Eventing barns near/around Chicago?

A good friend of mine will be moving to Chicago this summer to begin a residency in a prosthetics and orthotics clinic in Chicago and would very much like to be able to ride while there.

She has been a working student for dressage and eventing trainers, and is responsible for bringing along my green TB after two trainers made it clear my horse “would never amount to anything”. She did such a good job that she and my horse qualified for the AEC’s at Novice at their 2nd HT ever and first time at Novice! They have done 5 HT’s together and have finished in the ribbons each time. :slight_smile:

In bringing my horse along, she has ridden in a clinic with Boyd Martin and had multiple lessons with Brian Sabo and Buddy Brown (former Olympian in jumpers).

The first horse she started went on to compete in a 1* with her junior owner.

Needless to say, this person is super talented and always, always, always puts the needs of the horse first.

She is also super intelligent with a fun sense of humor.

She is not looking to lease because she will be on a Resident’s salary, which will most likely juuuust keep her afloat in Chicago.

I’m hoping people here will have some good ideas of where she might be able to have opportunities to ride or even teach on occasion. Before she went on to Graduate school she ran the community lesson program at the Stanford Red Barn.

Anyone have suggestions?

Your friend can start with www.idcta.org (Illinois Dressage and Combined Training Association), as well as find a list of ICP certified trainers here in Area IV at http://useventing.com/education/icp/directory-certified-eventing-instructors-area

She can also reach out to COTH member Carried Away

Does she have a history in Pony club? If so,Fox River Valley Pony Club is in the area. There aren’t a ton of eventing trainers near Chicago. The Dierks are located in Woodstock. Not sure who else is in the area right now.

Just FYI: “Near” Chicago puts you at a minimum of 45 min-hour’s drive with good traffic.

[QUOTE=MorganJumper848;8047933]
Does she have a history in Pony club? If so,Fox River Valley Pony Club is in the area. There aren’t a ton of eventing trainers near Chicago. The Dierks are located in Woodstock. Not sure who else is in the area right now.[/QUOTE]

The pony club folks own or lease their own horses. Julie Poveromo (Carried Away) teaches clinics to the Fox River Valley PC kids.

Kenny and Erin Dierks live in Woodstock. They train out of various barns around the area, including near Marengo (Beck Road), and up at Stonehedge Farm in Wisconsin.

ICP certified Eventing instructors in the Chicago suburban area include Cathy Jones Forsberg, Jennifer Roussou, Brigitte Kettell, Bernard Morauw and Ingrid Pavilanis. Yes, that means driving an hour or more from downtown Chicago… such is life in the big city LOL!

[QUOTE=Inese;8047930]
Your friend can start with www.idcta.org (Illinois Dressage and Combined Training Association), as well as find a list of ICP certified trainers here in Area IV at http://useventing.com/education/icp/directory-certified-eventing-instructors-area

She can also reach out to COTH member Carried Away[/QUOTE]

Actually, Inese, the IDCTA website is being revamped and is down at the moment. OP can PM me if she likes and I can send her a copy of our current newsletter with a service directory listing area trainers.

[QUOTE=downen;8048248]
Actually, Inese, the IDCTA website is being revamped and is down at the moment. OP can PM me if she likes and I can send her a copy of our current newsletter with a service directory listing area trainers.[/QUOTE]

I didn’t realize the web site was down at the moment…good catch!

Thanks for your offer MaryJo - that is a great idea about the service directory listing!!

Anyone familiar with Stonehedge Farm??

[QUOTE=runNjump86;8092504]
Anyone familiar with Stonehedge Farm??[/QUOTE]

Yes runNjump86 - Stonehedge Farm in Union Grove WI is owned by Klaus and Erika Dierks, parents of Kenny and Erik.

I’ve ridden in clinics there with Ralph Hill. Great XC schooling experience, water jump, etc. Fabulous custom built barn and indoor, lovely club room for viewing in comfort.

I’ve audited clinics with other Eventing greats like Jimmy Wofford there too. Love the Dierks!

http://stonehedgefarm.net/

Their website doesn’t have much information. I sent an email. :slight_smile: Thank you for sharing your experience!

oP clear your storage space…PM with contact numbers sent