SADDLE UP Spend your summer on horseback with Kane County stables and programs

By Diane Krieger Spivak • Photos courtesy of Horsepower Therapeutic Riding, Forest Preserve District of Kane County and Huntoon Stables

Whether you’re a seasoned rider or have never come face-toface with a horse in your life, horseback riding can be one of the most pleasurable pastimes a person can experience. Did you know that horseback riding is good for you mentally as well as physically? It’s a scientific fact that it is relaxing and stress-reducing.

There are a number of ways to experience horseback riding in Kane County. Some trail riding areas cater to inexperienced riders, since the horses pretty much know the trails and do all the work for you. Others are bringyour-own horse. Kane County is full of places where you can ride or learn to ride.

Huntoon Stables in North Aurora is a fourth-generation horse stable. Melinda Huntoon, who married into the family after taking lessons at the stable, has been teaching for decades and gives around 85 lessons a week, mostly to kids.

Huntoon advises parents to start with two trial lessons. “It’s a little harder than they think it’s going to be. This way they can decide if they want to continue. With trail riding they just sit and ride and follow a guide, which is fine, but when you ride by yourself, it’s up to you. You need to learn to control the horse.” Huntoon says a good estimation as to how long it takes to learn to ride is around three to four months, adding, “If you really want to learn, it’s a lifetime commitment.”

Huntoon Stables starts with private lessons, then moves up to group riding. The stable hosts two stable shows each year so kids can work toward a goal.

If you have your own horse, the Forest Preserve District of Kane County has plenty of locations for equestrian riding. Trails are now open for the season and only shut down when the weather makes the surface too wet. “We have parking lots designated for trucks and trailers,” says the District’s North Operations Manager Jenny Estes. “We do have some trails designated as multi-use that are usually in favor of the equestrian.” Bike riders and hikers are encouraged to be aware so as not to startle horses, and riders are not allowed in campground areas.

Experienced riders may be interested to know that the district has volunteer mounted ranger opportunities to patrol the preserves on horseback. To volunteer contact coordinator Rob Cleave at 630-762-2741. For more information on the district’s riding trails, visit the district website at www.kaneforest.com.

Horsepower Therapeutic Riding in St. Charles is an example of yet another aspect of horseback riding — therapy.

“On any given week we have 65 students ranging in age from 3 to over 80 with physical, cognitive, social and emotional challenges,” says Executive Director Barbara O’Neil. From hearing loss to amputation to autism,

Huntoon Stables

507 Oak St., North Aurora 630-844-3533 www.huntoonstables.com

6N917 Route 25, South Elgin 815-508-0804 www.horsepowertr.com depression, anxiety and more, equine-assisted therapy has been a proven tool since the late 1800s.

“It’s pretty amazing,” says O’Neil, who’s run the nonprofit for 9 years.

Students choose their horse when they arrive. “Everyone gravitates to something different,” says O’Neil. “We just let that happen. Students develop an affinity for a certain horse.” There are other, smaller animals for those who don’t gravitate to horses, but for those who do, mounted or ground-based therapy is available. Some choose to interact with the horse without riding, “especially trauma survivors,” says O’Neil, while others want the experience of riding. “I’ve seen it save lives. It gives people hope. It gives them a sense of value and purpose,” she says. “Some have spoken their first words on horseback. It’s pretty magical stuff.”

Gia Mia

13 N. Third St., Geneva | 630-405-5544

31 S. First St., St. Charles | 630-415-0770 www.giamiapizzabar.com

Gia Mia provides chef-driven, farm-to-fork concepts such as Neapolitan style wood-fired pizzas, creative small plates, fresh pastas and so much more. Along with our mixology bar, we also feature craft beers and exclusive wines carefully picked to complement any meal. At our open-air patio we feature a lovely pergola at our Geneva location and an inviting piazza at our St. Charles location. With offers such as our $13 lunch special, half-price pizza Mondays, and our Wine-Down Wednesdays, it’s the perfect time for your family to enjoy the summer weather with our family.

Livia Italian Eatery

207 S. Third St., Geneva

630-402-6444 | www.liviaitalianeatery.com

Livia Italian Eatery features a broad Northern Italian inspired menu, featuring dishes that range from pastas and fresh greens to crowd favorites like our New Zealand lamb chops. Along with other specialty entrées, each dish stays true to our farm-to-fresh motto. Our open-air patio features a sunken-in design in the heart of Geneva that allows for a more private outdoor dining experience, along with a ramp for easy access. With happy hour from 3-6 every week day and our new weekend brunch menu, a summer outing at Livia is the perfect place to unwind.

Ella’s Italian Pub

407 S. Third St., Geneva

630-457-1115 | www.ellasitalianpub.com

This summer, experience BG Hospitality Group’s newest location: Ella’s Italian Pub. Ella’s is located in the heart of Geneva’s historic shopping district on the corner of Fulton and Third Street. With one visit, Ella’s will soon become your favorite spot to dine and unwind. Our family-friendly dining experience starts with our signature Roman-style pizza made from handcrafted dough, accented by creative Italian pub-style street food offerings, along with an extensive wine list and crafted cocktails, making it the perfect destination for any occasion. Be sure to stop by and try our off-the-menu specials; $8 Happy Hour on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the bar area or our Late-Night Happy Hour on Friday and Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Visit our website for more. What makes us different? It’s how we “dough it!”

