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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Ladybegood
()
Date: March 08, 2013 10:27AM
I started riding in Lincoln Park in 1956 at Lakeside which was located at Clark and Burton Place. I rode with Peggy Drummond and Ivan Parks. This barn was originally Christensen's in an earlier incarnation. When Lakeside closed in 1960 (and Ivan moved with many of his horses to Gilberts, IL), I followed Peggy to New Parkway which was then owned by Chuck Thompson. In 1964, I bought my first horse from Chuck. She was a bay and white pinto named Lady Be Good. When Parkway closed in 1967, I went with Chuck to his new barn in Palos Hills which is still operated by his daughter, Martha. For 10 years from '77 to '88 I had the pleasure of working for Peggy teaching in Palos.
The lovely bridle path through Lincoln Park went from North Avenue to Edgewater Beach during this time period. Much of the path still exists in the park and is used by runners and bikers. Many folks who had been riding in the park from the 30's and 40's told me that the original path went from Edgewater Beach all the way to South Shore Country Club at 67th street. From Lincoln, to Grant to Jackson park. That would have been something to see and ride!
I remember so many great horses between Lakeside and Parkway who taught us all how to do it and many good people who rode, taught, boarded and enjoyed all these barns had to offer. Lakeside horses: Sycamore Ace, Gratin, Hurry Home Harry, Gold Digger, Sir Sidney Parkway horses: Import, Sampson, Cockrobin and two horses who worked at both barns: Bubbles and Zero.
To 423reed. It was Eddy Scienna and AJ Ryan. They were my first shoers at Parkway and both did a great job. I also lost track of both after Westtown closed.
Still riding in the far north suburbs. Moved out this way 10 years ago, but still am in touch with a number of people from the old days.
Keep on riding!
The lovely bridle path through Lincoln Park went from North Avenue to Edgewater Beach during this time period. Much of the path still exists in the park and is used by runners and bikers. Many folks who had been riding in the park from the 30's and 40's told me that the original path went from Edgewater Beach all the way to South Shore Country Club at 67th street. From Lincoln, to Grant to Jackson park. That would have been something to see and ride!
I remember so many great horses between Lakeside and Parkway who taught us all how to do it and many good people who rode, taught, boarded and enjoyed all these barns had to offer. Lakeside horses: Sycamore Ace, Gratin, Hurry Home Harry, Gold Digger, Sir Sidney Parkway horses: Import, Sampson, Cockrobin and two horses who worked at both barns: Bubbles and Zero.
To 423reed. It was Eddy Scienna and AJ Ryan. They were my first shoers at Parkway and both did a great job. I also lost track of both after Westtown closed.
Still riding in the far north suburbs. Moved out this way 10 years ago, but still am in touch with a number of people from the old days.
Keep on riding!
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Howard
()
Date: November 11, 2013 08:39PM
Nancy,
I can't believe I stumbled on to this site and saw your posting. I recall riding in Lincoln Park at a very young age, maybe 10 or 12 years old which would be in the late 50's. I recall the straight stalls with all the livery horses on the lower level and the beautiful horses in the box stalls upstairs. I specifically remember a paint horse named Rueben and another bay color horse called the Flying Dutchman. The Sunday morning breakfast rides were great as were the Friday moonlight rides to the Belmont Harbor Point. We rode through Lincoln Park Zoo with an area that had a sign saying it was OK to canter in that area. I also recall a Bobby Carr as the manager and/or owner of one of the stables there. I'd love to hear more about these days of riding in the park. I know I would work for hours without pay at the stable just to get to ride for free in the arena and occasionally on the trails. When I was about 15, I worked with the ponies in the zoo. We would saddle up a string of ponies kept in a small barn on Halsted near Webster and I would ride one and pull along a rope with 5 or 6 others from the barn to the zoo and walk in circles all day for 75 cents an hour. These truly were the good old days. Can anyone tell me what became of Bobby Carr?
