O'Connor Signature at The Oaks the First to Obtain Prestigious 5-Star Rating

Sneak Preview - get the inside scoop! The announcement will be made public at the S.E. Trails Conference on July 11th & 12th.

Audubon Lifestyles has recognized The Oaks Equestrian Center, an O'Connor Signature facility, as the epitome of sustainability by awarding a Five-Star rating to the facility. Months ago, the O'Connor Signature Oaks Equestrian Center joined as a pilot member of the Audubon Lifestyles Equestrian Facility Program, and it has now become the first equestrian facility worldwide to receive the designation. In addition to receiving the Five-Star rating from Audubon Lifestyles, the O'Connor Signature Oaks Equestrian Center has also been issued the Seal of Sustainability from the International Sustainability Council (ISC).

The Oaks is a Dicks Realty development located in Lake City, Florida, in the triangle between Ocala, Jacksonville and Tallahassee. The neighborhood development has over 1,200 rolling acres, filled with large, mature oak trees, is located near the Osceola National Forest, has more than 15 miles of looped riding trails, and it is only thirty minutes away from Gainesville, FL, which was picked as the "Best City to Live in the USA" in 2007. In addition, the cross-country course (custom designed by Olympian David O'Connor) and custom top-of-the-line 33-stall barn is complemented by a competition-quality outdoor ring, covered round pen, and a large covered arena. These features and more distinguish the O'Connor Signature Oaks Equestrian Center as a truly premier and one-of-a-kind equestrian facility.

In June 2009, the O'Connor Signature Oaks Equestrian Center made preparations in anticipation of the on-site audit conducted by Eric Dodson, CEO of Audubon Lifestyles, "I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the O'Connor Signature Oaks Equestrian Center, and the staff should be commended for doing an outstanding job. Rhonda Gailey, the General Manager, in particular provided me with invaluable information about the equestrian industry and the issues related to properly managing an equestrian facility. This information will undoubtedly lead to further improvements and help to strengthen the Audubon Lifestyles Equestrian Facility Program. I am grateful to the O'Connor Signature Oaks Equestrian Center and their participation as a pilot member, and I am certainly proud to showcase the O'Connor Signature Oaks Equestrian Center as the first Five-Star Audubon Lifestyles Equestrian Facility, and to issue the International Sustainability Council's Seal of Sustainability to the facility, " commented Mr. Dodson.

"Participating in this process seemed like a natural fit for us, as the O'Connor Signature Brand itself was developed using sustainable models that included economic, social and environmental considerations," said Rhonda Gailey, General Manager for the O'Connor Signature Oaks Equestrian Center.

The Audubon Lifestyles Equestrian Program includes guidelines and incentives for equestrian facility owners and managers seeking to adopt economic, environmental and socially-responsible best practices. In addition, the program includes safety protocols for horses and riders, as well as criteria for facility planning, environmental practices and operations. Through these standards, equestrian facilities will be recognized for following design and operational parameters that promote all aspects of sustainability.

The Audubon Lifestyles Equestrian Facility Program is a voluntary program that is setting the standard for sustainably-managed equestrian facilities and the equestrian industry. The intent was to develop a program that was achievable, yet comprehensive, and to reward facilities that do more through a series of recognition and branding opportunities. Not every facility will choose the path toward sustainability, but those that do will become the leaders in the industry that stand the test of time.

Audubon Lifestyles, based in Palm Harbor, Florida, is a non-profit organization that provides education, advisory services and certification assistance, based on the ISC Principles of Sustainability. The organization facilitates sustainable living and lifestyles by assisting businesses and individuals in sustainable solutions that are reliable, practical and efficient. Learn more at www.audubonlifestyles.org.

Requirements in the Audubon Lifestyles Equestrian Facility Program include developing a Nutrient Management Plan, requiring that all persons under the age of 18 wear approved helmets, ensuring that horses have access to clean, fresh water at all times, having only non-barbed wire fencing where horses are contained, and providing proof of negative Coggins tests for horses at the facility. In addition, a facility must adopt a Sustainability Charter to publicly display their intent to run and manage their facility sustainably. Lastly, the facility must complete a sustainability audit, specifically designed for equestrian facilities. The audit provides opportunities to meet and exceed minimum requirements in the following categories: Economics & Business, Horse Care & Safety, Facility & Operations, Environmental, and Outreach & Education. Upon completion of the audit, the equestrian facility will be awarded a rating of up to five stars. Any facility awarded a Three-Star rating or higher will also receive the International Sustainability Council Seal of Sustainability.

