox Lea Farm is thrilled to celebrate a decade of the Venice Equestrian Tour,” said Kim Aldrich Farrell, COO of Fox Lea. “This year, we’ve made significant upgrades, including state-of-the-art footing in our arenas and a new pavilion to enhance the experience for spectators and our charity partners. We’re expecting record attendance as we commemorate this milestone for our winter show circuit.”
The 2023/2024 season brought extensive renovations to Fox Lea Farm, elevating its facilities to host one of the largest horse show rings in Florida. These improvements include synthetic footing in the main competition rings and a new spectator pavilion. Beginning January 15, the Venice Equestrian Tour will run every Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through March 16, with the highly anticipated “Show Jumping Under the Stars” series held on Friday nights.
“The 10th anniversary of ‘Show Jumping Under the Stars’ underscores Fox Lea’s pivotal role in bringing world-class equestrian events to Sarasota County,” said Peter Harvey, Director of Sports at Visit Sarasota County. “These events unite our community while significantly boosting the local economy, attracting participants and spectators from across the country. We look forward to continuing this successful partnership.”
Support for the event comes from esteemed sponsors such as the Florida Sports Foundation, Equine Healthcare International, and Hassinger Equine Sports Medicine.
“After a challenging year of recovery from a historic hurricane season, we’re eager to welcome everyone back,” said Laurie Birnbach, Director of Community Relations at Fox Lea. “This year, our events will have an even greater impact on our charity partners, and we’re looking forward to an exceptional winter series.”
Event Details:
- Dates: Every Friday, January 17 through March 14, 2025
- Schedule:
- $5,000 National Hunter Derby at 3:30 p.m.
- $24,999 Grand Prix at 7:00 p.m.
- Admission: $10 (proceeds benefit partner charities)
- Parking: Free
- VIP Tables: Available for an elevated experience
For more information or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.FoxLeaFarm.net or contact 941-320-2018.
About Fox Lea Farm
Founded in 1983 by David and Linda Aldrich, Fox Lea Farm has grown into a premier, family-owned equestrian facility spanning 46 acres in Venice. Known for its “Grass Roots to Grand Prix” Hunter/Jumper series, Fox Lea awards over $1,000,000 in prizes annually. Hosting over 42 events each year, including AQHA shows and the renowned Venice Equestrian Tour, the farm is committed to safety, enjoyment, and community engagement. Learn more at www.FoxLeaFarm.net.
About Visit Sarasota County
Visit Sarasota County (VSC) serves as the official tourism marketing organization for Sarasota County, where tourism leads the local economy. Accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program, VSC upholds the highest standards of professionalism, leadership, and ethical practices. For more information, visit www.VisitSarasota.com.
Photo from Forever Photography