I am thinking of moving to Libertyville or Huntey Illinois. Somewhere in one of these general locations. Can anyone suggest nice barns with emphasis on dressage. Does not have to be a “show barn” but one with big stalls (12 x 12 minimum), daily turn-out w/grass, indoor, outdoor, well maintained, reputable trainer.
If you are willing to drive a bit further, Sunflower Farms is a beautiful place to ride. I don’t know anything about their trainers, though.
http://www.sunflowerfarms.com/
You might want to send a PM to mzm farms. She lives in that area and trailers out for lessons and clinics, so she might know quite a few.
I think Amanda Johnson just moved to Sunflower and I have heard good things about her. I don’t think they have a great deal of turnout, and only some with grass 'tho (my horse would go nuts in their turnout, but he’s spoiled.) Fantastic arenas, regular shows held there.
I don’t get into IL much anymore or I’d have something more constructive to add. I know a few trainers to stay away from but they’re much further north.
[QUOTE=dude.does.dressage;7668074]
I think Amanda Johnson just moved to Sunflower and I have heard good things about her. I don’t think they have a great deal of turnout, and only some with grass 'tho (my horse would go nuts in their turnout, but he’s spoiled.) Fantastic arenas, regular shows held there.
I don’t get into IL much anymore or I’d have something more constructive to add. I know a few trainers to stay away from but they’re much further north.[/QUOTE]
Amanda Johnson is wonderful! Unfortunately, sunflower farms mostly has limestone turnouts with small amounts of grass. They do have some grass turnouts. Its not easy to find grass turnouts in IL. How long of a turnout day are you looking for?
Sunflower does have a lot of grass, more grass than limestone actually. It’s just further back and just not up in front where people park their cars. They turn out from about 630-7AM until 2-230P. I board at Sunflower and my horse receives wonderful care there. We are very happy!
Thank you for the suggestion. I know of Sunflower, but that’s a far for me. I like to board within a 10 - 15 mile radius of my home. Or closer. I saw an ad for Woodstock Equestrian Center. Anyone know of this farm?
Woodstock Equestrian is for sale and has mud turnouts. No one lives on the property. If you want the best, try Grand Prix Equestrian with KYB Dressage. It is a bit of a drive south from Huntley (opposite of Libertyville), but talk about gorgeous horse care…I do not ride there but have been there for special events. It is really fabulous! If you want more a family friendly, multi-discipline barn, try Tower Hill Stables in Elgin. Not dressage specific but solid, quality horse care in a large place. If you are considering Huntley, you might look at places in St. Charles, too.
Is Tower Hill the barn that used to be a race training facility, and has a track? That’s a great place. Great atmosphere! Again, I have no clue about the trainers, but it made me want to move there.
Yes, Tower Hill has a training track. It is truly a multi-discipline family facility. I am not sure that they have a “reputable trainer” in dressage but it may be a starting point. The gal who runs the place, Carrie, is very nice and might provide some referrals if her program is not exactly what the OP is looking for.
I thought of one other that has nice turnouts and some grass is available in good weather - McCarthy Farm in Elgin. Again, this is a family farm with all disciplines but they have a decent dressage trainer there. My friend boards there and only has good things to say about the place.
Just north of Huntley, right near Woodstock Equestrian, is Silver Fern Stables. They house Rettger Dressage. I don’t know anything about the barn or trainer but every time I drive past the horses look fat and happy. Not sure about grass at Silver Fern though.
You might also contact Fields & Fences in Gurnee/Wadsworth. They are north of Libertyville and are a nice, larger facility. They mostly do Hunter/Jumper but may be able to point you in the right direction for north shore dressage barns.
And finally, Indian Hills Training Center in Gilberts would be right around the corner from Huntley. They have been there more than 30 years and have several trainers. Over the years care has gone up and down with management but it wouldn’t hurt to give them a call.
Good luck - let us know where you end up if you make the move!
KYB is run by the Barteau’s might be a little out of my budget and league. I have ridden to Prix St. George, but don’t really care to show. I tend to like “low key” barns.
Tower Hill or McCarthy Farm sound like a great option. I like the family like atmosphere. Excellent care and a well maintained facility are top on my list. Anyone heard of Entropy Farm?
You could check out Marquis Dressage in Belvidere (about 45 mins. drive or less, can take all country roads). http://www.marquisstables.com/. I don’t have personal experience, but I competed in a schooling CT there a few years back and it seemed like a nice, friendly place. The owner, Amy, is very nice, and she and her daughter are quite accomplished as far as dressage goes.