Striving for, and ultimately achieving, the Seal of Sustainability from the International Sustainability Council (ISC) means that the equestrian facility is setting a new standard for excellence. The ISC Seal of Sustainability means that the facility has adopted and put into place recognized best-management practices that equal environmental superiority, social responsibility and economic viability. The ISC Seal of Sustainability is the hallmark of excellence, not only regarding the facility itself, but in regard to the actual equestrian experience for individuals that enjoy equestrian activities, as well as the symbol of excellence in care of the horses residing in those facilities.

The International Sustainability Council is a not-for-profit organization comprised of individuals representing universities, non-profit organizations, government agencies and businesses with a broad range of expertise and experience. The Council's main purposes include promoting the adoption of the Principles of Sustainability, serving as a think-tank on all topics pertaining to sustainability, acting as a virtual warehouse of information related to topics related to sustainability, showcasing and recognizing specific places, businesses, organizations and individuals who are leading the way towards a more sustainable planet, and defining and encouraging scientifically-based methods that we, as a society, can use to merge sustainability into the operation of our businesses, create new or improve existing "places," foster new products and technology that will improve our lives at home, and provide sustainable lifestyle choices that are economically priced, environmentally healthy and socially beneficial. To learn more, visit www.thesustainabilitycouncil.org.

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People and Places
By Judith Shé

According to Chicago-based Spectrem Group, the number of millionaires grew by 2% last year, reaching 9.2 million households. (Net worth excludes equity in primary residences.) The rate of growth represents a consistent deceleration since 2004, when this level of affluence grew by 21%. This, of course, comes as no surprise as stock portfolios and other forms of investments and savings have been depleted by the languishing economic conditions. While there are concerns that this will have an impact on the luxury housing market, it is anticipated that the softening will most likely occur at the lower level, with the most affluent continuing to purchase. That said, value becomes a significant issue in this environment.

Think tank Pew Research Center opines that there isn’t just one American “Middle Class,” but four, accounting for 53% of all Americans. The sub-segments include “The Top of the Class,” “The Satisfied Middle,” “The Struggling Middle,” and “The Anxious Middle.” Each has their own consumer attitudes, demographic characteristics and levels of income, which makes them a moving target with regard to marketing. For the purpose of this discussion, we focused on two sub-segments - Top of the Class and Satisfied Middle. In both cases, ethnicity was dominated by the white/non-Hispanic category, but that is where similarity ended. Top of the Class households represent 19% of all adults, are the best-educated of the four groups and have the highest incomes, with 70% reporting household income above $50,000 per year. This group is largely comprised of 30-to-64 year olds, i.e., the prime home-buying years. In comparison, Satisfied Middles are largely high-school graduates, earning less than $50,000 annually. This level of income correlates with the age groups that dominate this category: 18 to 29 years and 65+. While 69% of Top of the Class households are married, 62% of Satisfied Middles are not married. The category that most exemplifies America’s Middle Class is the Anxious Middle. According to Pew, these working and worried Americans aren’t the wealthiest or the least affluent, nor are they the oldest or the youngest. They literally come closest to the median with respect to all characteristics. While they are self-admittedly relatively comfortable, they are the most negative sub-group, highly dissatisfied with the way things are, and convinced that conditions will get worse. You can download the complete report here.

In another Pew study, the Center’s Social & Demographic Trends found that nearly half (46%) of the public would rather live in a different type of community from the one in which they now live. And yet, only 11.9% of the U.S. population changed residences between 2007 and 2008, the lowest share since the 1940s.

These facts tell us that when the smoke clears, all of that pent-up demand will gush forth. Will you be ready?

The following are considered by housing gurus to be the ideal conditions for rebounding markets: Job growth; population growth; significant first-time buyer market segment; an absence of overbuilding; a vital urban core; a well-educated workforce; and a large number of (early) foreclosures. Some markets that purportedly fit this scenario include San Francisco, Seattle, Austin, Raleigh, Denver and Fort Myers, Florida.

Prognosticators abound at this time, and some actually agree. John Burns, CEO of Irvine, CA-based John Burns Real Estate Consulting calls for Washington, DC, San Diego and Sacramento, CA, Dallas, TX and Denver, CO to be the among the first to turn around. James Diffley of IHS Global Insight agrees on Washington, DC, but chooses San Antonio over Dallas, and adds Atlanta, GA, Raleigh, NC and Minneapolis, MN to his roster of stabilizing markets. Jonathan Smoke of Hanley Wood Market Intelligence agrees with Burns on Dallas and Sacramento, but chooses Fort Collins, CO over Denver.

