Freddie Vazquez and President at Traverse City Horse Show

FROM FIRST TOUCH TO
THE OLYMPIC DREAM

WHAT WE DO

Messenger Hill Farm provides world-class riding education and coaching to riders of all skill levels in both Chicago, IL & Wellington, FL.

New and returning riders can get a leg up through our one-of-a-kind riding school in Illinois, Lake Forest Riding Academy.

With full staff and high-performance trainers in Illinois AND Florida, MHF also offers superior training for anyone with riding goals. If you have goals, we can take you there.

Katie Sonnenstein Wins the Jumpers at Traverse City for Messenger Hill Farm

Riding Lessons

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THE "X" FACTOR

LOCATION

Our Wellington location is walking distance from WEF, with Global in our backyard. Our Illinois location is in easy striking distance from great horse shows like Traverse City, HITS, & KY. Where you spend the year in one location or hop down to Florida just for the winter, we've got you covered.

FACILITIES

Olympic-sized, all-weather jump arenas, safe turnout, walkers, treadmills, heated indoor arenas, and (our favorite claim to fame) a 3-acre jump field in Wellington. Everything equine athletes need to win. Horses and rider need access to all the right support systems, and we've got the amenities covered.

STAFF

Unlike most farms, which operate with skeleton crews during the off-season, both our locations are fully staffed for training year-round. This means that we can horse show in both locations year-round. Our riders have access to high-performance coaches every day in both locations.

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MEET THE VAZQUEZ'S

Jodi and Freddie Vazquez are big-picture makers who live in the details. High performers themselves, they know what it takes to get to the top and stay there: the right horses, a facility that supports equine athletes, and world-class training.

Jodi is a top performer in the hunter ring, with numerous AA Championships to her name. Freddie is an FEI-level showjumper, having represented his home country of Puerto Rico most recently in 2018 at the Central American Games in Lima, in 2019 at the Pan American Games in Bogota, and in 2023 at the Central American Games in San Salvador.

Their experience at the top allows them to provide the individually tailored training programs that riders need to succeed in both National and International rings. They spend their time on the road with our "A" Show Team at the biggest events in North America, splitting their year between our North and South bases.

Read more about the Vazquez's in the Art Bodega Magazine: Pre-Circuit Edition.

NOW AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLING IN WELLINGTON, FL

Our 3-acre, state-of-the-art, grass jump field is NOW OPEN at Nature's Point (MHF's southern base). Prepare for big classes at WEF and finish the day with a glass of rosé on the patio.

Featuring:
- 2 in-ground water obstacles (8ft/10ft, always properly set with blue paint added, a removable top rail, and take off boxes.
- Full course with open lines, single fences, wall, and combinations.
- All 3D printed jumps designed by SALT FENCES.

Call Freddie Vazquez to reserve your time: (773) 320-3135.

We have been with Messenger Hill for thirteen years and cannot speak highly enough of our experience. The instruction is stellar, the facilities top-notch, the care of the horses the best we’ve seen anywhere, and the attention to detail remarkable. Freddie and Jodi and their team consistently go above and beyond with clients and horses. So whether you seek a schooling program (Lindsey is amazing!) or a show program (ditto Freddie and Jodi), Messenger Hill meets the gold standard and raises it.

- Sharon Watrous, Joyride Showjumping EQ

FROM FIRST TOUCH TO THE OLYMPIC DREAM