Logistics Information for Ocala, FL Clinics

Our farm, The Equi-Center is out in the country, between the cities of Ocala and Gainesville. To assist with your travel plans, we have provided information on both Ocala and Gainesville.

By Car

Ocala is served by Interstate 75, which runs from Atlanta, Georgia to Tampa and Miami, Florida. Driving within the state: Orlando is 1 1/2 hours South, Tampa is 1 1/2 hours Southwest, Gainesville is 45 minutes North, Jacksonville is 2 hours Northeast, Miami is 5 hours South.

Airplane

Here is a list of airports within driving distance of our site:

Orlando International Airport (shuttle service and rental cars)

Tampa International Airport (rental cars)

Jacksonville International Airport (rental cars)

Gainesville Regional Airport (rental cars)

Weather & Clothing

We have a casual, comfortable learning environment. Our lectures are held in an air conditioned/heated classroom. The hands on work with horses will be held outdoors at various farms.

Clothing to bring for working with the horses would include long pants and protective footwear (leather boots are preferable). Shorts are OK in the summer time as summer weather in North Central Florida is hot and humid. We experience temperatures in the 90’s.

Fall, Winter and Spring weather in North Central Florida is usually mild. However, mornings can be cool (40’s). Warming up to the 60’s or 70’s by late morning. During the winter and spring, the wind can be chilly if you are working outside. If you attend our program during the fall, winter or spring, bring some warm clothes for mornings, late afternoons and evenings.

Don’t forget your raincoat!

Accommodations

Students have a variety of options to consider when planning their stay. There are many hotels with different features and price ranges. Our suggestions reflect hotels with easy access to they highway, restaurants and supermarkets.

Based on the feedback we have received from previous students, the best places to stay are the hotels that offer weekly rates.

Ocala

There are multiple hotels in Ocala, located just off I-75 on exits 350(old exit 68), 352(old exit 69) and 354(old exit 70). Staying at any of these hotels would put you within 15-20 miles south of our center. Exit 350(old exit 68), SR200, is also known as “College Road” and has the greatest number of restaurants. For your convenience, a list of hotels is enclosed. Ocala also has a number of campgrounds. We have provided the name and telephone number of one of the closest campgrounds.

Gainesville

There are also multiple hotels in Gainesville, located just off I-75 on exit 384(old exit 75). Staying at any of these hotels would put you 20 miles north of our center. Exit384(old exit 75) also has many restaurants, retail and supermarkets. The University of Florida is located in Gainesville. Gainesville hosts a variety of cultural events year round.

During our busy fall/winter season, hotel reservations should be made as early as possible. Ocala fills up with horseshow people and when the University of Florida schedules events, hotel space disappears rapidly!

High Season in Ocala, when the hotel rates are most expensive, is January through April. Rates are generally lower May through December. All rates are subject to change, so please contact the hotel to verify your rate. For more hotel options, remember to check online at Orbitz.com or Travelocity.com

Ocala Accommodations and Amenities

On A Budget

Motor Inns Motel & RV Park

(352) 629-6902 ♦ 3601 W Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala ♦ I-75 Exit 352 (SR 40)

Clean Affordable Rooms or Full RV Hookup

Rooms $28 per night ♦ RV Hookup $20 per night

J’s Place

Janette Engleman is a local horsewoman, ESM graduate and a friend of Don & Lisa. She rents out rooms in her home to ESM students. Her home is not far from our farm. (352) 351-0452

Travel Trailers & Camping

Encore Campground

(352) 591-1723 ♦ 16905 NW Hwy 225, Reddick ♦ I-75 Exit 368(SR 318)

RV Hookup $29 per night ♦ $170 per week

Grand Lake RV Resort

(352) 591-3474 ♦ 4555 W Highway 318, Orange Lake ♦ I-75 Exit 368 (SR 318)

RV Hookup $34 per night ♦ One bedroom cabins $450 per week

Have Fun - Stay On A Farm - In Style

Vicky’ Place

Vicky Kamp is a local horsewoman, ESM graduate and a friend of Don & Lisa. She has a lovely, private and fully equipped 2 bedroom house available for rent. Her home is not far from our farm. (352) 528-0351

Hotels Offering Weekly Rates

LaQuinta Inns

(352) 861-1137 or 1-800-531-5900 ♦ 3530 SW 36^th Ave, Ocala ♦ I-75 Exit 350(SR 200)

January thru April $90 per night, Weekly $80 per night

April thru December $70 per night, Weekly $50 per night

Small Pets OK (Please do not bring your pet to class!)