According to Moody’s Economy.com, the first states to enjoy a return of job growth, a key housing market indicator, will be Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Texas and Washington. These states are predicted to see a turn-around in the last quarter of this year. Four of the states benefit from strong high-tech industries, while Texas’s job growth has a basis in energy. According to the BLS, the Austin area stood out for the third month in a row as the nation’s strongest job market among big cities, adding 3,400 jobs for a 0.4% gain, and bringing the regional job count to 781,400. Moody’s predicts a second wave of job growth to begin in the first quarter of 2010 that will encompass seven states: Alabama, Georgia, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota and South Dakota. David Crow, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders agrees with Moody’s with respect to North Dakota, Texas and Alabama, but adds Wyoming and Louisiana to his top five picks.

Many of these predictions have a basis in when the market began to freefall, and how deep housing depreciation rates fell. In this regard, some of the states that saw the greatest declines over the past three years are beginning to ebb. Nevada and California remain at the top for annual price drops in March, down 25.9% and 24.9%, respectively; however, California’s decline is the smallest since March 2008, and Nevada’s drop is the smallest in six months. Stay tuned as we follow these predictions over the coming months.

Our Take: The Market Barometer agrees on Texas being at the forefront. Six metros in the Lone Star state have reported positive employment growth between April 2008 and 2009: Odessa, Midland, Tyler, Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, Laredo and Austin-Round Rock. The state’s unemployment rate in April 2009 was 6.4% compared to 8.9% for the U.S. Amarillo had the lowest rate, followed by Lubbock, College Station-Bryant, Midland and Abilene. Two Texas metros ranked highest in the country in Metrostudy’s year-long survey of new home starts and sales: Houston (with 22,502 home starts and 28,326 sales) was #1, and Dallas-Fort Worth (with 17,638 starts and almost 24,000 sales) was #2. Austin ranked 6th and San Antonio ranked 11th.

EP Transmountain Joint Venture has faith in the El Paso, TX market. Plans call for a multimillion mixed-use project on 1,000 acres located on the city’s west side near I-10. Desert View Homes will commence work on the first phase of 300 homes on 200 acres this fall. The project is also slated to contain a retail complex/lifestyle center.

Other Bright Spots!

Home sales rose for the third consecutive month in the Central Ohio market and were up 9% month-over-month in April. Prices increased 4% on average and there were 16.1% fewer homes on the market.

Banner Elk, North Carolina master-planned second-home community Echota reports sales were up 40% in the first four months of 2009, compared to the same period 2008.

In Charleston, SC, home inventory has dropped more than 1,000 units or nearly 10% compared to last year, and the median sales price has leveled at around $180,000. South Carolina has taken a proactive position to foreclosure, by temporarily stopping thousands of pending foreclosure sales to give homeowners more time to take advantage of new federal programs.

The Hilton Head market reports a 17.7% increase in sales activity over the last 60 days. According to Rick Turner and Associates, 306 properties closed, compared to 260 closings for the previous sixty-day period.

According to RealtyTimes®, one year ago, the Phoenix market appeared to have hit bottom, and sales were up 15% year over year. Nearly 12 months later, that prediction appears accurate as sales are up 78% from March 2008 to March 2009. While largely due to foreclosure sales, which make up more than 75% of the sales activity, inventory has been reduced 17%.

In Sedona, AZ, single family home “pendings” have surged 123%, year-over-year, single-family home sales were up 26% in April, compared to 2008, and the median sales price, which had apparently bottomed in January at $300,000, has held relatively steady in the low $400,000s since February.

Pendings are also on the rise for condominium contracts in Seattle, WA. Buyers reportedly jumped off the fence in April resulting in a month-over-month increase of 50%. Most of the surge occurred in the <$400,000 price group. Nevertheless, in April there were a total of 1,572 active condominium listings, representing 13.36% fewer units on the market compared to one year ago.

Realtors in the Twin Cities are reporting a higher level of home showings and shorter sales periods. The St. Paul, MN Area Association of Realtors reported 4,080 closed sales in the 13-county metro during the first two months of 2009, representing an approximately 3% increase over the same period in 2008. Pending sales reached 3,314 during the month of February, for a 7.35% increase over last year, and a 17.23% increase over January.

