United States Eventing Association

The second-oldest event in the country, the Fox River Valley Pony Club Horse Trials, was recently featured in their local Barrington Hills, Illinois, magazine, "Quintessential Barrington." Thank you to magazine owner Lisa Stamos and Fox River Valley Pony Club District Commissioner Deb Nestrud Gallagher for sharing the article.

Founded in 1963, the Fox River Valley Pony Club (FRVPC) will host its annual Mini Event, Combined Test, and Schooling Weekend May 16 and 17 at the Barrington Hills Park District Riding Center located at 361 Bateman Road and in the Spring Creek Forest Preserve of Cook County, east of the Riding Center.

On June 20-21, FRVPC will host the Fox River Valley Pony Club USEA recognized Horse Trials. FRVPC has produced one of the longest-running United States Eventing Association-recognized shows in the U.S.A., established here in Barrington Hills in 1970. This annual legacy event has been held at the Barrington Hills Park District Riding Center and in the Spring Creek Cook County Forest Preserve since its inception. The FRVPC maintains the cross-country tracks, trails, and its jumps for use at its annual show.

In turn, the club maintains the grounds year-round for public enjoyment. Their conservation and land preservation efforts have resulted in a premier equestrian destination in the Midwest. Year-round community trail riders, dog walkers, bird watchers and XC skiers enjoy the wide-open galloping lanes and unobstructed views in the Spring Creek Forest Preserve. In addition to mowing the XC course lanes, FRVPC maintains all permanent jumps including a water complex, banks, and ditches as well as all portable XC jumps in the Spring Creek Forest Preserve that are out seasonally for our horse shows and public schooling.

Land conservation is a core subject in the United States Pony Club curriculum, our youth members are well-versed in the importance of land conservation, and the kids and families work together to maintain tracks, fallen trees, and clear new areas overgrown with invasive species. FRVPC is grateful for the support and working partnerships with the Fox River Valley Hounds and The Riding Club of Barrington Hills in forest conservation efforts. Fox River Valley Pony Club (FRVPC) is a regional club under the umbrella of e United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC or Pony Club) is the largest equine educational organization in North America. Fox River Valley is grateful to be able to offer exceptional educational programming.

FRVPC offers weekly lessons for members on their own horse. We provide a camp for our youth members with riding instruction, rigorous unmounted horse management instruction, and conservation awareness. In the winter, FRVPC provides an intensive unmounted study of horse management and horse health care based on the USPC curriculum. Interested in volunteering at the FRVPC Mini Event on May 17 or the FRVPC Horse Trials on June 20-21, email us at [email protected]. For more info about youth membership with FRVPC, visit foxrivervalley.ponyclub.org/ or contact the FRVPC District Commissioner, Deb Nestrud Gallagher, at [email protected].