Jim Brandon Equestrian Center
Tucked into 111 acres on the park's grounds, the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center is a full show and training complex — a covered arena, multiple outdoor riding rings, and the kind of infrastructure that lets it host everything from weekend schooling shows to larger sanctioned events, all inside a county park that most visitors know for golf or hiking.
A working show complex, not just a paddock
The equestrian center's covered arena means events and lessons can run rain or shine, which is no small thing in a region that gets an afternoon thunderstorm most summer days. Around it, several outdoor rings give trainers and show organizers room to run multiple classes at once — dressage, jumping schedules, or breed-specific shows can all use different corners of the property on the same weekend. It's the kind of facility that draws both serious competitors and local riders looking for a well-maintained place to practice.
Named for a county parks leader
The center carries the name of Jim Brandon, a longtime figure in Palm Beach County's parks system, reflecting how much of Okeeheelee's equestrian infrastructure grew out of deliberate county investment rather than being an afterthought tacked onto the golf course and BMX track. It's treated as a standalone destination within the park, with its own entrance and grounds separate from the day-use picnic and trail areas.
Visiting or riding here
Because the center regularly hosts scheduled shows, clinics, and private lessons, access and availability shift with the events calendar — a weekend with a large sanctioned show will look very different from a quiet weekday morning. Anyone planning to board, train, or enter a show should go through the center's own booking and event process rather than showing up unannounced; spectators are generally welcome to watch shows from the sidelines. Check the current events schedule before a visit if riding or competing is the goal, and confirm gate access, since the equestrian grounds keep their own hours tied to the day's scheduled activity.
Planning the rest of your visit?
See hours, parking, and contact numbers for all of Okeeheelee Park.