I can't believe I stumbled on to this site and saw your posting. I recall riding in Lincoln Park at a very young age, maybe 10 or 12 years old which would be in the late 50's. I recall the straight stalls with all the livery horses on the lower level and the beautiful horses in the box stalls upstairs. I specifically remember a paint horse named Rueben and another bay color horse called the Flying Dutchman. The Sunday morning breakfast rides were great as were the Friday moonlight rides to the Belmont Harbor Point. We rode through Lincoln Park Zoo with an area that had a sign saying it was OK to canter in that area. I also recall a Bobby Carr as the manager and/or owner of one of the stables there. I'd love to hear more about these days of riding in the park. I know I would work for hours without pay at the stable just to get to ride for free in the arena and occasionally on the trails. When I was about 15, I worked with the ponies in the zoo. We would saddle up a string of ponies kept in a small barn on Halsted near Webster and I would ride one and pull along a rope with 5 or 6 others from the barn to the zoo and walk in circles all day for 75 cents an hour. These truly were the good old days. Can anyone tell me what became of Bobby Carr?
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Lyndee
()
Date: December 23, 2013 10:07PM
Ladybegood, I grew up in Barrington and rode at Lakeside Riding Academy from about 1957 to about 1960. My mother or a friend's mother would drive us in for lessons one night a week. I went on a few evening rides, but the most fun were the breakfast rides through Lincoln Park. Ivan Parks would meet us in the parking lot of the Edgewater Beach with a case of liquor, making the ride back interesting! I didn't know Peggy. Ivan was the one who gave all my classes and a youngish man with red hair, whose name I don't remember led the evening rides. I think I remember Gus. After classes we would often go across the street to a bar that I think was called Lucky Horse Shoe or something like that. I also rode in a couple of the Chicago Sun Times shows. In one class I rode a horse named GG that I believe belonged to the Armor Star folks. Nice little jumper. Won 2nd place in that class. Ivan moved to a property near Dundee. I went away to college in 1960 and pretty much lost contact with all those folks. Does anyone know what became of the Parks family?
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Ladybegood
()
Date: January 09, 2014 10:27PM
Hi Lyndee - Good memories. Yes, Ivan ran the due ranch in Gilberts I think until the early 1970's. We used to go out to spend a couple of weeks in the summer and took a number of trips out on weekends to party. One of the things Ivan was always good at. When he sold this property he and Katherine moved to a farm in southwest Wisconsin. Ivan died some years ago. I think Googie is in Florida and Sonny is possibly in Iowa. I've lost track of the girls. I think Mary Jo used to bring her daughter to the stables in Palos to take lessons with Peggy Drummond. I also remember the Sun Tiemis shows. Can't believe you came all the way in the city from Barrington. I lived on the near north side when I rode there and later at Parkway.
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Villa1939
()
Date: February 05, 2014 11:15AM
I rode at Parkway stable located at Webster and Clark beginning in 1951. At that time it was owned by John Klien and managed by Ivan Parks. Peggy Drummond did the book work and also taught classes. Later whe Ivan and Peggy moved to Lakeside I followed them there. In the 50's there were a group of us kids who made the stable a 2nd home. We were called the window seat gang because there was always a number of us sitting in the the long window seat near the entrance watching the classes going on in the arena. I would love to exchange stories with people who might have been there at that time. Ivan Parks died in 1987. He had a serious lung disease and died from a sel inflicted gun shot wound. At the time he was living on a farm in Monroe Wisconsin. The last time I saw his wife Catherine, she was living in an apt. In Monroe. I have lost track of the kids and would love to connect with them. My name back then was Villa Williams.
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Ladybegood
()
Date: February 16, 2014 02:13PM
Hi Villa1939. I started riding at Lakeside with Peggy and Ivan in 1956. Was there until they closed in 1960 then followed Peggy to Parkway. Bought my first horse from Chuck Thompson in 1964. When Parkway closed, I moved with them to their barn in Palos. I taught riding part time at Palos for about 10 years. Peggy stayed there teaching for many, many years until her health just would not allow it any longer. The barns were always my second home. Before I bought my first horse, I spent a lot of time at the barn, mucking stalls and escorting trail rides. I took Peggy up to Wisconsin to visit Ivan once or twice. Didn't see Cathrine because she was working and we were there in the afternoon. Even though he was ill, Ivan was always funny for "the folks." He had lots of great stories of his time in this little town.
