What do you know about Ocala, Florida? Chances are you probably don't know much. Unless you spend a lot of time in this part of northern Florida, or unless you really like horses, Ocala probably has never been on your radar. But, after visiting Ocala and Marion County for the first time, I think it should be. Here are three things you probably didn't know about Ocala, but that I think makes it a really cool part of Florida: 1. Horse Capital of the World In the 1940s, horse breeding farms began popping up all throughout Marion County. Today, there are more than 70,000 acres of thoroughbred breeding and training farms around Ocala. The area has bred everything from world-champion show jumpers to Triple Crown winners (Affirmed, who won the Triple Crown in 1978 was bred and raised in Marion County). If you're a horse lover, this is the place for you — even the Ocala international airport serves horses! 2. First tourist attraction in Florida One of Florida's earli...