Need horse training? Equinox Farm opens in Hawthorn Woods

Meagan Murray started riding horses in kindergarten. Now, she operates her own business training students and horses of all levels.

After training professionally for seven years, Murray recently started her own training business, Equinox Farm. She operates at a new 28-stall heated facility off Route 176 in Hawthorn Woods.

Murray, 25, trains hunter/jumpers for horse shows. She learned and utilizes a "positive" approach to training in respect to the horses and her students. "I have a more positive, relaxed attitude. I'm serious about what I do, but I'm not too intense or intimidating," she said.

She works with students ranging in age from 10 to 60 and in the past couple years she has qualified riders for national horse shows. She is a member of the U.S. Equestrian Federation and the Illinois Hunter and Jumper Association.

Murray, who lives in Grayslake, has brought horses along from breaking them as 2-year-olds, to retraining horses off the track, to imports and other trainer's "problem horses." She often goes with other trainers to bring young horses from The Netherlands and Germany.

Animals have always been a big part of Murray's life. Her parents, Virginia and Ken, train show dogs and own Domino Kennels in Island Lake. Murray grew up in Island Lake and graduated from Wauconda High School.

"My mom rode horses a little while I was growing up," Murray said. She added that she started when she was young, coming up through the ranks from Short Stirrup, through Ponies, Children's and Juniors. During her last two years as a junior rider, she attended the McClay Finals at Madison Square Garden.

Murray is thrilled with the facility where she trains. It features an outdoor arena that sits atop a hill among the pines with views of two ponds. She added that there is an indoor arena with ample lighting.

Joined to the facility is the Prairie Equine Veterinary Clinic that moved to this location in April.

Murray brings a great deal of experience to Lake County. She has trained with Connie Curtis Stevens, Jeff Katz and Diane Prah and has had extra help from Alix Jayne.

She charges $40 for 45-minute sessions.

For more information, call (847) 875-8112 or check out www.equinoxfarmhunterjumpers.com.