CHASIN’ A DREAM Book a Staycation at a Local Horse Farm

Arefreshing “staycation,” or vacation spent at home or nearby, can provide all the perks of travel without the hassle of traffic jams or airport lines. For locals seeking an extravagant escape, a nearby luxury resort may fit the bill. But for those longing for a more pastoral respite, a farm staycation might be the right accommodation alternative. Bountiful farms in the heart of Ocala horse country are opening up their doors, houses, barns and gates to overnight guests seeking tranquil lodging. A heyday vacay at one of these rustic abodes is just a click away thanks to rental websites such as AirBnB.com, the popular online marketplace featuring unique housings and experiences.

Couples dreaming of greener pastures can retreat to a onebed, one-bath studio-sized cottage for two at Chasin’ a Dream, a small working thoroughbred breeding facility just off oak treelined NW 110th Avenue. After retiring from a New York-based oil company in 2002, Christine Weiss and her business partner Robert Dalton realized their dreams of running a horse farm.

“A lot of people think a horse is… a horse; but thoroughbreds are a very different breed than the other horses,” says Weiss of the variety best known for racing. According to TheHorseCapital.com, a digital directory of the Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership, Marion County is home to more than 1,500 horse farms, including 600 thoroughbred farms with about 75 breeds of horses and ponies.

Listed at $65 per night on AirBnB and separate from the farm’s main house, Chasin’ a Dream’s quaint rental cottage features a kitchenette, private garden and French doors leading to a deck overlooking horse pastures. The grounds also encompass a covered barn equipped with a gas barbeque to inspire alfresco dining, rocking chairs to let worries sway away and a cozy fire pit sure to spark staycation memories under the stars. Horses may rule the roost at Chasin’ the Dream, but there are also dogs, cats and free-range chickens. “We’re usually able to give fresh-laid eggs to our guests,” Weiss says. Visitors with plans focused on romance can go for a carriage ride by directly booking with Horse Country Carriage Tours. The charming chariot arrives right at the farm’s entry gate to take passionate passengers off the beaten path to relish the area’s finest farms and estates. Cottage rental is not required to participate in Chasin’ a Dream’s guided farm tour. Priced at $25 per person, the twohour experience reins in inquisitive invitees with educationbased entertainment. “We go from the beginning of how the thoroughbred came about with King Henry VIII all the way through the first stallions that bred the pedigree lines, and you learn everything right down to when the foals hit the ground,” Weiss summarizes. Tour participants get to interact with horses, including the farm’s eldest, 25-year-old Grandma.

Weiss says tours and stays can be loosely arranged around the farm’s new arrivals. “To try to be here for the birth of a foal, people can contact me to see when a foal is due,” she suggests. Because deliveries tend to happen overnight, a staycation could increase the probability of miraculously witnessing a mother mare welcoming her baby. by Nancy DeVault

For roomier accommodations, locals can wander down the long, whimsical driveway off West Highway 326 to find Buena Vista Farm, an equine reproduction center and boarding facility. Available for $135 per night through AirBnB, this three-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch-style home comfortably fits six people and, if applicable, their pets. “We’re a 65-acre farm, and the guest house has beautiful views of the pastures and the horses,” says owner and veterinarian Carolin von Rosenberg, DVM. Staycationers can take in the serene sights from the front porch or head out back to dive into the invigorating screened-in pool. Other convenient amenities include a full kitchen and a fireplace. “It’s quiet and peaceful,” as von Rosenberg describes. Behind the scenes of this working farm, she has been dedicated to providing veterinary care since 1997, in addition to breeding, boarding and other services. Depending on the season, guests may see anywhere from 25 to 75 horses roaming the grounds of Buena Vista Farm. Nestled among mature pecan trees and magnolia trees on NW 100th Street, Diamond Oaks Farm is a diamond in the rough, uniquely pairing farm fun with fine frills. This professional equine facility provides horse training, lessons, boarding, transport services and diverse accommodation options.

“We have tiered lodging—a historic home, a luxury suite and campers,” says coowner and business manager Jami Walker, in addition to RV hook-ups. Thanks to varied room choices and spacious surroundings, Diamond Oaks Farm also satisfies event needs. “We’ve had weddings, graduation and birthday parties, family reunions and retreats here,” she says.

Renters can pony up $40 per night to book the 1,000-square-foot luxury suite, a one-bedroom, one-bath space furnished with a king-size bed, fireplace, spa shower

and tub, tile floors and an inviting front porch with an electric awning. Guests can allow their minds to ride off into the sunset simply by opening the French doors to overlook 25 acres of green pastures speckled with about 15 elegant horses. “The pasture suite is kind of like a hotel on steroids! Perfect for a romantic getaway,” Walker assures. Carriage rides can also be arranged at the farm.

