The Leading Ocala Farm Realtors
Founded in 2007 by twin visionaries Chris and Rob Desino, Ocala Horse Properties (OHP) has set the benchmark in equestrian real estate, quickly ascending to dominate Ocala’s competitive farm sales market. Their success story expanded in 2011 with the addition of Matt Varney, forming a powerhouse team that continues to redefine the industry.
OHP operates with a singular, uncompromising mission: complete client satisfaction. Their unique approach goes beyond the transactional, offering an unmatched level of personal attention and expert support tailored to the needs of discerning buyers and sellers. Recognizing the demands of an ever-evolving market, Chris, Rob, and Matt added Realtors Amy Atkins and Stacy Larsson. Joining forces with Office Manager Susan Furdek and Office Assistant Audrey Chandler, OHP’s roster exemplifies excellence and dedication.
Amy and Stacy bring an enviable combination of deep industry expertise and a genuine passion for the equestrian lifestyle. As seasoned equestrians themselves, their perspective transcends the ordinary, reflecting an authentic connection to the lifestyle that lies at the heart of OHP’s ethos.
Today, Ocala Horse Properties stands as Florida’s premier authority in luxury equestrian and horse farm real estate, a testament to its legacy of innovation, dedication, and unrivaled client service.
Meet Chris & Rob Desino
As the principles of Ocala Horse Properties, the brothers are from Rochester, New York.
Their drive and determination showed early on as the twins were top performers in every sport they played. But it was competitive rowing where they first made a mark on the national scene.
While attending Hobart College, they were two-time National Collegiate Champions. After graduation, the brothers moved to Philadelphia where they trained and competed for the US National & World Championship Team. Prior to the 2000 Olympics, Rob suffered an unfortunate career ending injury and they turned their focus to another passion — restaurants.
Rob and Chris created a chain of very successful restaurants throughout Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse, New York, where they honed their exemplary customer service skills. They believe that restaurants were the best training for having an extreme focus on keeping guests happy. After selling their restaurants, they felt as if the horse farm real estate business was the next natural step and chose Ocala because they both had wintered here with their horses.
Chris also spearheads the design and build part of their business. Over the last several years, they have developed, built and renovated some of the most exquisite farms sold in all of Marion County during that time. They also offer their guidance to their clients on the ins and outs of building and renovating farms to today’s standards.
Meet Matt Varney
As the broker of OHP, Matt Varney is an accomplished real estate professional who started his career in residential site construction and estimating before working for a privately held Florida-based real estate developer where, at just 26, he quickly became the leading salesman in the company.
In 2010, along with Chris and Rob Desino, Matt started Ocala Horse Properties’ sister company, Wellington Equestrian Realty. Even though Wellington is widely known as one of the most competitive places in the country to sell horse farms, Matt excelled quickly selling more farms than any other realtor in Palm Beach County, before expanding into Ocala and Marion County.
Matt has been entrusted to represent—and has sold to—many members of the Forbes Fortune 100 list and his success has been well documented, including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and 60 Minutes Sports. Matt’s unparalleled transactional expertise has firmly solidified Ocala Horse Properties’ position as the most successful horse farm brokerage the last decade—and counting. To date, Matt is the Number One farm realtor in Ocala.
Matt is an avid sports fan, a respectable golfer, loves to fish and enjoys riding recreationally. He lives his equestrian competitiveness vicariously through his wife, Dr. Courtney Varney, DVM. Matt enjoys accompanying Dr. Varney, an accomplished FEI Dressage rider, USDF gold medalist, and equine veterinarian, to as many competitions as their busy schedules will allow.
Matt and his family remain very active in helping preserve Marion County’s horse farms through organizations like Horse Farms Forever, where Courtney and he are founders. Matt was awarded the Carry Back Award by the Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ organization which honors those who make a considerable impact on the Florida Thoroughbred industry through their service.
Matt’s enthusiasm is contagious and his ability to quickly decipher and cultivate a clients’ needs, while persistently educating them about smart investments, is what sets
him apart.
Meet Amy Atkins
Amy Atkins and her husband Peter began wintering in Ocala with their horses in 2000. The
warm climate and the access to local competitions won them over and they moved from Vermont to Ocala permanently in 2003. They purchased a 10-acre farm in 2006 and their son Owen was born a year later.
Amy has evented through the Intermediate level and earned her US Dressage Federation Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals. She’s also an accomplished endurance rider with international
success. In 2018 she was the only American to complete the 100 Mile Tom Quilty Gold Cup Endurance Race in Tasmania, Australia. Her husband Peter grew up in Tasmania and in 2010 rode for the Australian eventing team at the World Games.
A very diverse horsewoman who loves all aspects of the horse world, Amy found Ocala to be the perfect place to live. She grew to love introducing others to the rolling “farmscapes” and beauty of the area. “When Matt Varney and the Desino’s encouraged me to get my real estate license it was an easy decision!”
“I think being an equestrian myself makes me a better agent: I know what people are looking for, and it’s easy to represent horse farms when you’re a horse person.”'
In 2023 Amy and Stacy Larsson were invited to join Ocala Horse Properties. “It’s an amazing honor to join the OHP team. Matt Varney will continue to be our Broker, we are like family, and
we work extremely well together.”
When Amy isn’t working for her clients or on a horse. She loves spending time with her family enjoying the many outdoor activities that Ocala has to offer.
Amy is dedicated to her clients and their relationships span years. She has an impeccable reputation for honesty, diligence, and acting in her client’s best interest.
Meet Stacy Larsson
As a horsewoman, Stacy loves her Ocala lifestyle. As a real estate agent, she loves sharing this lifestyle with others. Having lived in Ocala for more than 20 years, Stacy knows the ins and outs of the community and is well versed in the nuances of Ocala life. She has worked with Hudson Phillips for the past 5 years, and recently transitioned to the Ocala Horse Properties office where she is excited to put her equestrian skills to work for her clients.
Stacy trains dressage horses and imports horses for resale. She recently retired her stallion, Beniditto, who she trained to Grand Prix and competed internationally. He’s currently leased out and teaching another rider the ropes. Meanwhile, Stacy has multiple horses in the pipeline, including some babies in Europe that she hopes to import in the near future.
She and her husband Olof have a 20-acre farm, Hidden Acres Dressage, in the heart of horse country. They initially moved to Ocala here to pursue their careers as horse professionals.
Since settling in Ocala in 2000, Stacy has watched Ocala grow and flourish. The Larsson’s settled in Ocala due to the beautiful year-round climate, proximity to the equestrian lifestyle, access to nature and outdoor recreation, and a wonderful community in which they are raising their boys. Now 13 and 7, their boys attend private school in Ocala and are active in sports outside of school.
Stacy has built an impeccable reputation for being honest in her horse sales business and always looks out for her customer’s best interest when choosing the right horse. Because of her love of building her own farm, real estate has become a passion and natural second career for her. In business, Stacy seeks to achieve excellence. She is parlaying these business skills and positive reputation from within the equestrian world into her real estate career at Ocala Horse Properties.
Enthusiasm & passion is evident in everything we do
Ocala Horse Properties are Original Founding Members of Horse Farms Forever. Learn more here.
