#liveoakinternational

About Live Oak International

History of Live Oak International

Live Oak International is the largest international-level combined driving and show jumping tournament in the country. Each year Live Oak International welcomes the leading drivers, riders, trainers, coaches and owners from Europe and North America.



Live Oak International started as a small club-level driving tournament and now hosts the only combined driving & show jumping tournament on the continent.

In 1990, the Weber family was approached about hosting the marathon portion of a club-level driving competition which was being held at the Ocala Arabian Complex. The Weber family welcomed this invitation and the beautiful grounds of Live Oak Stud were first utilized as the grounds to host a competition.


After observing the tournament at his family’s property, Chester C. Weber, world champion four-in-hand driver, first competed at LOI in 1995 in the Horse Pair Division.


In 1997 when Weber graduated from university, he shifted his interests into the tournament and devoted his time to developing the combined driving sport in the United States. Now, Chester not only is one of the most exciting drivers to watch at Live Oak International, but he is also Co-President of the tournament alongside his sister, Juliet W. Reid, and his niece Chloe D. Reid.

Live Oak International archives photo of Clydesdales
Live Oak International show jumping

While on a visit to the family-hosted tournament, Chloe brought up the excellent question of why the amazing venue with a world-class facility couldn’t host her equestrian discipline of choice, show jumping, as well as her uncles, combined driving. This comment ignited a lightbulb in Chester’s head and the rest is history.


In 2012, Live Oak International expanded and added international show jumping to the program. Today, Live Oak International is the only combined driving and show jumping tournament in the United States.

The competition has grown throughout the years, and has hosted the U.S. Equestrian Federation combined driving national championships as well as the final leg of the qualifier for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League for several years.


With the addition of show jumping to the LOI program, a ringside hospitality area was introduced. Owners, competitors, and sponsors every year enjoy three beautiful afternoons of ringside hospitality and world-class entertainment.

Live Oak International spectators
Live Oak Stud Logo

Live Oak International is unique in that it is held at Live Oak Stud. The venue offers a picturesque setting for world-class equestrian sport and the 5,000-acre property is home to hundreds of heads of cattle, as well as Live Oak Stud, an award-winning Thoroughbred breeding, training, and racing operation. Racing under white silks with red polka dots and black sleeves, homebreds from the program have enjoyed success in the form of Breeders’ Cup World Championships’ wins, Eclipse Awards, FTOBA awards, and multiple Grade One wins on the dirt and the turf. In 2023, Live Oak Stud celebrated 55 years of excellence.

FAQ

  • Accessibility / Golf Carts

    Guest shuttles are available and will run throughout the day to transport guests to and from the parking area and event grounds. Attendees are not permitted to bring their own personal golf carts. 


    Upon arrival, parking attendants will guide you to the designated parking area. 


    Please note that we are a temporary facility that is in a field.

  • Camper / RV

    Camper / RV spots are available for competitors only and must be booked through the Show Office for your discipline. See the Compete page for contact information.

  • Dogs

    Well-behaved dogs are welcome at the competition but must be kept on a leash at all times. Remember to pick up after your dog and keep them with you at all times.

  • Entry Fees

    Tickets are available for purchase online and at the box office during the event. Children under 6 are free. 


    Online: Single Day General Admission tickets are $15 plus applicable fees. 4-Day Passes can be purchased for $45 plus applicable fees.


    Box Office: Single Day General Admission tickets are $25 including taxes and fees. 4-Day Passes are $75 including taxes and fees.


    Proceeds from the event go to selected area charities and non-profit organizations.

  • Food

    A variety of food vendors will be available throughout the event. The food vendors are located in the Vendor Village, which offers a variety of products and services.

  • Merchandise

    Merchandise booths are located in the vendor village on the grounds for everyone to purchase token items. You may also purchase an event program at the booths, which we encourage people to fill with autographs from the athletes.

  • Parking

    General admission parking is free! The parking area is located adjacent to the event grounds. Guest shuttles are available and will run throughout the day to transport guests to and from the parking area and event grounds.


    Premium Parking can be purchased on our site when you purchase your event tickets.

  • Seating

    There is limited guest seating at the main arena. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or even a blanket to watch from the many vantage points.

  • Schedule

    Gate opens daily at 8:00am. Our complete 2025 schedule is coming soon. 

  • Tailgating

    The marathon is only held on the Saturday of the tournament, March 15th. Your ticket will display the date of the entire event (March 13-16, 2025) but this is only to show the event dates, not the date your ticket is valid. 


    Tickets: 

    The purchasing of a tailgate spot includes the physical space of 12’x12’, 6 general admission tickets & 1 parking pass.


    The 6 general admission tickets can only be scanned once. They should be designated to 5 guests for your party (save one for yourself!). These 6 tickets can be scanned whenever the guests arrive so not everyone in the party has to arrive together. Ticket holders may park their own vehicles in the general admission parking lot or handicapped parking if they apply. 


    Additional tickets may be purchased by buying a GA ticket on our website.

    There is no maximum capacity on how many people you can host at your tailgate. Depends how many friends you want to invite! 


    Set up your Space: 

    You can set up your space FRIDAY from 4:00pm-8:00pm OR SATURDAY from 7:00am - 8:00am only.


    We encourage you to set up your hazard on Friday evening and to only bring the perishable items with you on Saturday morning to ensure you know where you are going and everything is done in time. 

    The marathon starts at 8:00am (first horse in hazard at 9:00am) on Saturday morning. Since your tailgates spot is within the marathon course, we ask that all deliveries be completed and to be fully set up at this time to be fair to the competitors on course and as a safety to other spectators. We can not permit cars to be driving during the marathon as a risk to spectators and to competitors on course. 


    Cars: 

    You are permitted to have your own vehicle at your tailgate space. 


    You must have this vehicle parked and in place from 8:00 am till 2:00 pm as it is a risk to competitors and spectators to move it while competition is occurring. Once the marathon course has been cleared of all horses and people, you will be able to drive your car off the property (approx 1:30pm-5:00pm).


    Making the spot yours:

    You are encouraged to bring your own food, drinks, adult beverages, seats, decorations and anything which will make your time enjoyable. 


    We do have concession stands selling drinks and food if you do not want to bring your own or run out. 


    Seats, tents & tables are available for purchase by adding these items to your shopping cart at checkout. These must be reserved by the designated date. These items will be at your spot when you arrive. 


    PSA:

    Tailgating at LOI is a unique experience being so close to the competition. We ask that you please be respectful of competitors on the course. 


    Additionally, don’t forget about all of the amazing activities happening in our main ring after the marathon is over - your tickets are good for the entire day!

  • Vehicle Entrance

    The guest entrance for the event is located at 2215 SW 110th Ave. Turn south on Southwest 110th Avenue off of State Road 40 and travel 1.4 miles. Parking attendants will guide you the rest of the way.