I toured Windridge Farm a couple months before I moved into the area. Jennifer was really thorough with walking me through their process and what day-to-day would look like for my horse. I was nervous about moving my horse a couple weeks before I moved myself, but the Windridge Farm team took care of him and made sure I got updates. Windridge does its best to work with what you need and your budget. I love taking advantage of full service and training, but there are a la carte options as well. My horse has been the most confident that I've ever seen him through his first month with Taylor and Lilly. I'm excited to see his continued progress. I'm enjoying lessons with Taylor - I think she's very technical and communicates well about the things I need to work on. We do a lot of flatwork, which helps a lot with solidifying those fundamentals. As an adult amateur, I'm so grateful to have fellow adults at the barn to chat with. Everyone has been super nice so far and inclusive. read more

I used to ride here, and my experience was great until I started to share board a horse there. It was $650 a month for 3 rides a week. 1 lesson and 2 free rides that must be inside. I was in level 3 out of 4 levels. They had a problem with me doing trot and canter poles when others MY LEVEL were doing it. Moving on, the head trainer, who left, told us Crosby ( the horse I was share boarding ) would get clipped ( he really needed to get clipped ) if my family bought him a blanket. We bought him a $120 blanket and guess what? He didn't get clipped. And they ended up giving the blanket to another horse. On top of that, the old head trainer was cranky and would yell at me for everything. When the head trainer left, they had this one trainer who would ALWAYS tell you "stick on thigh" which you don't even NEED to do that. She didn't even help you with your riding. Jennifer is pretty nice, Taylor is a little rude. The only really good trainer there is Vikki. Oh and I forgot to mention, more than 5 trainers have come and left that barn. Overall, I had a great time in the past, but I have now left this barn. read more

My wife enrolled in the level 1 riding school for the 2 month class to learn the basics of riding for fun. The whole process was very unprofessional and lacked direction on caring for the horses and riding. The class was schedule from 5-6 and on the first day, we showed up and found they expect you to be there from 4:30-6:30 to tach and bridal before and after. The before and after care was instructed by students also in the class and an instructor never provided any guidance. in the riding arena, the instructor was never encouraging and always blamed issues on the rider versus the horse. She assigns the horses to be ridden each week and she assigned her own horse to my wife for her own personal gain. Her horse is a level 2 horse but couldn't be ridden in level 2 due to injury, so she made my wife ride her horse to make sure she still got a discount on boarding. M wife works out regularly and is in good shape, but rather than teach correct techniques or determine other issues, the instructor constantly told me wife her horse wasn't cooperating because she needed to get stronger. The instructor is nice and knows basic knowledge if riding, but shouldn't be teaching others to ride. read more

I do not recommend lessons for first time riders. Beyond that they may be amazing, but their staff was not equipped nor interested in supporting and teaching beginners. I learned about tips and techniques on YouTube in between my weekly lessons because instructors simply didn't teach, their approach was to yell or criticize when I unknowingly did something wrong. Maybe their private lessons are better, but this was for the level 1 group class. Also for parents enrolling beginners, I suggest you hang around during lessons. One instructor in particular yelled often and spoke down to many of the riders. Kids who had parents watching the lesson didn't get the same amount of yelling as other kids. read more

Amazing, most of the time people are doing their best to help you. I would recommend coming in with some knowledge of grooming, tacking up and picking hooves because some of the workers don't tell you how to do it. Very nice place and nice instructors. Lessons do sell out quickly but are really a great way to work out with others. In the lessons they make sure everyone gets a chance to try a pole course and canter. If you want to canter I would wait a while (one or two sign up's) before asking you instructor if you may try. Pretty great overall. read more

I rode hunter/jumpers competitively for 15 years in Ohio and am so excited to be back in the saddle at Windridge. The trainers are highly knowledgeable and the horses are great! I've gotten so much out of my lessons with Stacie during the last few months and feel like I'm growing leaps and bounds each time I mount up. The horse I've been riding lately has been a fantastic challenge and is great for my level of riding. The trainers are wonderful at pairing riders of every skill level to their school horses and the gals in the tack areas are always around to help, coach and encourage. This is a great barn for kids, they have plenty of really well cared for ponies (which are absolutely adorable). Every time I show up for a weekly lesson, I see a new improvement. Last time, it was a new outdoor wash stall. It would appear to me that the owners are working hard to revive the stable. I'm looking forward to see what's next. Giddy up. read more

