Hunting/trail riding barns N Chicago/S WI

[newbie1]

I posted a thread in off course looking for trail riding barns in N Chicago Lake county, IL or s WI Kenosha county.

I am mostly interested in trail riding, but also fox hunting and/or field trials. There is a hunt close to me called Mill creek hunt in Gurnee, Il. I would have to take lessons for a couple of months and looks like the huntsman runs a barn close by millgate equestrian by Brend Yost. The website was down-was wondering if anyone here has any experience .

Haven’t been in a horse in a while, so will have to take lessons and get a saintly trooper, but foxhunting or field trials is something I was interested in apart from trails-which is the bulk of what I did.

Any references-if the place is still around-can one hack around from the barn and is she a good trainer to bring a returning out of shape rider along to go fox hunting?

Not looking for fancy/show barns/trainers-just go out, trails, foxhunting if available and no truck/trailer for a while.

Thanks for any pointers or any other help.

[lmlacross]

I hunt with Wayne-DuPage and would heartily recommend the facility and staff where I board (also site of the kennels, forest preserve and trails in all directions, etc.), but it would likely not be practical for you. I’d think Mill Creek and people associated with it would be your best bet (and only option for hunting in that area). Could you give their master a call for some direction?

[newbie1]

[QUOTE=lmlacross;8831080]
I hunt with Wayne-DuPage and would heartily recommend the facility and staff where I board (also site of the kennels, forest preserve and trails in all directions, etc.), but it would likely not be practical for you. I’d think Mill Creek and people associated with it would be your best bet (and only option for hunting in that area). Could you give their master a call for some direction?[/QUOTE]

Thanks, Wayne-Dupage is not that far off in the scheme of things-but the commute there is horrible-during the times I would have to commute. I have several people from there who commute to my location to work.

But that is what I was looking for , a barn with access to trail-nothing fancy and preferably 500 bucks or under. I moved from a place where board was 200-300 bucks for semi pasture with shelter and am in shock over the prices here in lake county. 1000 bucks for basic board in some places-I guess the money has to go to the heated indoor. Not cheap. I would need lessons to do foxhunting-never jumped, except across the occasional log that you couldn’t go by and didn’t run at a gallop ina big group with dogs !

I never thought of that, I guess I will call the master for some advice. I am comfortable with trail riding, but always wanted to try foxhunting or field trials or both and this hunt is very close to me-under 10 miles-so hope it works out.

[linquest]

I rode with Brenda several years ago when I was temporarily in Chicago. She’s a great instructor (also events) and had reasonable rates. You do not need to jump to go foxhunting–I didn’t, and was only riding once a week with Brenda when I hunted with Mill Creek. If they don’t have a second field on a particular date, there are not that many jumps in the territory (but I’m comparing to VA Hunt Country where I ride now), and most had go-arounds, if I remember correctly. If she’s at the same facility, yes, there are trails. Her contact info is here- http://www.millcreekhunt.org/index.php/contact-us/

[fallingwithstyle]

newbie1, were you able to get in touch with Brenda? There is definitely trail riding and the country is beautiful–I just moved up to Chicago myself and have started hunting with MCH and helping out at the barn when I can make it out there.