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park ebsite from time to time to re-new old memories. I'm hoping to find someone who has a photo of the old Parkway stables on Clark and Webster. It's hard to convince people t
Posted by:
Villa1939
()
Date: March 08, 2014 09:41PM
Hi Ladybegood good. I was pleased that you had seen my message on forgotten Chicago. I'm hoping that someone might have a picture of the old Parkway stables on Webster and Clark. It's difficult to convince people that a riding stable existed in the middle of the city. I also noticed that you mentioned Eddie Scienna. I knew him and a friend of mine from Edgebrook, Il. Married him. Her name is Jean Joyce. I have lost track of both of them. I too taught for Peggy on Sundays in Palos. Don't ask me the year. I'm living in Southern I'll. Now. Keep posting. That's a little play on words.
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Ladybegood
()
Date: March 13, 2014 08:50PM
Hi Villa1939. I don't have any outside shots of Parkway but do have some indoor shots in the arena and on the third floor. I'd be happy to share. It's hard to believe that all those barns were in Lincoln Park area - Parkway, Lakeside, Pop Konyat's, Plush Horse (aka New Fashion). Ii also taught on Sunday's at Palos - 1974 to 1984. Also did Friday nights.
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Ladybegood
()
Date: March 13, 2014 11:11PM
To Villa1939 - Do Boomerang and Little John mean anything to you? If so, I think we know each other a bit.
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Villa1939
()
Date: March 18, 2014 10:54PM
I started riding at Parkway stables at Webster and Clark in 1952. One stable a few blocks north on GRANT Place near Clark street was named Plush stables. Not sure who owned it that year but later on it was owned by Bobby Carr. South of Parkway stable on Clark and I believe Burton Place was the stable Christensens and later on Lakeside stable. There was a small stable on New Orleans where they housed the ponies for the kids to ride in Lincoln Park. I was a kid with no money for lessons so I started hanging around with the old groom who worked on the 3rd floor named Dick Wilcox. He had great stories to tell and would let me help groom and saddle the horses. Eventually Ivan Parks the manager there let me work to pay for my lessons and I became a fixture at the stable with many other kids like myself. I have many stories to share of that time, but I want to know if anyone has a photo of Parkway stables.
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Villa1939
()
Date: March 18, 2014 11:07PM
To Ladybegood: We must know each other. My husband Lennart and I owned Boomerang and Little John, although I changed Boomerangs name to Baytoven when I showed him. I will give you my e-mail address. I have only an I-pad to receive messages but I would love to see whatever pictures you might have of Parkway. My e-mail is villa.bedell@gmail.com. Thank you so much.
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Tania
()
Date: March 24, 2014 02:06PM
I think I know both of you. If I am right then Lady, your horse was a pinto mare with really smooth gaits that you almost always rode bareback. Villa, you were married to Swede (the nickname Chuck always used for him) had the barn on La Grange Rd. I remember both Beethoven and Boomerang and you showing them in jumpers. I judged a couple student shows for you there. I have photos of Parkway somewhere, my dad Mike, would take lots of them. I will try to dig them up
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
davey7
()
Date: March 25, 2014 04:49PM
Lennart sure sounds svenskt to me.
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
nancybc
()
Date: March 26, 2014 01:56PM
HI,
Did either of you ride at the Ambassador Stables with Pops?
I have some interior shots at Parkway but no exterior ones. I rode in the indoors shows and the Lincoln Park ones in the 40's. In 1951 my family moved to Foster and Kedzie and I couldn't get to the stables to ride. Saddest time of my life!
Good to see you with so many good memories of everyone at Parkway!
Did either of you ride at the Ambassador Stables with Pops?
