Talk about quaint environments and pleasant walks. This is a go to. Year round this place to enjoy…read moreyour day with friends, family or the special someone.

I love hiking here on a spring, summer or fall day. This is a Moderate hiking course on an unpaved…read morepath. So prepare as far as shoes goes. This path is dog friendly and horse friendly. There are little rest areas with benches along the way. They even have a water bottle filling station. Over all this hiking path is a little under 3miles but had a great intensity level with a beautiful view

Christy is a really special person. Her immense dedication to caring for every animal at the farm…read moreis both obvious and inspiring. I feel really lucky to have found her, she's an excellent instructor. Going down to see her and the horses is the high point of my week. I would recommend her a thousand times!

Christy Nahser is one of the most kind human beings I have ever met. I have know her for more than…read more25 years . At times I have known her to find a cat on the side of the road, or a goose, or dog and certainly horses, and take them in or to the vet and nurse them back to health. She is for sure a horse whisperer, I have never know such care and compassion she shows to each and every horse that is in her care at her barn. If you are looking to board your horse or take riding lessons Christy Nahser is the best out there! If you just need a place to be at peace for anxiety or depression just being at Chrislin Farms will give you peace! Looking into the horses eyes is something special. Give Christy a call and once you speak to her you will see what I am talking about 630-802-4996

Where should I start? I got a Living Social deal and decided…read moreto try them with my girlfriend who is an experienced Hunter/Jumper rider. Let me just preface that their regular prices are so good I drove from Chicago, and will again. First of all, if you think you are at the entrance, but not sure because no one answers your knocking on the door, just walk in. We spent 10 minutes hoping someone was around while their two goats followed me. One of the owners came out and got us and I had to leave my goat girlfriend who escorted me along their property. The owners (a couple, forgot their names) were very nice, which is a treat because I have gone to other places for riding and in my experience most horse people are arrogant and don't have patience for beginners. Not the case here, very kind, patient, and a sense of humor to boot (no pun intended). They do all kinds of training, western, english, dressage, and they train their customer's horses daily. Horses were well maintained, as were the stables. I was retaught how to post, and I cantered for the first time. Smallish arena, but music was playing and it was relatively easy to hear the instructors, who were the owners. My girlfriend and I got to ride together for the first time, and even though it wasn't a scenic trail, it was very fun. Worth the trip Worth the money Worth a look I will be back, at least to see my goat friends.

My family and I found Country Meadows about 12 years ago, I was 9 years old and had been riding at…read morea barn through the local park district of my town. Someone had told us about Country Meadows and that we should really check it out if I wanted to continue horseback riding. We took a trip to see the barn and meet the owners and right away we decided we wanted to have a lesson there. I remember from my first lesson, how happy I was and how safe I felt on the horse and in their barn. I had just one, hour long lesson and I never went back to my previous barn. The owners Mike and Dale, and trainer Julie make it feel like home. They are all so friendly and loving and really want you to grow and become a great rider. They are like family; they support you, help you achieve your goals, and really genuinely care about you as a rider and a person. From my first lesson to now I've grown so much as a rider and a person. I have learned and grown to be so much more confident and outgoing. Continuely connecting with so many of their friendly and happy horses. And really became a rider that I always hoped I could become. Every horse you will ride teaches you something new and different and really challenges you as a rider. With the training and attention to detail they give you during your lesson, you will find yourself starting to get a hang of it and becoming a better rider every lesson. They take great pride in the way their horses are taken care of and getting the treatment and love they deserve. Their red barn is so gorgeous with beautiful wooden stalls and siding, the viewing room is very clean and nice and heated for cold winter days with a large window for you to be able to watch your children, spouse, or friends ride. They have a heated indoor arena that is very long and big so that you have lots of space to ride if there are a few other people in your lesson. They also have a beautiful large outdoor arena for lessons when theres a nice sunny summer day. They have the sweetest dogs that will come greet you with lots of kisses and some very vocal chickens in their second barn across the indoor arena that you'll want to meet. If you are looking for a barn that will teach you and help you learn to be a great rider, who are friendly and really truly care about the rider and that persons lesson and progress. This is definitely without a doubt the barn for you. I am so grateful and really just thankful I found this barn 12 years ago and the people in it because it really is a family away from my family. Honestly I do not think I would be the rider I am today if it wasn't for finding Country Meadow Farm!

I could not believe there was a horse stable this close to my house. They have a LOT of horses and…read moreponies. There were 5 people in my group and Anna was our guide. She was amazing! The ride was leisurely and relaxing but still fun. They recommend dressing for the weather but wearing jeans and gym shoes, which was perfect. My horse was Sammy (ironic) and my husband's was Denny. I also had a connection with Sanchez (although that may be because I was feeding him tons of apples and mints). I wish we would have known about the carrots and apples but you can bring your own and make friends with all of the beautiful horses! I can't wait to go back.