And last but not least, Miami is reportedly on fire – finally: Sales were up 72% in the first quarter of 2009, relieving the condominium overload to some degree.

Reprinted with Permission from Bowden's Market Barometer.
For more information, or to subscribe, contact:
Judith Shé, Managing Editor
(561) 791-2409
Ms_she@msn.com or info@bowdensmarketbarometer.com
www.bowdensmarketbarometer.com

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Sustainability – Our Take
By Michael Donovan & Staff

Sustainability is a topic currently receiving a lot of coverage. Sustainable development is the trend in the industry today, but what does it really mean? An oft-cited definition reads, “Sustainable developments are those which fulfill present and future needs (World Commission of Environment and Development, 1987), while [only] using and not harming renewable resources and unique human-environmental systems of a site: [air], water, land, energy, and human ecology, and/or those of other [off-site] sustainable systems (Rosenbaum 1993 and Vieria 1993)."

Today’s approach to sustainable development typically begins with the end in mind. When approaching development through an environmental lens, many architects, planners, developers and municipalities often begin by thinking up ways to make the building more “green” - by adding a green roof, or by investing in low-flow toilets or Energy Star appliances. In some cases, a building envelope or site is considered as part of the equation, and developers may try their best to utilize low-impact development techniques, such as bio-retention or filterra boxes to address stormwater run-off. In many cases, these efforts are genuine, and in other cases, they are required; yet all attempts at sustainable development should be lauded as proactive, if not always complete. The inclusion of “green building” techniques does not address the sustainability issues surrounding staff compensation/retention, facility and animal safety, and quality of experience. The question now becomes how to best utilize successful criteria of existing sustainable development practices, while aggregating useful tools and strategies to develop a more comprehensive approach to sustainable development – an approach that successfully integrates all aspects of the development and operational processes, from site selection, site planning and building design, to economic models, program development and social practices.

We see the future of sustainable equestrian development being realized through the successful integration of environmental, social and economic models. Economic sustainability is the driving force in equestrian development, because the vast majority of equestrian centers are revenue-negative operations. The need for a comprehensive approach has become clear as we have traveled the country, studying other equestrian facilities. It became evident to us that very few had procedures based on sound, sustainable environmental practices. Pastures were ineffectively rotated, leading to erosion issues, manure was not properly managed, and barn conditions did not promote equine health. Most facilities hire staff at very low wages – leading to the often-unacknowledged costs associated with employee turn-over – with staff often paid cash under the table to avoid the “costs” of employer-matching funds or worker's compensation insurance. Rarely is any form of health benefits available.

Very few equestrian amenities or equestrian facility operations are sustainable with regard to environmental practices, social practices (that allow barn staff to make a decent wage with benefits), and an economic model that was built to last. Some equestrian facility owners told us they were profitable, but when we sat down and asked some tough budget questions (e.g., How much are you getting paid for your time? Where are your real estate taxes in your budget – your mortgage payments? Do you have Worker's Comp and Care, Custody and Control insurance? Are you funding a capital replacement fund for when you need a new roof or other significant repair?), most acknowledged that some or all of those costs were not included in their model. The reality is that equestrian facility operations are subsidized by the facility owners. Some owners understood this and had the economic means to do this. Others continually cut corners and were perplexed as to why they still weren’t making any money. The other, often unspoken truth is that the non-sustainable model typically does not offer the highest-quality experience to the people who engage the services of the facility. With more and more facilities incorporated in communities and resorts, a high-quality experience for residents and guests is paramount to the value proposition for developers – and is completely achievable.

Equestrian Services has always designed equestrian facilities around a model that begins with economic sustainability. Community, club and resort-based operations all offer opportunities to create operational subsidies. Economic stability allows the implementation of the planet and people-related sustainability principles. These elements are the framework around which all O’Connor Signature Equestrian Facilities are created. We shared our model with Audubon Lifestyles and the International Sustainability Council, and we helped to launch the Audubon Lifestyles Equestrian Facility Program. This program provides an opportunity for all equestrian facilities to gauge and raise their level of holistic sustainability. For more information, please contact Michael or Jennifer Donovan.

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VENI, VIDI, VICI: Ride and Live Like a Conqueror!
By Alex Abella

In 47 B.C., before the battle of Zela, Roman Emperor Julius Caesar taught us what it takes to be a confident rider…what?!? So the great Emperor, with all his military might and conquering campaigns, was just teaching us to ride? Well, not quite, but one of the wonderful things about horses and riding is that their world frequently imitates life, and life imitates them: the lessons learned from both sides are interchangeable. That is why horses and lifestyle are so intertwined.