I have some interior shots at Parkway but no exterior ones. I rode in the indoors shows and the Lincoln Park ones in the 40's. In 1951 my family moved to Foster and Kedzie and I couldn't get to the stables to ride. Saddest time of my life!
Good to see you with so many good memories of everyone at Parkway!
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Tania
()
Date: March 29, 2014 12:35PM
There is a Tina Konyot competing and winning dressage events in Wellington Florida right now. I wonder if she might be a great grand daughter...
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Ladybegood
()
Date: April 03, 2014 04:56PM
Hi Tania. Yes, Tina is Pop's grand daughter (non greatgrand daughter) I think. If you look her up on Google you will get the complete story.
You have the right person here. My pinto mare was very smooth. Still remember all those New Year's Eve parties at your Mom's on the south side. A long way for me. Haven't seen you in years and years.
Villa, I'll check through my pics and e-mail what I can find.
Nancybc, I never rode with Pops, but knew of him from Ivan and with Goldie.
You have the right person here. My pinto mare was very smooth. Still remember all those New Year's Eve parties at your Mom's on the south side. A long way for me. Haven't seen you in years and years.
Villa, I'll check through my pics and e-mail what I can find.
Nancybc, I never rode with Pops, but knew of him from Ivan and with Goldie.
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Tania
()
Date: April 04, 2014 04:12PM
I had forgotten NY parties. Good to find an old chum. I'm in Florida and my last horse just died a few months ago. He did have a nice retirement down here though.
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Tania
()
Date: April 18, 2014 12:17PM
Anyone searching for photos of New Parkway can find some on the Palos Hills Stables website. Martha, Chuck's daughter runs it and has a lovely slide show on the home page with history.
phrsinc.com
phrsinc.com
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Tania
()
Date: April 18, 2014 02:56PM
Anyone searching for photos of New Parkway can find some on the Palos Hills Stables website. Martha, Chuck's daughter runs it and has a lovely slide show on the home page with history.
phrsinc.com
phrsinc.com
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Ladybegood
()
Date: April 23, 2014 11:14AM
Hi Tania - I'm still in Illinois but in the far north 'burbs now. My last horse lived to 33 and was put down two years ago in July. Have been baby sitting for friends horses to keep my hand in and still do a little teaching with some of my old Palos students. Good to share some gold old memories.
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Tania
()
Date: April 25, 2014 09:35AM
I taught, trained and showed for years til it just got too tough with stables being moved further and further out.pretty much went through every discipline, hunters, dressage and western. Never got rid of my leg "flair" though, was a bit of a problem. ))
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Villa1939
()
Date: April 27, 2014 10:21PM
Hi everyone. One of you sent me an e-mail with a group of pictures that I am thrilled to have. I'm not sure which one of you sent it as the e-mail name is Steuerd. Anyway,I wanted to reply and thank you but I have only an I-Pad and for some reason the message wouldn't go through. I am visiting my daughter in Ohio in July and she will help me to get my tablet working right. At that time I will send you an e-mail. Hope you see this message and know that I am grateful for your thoughtfulness.
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Ladybegood
()
Date: May 05, 2014 11:01AM
Hi Villa1939. Glad you enjoyed the pictures. Holli sent me an e-mail that you were having trouble replying. I'm still looking for other shots I know are buried somewhere in a box. If I find them, I'll send them along.
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
GoodStew
()
Date: June 24, 2014 01:14AM
I rode a gangly, and spunky gelding by the name of Escort in the mid 60s
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/24/2014 01:15AM by GoodStew.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/24/2014 01:15AM by GoodStew.
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
423reed
()
Date: July 14, 2014 12:08AM
Lady Be Good,
Aren't you Bill Tracy's sister? I ask you because his sister had a beautiful Pinto mare just like you've described, and she taught some classes. I'm Jim Reed and I was married to Susan Frey who owned and boarded Angel at New Parkway in the mid sixties. I used to ride a livery horse named Sparky whenever I could. I loved the stable. Susie and I were married for 44 years, until she died a several years ago after going into a diabetic coma. We had two kids: a girl, Lisa, and a boy, Mike. Mike just died two months ago. I can't ride anymore as I became handicapped 7 years ago and I now spend 23 hours a day on my bed watching TV or DVD movies, or I get around in my power chair. Well, life goes on. I wish there was some way that I could connect with horses in some way. I still love horses to this very day.
