Mikosz Show Horses

T

he summer of 2013 started a new chapter in the long, success-filled careers of David and Lorrie Mikosz, when they purchased their own training stable in the heart of Ocala, Florida. David and Lorrie have spent much of their professional lives enjoying work as private trainers in some wonderful situations nationwide. The acquisition of this exceptional property provides their clients with the security of a real home base for their operation. According to David, “The Ocala/Marion County area offers everything a show horse business needs to thrive. In addition to the desirable year-round climate there are tack shops, top vets and farriers, feed, hay and shavings choices, everything!”

The farm is located in the Ocala Horse Complex, a neighborhood of over 30 farms and right around the corner from great shopping, restaurants, and accommodations. Most of the community’s facilities are Thoroughbred-racing-oriented, and there is a training track as well within this gated community.

Several features unique to the Mikoszes’ property make it especially well-suited to their operation. Although the farm enjoys the security of being part of a gated community, there is direct access to a paved parking lot for clients and visitors.

The property is private and quiet with several large trees giving it a rural feel even though it is located close to all the urban conveniences. A slight pitch to the land makes managing the water from those famous Florida summer rain showers simple.

Even on the warmest summer day the property always seems to have a slight breeze stirring the sultry air. David and Lorrie have refurbished several of the existing turnout paddocks, complete with automatic waterers, providing the horses a little rest and relaxation. They have also converted one large, 250 x150 foot paddock into a natural surface outdoor riding ring with excellent drainage. Their clients and students enjoy coolout rides between the paddocks or out on the community bridle paths. Other features include a 60-foot-high walled round pen

8 ▪ FLORIDA ▪ WORLD

T

he summer of 2013 started a new chapter in the long, success-filled careers of David and Lorrie Mikosz, when they purchased their own training stable in the heart of Ocala, Florida. David and Lorrie have spent much of their professional lives enjoying work as private trainers in some wonderful situations nationwide. The acquisition of this exceptional property provides their clients with the security of a real home base for their operation. According to David, “The Ocala/Marion County area offers everything a show horse business needs to thrive. In addition to the desirable year-round climate there are tack shops, top vets and farriers, feed, hay and shavings choices, everything!”

The farm is located in the Ocala Horse Complex, a neighborhood of over 30 farms and right around the corner from great shopping, restaurants, and accommodations. Most of the community’s facilities are Thoroughbred-racing-oriented, and there is a training track as well within this gated community.

Several features unique to the Mikoszes’ property make it especially well-suited to their operation. Although the farm enjoys the security of being part of a gated community, there is direct access to a paved parking lot for clients and visitors.

The property is private and quiet with several large trees giving it a rural feel even though it is located close to all the urban conveniences. A slight pitch to the land makes managing the water from those famous Florida summer rain showers simple.

Even on the warmest summer day the property always seems to have a slight breeze stirring the sultry air. David and Lorrie have refurbished several of the existing turnout paddocks, complete with automatic waterers, providing the horses a little rest and relaxation. They have also converted one large, 250 x150 foot paddock into a natural surface outdoor riding ring with excellent drainage. Their clients and students enjoy coolout rides between the paddocks or out on the community bridle paths. Other features include a 60-foot-high walled round pen

8 ▪ FLORIDA ▪ WORLD

RIGHT :

LORRIE MIKOSZ WITH EXX RATED

( EXXPECTATION x SF GEORGIA ), OWNED BY RENEE AND MORGAN PELZMAN. BOTTOM LEFT :

DAVID MIKOSZ WITH NOBLE

RAIN ( IXL NOBLE EXPRESS x RADIANT AFIRE ), OWNED BY NICHOLAS CONTRERAS.

and three additional fenced round pens. The Eurocizerstyle horse exerciser is an excellent tool for cool-out and conditioning the pampered horses at Mikosz Show Horses.

Their brand-new covered riding arena with carefully prepared riding surface is a spacious 200'x100'. David says, “Having this building is such a blessing. It not only keeps us on schedule during a shower but also provides a cooler shaded work area in summer.” The viewing area is in a comfortable patio setting. From accommodating the riding students’ families during the day, to the impromptu evening gatherings, this area is almost always bustling with activity.

