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.
Meet the NEC Crew!
Tess
About Tess
Color: Dun
Riding Skill Level: Intermediate and Advanced
Fun Fact: She has a dorsal stripe
Moose
About Moose
Color: Sorrel
Riding Skill Level: Intermediate and Advanced
Fun Fact: One of his nicknames is Moosickle
Bobo
About Bobo
• Color: Leopard
• Riding Skill Level: Intermediate
• Fun Fact: He sings for his meals!
Rosie
About Rosie
• Color: Blue Roan
• Riding Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
• Fun Fact: Peppermints are Rosie's favorite treats!
Lilly
About Lilly
Mouse Hunting Level: Expert
Fun Fact:
Lilly and Mrs. Norris are best friends
Bird
About Bird
Color: Bay
Riding Skill Level: Advanced
Fun Fact: She was previously used as an eventing horse
Cinders
About Cinders
• Color: Red Roan
• Riding Skill Level: Intermediate
• Fun Fact: Cinders has been living at NTEC the longest.
Baylee
About Baylee
Color: Bay
Riding Skill Level: Beginner thru Advanced
Fun Fact: She prefers cantering on her right lead
Mrs. Norris
About Mrs. Norris
Mouse Hunting Level: Expert
Fun Fact:
Lilly and Mrs. Norris are best friends
Snickers
About Snickers
• Color: Tortoise
• Mouse Hunting Level: Expert
• Fun Fact: Snicker's favorite nap spot is in the horse laundry bin!
Shrek
About Shrek
Color: Chestnut
Riding Skill Level: Beginner
Fun Fact: He is the biggest lesson horse
Gunner
About Gunner
Color: Bay
Riding Skill Level: Advanced
Fun Fact: His breed is best known for harness racing
Codee
About Codee
• Color: Sorrel/Overo
• Riding Skill Level: Beginner
• Fun Fact: Codee used to work as a school horse at the University of Findlay in Ohio.
Motley
About Motley
Color: Tobiano
Riding Skill Level: Beginner thru Advanced
Fun Fact: He is the youngest school horse
Current Equestrian Programs
Registration
Registration for group lessons and special programs can be done by using the registration form link below, registering online with the link below, 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.
Participation Requirements
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.
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.
Weather Conditions
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.
24 Hour Cancellation Policy
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.
Volunteers
The Normantown Equestrian Center is currently accepting applications for volunteers!
Full Board
- $750 per month
- 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
Partial Board
- $600 per month
- Daily turnout weather permitting
- Owner responsible for stall cleaning
- Fed AM, Lunch and PM
Dry Stall Board
- $300 per month
- We provide stall and 1/3 of an empty stall for storage of supplies
- You provide hay, grain, shavings, buckets, wheelbarrow, pitchfork and labor for 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
Additional services are available upon request for a fee TBD. The Park District requires a refundable deposit of $250 for full, partial and dry stall board options.
The stalls are 11X12′. We offer two indoor arenas (one is heated) and a furnished clubroom with air conditioning and heat.
Private Lessons
Private lessons are available for riders ages 8 and older. Schedule your private lesson by calling (815) 254-1950. Fee for ½ hour private lesson is $44 for boarders or $55 for non-boarders.
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 9a-8p | Saturday and Sunday 9a-7p | Closed on major holidays
Registration
Registration for group lessons and special programs can be done by using the registration form in this catalog, registering online, or by going to Normantown or the Recreation/Administration Center. Return the completed registration form and payment to the equestrian or Recreation/Administration Center. Students are registered on a first-come first-served basis. A waiting list will be created if needed. Normantown 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 will learn the basics of horse safety and be shown how to properly groom a horse. The children will be 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 afternoon’s 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