My daughter did a trail ride. She has several years of riding experience so we have seen all sorts…read moreof barns. While the ride was fine and the trainer was friendly, I was SHOCKED at the condition of the barn. The smell of urine was overwhelming. The stalls looked like they had not been mucked out in weeks. Tons of poop in the stalls. Animals just looked sad and depressed. The barn and arena were dark and depressing. Absolutely no outdoor space for the animals. I'm shocked people board horses there. Conditions are terrible. There were about 30 farm animal just standing around in a dark arena. Reminded me of a nursing home. Very depressing. Everything just looked neglected.

We recently celebrated our daughter's 9th birthday at Nova Quarter Horses, and it was an absolutely…read morewonderful experience. With a group of 20 third-grade girls, I was initially concerned about keeping everyone engaged and safe, especially since more than half of them had never ridden a horse before. Nova's team surpassed all expectations. They were incredibly organized, attentive, and made sure each child felt comfortable and secure throughout the event. The staff at Nova Quarter Horses made the girls' first riding experience unforgettable. Each child had several turns riding different horses, and the instructors were patient and encouraging, creating a positive atmosphere that allowed even the most hesitant riders to participate and enjoy themselves. Our daughter described the party as "perfect," and I couldn't agree more! The facility itself is ideal for hosting birthday parties. Nova has a spacious party area where they arranged tables to accommodate our group with one long table that seated 21 comfortably. Parents were able to relax in a fantastic viewing area, which offered a great vantage point to watch both the riding and the party festivities. This thoughtful setup made the celebration enjoyable for both children and adults. Beyond horseback riding, Nova organized a fun scavenger hunt in the barn, giving the girls an opportunity to explore, meet all the horses, and learn more about the facility. This added element of adventure made the party even more special and engaging for everyone involved. I highly recommend Nova Quarter Horses for anyone looking to host a unique, fun, and well-managed birthday party. The staff's professionalism, dedication to safety, and ability to create a magical experience for children make them stand out. We are grateful for the memories made and look forward to returning in the future!

Nova Quarter is definitely the place to be if you love horses. Lorri and Sam run an amazing…read morebusiness and the horses are so well taken care of. There are so many events, camps and opportunities for all ages. The large, newer indoor arena is amazing! Go check them out!

I absolutely love the barn. The horses can be turned out in groups together. They get daily…read moreturnout, as well as pasture rotation. There's an indoor arena, an outdoor arena, and a bridle path. The owner is very knowledgable and cares greatly for the well being of the horses. I'm here almost daily doing groundwork with my horses, and while I see a lot of people, the barn is rarely busy which provides and excellent atmosphere for training. They also offer riding lessons and horse training.

I have never in my life had such a terrible experience until riding at AZ Acres. Simultaneously, my…read moredaughter took a lesson while I casually rode. The instructor was rude, insulting, and belittling to both my 7 year old daughter and me. I made it very clear that she's not an experienced rider and needs more instruction as she's learning. Olivia's tone was short, accusatory, and impatient. My daughter left in tears. I cannot stress enough how much this place should be avoided.

Look, if you're an adult in Plainfield/Shorewood/Joliet and you're thinking about taking lessons…read morebecause you want to compete or you just want to become an all around better rider, this is the place to do it. And they can do group lessons if you want to take a spouse, friend, child, stranger you just met, etc. etc. The facilities themselves are very nice and the stables are always pretty dang clean. They have an indoor arena too so that's a huge plus in these winter months. There are quite a few grooms here so if you have any questions you always have someone to ask, but beyond that Megan does a great job of walking you step by step through tacking up and care to ensure you're doing it right and are using the correct equipment on each horse. The lessons are top notch. You work with different horses week to week and Megan is excellent at giving corrections while your riding. Lessons differ from day to day and they offer both English and Western, but Megan does an amazing job at remembering where your at and what you still need work on. I'm never pushed to do something I'm not comfortable with, but the option to push yourself is always there (if you've shown you'd be able to handle it). I always feel like my safety is considered while riding here which I can only imagine would be even more reassuring if you have your kids riding. Also worth noting, they offer summer camps for the kiddos.

We had an absolute amazing time on this trail! Not only was the guide amazing, the whole adventure…read morewas scenic and worth every penny. All the horses were very well taken care of, extremely soft, and super well behaved. The trails were both wide open and woodsy, and overall a rustic experience that made you feel like you were one with nature. I would recommend this for anybody, whether they are a beginner or well-versed in riding horses. I went into it being a little bit nervous, but felt like a natural within a few minutes. We could not have asked for a better day and I look forward to the next time we get to experience this adventure again. A+

The ride was good, the staff didn't really talk to us when we first arrived or even when we were…read moredone. The ride we booked supposedly came with a bonfire. We were not guided or talked to about the bonfire everyone just left.

Shannon is awesome! She is the best trainer in the south burbs in my opinion…read more She's friendly, punctual and my daughter really likes her. She's learned so much just after a few lessons. Very nice, well kept place.