Loved watching my niece take lessons here. She's enjoying and learning a lot but was concerned that the instructor was less than 6 feet from students with her mask down. Not acceptable during a pandemic . read more

My daughter started taking lessons here just last year. In a month or two we will have been here for a year. We have been happy and she has learned a lot! read more

WF has been a great place for my daughter to gain confidence while focusing on an amazing foundation of classic skills. Professional, clean and friendly! read more

I was tremendously dissatisfied with my experience with Windridge Farm & new ownership. A long-time boarder under prior ownership, I took my business (and my horse) elsewhere due to my displeasure with management and the level of care. New ownership took over the business in 12/2014 and spoke of making improvements to the facility. However, implementation of these projects proved disruptive or unsatisfactory. They powerwashed the main (heated) barn's indoor arena in December, soaking the footing and blowing out the lights. Riders were all forced to share the other (unheated) arena. Arena traffic was a major issue, rendering productive riding challenging. Furthermore, the powerwashing forced water into boarders' tack rooms, damaging tack items. No one had been warned ahead of time that this was going to happen and had no time to remove items (tack rooms are not solidly constructed, fairly apparent they wouldn't hold up to the pressure of a powerwasher). In the aftermath of being soaked, the main arena's footing was rock solid. In the months I was there, it was very poorly maintained. A hard track on the outside and unpredictable deep spots led to issues riding (this occurred in both arenas). Dust was a serious concern as well - there were days when the main arena was so dusty you couldn't more than halfway down the arena. (Not exaggeration: I couldn't see my reflection in the mirror due to dust.) Windridge Farm's new waivers required all riders to wear helmets but the owner's daughter never did. As a young woman touted for her experience, expertise, and professionalism, I find this a dubious example to set for clients. Furthermore, when she was riding in an arena I periodically struggled with staying out of her way. Arena etiquette went by the wayside even if I was in a lesson I had paid for. Other things I was dissatisfied with: stall cleaning (they reduced shavings to the point where my horse developed hock sores, never actually removed urine-soaked shavings, it reeked of ammonia), quantity of feed (I struggled to keep weight on my horse, even with a weight supplement from smartpak and beet pulp. They "improved" feeding by changing when they fed, but ultimately did not feed more), and fence repair. Cracked or broken boards were slow to be fixed, to a degree that it hindered the ability to use spaces for turn out. Several times I arrived at the barn to see my horse with an empty (or nearly empty) bucket of water and when I checked, it happened to more than just my horse. Billing discrepancies occurred in the final month, and resolving them was more challenging than it should have been. I had written two checks for board (double paid). I wouldn't have noticed, except when I was given my final invoice (a note about that: I had given my notice 30 days in advance, but did not get my final invoice until 6 days prior to my announced day of departure) I realized I had been charged for a lesson I had not taken. Going over checks I had written, I realized that I had paid twice for board. Resolving this with the owner was more complicated than it should have been. At one point, a phone call to her number didn't go through at all, not even to a voice mail. (I did end up getting my money back the day my horse was trailered out.) My experience with Windridge Farm & ownership was deeply unsatisfactory. The promised improvements would have been nice but the implementation of projects was poorly done and poorly prioritized - instead of seeing a flatscreen TV installed, I would rather see more hay being fed: when compounded with challenging ownership (sending out an entire batch of faulty invoices was a huge red flag, especially when resolving mine was so problematic) I decided I would be much happier taking my horse, and my business, elsewhere. read more

I am glad to see those who actually own and have boarded horses at Windridge are coming forward about the deplorable conditions of this barn. My kids wanted to take lessons here, actually took one and did not return because of many things that we were just not comfortable with. I can tell you that I personally saw the neglect that these other reviewers have claimed. In fact, the condition of the barn had me leaving in tears, filthy stalls, horses that had mud caked on them for God only knows how long, dirty, filthy water, and they appeared to be very hungry. I believe that along with posting reviews online, the posters should report this barn. While it's good to remove your horse, think about the "school" horses that are there who don't have a voice. I know I'll be calling during a business day.. someone has to speak up for these beautiful animals. read more

