An unmatched experience awaits at the Equestrian Hotel
Across the nation there are countless cities to explore, museums to visit, and sites to see. But there is only one place like the Equestrian Hotel, a horse resort at the heart of the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida. Part of a massive equestrian facility, the hotel is an ode to English riding—with style, shopping, and sustenance to match.
Throughout the hotel, equine elegance meets classic luxury. In the lobby, black porcelain floors sparkle beneath a constellation of Swarovski chandeliers. Regal oil portraits line the walls of towering ceilings, and Ralph Lauren-clad staff greet guests. Beyond the lobby, Stirrups Restaurant leads to the Grand Outdoor Arena, where horses and their riders soar through intricate jump courses.
Jumper, Hunter, and Flat Classes
From a tower of hotel rooms above the fine-dining restaurant, guests can watch through their windows as riders hold seats with balance and strength, steering horses through complex courses. The athleticism of the horses is also on display as they effortlessly clear fences with powerful grace. In the jumper shows of the Grand Arena, horse-and-rider duos race clocks, striving to clear courses without faults.
The west side of the World Equestrian Center hosts hunter shows focused on form instead of speed. There are also flat classes, where beginning riders compete based on their ability to walk, trot, and canter around the ring. The World Equestrian Center holds twenty-one arenas, and after wandering from the hotel to only a few arenas, even those new to the sport will learn to appreciate its feats of athleticism.
Contemporary Meets Old World at the Equestrian Hotel
The appeal of English riding is in the sport and its style, which echoes affluent traditions of the British elite. The hotel design features a contemporary interpretation of old-world opulence, apparent in exquisite gilt furnishings paired with clean, classic lines. Gold and silver accents adorn a black-and-white palette, exuding understated sophistication throughout the hotel.
The hotel’s lavish feel is expounded by the staff’s fashionable attire, which matches the English riding uniform. Blazers and oxford shirts with breeches and slacks are worn in and out of arenas, and visitors elevate style by shopping upscale boutiques such as Rooney’s, the Debonair Collection, and Lugano Diamonds. There are also arena boutiques, meaning shopping equestrian looks between horse shows.
Dinner and a Show
On Saturday evenings during show season, the hotel pairs a Grand Prix—the pinnacle of show jumping—with a brilliantly coursed meal. Friendly staff serve the chef’s amuse, salad, an entree, dessert, and wine beside the Grand Arena. It’s an experience unlike any other, and it’s held on the terrace of Stirrups—one of the hotel’s many dining concepts.
Visiting Emma’s Patisserie in the morning means grabbing a coffee and scone within the palpable excitement of a new show day. Beside the French cafe is Mr. Pickles & Sailor Bear Toy Shoppe, where both kids and adults partake in the pleasures of a whimsical toy store. Past the shops and back in the lobby is the Yellow Pony, a vibrant pub with global fare, saddle bar stools, and live music on a cozy outdoor patio.
The grounds of the Equestrian Hotel offer a unique taste of horse culture, and it’s only just beginning. Slated to open this spring, the Riding Academy Hotel will add another lodging option to campus, along with more dining and shopping. The hotel will feature the same equestrian motifs and rigorous design at a market price point, allowing more visitors to soak in the world of this remarkable equestrian facility.
The Equestrian Hotel Grand Prix Reception
A pinnacle event in the world of show jumping, the Grand Prix is a thrilling spectacle that epitomizes the highest level of equestrian competition. This prestigious event challenges skilled horse-and-rider pairs to navigate a complex course of obstacles with the added element of a time constraint. During the Winter Spectacular Show Series, through March 16, the Equestrian Hotel offers a Grand Prix reception experience every Saturday, which allows visitors to watch the action with hors d’oeuvres, charcuterie, and a complimentary drink. For a full slate of events, visit equestrianhotel.com/events.
The Equestrian Hotel, 8510 N.W. 17th Lane, Ocala, Florida, 352.414.7900, equestrianhotel.com