I contacted Shannon earlier this summer via email and she responded within 24hrs. Moreover, her…read morew/in 24 hour response time has continued through the summer; whether by email, phone, or text. We set up lessons for 4 kids initially, which eventually became 5. Shannon was more than flexible and understanding of having to reschedule due to extreme heat on one scheduled lesson day, of one kid not being able to attend a lesson, or wanting to add another kid last minute. At any one lesson we had at least 3 kids and up to 5. Needless to say we have done SEVERAL lessons over the course of the summer. Each of the kids (ages almost 3 up to 9 yrs) has loved their experience with Shannon and her horses at Downtown Equestrian Center. All of the kids came to Shannon as complete novices. Their confidence and abilities have grown with each lesson. So far they have learned how to brush the horse, clean the hooves, saddle the horse (w help due to height &/or age), walk the horse out/in (again, assisted for the youngest), mount/dismount the horse, proper posture and hold, then ride the horse (walk, trot, stop, back up, turn, circle, walk over bars). The 7 & 9 year olds are now able to ride the horse without a lead assisting/guiding. This was a huge moment for them and sent their confidence/self-esteem through the roof. Shannon and her staff are also very thoughtful about their choices when pairing the kids with the horses. They take into consideration the horse's personality, age, size, & work for the day; the size and age of the kids are also factors in pairing. Even though one of the kids might have a particular preference, if that horse already rode for a lesson that day it does not go out again. That said, Shannon & her staff do their best to accommodate the kids, especially when they have bonded with a particular horse. The kids have now learned to ride 2-3 horses; learning their personality, temperament, and ride. I should also note that Shannon has helmets for the kids to use during lessons (also a must), which I appreciate since none of the kids yet own one. Of course, there are moments where Shannon will have to correct the kids; however, she never raises her voice-- she changes her tone, much like a parent needing to refocus their child's attention. Due to the number of kids and lessons, we have also had the pleasure of working with many of Shannon's staff. Each person has been kind and patient while working with the kids; moreover, they have been knowledgable and willing to teach the kids. A family member who has worked with horses & at equestrian centers for years came to the first lesson. She was pleased with the barn, lessons, horses, and overall conditions. Shannon was always respectful, even when their two "styles" differed. To address another review: Yes, it can be confusing upon your first arrival-- Are you at the right place? (There isn't much signage, especially near the entrance) Where do you go once there? (There are several buildings) Who are you looking for? After parking, all we had to do was ask for Shannon and one of her staff politely told us where we could go/wait while she went to get Shannon. (For those wondering, there is a small "office" type room in the barn (with helmets & gear) that we now go to upon arrival.) Overall, the kids adore Downtown Equestrian Center and like having "Miss Shannon" as their instructor (as well as her staff). They are very comfortable there and have greatly enjoyed their experiences beyond words. I have appreciated Shannon's communication, style of interaction & instruction w the kids (she differentiates well for the youngest to oldest), flexibility, and interaction w the adults present. Moreover, I think there is something to be said about the way an instructor treats/interacts with the student relating to how they treat/interact with the horses. Our experience has been very positive; this leads me to believe she is kind and thoughtful when it comes to caring for her horses. I know that more regularly scheduled lessons on our part will allow Shannon to create lessons that further build upon each other. We are looking forward to all that will be learned in future lessons with Shannon, her staff, and horses.

Went today. Illinois Derby was the 8th race, hence the big crowd, as well as WGN's and others radio…read morestations' presence. Hawthorne has renovated some areas, and it appears as if they now take credit cards at the bars. Nice, but whatever. I like this place. I liked it last year, and the year before. And I like it today. Employees are friendly and down to earth. Great place to watch thoroughbreds run, renovations or not. Went to customer service to check on the number of points I've earned on my Hawthorne card. Too funny....righteous man in in his Sears suit coat was issuing a very long complaint to the Hawthorne employee, whose expression was increasingly glazed. I mean LONG, and without a breath in between various disappointments. God love her, because 10 seconds in I wanted to tell the guy to STFU and enjoy the day for what it was. (I actually had to shove him over, verbally, to speak to the other employee.) "And then..our waitress took FIVE minutes to bring our drinks...and THEN..." And then what? She didn't bow down to your vast superiority? She didn't weep tears of joy and admiration for your Miller Lite orders? She didn't appreciate your Sears jacket or artfully arranged thinning hair?" Really, dude, what the F*** do you want? This guy was talking nonstop for at least 7 minutes (before I left the area)....that poor girl. I have enough points for a windbreaker, by the way, but am saving them up for a hoodie. I suspect the complainer is still there, explaining to that poor girl that he deserves better service...I'll have those points by the time he's done.

Always a good time at Hawthorne when the thoroughbred meet is in town. So much history here, so…read morewish they would do the much needed repair / upgrade work to the fan stands, concessions, restrooms that is needed because of age wear & tear.