Grayslake farm hosts equestrian ballet
McCrae Farm in Grayslake, a sprawling 5,000-acre farm specializing in the art of French Classical Dressage and home of the Equestrian Ballet horses, is preparing for its annual Fall Performance Sunday, Nov. 6, at 1 p.m.
Jill McCrae, owner of the farm, provides instruction, training and clinics at her facility, which has been a hidden gem on Bacon street for the past 24 years.
Jill and her husband, Jeff, will perform with signature Lusitano horses from Brazil and Portugal, along with several students. The horses ride in harmony using standards set in the 18th century by Francois Robichon de le Gueriniere to create a dance set to music.
The fall performance will feature one of Chicago’s most talented Flamenco dancers, Juan Carlos Castellon, of Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Company, who will perform with the horses.
“This is a dream come true to dance with horses,” Castellon says. “I saw movies of horses and flamenco dancers when I was a child, and now Jill and Ladia have helped to make this possible.”
McCrae Farm is at 32159 N. Bacon Road, Grayslake. To purchase tickets, call (847) 546-5164. Reservations are accepted.
The sweet table opens at 12:30 p.m. and horse performance is at 1 p.m. Tickets are $25.