TIME names World Equestrian Center on list of best destinations

File photo: The sun sets as people gather for a VIP sneak peek of the new World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Fla. on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.
The World Equestrian Center was named on TIME magazine’s 2024 list of the world’s greatest places.
The list highlights 100 destinations to visit and stay around the world, 50 of which are hotels and resorts. In the United States, WEC was one of only 13 hotels to make the list.
The story showcases WEC’s many amenities as the largest equestrian complex in the world, including its biannual hunter/jumper series and Saturday Grand Prix competitions.
“Other offerings include the Equestrian Hotel (older and even posher, with 248 rooms overlooking the 128,000-square-foot Grand Outdoor Arena), multiple pools, luxury toy and clothing boutiques, and restaurants that range from a French-style patisserie and gastro pub with live music to a chophouse, where a master sommelier guides diners through a chateau-worthy wine list topping 6,000 bottles,” writes Terry Ward in the excerpt.
WEC’s newest addition, The Riding Academy hotel, is ready for visitors to stay in its 390 equestrian-themed rooms after its March 2024 grand opening.
“To be recognized among some of the world’s most magnificent properties is truly an honor for us,” said Leah Tong, Director of Marketing & Brand Strategy for WEC. “This spotlight is a testament to the efforts of so many individuals who work to uphold our standards of quality, class, and distinction, making World Equestrian Center, Ocala a world-class destination for discerning travelers from all over the globe.”
The 2024 TIME World’s Greatest Places list will be featured in the August 5, 2024, issue of TIME, available on newsstands beginning Friday, July 26.