New at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala: The Riding Academy Hotel
The new family and pet-friendly 390-room Riding Academy Hotel at the World Equestrian Center was showcased during a grand opening on May 10.
The recently completed hotel (1615 NW 81st Terrace Road, ridingacademyhotel.com) "is beautiful, gorgeous," said Christine Cichra, a veterinarian from Oviedo. She was staying at the property on May 10 for a cousin’s wedding, which was being held at the WEC.
Cichra enjoyed a walk around the patio area with her 8-year-old chihuahua, Taco, and Paxton, an 18-month-old Shetland sheepdog, which were staying with her at the hotel.
Cichra said she would book again at the hotel.
Justin Garner, director of operations for the 380-acre WEC complex, said the Riding Academy Hotel is focused on being affordable and family friendly. It is the second hotel on site, joining the post Equestrian Hotel.
Garner pointed out that the Riding Academy hotel offers fitness rooms and take-away dining from the Tack Room, a gourmet market place adjacent to the front desk.
The Yellow Pony pub and Stirrups fine dining restaurant are nearby on WEC property. (More at at yellowponyocala.com and stirrupsocala.com.)
The Riding Academy offers double and pool view queen suites; king studio and suites; and pool view king suites, according to ridingacademyhotel.com.
Representatives of the hotel’s builder, Paramount Construction, and designer, Roberts Design Group, both of Ocala,joined hotel management and staff at the grand opening.
Trudy Bodaford with Roberts Design Group described the Riding Academy hotel buildings as “French Provincial with a Georgian twist” and the overall layout as “subtle, open, approachable. “
Ric Owens with the design group noted touches in the rooms like horse bit handles and more were “equestrian inspired.”
The Riding Academy’s two four-story white buildings have a black, dormer type roof treatments.
James Kuhn, construction superintendent, said the roof dormers and window framing were made on site and had “no pre-fab.”
The two buildings are connected by a central, single-story front desk and pool and patio area.
The poolside patio includes tables and chairs and a large outdoor fireplace and serves as an outdoor entertainment venue.
Musicians Chris McNeil and Brandon Blattner provided a mellow sound heard around the pool and patio areas for the grand opening.
Linda Norman, president and co-founder of Voices of Change Animal League (VOCAL), held an adoption event during the grand opening. Norman said two puppies were adopted.
The newest hotel’s grounds are meticulously landscaped with numerous colorful plants and flowers.
The Riding Academy Hotel is adjacent to the 180,000-square-foot event center at WEC, which will feature meeting rooms and a grand ballroom. The building is under construction with a target completion of Summer 2024.
A soft opening was held several weeks ago and guests have been staying at the Riding Academy Hotel.
Retired Connecticut law enforcement officer Orlando Lanzante and his wife, Cynthia, joined Mike Morrone, a former correctional officer and HVAC trade retiree and his wife, Brenda, at the grand opening.
The couples have lived in Ocala for a few years and have out of area friends who will be looking for lodging recommendations when visiting Ocala for horse shows. They came to inspect the accommodations and gave the Riding Academy Hotel high marks.
Front desk agent Amanda Spencer said guests have booked for various events at WEC and there have been repeat guests.
More WEC coverage: World Equestrian Center stories and photos from the Ocala Star Banner archives
Spencer expects a big turnout for the Ocala International Horse Show, scheduled for Oct. 22-26, according to Ocalainternationalhorseshow.com
Lea Brayton with WEC marketing said the grand opening saw a “great response.”
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Riding Academy Hotel opens at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala Florida