Handling and riding horses is empowering; it teaches responsibility, caring, and sportsmanship, and it provides us with companionship, in addition to exercise and a connection to the land. However, many people who love horses, and even some that ride them, often lose confidence or feel powerless in the relationship. In the magical world of horses, however, power is simply about leadership. Enter Caesar.

Several years ago, while browsing through a Latin textbook, I remembered that story about how the great Emperor conquered a certain land before he even began the battle. “Veni, vidi, vici,” he said, which means “I came, I saw, I conquered.” The truth is that he actually wrote that after he had already won the battle, but it speaks of the power of the mind and of intention. It means that if you come to the battlefield prepared and fully present, and if you see victory in your mind’s eye, you will conquer. These are important notions not only for riding, but also generally for life. The point is that if you see yourself as able to succeed, you will be more likely to do so, because your mind and your vision will empower you.

Now imagery and self-empowerment are all good and dandy, you think to yourself, but what does the horse care about all that?! The trick to transferring Julius Caesar’s lessons from the battlefield to riding and to life is to remember the other variables in his successful formula: leadership and the ability to plan ahead. The key is to see your campaign – with all its advantages and disadvantages – before you enter into battle, and to think ahead about all the possible strategies you may have to employ to succeed, while leading with a steady hand. Chess players will tell you that what I am describing is their game, and so will football players, for that matter. But that’s precisely my point: if we go through life – and through our riding – with an open mind and wide-open eyes, there is much to learn from other areas of life. For riding, I long ago adapted Julius Caesar's campaign tactics to create thinking, conquering riders and trainers that can inspire their students and/or themselves to ride like winners.

For jumping, for example, my Veni, Vidi, Vici exercises remind riders to leave all else behind and scan (stop, think) the battlefield (the course, the jumps) and plan their course of action, thinking of all the possible obstacles along the way, and the best strategy to approach them. At that point they must declare “I came.” Then the riders must begin their strategy (the ride), keeping their goals (take-off spot, collect before the turn, half-halt) in mind, and declaring “I saw” when they know – not when they get there – where they must execute each goal. Finally, riders must see in their mind’s eye the final objective and prepare to conquer it, having already succeeded at the small goals along the way. To this epiphany, they declare “I conquered,” but they must have conquered before the jump, if they truly have no doubts about their victory. The exercise can give riders a plan of attack for an entire course, or it can help them break a question down into parts: coming, seeing and conquering one battle (jump) at a time. The same goes for other riding issues or goals. Worried that your horse will bolt? Don’t ask for the canter until you are truly prepared and present, and until your troops – your horse, your aids – are gathered, organized and listening to you as their leader (I came). Then, plan and look ahead by creating boundaries and goals for where and when you will succeed (I saw), like a certain spot in the arena, or on the trail where you must transition down. Finally, ride with purpose, plan your aids well ahead of time, and communicate them clearly before the spot where your goal, like transitioning down, for example, is to take place (I conquered).

Break it down, think, plan, breathe, provide the necessary leadership, and then complete the task in your mind and heart, first and foremost. It that riding or is it life? Both, and it’s Veni, Vidi, Vici!

Veni, Vidi, Vici: Ride Like a Conqueror! is part of a new series of training modules that Equestrian Management, LLC will soon be announcing and providing for its staff and clients. The pilot module was recently presented at The Oaks Equestrian Center, in Lake City, Florida.

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"Now What?": Training to the O'Connor Signature Methodology
By Rhonda Gailey

Recently, O'Connor Signature staff members participated in a staff-training day at The Oaks Equestrian Center, taught by the one and only David O'Connor. I was instantly reminded of how lucky I am to be working with such a great equestrian icon. Not only that, but David and Karen are both so down-to-earth and approachable that you often forget who you are with, and it becomes surreal once you shake your head and recognize the reality.

As we are building the O'Connor Signature protocols for superior horse care, the team members are taught to work and think like Olympians, where training methodologies must be consistent day in and day out. Horses must respect our personal space and have a strong connection to their trainer and rider. In doing so, the proper fundamentals must be initiated and remain consistent with everyone that handles that horse on a daily basis. It may seem trivial, but believe it or not, horses have one amazing memory, and just like us, they are victims of habit. This is why it is important for accurate training for all staff who handle horses on the O'Connor Signature Team. We want to ensure that not only do we offer quality facilities and top-shelf customer service, but that our horse care is consistent in all O'Connor Signature Facilities and is consequently sought after worldwide.