The main barn is a stone-covered 26-stall traditional Thoroughbred-style barn with back-to-back stabling and a shed row around the entire perimeter. It was originally built for seasonal use, but the Mikoszes have

9 ▪ FLORIDA ▪ WORLD

THE MIKOSZ STABLES, RIGHT, AND PASTURES WITH KICKLIGHTER PHOTO

THE RACETRACK IN THE BACKGROUND, BELOW.

added high-volume fans above all the stalls and grooming area. The added energy-efficient lighting makes those early morning chores, late lessons, or lastminute body clips easy to accomplish.

The powder-coated stall doors provide excellent floor-to-ceiling ventilation.

There are two covered wash racks, one of which doubles as the farrier’s work area.

Two tiled tack rooms are located close to the grooming area to save steps. The show tack room also houses a compact office area. In the utility room visitors will find a nicely appointed restroom with a shower and a horse laundry area. A separate building provides secure storage and a repair shop.

The Mikoszes are deeply engaged in outreach efforts geared toward bringing new enthusiasts into the show horse lifestyle. Their property is being developed to include several areas for quiet enjoyment and entertainment.

Currently there is a picnic table under a couple of big oaks and a large concrete patio where their clients’ families, visitors, and staff are invited to enjoy a string of fun activities. Since David is often involved, these get-togethers always include food, usually from the grill. It’s common for a rider and his or her whole family to spend the day at MSH riding,

10 ▪ FLORIDA ▪ WORLD

KICKLIGHTER PHOTO

learning, and just hanging out. The Mikosz’s take this assignment seriously — the main barn also houses a kitchen with a refrigerator, food prep area, and a commercial icemaker.

The Mikosz Show Horses cadre is engaged in outreach efforts geared toward reaching the non-horsey business community and their families. They are partnering with several Marion County/Ocala organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, to further acquaint the general public with the show horse lifestyle. The Mikoszes, with the help of their clients and staff, have hosted the “Kiss the Horse” fundraising campaign for the Marion County Literacy Council for the last two years. Last November, the Kiss the Horse campaign raised almost $30,000 and exposed several hundred non-horse people to the Arabian show horse in a one-day event. Their facility is also a stop for Ocala Farm Tours, which bring visitors to the “Horse Capital of the World.” Each tour can bring from a handful to a busload of people to pet the

noses of the resident horses and pique their curiosity about the Arabian and National Show Horses that reside there.

The Mikoszes, with the help of some able marketing and promotional specialists, are developing several programs to expand the general public’s awareness. These programs are focused in several directions. First and foremost are the Arabian and National Show horses in general. Second is raising awareness of main-ring collective horse showing. Last but not least, of course, is to demonstrate the kinship and camaraderie that comes from involvement in the equestrian lifestyle. Their plans include cuttingedge ideas geared toward building a community both on and off the premises.

Efficiency and environmentally friendly operations go hand in hand at Mikosz Show Horses: David and Lorrie make every effort to use locally produced materials, and careful training for the enthusiastic staff helps keep waste to a minimum.

Why would you want to be a part of the growing cadre of both seasoned

11 ▪ FLORIDA ▪ WORLD

competitors and beginning riders at Mikosz Show Horses? It’s simple; David and Lorrie are well-known for sending top horses and riders to the showring. From very first riding lessons through National champion victory passes, they have proven for decades that they know the pathway to success. Horses trained by David have the reputation of being exceptionally user friendly. Lorrie’s instruction focuses not only on the equestrian arts but also on mental preparation for competition.

David and Lorrie, together with the entire team involved in their daily operations, are grateful to their clients, friends, and family who have helped make this project a reality. “It is our sincere desire that the stable bring much more than showring successes,” they say. “It should be obvious too that our Arabian/ National Show Horse community needs focal points nationwide, committed to spreading the rewards and the joys and challenges that association with the horses can bring. We are committed to Mikosz Show Horses in Ocala becoming one of those points of light.”