We recently moved our horse from there. It is a nice facility with great potential and we were sad to leave. That said, there were problems that developed after the new management took over. We had serious problems with their bookkeeping that continued through our final invoice which was calculated over $640 in their favor & required us to email copies of all of our board checks to correct. The footing in the main arena was not well maintained. It was choppy in the center & had a hard track along the rail. The dust in the air in the final week we were there was unbelievable. The new owners have lots of projects planned which is great. But the first project they tackled didn't go smoothly. They power washed the ceiling of the main barn - which was needed. But they ended up flooding one of the tack rooms - damaging boarder tack - and blowing out the lights in the main arena. So it was out of commission for a good chunk of the Christmas holidays, forcing all riders into the second barn. We had serious concerns about their project management skills - how disruptive the upcoming projects would be for us. We also had lots of other concerns about turnout time, condition of paddock fencing, quality of hay & feed, stall bedding (which had improved initially but had declined in the weeks leading up to our departure) etc. I would recommend giving the new owners some time. See how they manage the next few months. (I originally posted this review in March 2015. Yelp removed it on a technicality & advised me to re-post it. I haven't been back to the facility since we moved our horse, but I continue to hear less than positive feedback on the situation there from other horse people. My advice, if you are considering boarding there, to really spend some time at the facility before making a final decision.) read more

I will preface this review by telling readers to be cautious in consideration of the positive reviews left here. Taylor and her mother went around asking boarders to leave positive reviews after others left negative reviews. We were even told this by an old boarder who left, as we did, and by folks at the local tack shop who were encouraged to say positive things about Windridge to offset the negative reviews left by dissatisfied customers. I have been riding for 17 years and have boarded my horses at many barns of various types and this is by far the worst I have ever encountered. I think back to my short time boarding at Windridge and am still appalled that these people are selfish enough to put their clients' horses at risk solely to cushion their own wallets. I could write a novella detailing all of the examples of deceit, ignorance, and just general woefully poor horsemanship I saw Taylor and her mother exhibit, but suffice it to say that these people do not deserve to have anything to do with horses. My horses never had hay or water, and spent all day in their stalls standing in urine-drenched shavings. When they were allowed to be turned out, it was in a limestone paddock with no grass, no water, and no shelter from the heat or flies. There are acres upon acres of beautiful grass pastures that only Taylor's horses have access to. Not to mention that I rarely got to take advantage of the riding facilities, as both indoors were constantly reserved for group lessons. The most troubling part about all of this is that the inadequate and irresponsible treatment of the horses here was not the result of ignorance, but rather willful neglect motivated purely by greed. Instead of being receptive and understanding to my simple request that my horses be given the very basic necessities of hay, water, and turn-out time, Taylor and Jennifer first stated that these amenities would cost extra money. When I countered their assertion by pointing out that I already paid $700+ a month for board, which at every other farm includes these basic requirements, they became combative and defensive. In short, they will not take proper care of your horses without nickeling and diming you along the way, and even if you paid them through the nose, it's clear that they don't care at all about the wellbeing of their boarders' horses. If this review can discourage a single person from putting their beloved horse's welfare at risk by boarding them at Windridge, then I will consider it a success. read more

Some of these reviews left me ambivalent about Windridge. Two attempts to find the farm increased my apprehension. In fact, out of frustration, we decided to drive by another horse farm close to my home but not too far from Windridge, and I thought perhaps this is destiny. However, not one to accept defeat in my less than stellar navigation skills, I called my son and asked him to drive. Instinctively, I knew from my grandson's excitement and joy on his face this was the place for him. Later, he confirmed Windridge was his choice. Jennifer provided a thorough tour and chose an excellent instructor for him, skilled and patient. We are new to this experience, and so far it is amazing. read more

I have been riding at Windridge Farms since March 2015. I have enjoyed everything about it. I am an adult rider and I lesson on the weekends with other adult riders which I appreciate. Other stables I have been in lessons with grade school kids. It's more fun with other adults. I have been at other stables and I am very please with the trainers and the facility. I have been VERY impressed with how organized the stable is. For example, when I arrive for my lesson there is an employee available to help me groom and tack my horse if I need it. I appreciate all the work the McMurtry's have put into the stable. I am enjoying myself and I would recommend Windridge Farms and I have to other riders with experience and without. read more

was a boarder here with my show horses- left due to the owners. Jennifer and Taylor both lied to us about various things, and neither of them actually care about the wellbeing of the horses that aren't theirs. Incredibly rude, and very fake people. I would give it a 0 if i could. read more