Entropy is nice. Lots of grassy turnout so you would hit a home run there if that is your top priority. Run by an equine vet so standard of care is high. They have a coverall arena which, from what I understand, you either love 'em or hate 'em. They do a bit of breeding as Roc USA is stationed there. (You may not recognize the name but he is a stallion producing top jumpers.) Bonus: Lots of cute foals in the spring! It is on the north side of Woodstock however. Until they widen the road that goes through town it will be a good 35 minutes from Huntley if you are driving any time on weekends or M-F 6:30 - 9 AM and 3:30-6:30 PM. Name others if you want to know the local scoop.
[QUOTE=Lizrd;7670255]
Yes, Tower Hill has a training track. It is truly a multi-discipline family facility. I am not sure that they have a “reputable trainer” in dressage but it may be a starting point.
I thought of one other that has nice turnouts and some grass is available in good weather - McCarthy Farm in Elgin. Again, this is a family farm with all disciplines but they have a decent dressage trainer there. My friend boards there and only has good things to say about the place.
Just north of Huntley, right near Woodstock Equestrian, is Silver Fern Stables. They house Rettger Dressage. I don’t know anything about the barn or trainer but every time I drive past the horses look fat and happy. Not sure about grass at Silver Fern though.
You might also contact Fields & Fences in Gurnee/Wadsworth. They are north of Libertyville and are a nice, larger facility. They mostly do Hunter/Jumper but may be able to point you in the right direction for north shore dressage barns.
And finally, Indian Hills Training Center in Gilberts would be right around the corner from Huntley. They have been there more than 30 years and have several trainers. Over the years care has gone up and down with management but it wouldn’t hurt to give them a call.
Good luck - let us know where you end up if you make the move![/QUOTE]Rumors have been circulating that Indian Hills is closing? Bankruptcy?? Stalls there are 12x10.
Silver Fern has mostly 10x12 with 3 12x12 and some 10x14 stalls. Care had some issues when I was there, don’t know if the Rettger people are now running the show there or not. No grass turnout but big dirt lots. (Unless they decided to let some grass grow.)
Tower Hill now has 2 dressage trainers, plus Carrie sometimes gives lessons herself.
Fields and Fences holds IDCTA dressage shows, don’t know about trainers.
If you consider McCarthy, you may PM me for the reason I wouldn’t board there–it’s not the care.
Copper Ridge is a dressage barn, I believe, on the same road as KYB. I think the board was over $600, but that seems to be the case with most “dressage” barns.
I heard that Indian Hills is closing also.
Many people posted near Huntley, Woodstock, Elgin.
Other than Fields and Fences, what else is North, near Libertyville, closer in Lake Forest area.
I can tell you that Darcy Dryji(Sunflower Farm) is a beautiful rider. I remember when she was showing Nobody’s Ruler and I use to love watching her ride him. I actually have super 8’s of her riding him.
I have never been to Huntley, but just spent a long weekend in Libertyville with family. It is a very liveable place. We try to stay someplace adjacent to the river trails so we can walk off all the restaurant meals. It was perfectly lovely and if it weren’t for the weather, and my husband vowing never to live in Illinois again, I would not mind living there at all.
Around the Libertyville area you have
Tempel Farms - home of the Lippizaners. I think they take boarders but I am not sure you would have a “family atmosphere” there.
McCrae Farm - very classical dressage trainer. Likes the Baroque breeds. She is located in Grayslake which is not far from Libertyville depending what side of Libertyville you are on.
Sarah Lotokhin Dressage - shares a barn with Hunter/Jumpers.
Any updates on your plans? 
For the past two months I have researched barns in Elgin, Maple Park, Oswego, Gurnee, Libertyville. Board prices range from $650 - $900. I also started to look at townhouses. Taxes OMG!! For a TH in Sycamore or anywhere in IL within a 50 mile radius taxes are $4000 a year and up. Then add in the association fees. Not to mention gas prices. My idea of moving back to the Chicago area is dwindling down. 
I would look at Rolling Oaks Farm if you’re still considering the move. Massive stalls, no barn drama, EXCELLENT turn out and care. Ryan Yap trains out of there(last I heard). Haven’t ridden with him personally, but he has several nice horses and seems fairly popular.
Tower Hill is $460 a month.
Just found someone who was recently at Silver Fern, the family that owns it is still running the barn (not the trainer.) I can’t imagine their board is over $500.
Yep, taxes are pretty high. Cook County has the lowest residential property taxes of the collar counties, but I think my taxes are over $4500 for a townhouse.
