Sarah LesslerMeet the EQUINE DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT COLLECTIVE.
sharn Wordley does not sit still. Many recognize the New Zealand Olympian’s name from the grand prix victories he racks up week after week with a string of top horses. Others know him as one-half of the arena design duo Wordley Martin with his business partner Craig Martin. His young family simply knows him as “Dad.” In his latest entrepreneurial endeavor, Equine Design & Development Collective, he has assembled an expert group of specialists to work hand-in-hand with clients from day one, brainstorming through the completion of every final detail of their next equestrian property.
While Wordley Martin gets the call to design and build riding arenas from those who want the very best, including the HITS showgrounds in both Ocala, Florida, and Saugerties, New York, Wordley has spearheaded the Equine Design & Development Collective to propel a new property owner’s vision from land acquisition to full-scale facility in the booming equestrian town of Ocala, Florida.
Already armed with the expertise to build a world-class riding arena, Wordley has partnered with trusted service providers, including Will Futch and Scott Schuck of Southern Heritage Developers. These professionals specialize in equine property development and have already built many stunning properties in Ocala. Together with other companies, the Collective provides one-stop shopping for building plans for both home and stable through to putting on the final touches of interior design.
Thanks to his extensive involvement in building his own homes and stables in Ocala and Lexington, Kentucky, as well as co-founding one of the industry’s leading developers of equestrian properties and premier riding surfaces, Wordley has identified what’s missing in the market for equestrian home development. Land surveys and design plans, as well as the other services offered, come from those familiar with the Ocala area and the unique needs of horse people.
“At Wordley Martin, we help our clients design and build the riding arena of their dreams,” explained Wordley, whose Collective includes a network of service providers such as architects and interior designers. “I wanted to take that process ten steps further by providing an all-encompassing experience for those building a new facility. So often, we speak to clients who say the riding arena is great, but do we know anyone who designs barns or houses? Or do we know of a good landscaping architect who specializes in equine facilities?
“We saw that there was a real need for something like the Equine Design & Development Collective, where we could build on the relationships and experiences that we have established with others in the same market to provide a trustworthy source for everything someone would need,” explained Wordley. “From the minute they purchase land through to the moment the final touches are put on, and everything in between, the client can keep everything in-house.”
Given the recent spike in interest in acquiring equestrian facilities in the Ocala area, where land remains relatively open and affordable, Equine Design & Development Collective is a convenient option for those seeking peace of mind when build- ing the horse property of their dreams.
To view this article in the digital magazine, click here.
To read all of EQ Living’s May/June 2024 issue click here. And to read more of EQ’s favorite barn visits and designs click here.