I personally trained with David and Karen prior to joining the O'Connor Signature Team at The Oaks Equestrian Center, and I knew their methods, but to hear and see it again is motivational and inspirational. Horses are herd animals. Have you ever heard the phrase "flight or fight"? They respond and learn through methods of pressure. It's all about the language of putting pressure on and off. In the end, one of you will lead. The question is, will it be you or the horse?

Pressure lines are the distance between you and anything. It can be something as simple as your hand or leg, or it can be a wall, jump, pole, gate, or an extension of your arm through an artificial aid, such as a whip, crop or stick. Put the pressure on to get a response and release the pressure as a reward. There should be four basic yields that you perform with your horses on a daily basis that will encourage great ground manners and a respect for future training.

• Hind-End Yield - pressure behind the girth
• Front-End Yield - pressure at the neck and nose
• Back Up - pressure at the chest
• Head Down - pressure on the poll and nose

These should be practiced every day, consistently, by all staff who handle the horse, and they are easy to do from the ground. At first, you might have to apply more pressure, but eventually, less is more, and you might only need to raise your hand. A lick of the lips or a face that inquires "Now, what?" is the reaction that you are looking for, once the horse answers your "question".

Show your horse what he can do! Provide leadership and be consistent. Demand the results and respect every day from everyone that handles your horse. Get the "now what?" look. Then reward by releasing the pressure. Trust me: try this with a brute of a horse with no manners, and in no time, the chain over the nose that you reluctantly bought will be included in your next garage sale!

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Fun With Finance
By Laura Greene

Laura enjoys the other kind of horsepower

I have previously been told that I am not the “average” accountant. You know the type that they are talking about. Those who wear “stuffy” business clothes and who are into the “numbers”, not a people person, introverted, and well... “boring”.

Yes, I like numbers (maybe not as much as I should), but I understand that when you reconcile numbers – like your checking account to a bank statement – they should also tie or balance.

Part of learning accounting is understanding a few basic principles. Assets should always equal Liabilities plus Equity. This is the foundation for a Balance Sheet. What is a balance sheet? Well, for a business, it is a report that shows the health of a company. Yes, for you business-minded people, you would also want to see the Income Statement (also known as a Profit and Loss Statement), but for now, I just want to focus on the balance sheet.

For those of you who don’t understand business terms, it is equivalent to what a bank wants to know if you were to apply for a loan. What is your net worth? It is assets (money on hand and in savings, A/R-money owed to you, value of equipment, real estate, vehicles, home, etc.) minus your debt (money owed to others, like your car loan and mortgage). What is left is called your net worth.

It is my strongest recommendation to know your own personal net worth, and if you are a business owner, manager, etc., to review the balance sheet at least once per month for your company. Again, this will really help you understand the financial health of an organization and its ability to meet its financial obligations.

When is the last time you actually read the balance sheet of your company or calculated your net worth?

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In the News

Michael Donovan is Guest Speaker at the S.E. Equestrian Trails Conference, “Sustainability in Equestrian Development and Operations”. The S.E. Trails Conference will also tour O’Connor Signature at The Oaks. Click here for more information.

The O'Connor Signature is still selling real estate in this market - we have had inquiries from over 20 countries.

The O'Connor Signature at The Oaks of Lake City is the only Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) -accredited facility in the state of Florida.

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Operations & Management News

Laura Greene has joined Equestrian Services as Accounting Specialist - we are very proud to welcome Laura Greene to our team. Laura brings with her 20 years of accounting experience, as well as knowledge in human resources and office management. Laura is currently attending PVCC, a local community college, and working toward a degree in Business Administration and Psychology.

We are hiring for the Bergen Equestrian Center in New Jersey! We are hiring a new General Manager, Program Director, Office Staff, Certified Riding Instructors and Grooms. Please send resumes and cover letters to the attention of Ms. Alex Abella at AlexA@eqsv.com.

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Project News

Zhangbei Equestrian Centre moves forward with the completion of its Master Plan. Plans evolve to create the most exclusive Equestrian Club in the world.

Riverhead Resorts is retaining Equestrian Services, LLC to provide equestrian experiences to multi-themed destination resort project on Long Island, New York.

Equestrian Services designs and oversees arena renovation at The Ford Plantation.

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