PAINTED OAKS ACADEMY LLC
ORLANDO, FLORIDA

Laid-back lessons in family fun the ‘mane’ goal at Painted Oaks Academy “What happened is, after we had our second child (Cameron, 18 months), Lisa had left the workplace — she used to own her own commercial and residential cleaning company, so we were kind of looking for a new business that she could do,” explained Ottersen, recounting the pizza parlor idea and other none-too-inspiring business concepts that he and his bride of five years contemplated before learning about Painted Oaks Academy. The fact that the Little Econ River flows behind the property, making it a preservation area, was also a big selling point. That as well as the facility’s close proximity to the various horse-riding trails scattered throughout the Geneva, Oviedo and Christmas areas. For Hall, who had grown increasingly fond of horses over the course of their courtship — during weekend getaways together the two would often go riding on trails or along the beach— her equine interest had already spurred her to receive professional equestrian training via a Certified Horsemanship Association accredited program. As a result, the new business venture allowed her an opportunity to put her skills to work. Ottersen, meanwhile, splits his time between continuing his real estate dealings, balancing his new company’s finances and working to spruce up the Painted Oaks property. One of his early projects involved transforming an old hay house into a bunk house/game room where his sons, Cameron and David, 4, can often be found playing. Complete with a kitchen and bathroom, the multipurpose shelter also provides a spot where guests to the facility can come to sit and take a load off, perhaps while a family member is receiving their lesson. Horse-loving helpers like 21-year-old Sara Sexton are also a fixture at Painted Oaks. Working there part time since September, her responsibilities include distributing feed to the horses and mending downed fence boards whenever an overzealous leap accidentally kicks one down. “Horses are like magnets; people just enjoy being around them. We always have volunteers who come around to help us out, but more than anything they just like hugging them and feeding them carrots,” said Ottersen. “I have fun just talking to them and walking around with them.” Considering Ottersen’s rugged riding background, where the heels-down, posture-back English form and the sophisticated terms of equestrian vernacular were never enforced, his prime goal is to help others savor the simple joys of the horse/rider bond. Looking ahead to future goals, Painted Oaks has plans to turn the property’s main house, which is currently zoned residential and serves as the family’s domicile, into an office and equestrian training center. They are also in talks to begin offering therapeutic riding sessions for battered women, kids with drug problems and corporate groups interested in doing team-building activities. Laid-back lessons in family fun the ‘mane’ goal at Painted Oaks Academy “What happened is, after we had our second child (Cameron, 18 months), Lisa had left the workplace — she used to own her own commercial and residential cleaning company, so we were kind of looking for a new business that she could do,” explained Ottersen, recounting the pizza parlor idea and other none-too-inspiring business concepts that he and his bride of five years contemplated before learning about Painted Oaks Academy. The fact that the Little Econ River flows behind the property, making it a preservation area, was also a big selling point. That as well as the facility’s close proximity to the various horse-riding trails scattered throughout the Geneva, Oviedo and Christmas areas. For Hall, who had grown increasingly fond of horses over the course of their courtship — during weekend getaways together the two would often go riding on trails or along the beach— her equine interest had already spurred her to receive professional equestrian training via a Certified Horsemanship Association accredited program. As a result, the new business venture allowed her an opportunity to put her skills to work. Ottersen, meanwhile, splits his time between continuing his real estate dealings, balancing his new company’s finances and working to spruce up the Painted Oaks property. One of his early projects involved transforming an old hay house into a bunk house/game room where his sons, Cameron and David, 4, can often be found playing. Complete with a kitchen and bathroom, the multipurpose shelter also provides a spot where guests to the facility can come to sit and take a load off, perhaps while a family member is receiving their lesson. Horse-loving helpers like 21-year-old Sara Sexton are also a fixture at Painted Oaks. Working there part time since September, her responsibilities include distributing feed to the horses and mending downed fence boards whenever an overzealous leap accidentally kicks one down. “Horses are like magnets; people just enjoy being around them. We always have volunteers who come around to help us out, but more than anything they just like hugging them and feeding them carrots,” said Ottersen. “I have fun just talking to them and walking around with them.” Considering Ottersen’s rugged riding background, where the heels-down, posture-back English form and the sophisticated terms of equestrian vernacular were never enforced, his prime goal is to help others savor the simple joys of the horse/rider bond. Looking ahead to future goals, Painted Oaks has plans to turn the property’s main house, which is currently zoned residential and serves as the family’s domicile, into an office and equestrian training center. They are also in talks to begin offering therapeutic riding sessions for battered women, kids with drug problems and corporate groups interested in doing team-building activities. Welcome to Painted Oaks Academy Painted Oaks Academy LLC, is a World Class Equestrian Boarding Training and Lesson Facility conveniently located in East Orlando with Training, Boarding and Lessons available for Adults and Children 4yrs plus thought the year.