Wayne Equestrian Center under new management

For two decades, Cheryl Kindl of North Aurora and Kelly Fencl of West Chicago have had horses in their lives. On July 1, the duo opened the Wayne Equestrian Center, located along Army Trail Road in Wayne.

Formerly known as Dunham Woods Farm, which has since relocated to Elgin, the Wayne Equestrian Center is now under new management.

Kindl and Fencl began their journey as managers when they first started riding horses at the farm.

“My story is funny, I didn’t want to ride,” Fencl said. “My sister wanted riding lessons, and I wanted piano lessons. But my mom said, ‘Well, we’ll both do this; we’ll do riding lessons first, then do piano lessons.’ Well, my first lesson I fell in love with [riding], and I was hooked.”

Kindl agreed.

“All it took was one lesson, and I was hooked,” she said.

Eventually, Kindl and Fencl began to help at Dunham Woods Farm, riding some of the horses and teaching riding lessons. They became employees, and when the owners of the facility decided to move on, Kindl and Fencl decided they wanted to stay at the facility in Wayne.

“We just decided to stay here. This is our home,” Kindl said.

The duo leapt at the chance as soon as it presented itself.

“When the opportunity was available, we couldn’t pass it up,” Fencl added.

As the new owners of the renamed Wayne Equestrian Center, Kindl and Fencl want to update the farm.

“We are hoping to get the actual property and buildings back up to what they should be, just in all their glory,” Kindl said.

Another goal the duo has is to build connections with the community.

“[We want to] rebuild the community connections we have and offer to the pony club, the riding club and everybody in the area to [have the Wayne Equestrian Center] be a community area,” Kindl said.

Emily Altimari, who was taught horseback riding by Kindl and Fencl, described the duo as “role models for the younger generation.”

“They focus on the fun,” Altimari said. “They have a crazy sense of humor and are very personable.”

The Wayne Equestrian Center offers a variety of services. The facility offers riding lessons and horses for customers without horses. Only people who own a horse and a permit can partake in trail rides, fox hunts and other specific services.

For information about the Wayne Equestrian Center, visit www.wayneequestriancenter.com.