The owners of the World Equestrian Center just spent $1.2 million to acquire another multi-acre property next to their campus in Ocala, right next to two separate properties the group acquired in the past five months for $12 million.

Golden Ocala Equestrian Land LLC purchased the 13.4-acre parcel from NW 100 Avenue LLC for $1,243,800 on Thursday, April 30, according to a deed filed with the Marion County Clerk of Courts.

The parcel is located just a mile southwest of the World Equestrian Center
The site is situated southwest of the World Equestrian Center

Although the property does not have an address, it is located along NW 100th Avenue, just north of the roadway’s intersection with W State Road 40. According to Google Maps, the site is situated approximately one mile southwest of the World Equestrian Center.

The property is located just one mile from the World Equestrian Center 1
Google Maps shows that the parcel is around 1 mile from the edge of WEC

State corporate records show that Golden Ocala Equestrian Land is registered to the Roberts family, the founders of the World Equestrian Center and Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club. NW 100 Avenue LLC is owned by Tara and Naren Patel of Waunakee, Wisconsin.

Just nine days prior to the purchase of the 13.4-acre parcel in northwest Ocala, the Roberts family acquired a separate, 14.99-acre parcel just north on the same roadway (2381 NW 100th Avenue) for $4.5 million.

14.99 acre parcel in Ocala
A different, 14.99-acre parcel located at 2381 NW 100th in Ocala was also purchased by the same group just days prior.

In December, the Roberts family purchased the Smokey Willow Farm next to both sites on NW 100th Avenue for $7.5 million.

The matriarch of the Roberts family, the late Ralph L. Larry Roberts, Sr., founded R+L Carriers in 1965 in Wilmington, Ohio, where his family built the first World Equestrian Center in 2016.

The Roberts family opened the second World Equestrian Center in Ocala in 2021.

Since it opened five years ago, the facility has seen the addition of the recently opened Equestrian Manor, the Riding Academy Hotel, the UF Health World Equestrian Center,

The northwest Ocala equestrian mecca will also soon welcome The Shoppes Off 80th, a collection of over two dozen retail shops that will feature high-end vendors.

What are your thoughts on the most recent real estate acquisition by the owners of the World Equestrian Center. Share your thoughts in the comments below or submit a letter to the editor.