The Plainfield Park District offers a variety of equestrian lessons and activities at the Normantown Equestrian Center, a 6-acre facility on Normantown Road, just south of 119th Street.
The center features a large 78×180-foot indoor riding arena with a heated observation area, a small indoor riding arena, two large outdoor riding arenas, and five paddocks. The stable has 48 11×12-foot stalls and includes a renovated indoor wash rack, as well as a club room/classroom. NTEC does not offer trail rides or therapeutic riding.
Register For Programs Online Registration Form
Registration for group lessons and special programs can be done by using the registration form link above, registering online with the link above, or by going to NTEC or the Prairie Activity & Recreation Center (PARC). Return the completed registration form and payment to NTEC or PARC. Students are registered on a first-come, first-served basis. A waiting list will be created and program and camp sections will be added if needed. NTEC does not participate in a lottery.
Private lessons may be scheduled by contacting NTEC directly at (815) 254-1950.
Long pants and sturdy shoes with a half-inch heel are required to ride. Open-toed/open-heeled shoes and flip flops are prohibited and cannot be worn while riding. Riding helmets must be worn while on horseback. NTEC has helmets available for use if the rider does not own one. Damage to helmets or tack will be billed to the rider. Those without proper riding attire are not allowed to participate. There is a 250-pound weight limit for riders. Private lessons are for riders 8 years and older. Payment is due at the time of service.
A liability release form must be filled out and signed before you can begin riding. All participants are expected to follow the barn rules and regulations that are posted at the stable.
Riding decisions are based on the health and safety of our participants and horses. Horse theory classes are provided and feature topics such as wrapping, grooming, nutrition, and other equestrian educational topics at times when riding is not appropriate. If you choose to cancel your lesson because of the weather with less than 24 hours notice, you will be billed for the lesson. If NTEC decides to cancel riding lessons, you will be notified and not charged for the lesson. Lesson will be cancelled if weather is below 10 degrees or above 100 degrees.
Please check our Statusfy site for the most-up-to-date weather information.
Please remember your lesson is an appointment. Students need to arrive at least a half-hour early for their lesson or class. Late arrivals will not be able to make up missed riding or instruction time. A 24-hour cancellation notice is required. Students who do not give a 24-hour notice or do not show will be billed for that lesson time and may lose a standing lesson time slot.
The Normantown Equestrian Center is currently accepting applications for volunteers!
Full Board
- $1,025 per month
- Includes four lessons on boarded horse. Lessons do not roll over monthly. Additional fees apply if using a school horse.
- Daily turnout weather permitting
- Fed AM, Lunch and PM
- Stall cleaned 6 days per week (no Saturday cleaning but supplies are available for private owners cleaning)
- Will feed supplements in grain as long as they are put in storage containers
- $1,025 refundable deposit required.
Partial Board
- $675 per month
- Daily turnout weather permitting
- Owner responsible for stall cleaning
- Fed AM, Lunch and PM
- $675 refundable deposit required.
Dry Stall Board
- $325 per month if using non-barn shavings
- $405 per month if using barn shavings (includes 10 wheelbarrows that do not roll over monthly). Additional shavings may be purchased through the barn.
- We provide a stall and 1/3 of an empty stall for storage of supplies
- You provide hay, grain, buckets, wheelbarrow, pitchfork and labor for the care of your horse
- Co-op schedule is available but is worked out privately among other dry stall boarders
- The barn sells shavings and grain by the scoop
- $325/$405 refundable deposit required.
Additional services are available upon request for a fee TBD.
The stalls are 11X12′. We offer two indoor arenas (one is heated) and a furnished clubroom with air conditioning and heat.
Private lessons are available for riders ages 8 and older. Schedule your private lesson by calling (815) 254-1950. The fee for ½ hour private lesson is $45 for boarders or $55 for non-boarders. Contact Amanda Bergman at bergman@plfdparks.org to schedule.
Private lesson packages consisting of 4, 8, or 12 lessons are available for purchase. There is a $10 discount for every 4 pre-purchased private lessons. Plan to be at the stable at least 30 minutes prior to your lesson time and remain at least 15 minutes after to care for the horse. NO REFUNDS FOR PACKAGE LESSONS.
LESSON PACKAGES WILL EXPIRE IF NOT USED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASE.
Barn Hours
Monday through Friday 9AM-8PM | Saturday and Sunday 9AM-7PM | Closed on major holidays
Registration
Registration for group lessons and special programs can be done by using the registration form on this page, registering online, or by going to Normantown Equestrian Center (NTEC) or the Prairie Activity & Recreation Center (PARC). Return the completed registration form and payment to NTEC or PARC. Students are registered on a first-come, first-served basis. A waiting list will be created if needed. NTEC does not participate in a lottery.
Release Form
A Liability Release Form must be filled out and signed before you can begin riding. All participants are expected to follow the barn rules and regulations that are posted at the stable.
Riding Attire
Long pants and sturdy shoes with a half-inch heel are the safest to wear when riding. Open-toed/open-heeled shoes and flip flops are prohibited and cannot be worn while riding. Riding helmets must be worn while on horseback. Normantown has helmets available for use if the rider does not own one. Damage to helmets or tack will be billed to the rider.
Meet and ride our ponies!
Check our registration page for available pony ride events. Click HERE to view.
Earn your grooming badge at NTEC! Scouts learn the basics of horse safety and are shown how to properly groom a horse. Children are divided into small groups after the demonstration to clean up a horse or pony. The grooming session is followed by a short ride on a horse or pony that is led by a handler. There is no riding instruction included. Sessions are offered by appointment only on available Sunday afternoons, May through October. We can tailor the classroom portion to fit your troop’s requirements. NTEC does not provide the badges. Sessions are 1 ½ hours long.
Ages 8 & up | $35 per child | Min. 5/Max. 12
