Big Creek Riding Center

4961 E Lost Bridge Road, Decatur, IL

The Decatur Park District's Big Creek Riding Center features horse boarding (50+ stalls) and indoor/outdoor show facilities, as well as picturesque, wooded riding trails. The Center is now bustling with visitors taking trail rides, riding lessons, lead-arounds, birthday parties, and field trips. Since the arrival of Manager Rebecca Lloyd, the number and variety of horse shows have been expanded to include breed shows, rodeos, team penning, Special Olympics events, and open shows. Stop by to take a tour or admire the happily grazing horses!

show schedule/arena Rental

The Decatur Park District encourages groups to apply for dates on the 2010 Big Creek show schedule. For more information, contact Jim Kiefer, Park District Director of Operations, at 217/422-5911 or Rebecca Lloyd, Big Creek Manager, at 217/864-3436.

Arena Rental is $10.00 per half hour.

Events

January 9 - English Equitation

Noon - 2 p.m.

Advance sign-ups required.  Please call Big Creek (864-3436) for details.

February 6 - Equine Nutrition Seminar (Kent Feeds)

10 a.m.

Event is free to attend

Please RSVP by February 1 by calling Big Creek at 864-3436

Boarding

Board your horse at this high-quality, family-friendly facility! Stalls are still available. Rates for Self Board: $170 for A Barn; $150 for B Barn.  Please call Rebecca Lloyd at 864-3436 for more information.

Riding Lessons

Riding lessons for small groups (3 - 4 individuals) are available. To ensure availability, please make reservations 1 week in advance. Progress is being made to re-establish a riding lesson program.  In the meantime, management has established a "waiting list" of people who are interested in a call back when this program becomes available.  To add your name to the list please contact Rebecca Lloyd at 864-3436.

Revitalization Under Way

After facing the possibility of closure in the fall of 2007, Big Creek is being revitalized through the cooperative efforts of the Decatur Park District and the Big Creek Community Advisory Committee. Made up of concerned citizens, the committee was formed in September 2007 to assess the feasibility of continuing to operate Big Creek as an equine facility.  After an extensive review of the operation’s financials and the regional market for boarding and shows, the committee made five recommendations to the Decatur Park Board – including that Big Creek remain open as a boarding and show facility, and that it form a cooperative agreement with a manager to capitalize on the strengths of each.  

The Park District continues to work with the Big Creek Community Advisory Committee to secure a landscape architect who will develop a long-term site plan for the facility.