Equestrian Services, LLC Announces World’s First O’Connor Signature-Branded Equestrian Facility Breaks Ground
Community Will Feature More than 15 Miles of Looped Riding Trails, Exceptional Facilities
(Charlottesville, Virginia - February 19, 2007) Equestrian Services, LLC, the provider of management consulting for communities and resorts throughout the United States, and equestrian Olympians Karen and David O’Connor are pleased to announce the official groundbreaking of the world’s first exclusively-branded O’Connor Signature equestrian facility. With construction scheduled to begin this spring, the facility will be located at The Oaks, a residential community in Lake City, Florida.
The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Friday, March 2, at 10 a.m.* at the site on Tustennugee Avenue off Route 240. The Oaks equestrian community is being developed by Bradley N. Dicks and Dicks Realty.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Equestrian Services and the O’Connors to offer Florida an exceptional equestrian community,” said Bradley Dicks, Owner, Dicks Realty. “The equestrian community concept is a successful one for residential developers, and we are pleased to bring it to the area and elevate the concept to a superior level with a branded O’Connor Signature facility.”
The O’Connor Signature at The Oaks will be modeled on successful golf industry branding and management concepts. Similar to communities that boast an Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus golf course, Equestrian Services offers developers their expertise and experience to build a premier equestrian community. Equestrian Services’ signature programs offer the real estate community a trusted and unique brand that is associated with world-renowned equestrian experts, including Olympians David and Karen O’Connor.
“The Oaks’ groundbreaking celebration will give the world its first glimpse into an O’Connor Signature equestrian community,” said Michael Donovan, Principal, Equestrian Services, LLC. “We are proud to work with the O’Connors and Bradley Dicks on developing The Oaks, the first of many developments that will serve the growing horse market and will provide developers with a unique way to brand their properties.”
Located in Northern Florida, northwest from Gainesville and west from Jacksonville, the O’Connor Signature at The Oaks will feature:
- 1,222 rolling acres filled with mature oak trees
- 240 one to five-acre lots
- A 33 stall barn
- Competition-quality riding arenas, including a covered arena
- A cross country course designed by David O’Connor
- O’Connor-specified covered round-pen
- More than 15 miles of looped riding trails
- Multiple equestrian park-like open spaces associated with each neighborhood within the community
- Equestrian programming to serve all riding disciplines
“We are excited to partner with Equestrian Services and provide horse enthusiasts from all riding disciplines quality facilities so close to their homes,” said David O’Connor. “The Oaks facility will follow our standards, offering a level of excellence and quality all horse owners and enthusiasts will appreciate. The facilities and amenities that will be incorporated into the community and landscape will ensure all community members may take full advantage of the equestrian lifestyle.”
Nearly two million people own the 9.2 million horses in the United States, with another two million people involved as equestrian volunteers or engaged in the equestrian lifestyle through family affiliation, according to the American Horse Council Foundation (AHCF). In fact, horseback riding is among the five fastest growing sports in the U.S.
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