Windridge Farm is an OUTSTANDING barn, where there are amazing trainers, terrific horses, and great bonds between people around the barn! If you are looking for a barn to join, Windridge is by far, the best one you can find! read more

My daughter just started riding at Windridge Farm and absolutely loves it. The trainers are the best she has ever had. This is the third barn she has been riding at over the course of 5 years, and we have to say it is the best. The stalls are clean, the horses are very well trained, and the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. read more

My daughter and I have been riding at Windridge farm since last summer and really love it here. We've had a lot of fun and have learned so much from our trainer Julie who is fantastic! The staff is very knowledgable and welcoming to beginners. My daughter and I have really bonded over our love of horses. I would encourage all the moms who are watching their daughters from the sidelines to join in as it is terrific exercise and also very enjoyable. My daughter is very inspired by Taylor McMurty, who is an amazing rider and a great role model for young horse riders everywhere ! The barn and property are beautiful and very well maintained. the horses are healthy and happy. Windridge farms is really a special place!! read more

I was first introduced to Windridge Farms in March of 2015 and I have been riding regularly on weekends ever since. Previously, I had been riding at another barn that didn't have enough school horses. Windridge Farms has continued to evolve since 2015 and I for one, appreciate how they run their business. Stables are expensive to run, manage, and upkeep, but I for one appreciate how well the stable is maintained, cared for and managed. Turnover is a natural part of any business. However, Patrick has been there as a trainer before my time and I have been very happy with his direction and coaching. He knows what he is doing. I believe they have a mix of school horses for the elementary riders to more advanced riders. Jennifer meticulously manages the price of the school program, cancelled lessons, and make up sessions for each rider. I have been very happy riding here. I commute from the north side of Chicago to get here on the weekends. I wouldn't do that unless I loved it. read more

I was very saddened to find yet another Fox Meadow Horse, that remained as a school horse when Windridge took over, in poor condition today at a rescue. We own a horse that Windridge was going to sell cheap enough to go to slaughter. Evidently, that was the plan for this horse as well. If there were negative stars to give here, I would give them. Not only do they not know how to do business, they do not care for their animals. Both of these animals were ridden as schooling horses and were loving and great beginner horses. No animal deserves to be starved to the point of bones showing and hooves flaring out. Amazing how they keep their IL Equestrian Center license. read more

Before I explain why everyone should beware of this farm, I would like to say that I posted my negative review on Facebook but they changed their Facebook Page to a "just for fun" page so that reviews were removed because they did not want potential clients to see my scathing review. Just shows how dishonest and unprofessional the McMurtry's are. My first bad experience there was on the first day I arrived when I caught one of the trainers (Serafina) smoking directly against the barn building. This is obviously dangerous as it could result in a barn fire. The second major red flag was Taylor McMurtry's blatant flouncing of her own barn rules which state that while mounted all riders must wear ASTM-SEI approved helmets. She schools her horses and clients horses during lessons for demonstration without a helmet, as though she is above her own rules and above falling off. What a terrible example to set for the next generation of riders! Third, after I sold the horse I owned and approached Taylor (head trainer) about potentially helping me find another horse, she attempted to sell me an unsound animal. She told me she knew a horse named Johnny Hott who was in KY that she had ridden and was very familiar with. What she did not tell me was that he had a serious hind end ailment (later diagnosed as shivers, per Taylor's admission after she managed to sell the horse on to someone else). She did tell us when we asked about his hind end that she knew he had had it for years but "that's just Johnny" as though it was a non-issue. We were not fooled, obviously, and passed on purchasing him. It was bad enough for her to misrepresent the horse (we never would have paid to have him shipped for a trial had she been honest with us), but then later informed us that we would have to pay her 12% of his sale price. This is not the way that horse purchases are typically conducted. The trainer's commission is taken out of the sale price and then the previous owner receives the remainder. After this occurrence, we chose to go East to horse shop and ended up purchasing two horses from a former Olympic event rider. Upon returning with said horses, both Taylor and her mother Jennifer became very rude and difficult to work with. The horses were never offered water during turn out, and hay was fed at a set amount regardless of what the horses nutritional needs were. When we attempted to express our concerns, both Taylor and her mother were so incredibly rude we were astounded. We were already paying them for subpar care, and they offered to give an additional flake of hay to each horse for an extra $65 a month per horse! When we explained that the lack of water on hot days plus the lack of hay had us concerned, Jennifer became irate and even went so far as to insult us, telling us we were fools who didn't know what we were doing. I work in veterinary medicine so I know well what a horse's nutritional needs are. I also had a friend of mine who is an equine vet visit the farm and my horses, and she concurred that the care of the animals was greatly lacking and bordering on neglect. They also only feed a basic pellet under the premise that THEIR horses can't handle a standard 10% feed and that the lesson kids would "get bucked off" if their horses received any. There was no other option for feeding, so we purchased our own grain and fed our own horses to supplement the shoddy quality food the barn provided. The manner in which Taylor and Jennifer both address their boarders is abhorrent. They are two of the most condescending, disrespectful, arrogant people I have ever encountered. Their barn charges a high price for poor care. Taylor's resume may boast of show ring success, but she is just an arrogant 22 year old girl who isn't capable of conducting honest business. Her mother is equally culpable. Neither of these ladies has the knowledge or dedication to run a barn, much less the high end show stable they portray themselves as. My experiences here have been so bad that I feel the need to warn people away from this business. I will continue to share with everyone I know in the local horse community whether it be at my new barn (where myself and my horses are already MUCH happier), the tack shops, clinics, or shows. Do yourself and your horse a favor and stay away from these ignorant and dishonest folks!! read more

