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Amid fall splendor, horses steal the show at Danada in Wheaton

Pumpkins, hay bales and plenty of fall colors were all around for visitors to see this weekend at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Danada Equestrian Center.

But it was the horses and their riders that were the stars of the show at the Wheaton center’s annual Fall Festival.

The two-day fest — the largest event of the year for the forest district — featured Arabian breed demonstrations, therapeutic riding demonstrations, trick riding and barrel racing from groups including the Midwest Renegades, Chicago Vaulting, the Stateline Hotshots, the Stateline Spitfires, and Danada’s own drill team.

When not watching the horses, visitors could stroll through the historic barns, take horse- and tractor-drawn wagon rides through the Danada Forest Preserve, and enjoy kid-friendly activities like pony rides and a straw maze.

One-year-old Margot Walls of Naperville, plays amid the pumpkins Sunday during the Fall Festival at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Danada Equestrian Center in Wheaton. Ryan Rayburn for the Daily Herald
Families enjoy the sights Sunday during the Fall Festival at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Danada Equestrian Center in Wheaton. Ryan Rayburn / for the Daily Herald
Samantha Bucheit, 10, of Carol Stream, rides her hobby horse named Aurora, during the Hobby Horse Romp on Sunday during the Fall Festival at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Danada Equestrian Center in Wheaton. Ryan Rayburn for the Daily Herald