Best Western

(352) 237-4848 ♦ 3701 SW 38^th Ave, Ocala ♦ I-75 Exit 350 (SR 200)

January thru April $81 per night

April thru December $71 per night, Weekly $65 per night

Other Hotels

Ramada Inn

(352) 732-3131♦ 3810 NW Blitchton Rd, Ocala ♦ I-75 Exit 354 (Hwy 27)

January thru April $125 per night, April thru December $99 per night

Hampton Inn

(352) 854-3200♦ 3434 SW College Road, Ocala ♦ I-75 Exit 350 (SR 200) $81.00 per night

Restaurants

The largest concentration of restaurants in Ocala is located on SR 200, also called College Road. SR 200 is located at I-75, exit 350

Three of our picks are

Chilli’s, (352) 237-6611 ♦ 3501 SW 36^th Ave (Just off College Road)

Amrit Indian Palace (352) 873-8500 ♦ 2635 SW College Road

Ayuttaya Thai restaurant in the K-mart shopping plaza on SW College Road

If you want an expresso or a latte, there is a Barnes and Noble Bookstore and Café in the Lowes shopping plaza on College Road.

Grocery Stores

Publix – Exit 350 on College Road. About 1 mile East of I-75

Publix – Exit 354 on Hwy 27 (also called Blitchton Road) About 1 ½ miles West of I-75

Winn Dixie – Exit 350 on Hwy 27 (also called Blitchton Road) About 1 mile West of I-75

Retail

The Paddock Park Mall is located on College Road. About 1 ½ miles East of I-75

Super-Walmart, just East of the Paddock Park Mall. Address: 2600 SW 19^th Ave Rd, Ocala (352) 237-7155

Tack Stores

There are a variety of tack stores in and around Ocala. Our local favorite is the Winning Edge tack store on Hwy 27.

Gainesville Accommodations and Amenities

Gainesville rates go up and down based on local happenings. All rates are subject to change, so please contact the hotel to verify your rate.

Most of these hotels are located directly off I-75, Exits 382 & 384 Most of these hotels are approximately 20 miles north of our center.

Hotels Offering Weekly Rates

Extended Stary America

(352) 375-0073♦ I-75 Exit 384

Single person, $265 for the week. Double occupancy $315 per week

Stove, refrigerator, microwave, coffee pot, pots & pans, place setting for 2

Bring your own paper towels! No Pool

Comfort Inns

(352) 264-1771 ♦ I-75 Exit 384)

Weekly rate is $51 per night. Pets ok, but please don’t bring your pet to class!

Ramada Limited

(352) 373-0392 ♦ I-75 Exit 384

Weekly rate $336. Pets ok, but please don’t bring your pet to class!

Red Roof Inn

(352) 336-3311 ♦ I-75 Exit 384

Weekly rate approximately $270. Yes Pool. Pets ok, but please don’t bring your pet to class!

Other Hotels

Travelodge

(352) 335-6355 ♦ I-75 Exit 382

$ 40 per night

Restaurants

There is a large concentration of restaurants on Archer Road, which is I-75 exit 384 These restaurants are east of I-75.

Some of our favorites are:

Chilli’s – Southwestern type food.

Falafel King – Middle Eastern food. Located in the Butler Plaza

McAllister’s Deli – Located in the Butler Plaza

On the Border – Mexican

Grocery Stores

Publix – I-75, Exit 384 in the Butler Plaza

Albertsons – I-75, Exit 384 (Almost open 24 hours)

Winn Dixie – I-75, Exit 384

Retail

The Oaks Mall is located east of I-75, Exit 387, Newberry Road.

Border’s Café and Book, and Music store – east of I-75, Exit 387, Newberry Road

On A Budget

Motor Inns Motel & RV Park

Clean Affordable Rooms or Full RV Hookup

Rooms $28 per night ♦ RV Hookup $20 per night

J’s Place

Travel Trailers & Camping

Encore Campground

Grand Lake RV Resort

Have Fun - Stay On A Farm - In Style

Vicky’ Place

Hotels Offering Weekly Rates

LaQuinta Inns

Best Western

Other Hotels

Ramada Inn

Hampton Inn

Restaurants

Grocery Stores

Publix – Exit 350 on College Road. About 1 mile East of I-75

Publix – Exit 354 on Hwy 27 (also called Blitchton Road) About 1 ½ miles West of I-75

Winn Dixie – Exit 350 on Hwy 27 (also called Blitchton Road) About 1 mile West of I-75

Retail

The Paddock Park Mall is located on College Road. About 1 ½ miles East of I-75

Super-Walmart, just East of the Paddock Park Mall. Address: 2600 SW 19th Ave Rd, Ocala (352) 237-7155

Tack Stores

There are a variety of tack stores in and around Ocala. Our local favorite is the Winning Edge tack store on Hwy 27.

Most of these hotels are located directly off I-75, Exits 382 & 384 Most of these hotels are approximately 20 miles north of our center.

Hotels Offering Weekly Rates

Extended Stary America

Comfort Inns

Ramada Limited

Red Roof Inn

Other Hotels

Travelodge

Restaurants

Grocery Stores

Publix – I-75, Exit 384 in the Butler Plaza

Albertsons – I-75, Exit 384 (Almost open 24 hours)

Winn Dixie – I-75, Exit 384

Retail

The Oaks Mall is located east of I-75, Exit 387, Newberry Road.

Super-Walmart, just East of the Paddock Park Mall. Address: 2600 SW 19^th Ave Rd, Ocala (352) 237-7155