My daughter has been taking lessons with Staci for a month. I was hesitant after reading the reviews, but I couldn't be happier. Staci is awesome. She pushes with a lot of positive energy. Safety is always obvious. The horses are great. The groomers are very helpful and they teach the girls how to tack with a very nice tone. I see at least two men feeding and cleaning stalls each week. read more

The previous reviews of Windridge Farm seem to be exaggerated and inaccurate in a negative way . I have been with Jennifer and Taylor at Windridge for four months after leaving a smaller facility in the south suburbs . My daughter has a high level competitive horse that has been well taken care of and nurtured by the Windridge staff . Jennifer has been honest and professional with my family. Taylor is a dedicated , experienced and focused trainer that can produce winners. She is very knowledgeable and meticulous with a great personality. For advanced riders that are driven and competitive , I highly recommend Windridge Farm ! read more

If negative stars were possible that would be what I would choose to give to Windridge Farm. My daughter used to ride, as well as work in the school as a groom at Fox Meadow Farm, before going off to college. When we found out about the new owners and my daughter returned from college we were excited for the business as well as the animals. This feeling was quite short lived however. My daughter has always wanted a horse and had fallen in love with one of the school horses whom will not be named. After calling today and having a very unprofessional, cold, conversation with Jennifer about the availability of the horse, I was left with a bad feeling. I was, what I would describe as, mocked and belittled. After dealing with people in the horse world for quite some time I have learned that it is rare to find a horse that is ever truly not for sale especially one in a school program who can at times be very flighty. After, I was told the horse was not for sale and cut off before any more questions could be asked. After getting in touch with quite a few people we used to know from the barn, we were quickly updated with exactly what was going on in this despicable place that has become Windridge Farm. The care of the horses is minimal and even less for the school horses my daughter once treated as her own. Many are so lame that they appear sound so are continued to be used in the lesson program and that is just talking about the physical state of the horses never mind the mental state of the poor animals. They have dispelled all other trainers from the property except for Taylor as well as another whom has little significance since it has been the McMurtry show from the beginning. When looking into barns I ask that you please steer clear of these horrible people and the means by which they run their "business". They are perhaps some of the most narcissistic, cold hearted people I have even had the displeasure of communicating with. read more

