Hello, Maybe be moving to outskirts of Chicago or Milwaukee. Looking for an amateur friendly barn family that doesn’t require full board/training packages. I am not ruling out some lessons but I do not want to show any longer. I also would like access to riding trails. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.
Stonehedge Farm in Union Grove, WI. Great care, training not required. Beautiful facility. Focus is eventing and dressage. I drive 4 hrs each way once a month to work with Eric Dierks, plus put my baby horse in training with him with great results. Very thoughtful and feeling rider/trainer.
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Townline Stables in Libertyville it right near where we used to always stay when we visited my in-laws in Lake County. I walked through there many, many times. They have a big indoor and the atmosphere was very casual. Lake County is a $hit show of random development and poor urban planning, but the stables are across the street from the Des Plains river trail system. The trails are frequented by runners and some bike riders, but they’re wide DG trails and you’d have no trouble sharing the trail.
Further out from Chicago is a place in Elgin where a friend boards. There are a few places in Elgin, so check out that area too. I can’t remember the name of the farm where she boards, but they had a petting zoo! It was a great place. I’ll check in with her and see what it’s called.
If you are on Facebook, there is a private group called Bristol Horse Country USA (Chicagoland) which covers the SE Wisconsin/Chicagoland area. You could give it a shot and post there.
Elgin is very horse friendly, there are several barns there or nearby towns. The barn I work and board at is on Nesler Rd just off Rt 20 and there’s 3 H/J barns right in a row.
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You’re probably thinking of Tower Hill–Elgin/Hampshire area.
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Bingo
I can’t speak for boarding, but Wayne IL and Barrington IL have the best trails. They are both linked to the forest preserve and Wayne has easements and trails from the hunt.
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Look into Spring Willow Farm in Union Grove. Accessible from either Chicago or Milwaukee: http://www.springwillow.com/ Trails, great care, and no requirement to be in any training program.
Thanks everyone. This is so helpful.