The fully restored stone crafted historic house at Diamond Oaks is blue-ribbon worthy. For $60 per night, this decorated rental can accommodate seven people with two bedrooms and one bathroom. Boasting its original hard pine wood floors, refurbished upgrades includes a full kitchen to prepare the provided farm-fresh eggs, plus dining room, living room and covered porch.

Guests can take this getaway up to a gratifying gallop with guided horseback rides on the farm’s picturesque trails or find their stride with riding lessons at a discounted renter’s rate. Diamonds Oaks’ head trainer, Jennifer Schuck, has 35 years of experience and can customize sessions to all skill levels.

For more information on these rentals, visit ChasinADream.com, DiamondOaksFarm. com and BuenaVistaFarmOcala.com. Bookings for these and other area horse farms can be made at AirBnB.com.

equine events

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 Inaugural Love of the Horse Ocala 5k - 6:30amNoon. Free. Gallop the roads of Ocala during this charity 5k run. The mission is to raise funds directly supporting the welfare of the horses around the world. The Equine Medical Center of Ocala, 7107 W Hwy 326, Ocala. 352-873-7830. EMCOcala.com. Gypsy Vanners at Tamarian Farms – Feb 1-2. 8am-5pm. Free for spectators. Triple judged GVHS pointed Gypsy Vanner Show. Tamarian Farms, 4615 NW 110th Ave, Ocala. 866-580-3276. TamarianFarms.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2 39 th Annual HITS Ocala Winter Circuit – Thru Mar 22.8am-4pm. Open to the public. Show jumping competition. Watch the world’s top equestrians. HITS Post Time Farm, 13710 US Hwy 27, Ocala. 352-620-2275. SpringhillEquine.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6 4 Day Equine Massage Certification – 9am-4pm. Feb 6-9. $1,000. Led by Therasage. Learn massage techniques, pre & post event massage, small business marketing and how to put together a complete program for each horse. Massage therapists in animal massage can gain 40 CE credits. Criadero De Milagro Paso Fino, 2745 SE 80 th St, Ocala. 608-755-1105. Contact Info@TherasageEMC.com or TherasageEMC.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7 Grand Oaks Classic:CT & Derby – Feb 7-9.Free. A family friendly 3-day competitive event. Grand Oaks Resort, 3000 Marion County Rd, Weirsdale. 352-750-5500. GrandOaksResort.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8 Horse Shows in the Park “Simply Schooling” Show – Feb 8-9. 8am-5pm. Free. Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center, 23100 W Newberry Rd, Newberry. 352-472- 6758. VisitGainesville.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14 PAC West Valentine Race – Feb 14-16. 1pm. Free. Mega barrel races, giveaways and multiple vendors. Southeastern Livestock Pavilion Marion County, 2200 NE Jacksonville Rd, Ocala. 352- 671-8600. Contact PacWesTraces@yahoo.com or PacWestBarrelRacing.com. Gala of the Royal Horses Valentine’s Show –5:30-7:30pm. $75.Performance that celebrates the tradition, athleticism and grace of the Royal Horses of Europe. Grand Oaks Resort, 3000 Marion County Rd, Weirsdale. 352-750-5500. Tickets: GrandOaksTickets.com. GrandOaksResort.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Saltwater Horse Show Series – Feb 8-9.8am-5pm. Free. Learn and receive information that all new riders and horses need when trying to learn or practice new disciplines. Participation for veteran riders and horses keeps skills sharp. Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center, 23100 W Newberry Rd, Newberry. 352-472-6758. VisitGainesville.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 Twice as nice Dressage 2 – Feb 22-23.8am-5pm. Free. Horses and riders compete at all levels of dressage. Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center, 23100 W Newberry Rd, Newberry. 352-472-6758. VisitGainesville.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27 Open Gaited Horse Show– Feb 27-29. 8am-8pm. Free. Open horse show featuring all gaited breeds including Paso Finos. Florida Horse Park, 14000 CR 475A, Ocala. 352-307-6699. Pfha.org.

plan ahead

FRIDAY, MARCH 20 Special Olympics 2020: Florida State Equestrian Championships– Mar 20-21. Free. Come cheer on these athletes as they compete in the State Equestrian Championship games. Grand Oaks Resort, 3000 Marion County Rd, Weirsdale. 352-750-5500. Tickets: GrandOaksTickets.com. GrandOaksResort.com.