Moto Imoto

181 S. First St., St. Charles 630-425-0990 | www.motoimoto.com moto imoto is a unique blend of “East meets West” Pan-Asian culinary experiences that will delight all. Our Asian street-food inspired menu offers shareable plates, signature sushi rolls, and chef-designed farm fresh dishes that allow us to elevate and heighten the overall guest dining experience. Our open-air wraparound patio offers a comfortable dining experience while also being right within the heart of St. Charles. With our happy hour every week day from 3-6 in our custom designed lounge area and features like our bento box specials, our fresh and new dining experience is sure to be a highlight of your day.

Windmill Grille & Pizzeria

90 N. Island Ave., Batavia 630-326-9717 | www.windmillgrillepizzeria.com

Ready for your next delicious meal? At Windmill Grille & Pizzeria, we’re providing quality ingredients in a welcoming modern, casual environment. As a family-owned restaurant and bar, we know what our community is looking for in a spot to eat homemade recipes and made in-house dishes. Featuring daily lunch specials along with $10 medium pizza specials on Tuesdays as well as our Wine & Pasta Day on Wednesdays and much more. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday and brunch on Sundays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Stockholm’s 306 W. State St. , Geneva 630-208-7070 | www.stockholmsbrewpub.com

Out back and tucked in a nook with the neighboring building, protected by a high fence and covered with a shade sail, Stockholm’s patio is a little intimate dining gem. Voted the Western Suburbs’ best neighborhood tavern by the readers of both the Kane County Chronicle and West Suburban Living Magazine, Stockholm’s is known for its expansive menu of freshly prepared meals using only the highest quality ingredients. You can also enjoy its handcrafted beers, brewed in an Old World tradition, naturally conditioned and unfiltered, from the Tri-Cities’ oldest brewery.

Vintage 53

161 S. First St., St. Charles 630-549-0423 | www.vintage53.com

Al fresco dining is back at Vintage 53! Enjoy a cheese plate, sandwich, cocktail, or glass of wine on our beautiful First Street patio. Vintage 53 is a specialty marketplace, cut-to-order cheese shop, and wine bar. We offer an assortment of curated to-go trays, grazing tables for larger groups, and educational cheese pairing classes on Sundays!

Hacienda Real

1602 Commons Dr., Suite 600, Geneva 630-884-5998 | www.haciendaflavorsofmexico.com

Hacienda Real is a contemporary Mexican restaurant with a focus on craft cocktails, chic bites and high-end tequila brands. With locations at Geneva Commons and Yorkville, we offer an intimate and sophisticated setting fit for our exceptional clientele. HR is the newest concept of Arechiga Restaurant Group, a food and hospitality company with locations in the Chicago west suburbs and the Indianapolis metropolitan area.

Salsa Verde

1850 Lincoln Hwy., St. Charles 630-444-0673 | www.salsaverderestaurant.com

Salsa Verde redefines the concept of modern, fast-casual Mexican food by offering dishes prepared from authentic recipes in a friendly and vibrant environment. Tamales, tortas ahogadas and traditional street tacos are among the specialties diners love to order. No reservations needed. Dine in and try Salsa Verde’s one-of-a-kind salsa bar, which features different salsas and garnishes prepared fresh daily. In a rush? The restaurant also has a drive-thru for those on the go. Salsa Verde also offers catering, where clients do the planning and Salsa Verde takes care of the cooking. For updates and promotions on popular catering packages, visit the website.

Village Squire

480 Randall Road, South Elgin | 847-931-0400

125 Washington St., West Dundee | 847-428-4483 www.villagesquire.com

Village Squire Restaurants have been part of the Fox Valley since 1974, family owned and operated. The Squire is an English pub-style casual dining restaurant featuring live music Wednesdays through Sundays and a cozy atmosphere with a great outdoor patio featuring two fireplaces for enjoyment in the warm weather months. Some of their specialties include charbroiled steaks, juicy prime rib and a wide variety of gourmet burgers, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, pasta and fresh fish. Famous for their house drinks, Mai Tais and Rum Barrels are made in-house and are an all-time favorite. For a casual drink or dinner, Village Squire is a great place to be!

Alexander’s Cafe

1725 N. State St., Elgin | 847-888-4146

1650 W. Main St., St.Charles | 630-549-0514 www.alexanderscafe.com

Alexander’s Cafe is named in honor of Alexander the Great, a king of Macedonia in Northern Greece, where the restaurant owners are from. Alexander’s serves breakfast and lunch 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – all home-cooked meals are made fresh on the premises by the chef. All of the soups, sauces, gravies and dressing are made fresh on site. Alexander’s also features bloody marys and mimosas!

Rookies All-American Pub & Grill

2486 Bushwood Dr., Elgin | 847-551-9006 • 1996 S. Kirk Road, Geneva | 630-402-0468 12220 Princeton Dr., Huntley | 847-669-8600 • 1360 Lake St., Roselle | 847-278-1666

1545 W. Main St., St. Charles | 630-513-0681 www.rookiespub.com

All-American Pub & Grill has seven locations across Northern Illinois with newest location now open in Crystal Lake. The menu features a variety of pub food and American favorites including their famous wings, burgers, sandwiches and specialty pizzas. Check out their house drinks – Bob’s Mai Tai has been a house specialty since 1975 – as well as house wines by Robert Mondavi, by the glass or by the bottle. The restaurant regularly hosts special events, such as Cruise Nights from June through September at Elgin and St. Charles locations and Atomic Bingo (Tuesdays in Elgin and Geneva, Wednesdays in St. Charles). A huge patio and bar with a live music stage are coming soon in Geneva Rookies at the ice rink!