We kept Angel at Parkway, then wit Eddy at West Town, finally out Cary, Illinois. Near the end, I used to ride Angel, and Susan would just play with her, etc. I taught my daughter to ride when we lived in Arizona back in the later 1970s. I used to organize weekend trail rides at work when we lived out there. Susan used to ride with the Immaculata Riding Club while she was in HS. he only ex-stable days friends we know about is Donna Kasavich, who live in McHenry, Il. Never ran into anyone else al these years. Please e-mail some old stable and horse pics. Send to 423read@comcast.net thanks.
Aren't you Bill Tracy's sister? I ask you because his sister had a beautiful Pinto mare just like you've described, and she taught some classes. I'm Jim Reed and I was married to Susan Frey who owned and boarded Angel at New Parkway in the mid sixties. I used to ride a livery horse named Sparky whenever I could. I loved the stable. Susie and I were married for 44 years, until she died a several years ago after going into a diabetic coma. We had two kids: a girl, Lisa, and a boy, Mike. Mike just died two months ago. I can't ride anymore as I became handicapped 7 years ago and I now spend 23 hours a day on my bed watching TV or DVD movies, or I get around in my power chair. Well, life goes on. I wish there was some way that I could connect with horses in some way. I still love horses to this very day.
We kept Angel at Parkway, then wit Eddy at West Town, finally out Cary, Illinois. Near the end, I used to ride Angel, and Susan would just play with her, etc. I taught my daughter to ride when we lived in Arizona back in the later 1970s. I used to organize weekend trail rides at work when we lived out there. Susan used to ride with the Immaculata Riding Club while she was in HS. he only ex-stable days friends we know about is Donna Kasavich, who live in McHenry, Il. Never ran into anyone else al these years. Please e-mail some old stable and horse pics. Send to 423read@comcast.net thanks.
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
Wallergirl
()
Date: August 30, 2014 10:40AM
Does anyone have any recollection of horses stabled in the 1900 block of hudson ave?
I'd forgotten about all the riding activity in the area (and my brief time riding' ended when i got so tall, my feet dragged on the lincoln park ponies (-;
.....but at the mention of riders making the trek from nearby stables into the park, it came back in a rush and i could "hear" the clip clops.
I'd forgotten about all the riding activity in the area (and my brief time riding' ended when i got so tall, my feet dragged on the lincoln park ponies (-;
.....but at the mention of riders making the trek from nearby stables into the park, it came back in a rush and i could "hear" the clip clops.
Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by:
MollyGo
()
Date: May 20, 2015 09:53PM
OMG...I posted very early on and just got back to this spot just today and am so impressed with all the additional details of riders and their experiences in Lincoln Park before the barns closed. To answer "Villa" I remember you well. I am Rosemary Flood who hung out at Parkway with Mary Kroeger, Kenny Fezler, Tommy Bowker who were friends with Ernesto Espiritu. For the person who wanted to know what happened to Bobby Car, he was found dead in a trunk. Ginger Bizek started at Parkway as an adult rider and they married and got into the horse business. The sad thing is that Ginger and He had children but they gave the kids up because of the time requirements of running the businesses. Sorry to hear about Ivan. He made the newspapers once with a photo of how he could balance his baby on the palm of his raised hand. What a hoot. Villa, I remember Jean Joyce. Wasn't she a friend of Jeanne Tisdahl? Jeanne comes to Elburn, IL to visit a friend. She lives in Arizona. Did anyone attend the reunion of riders who rode at the various barns. The event was held at that popular spot on Weed Street. It was fabulous but can't remember the year, maybe int he early 90.;
