Thank you for your interest in joining our equestrian trick riding club!

This club is made possible through a grant from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

Our upcoming group will meet three times a week over the next six weeks. We will meet Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30 and Saturdays from 10am- 2pm. Snacks will be provided.

This club is for Garfield Park youth between the ages of 7-12. Trick riding is an equestrian art that combines horsemanship, acrobatics, and dance. This introductory course ideal for those with gymnastics, dance, or sporty backgrounds, but all are welcome to apply. Each session will cover conditioning, balance, and horsemanship. We will host guest teachers to rotate teaching dance and acrobatics. All tricks will be practiced first on the ground, then safely on the practice barrel, before attempting with our specially trained horse.

The focus of our club is on safety, fun, fitness, and teamwork. Our sessions will culminate with a final performance.

There is a 120 lb weight limit. Please only register if your child can attend all three days a week.

Register here: https://forms.gle/Z36sYnzFt2krfZco9

If you have any questions, please contact Beatrice at 773-332-9438.

Acrobat Virgile Elana performing with Giffords Circus. This is an example of equestrian vaulting.

Core teaching artists

Molly Plunk is a clown and tightrope artist based out of Chicago. She has traveled the southern and western United States with the historic Zoppé Circus and Piccolo Zoppé Circus and she has lit up stages and tents on the east coast with the unique and beloved Bindlestiff Family Circus. Local appearances include productions with Aloft, Misfit Circus, Actor’s Gymnasium, The Neo-futurists, Redmoon Theater, The Gay Men’s Chorus, and Collaboraction. She’s even been known to grace some of Chicago’s most beautiful parks as a tightrope dancing fairy, wings and all.

Beatrice Scescke is certified as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship. She has toured internationally working with horses including Big Apple Circus (USA) and throughout Switzerland with Circus Royal. She at Le Moulin de Pierre school of equestrian acrobatics outside of Paris, France and trick riding with her friend and collaborator, Veronica Painter. She has been a registered yoga instructor for over twenty years and is excited to bring her experience teaching mindfulness and collaboration to her work with horses.