My friend and I rode here for 2 years, a year when it was still Fox Meadow, and a year at Windridge. We were appalled by the horrendous care of not only lesson horses but the boarded horses as well. These horses spent all day in stalls of pee covered bedding and when they were turned out they spent their time in limestone paddocks with almost no room or grass to eat. Along with that i've been around horses for a number of years to know this is not acceptable. The horses were feed bland plain pellets and when the owners where confronted they used the excuse that their horses could not handle other feed. They are stick skinny and get almost no hay and when asked for an increase in my horses hay amount they asked for a outrages amount of money for a small amount of hay. i once took my first lesson and one of the barn helpers tacked me up the wrong horse with a wrong bridle which was too small causing obvious discomfort. Once the trainer ( patrick) was notified he did nothing and continued to teach the lesson when this horse was in pain. The barn helpers are extremely ignorant little girls who think they know everything but really stand around these neglected horses consumed in their technology. This barn is all money and nothing to do with horse wellfare, they asked 700$ to use one of their horses at a small b circuit show. The footing in arenas is terrible and rock solid. You could hear the horse trotting from the aisle. the owners are vain and i completely agree with most of these other commenters and these people only care aboutthe outside of their barn DO NOT GO HERE! read more

We had been at the property, previously Fox Meadow Farm, for 6 years prior to the management change. In those 6 years, there was NEVER an issue or problem with horse care or basic barn maintenance. Once the McMurtry's took over, all of a sudden we would come to the barn to ride and discover our horses', and others, water buckets empty. The story other's have told about the power washing the main area, blowing out the lights, damaging tack room tack are accurate, as are the observations that Taylor believes herself to be above the pointed rules laid out for others (she doesn't wear a helmet, uses paths for her horses forbidden to others, etc.). Taylor is young, and inexperienced, despite what she believes herself to be. Jennifer is just rude, callous and deceitful- and has no idea how to run a barn- again despite what she will tell you. When they first took over- they NEVER introduced themselves to the existing boarders. I had no idea what either of them looked like. We were all guessing as to who they were/what they looked like etc.. Our first communication with them was 3 weeks later, when we found a package of papers to fill out on each stall door, with a glowing "here's how wonderful we are" set of bios on each of them- full of typo's by the way. Very unprofessional. Included in the packet was a liability release form- standard of course.. until we read it. In it, they required the boarders to sign off on the fact that they were NOT RESPONSIBLE for MAINTAINING the PROPERTY/BARN/STALLS. Uh, excuse me? We and many other boarders refused to sign it. They initially claimed no sign, no ride. but magically a few weeks later a NEW liability release form came out that was significantly edited, removing that line, specifying they were not responsible for maintaining the DRIVEWAY. good grief. Taylor consistently 'reserved' the main barn for her own personal riding- requiring scheduled lessons to move to other, unheated barn- one day three sets of lessons at once had to share the other barn.. and then the main barn sat empty for a good hour, but it was reserved for Taylor, so no one could enter. It appeared she viewed Windridge as her own personal playground. The McMurtry's proceeded to make unilateral changes, such as forbidding our trainer from schooling horses in the main barn, preventing lessons from being rescheduled (or getting angry when they were- excuse me but since when is rescheduling a lesson to meet a customer's need a BAD thing?). They disconnected the business's land line. Not only preventing customers from calling, but creating a dangerous situation if there was an emergency- relying on someone to have cell phone. We had finally had enough of the unpleasantness and inept management. We notified Jennifer (via voicemail since she didn't answer her phone) that we would be leaving the following Saturday (along with our trainer and several other boarders). We left a check for the balance due for lessons/board in the payment box the Tuesday before. On the day of our horses departure, we were unable to be there due to a death in the family, and so relied on our trainer to get our horses trailered out. Jennifer 'refused' to let our horses leave, claiming we did not notify them of our departure. Our trainer had to call us on the day of the funeral so we could verbally confirm our horses were to leave. THEN Jennifer refused to let them leave because she claimed we hadn't paid our lesson bill, Saying the check was not in the payment box. Our trainer loaded our horses anyway, paid the balance Jennifer claimed was due, and got our horses out of there. I cancelled the check I knew I had put in the payment box and sent Jennifer an email confirming my understanding that that check had somehow been misplaced, our trainer had paid the balance, and that I was cancelling the check, so if she does find it, please just rip it up. My bank informed me the next day that Jennifer had tried to cash my check! It is unfortunate - the property is beautiful and has a great deal of potential. The current owners simply do not have the experience or perspective to properly prioritize what should be done, nor the finesse to provide the basics of customer service to their boarders. read more