By visiting Ocala, I escaped the spring break crowds that overshadow many of Florida's better-known destinations.
About an hour and a half by car from Orlando and Tampa, this part of the Sunshine State was once a sleepy backwater far from the coast, but now calls itself the Horse Capital of the World.
At the center of all things equine is the nearly four-year-old World Equestrian Center.
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The approximately 380-acre property was built as an equestrian sports venue, but is actually a resort. There are two hotels, an RV park, several restaurants of all price ranges, and numerous indoor and outdoor function spaces, including the largest floor outside of Orlando and Tampa, where trade shows and other exhibitions are held. .
Readers of this column will be interested in this impressive stone chapel, similar to the centuries-old Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Victory in Old Quebec. What is very impressive is that he hosts three non-denominational services every Sunday. The chapel is one of several subtle confessions of faith by the center's owners and developers, the Roberts family.
Not only is the center a destination in itself, but it also includes a map of the Marion County area for visitors who never visit central Florida. Incidentally, Ocala was his second venue for the 2024 Longines International Federation Tournament. The tournament will begin in Abu Dhabi, with additional stops in Switzerland and the Netherlands before finishing in Barcelona.
I don't ride horses, and I don't claim to know anything about dressage, show jumping, or any other field of equestrian sports. But you don't have to be a fanatic to be a spectator.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about these sports is the interdependence between the rider, the human, and the horse. A running horse looks nothing like his shoes, hockey stick, or other sports equipment. This is really a team sport, a partnership between horse and rider, and both must be trained, conditioned and ready to compete.
I was surprised to learn that snowbirds aren't limited to the winter months when they flock to Florida, but in addition to their seasonal events, the two hotels also have a number of non-equine events that draw in tourists and guests.
During my visit, the terrace overlooking the 128,000 square foot grand outdoor arena hosted a sunset event featuring the best wines from California's Sonoma County. I've heard that the regular food and wine events are especially popular with retirees living in the nearby village, a sprawling community in one of the fastest growing regions in the country.
if you go
The World Equestrian Center's main hotel is the 248-room Equestrian Hotel. This luxury hotel, which has a four-diamond rating from AAA, features whimsical décor by designer Rick Owens. Try combining luxurious Louis XVI with Ralph Lauren's high WASP style.
I stayed at The Riding Academy Hotel, the newest of the two hotels. It's a little more approachable than Equestrian, but the attention to detail and overall quality is the same. In fact, the lobby could be a Ralph Lauren store. Please enjoy the resort-like pool.
The closest airport with commercial service is Gainesville, about 64 miles away, but depending on where you're coming from, you may need to make two connections to get there. The best options are the metropolitan airports of Orlando and Tampa. By car, Ocala is approximately 5 hours from Atlanta and 8 hours from New Orleans, Charlotte, and Wilmington, North Carolina.
Dennis Lennox writes a travel column for The Christian Post.
Dennis Lennox writes about travel, politics, and religious issues. He has been published in publications such as the Financial Times, Independent, Detroit News, and Toronto Sun.to follow @Denise Lennox On Twitter.
