Riding Stable near Lincoln Park


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Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: nancybc ()
Date: February 27, 2011 04:43PM

Hi,
Does anyone remember the name of the riding stable that was located near Clark and Webster?
It was extremely popular in the 40's and 50's. Many of Chicago's elite boarded their hoses there and there were many horse shows held there each year. There was an entry into the park and every Sunday morning there would be breakfast rides by riders who would be in formal dress as they trotted around the bridle path. The stable was used by Hopalong Cassidy's horse, Topper, when he visited Chicago.
The riding instructor was a former dressage and circus equestrian named Artur Konyot who went on to train Arthur Godfrey's horses in the 60's
It was a fabulous stable and I have forgotten the name- I hope someone with a good memmory still remembers it!
Thanks,
Nancy



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/09/2011 01:32AM by nancybc.

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Re: Riding Stable near Linclon Park
Posted by: kgamb ()
Date: February 27, 2011 05:16PM

Hi Nancy,

I found this [url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-12-15/features/8503260625_1_stable-owners-bridle-paths-city-parks]article[/url] and it mentions a few, including The New Parkway Stables in LPl

Hope it helps!

Kelley

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Re: Riding Stable near Linclon Park
Posted by: nancybc ()
Date: February 28, 2011 03:38PM

Hi Kelley,
Thanks so much for taking the time do find the answer.It was indeed the New Parkway Stables! I took lessons and rode there as a child. It was a wonderful place and the rides through the park were glorious. Such a shame that urbanization claimed that space. It was bugging me that the name had disappeared someplace in my mind even though it meant so much to me during the years I was there riding and taking lessons from Professor Konyot ( we called him Pops).
We lived near Clark on Carmen Avenue and I used to take the streetcar( oh, yes!) down to the stables. Occasionally my father would pick me up on the way back from work at the Mallers Building downtown or I would take the street car home.
Unheard of to let a 10 year old do that now.
A bit of ancient history- Colonel Jacob Arvey- a Chicago legend- boarded his horses there and he asked me to show one of them on a regular basis at the old Armory horse shows. I think the horse's name was Spring Magic.
Why I remember that and not the name of the stables is a mystery.
Thanks again Kelley, now I can get a good night's sleep.
Cheers,
Nancy



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/09/2011 01:33AM by nancybc.

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Re: Riding Stable near Linclon Park
Posted by: davey7 ()
Date: February 28, 2011 06:24PM

I remember people riding on the bridle path in Jackson Park as a kid in the 70's but haven't seen a non-police horse there in years. It's such a hassle to have to get out to say Morton Grove for that sort of thing.

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Re: Riding Stable near Linclon Park
Posted by: kgamb ()
Date: February 28, 2011 06:30PM

Dear Nancy, I'm so glad I had it right! It makes me happy to know my obsessive research habits actually helped another person feel better! A great feeling. Thanks also for the images from your time at the stables and commuting via the streetcar! It is funny how you remembered so many other details and not the name of the stables. I can empathize!

All the best!
Kelley

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Re: Riding Stable near Linclon Park
Posted by: kgamb ()
Date: March 01, 2011 02:29AM

Nancy, you've got me on a roll now. All of this is quite fascinating to me - for example the negative attitude toward circus equestrians such as your "Pops." I have been researching New Park Riding Stables and found out that the original, three-story Lincoln Park location closed in 1967 and the owners relocated to Palos Hills. Here is their [url=http://www.phrsinc.com/WIAM1883/history.htm]website[/url], which gives a good synopsis of the history! I'm working on some other things for you -- more to come later.

K

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: nancybc ()
Date: March 10, 2011 09:33PM

Well,
I have made a Big Mistake here, folks. I initially thought that it was the New Parkway- but- Kelley sent me a great list of Chicago places(retail-restaurants etc,) and there on the list was the stables I really went to. All the facts above are absolutely correct except that it was the Ambassador Stables.
I may have started at the New Parkway and then switched over when Arthur Konyot came to Chicago. At any rate.Thanks to Kelley for getting me on a roll and then for setting me straight.. Anyone remember the horse shows in Lincoln Park?
Nancy

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: MollyGo ()
Date: August 06, 2011 10:45AM

I rode at the New Parkway Stables in '52 at Webster and Clark. Owner was Johnny Klein and instructors were Ivan Parks and Peggy Drummond who was also Chicago school teacher. I orginally began at Christensen (sp?) stables south of Clark and North avenue in a former auto dealership building. It was the west side of the street down from the Red Star Inn. Beginners learned in the inside ring and advanced folks went into the huge larger inside arena in the area where there once had been cars and carriages. The great, now deceased, famous Saddlebred trainer, Tommy Moore worked there as a teen and everyone at that time marveled at his talent. Ambassador Stables was east of this barn and the entrance was off an alley; very small barn with few riders most of whom came from the affluent Gold Coast area. The fourth barn was Plush just west of New Parkway off of Grant Place. Nice barn, big ring but long walk to the entrance of the zoo which got us to the bridle path along the Lincoln Park canal. What a thrill to attract all that attention from zoo visitors as, as many as 40 of us would walk thru the zoo. Sunday breakfast rides meal was taken at the Black something restaurant at Clark and Diversey; most of the riders were older women. The big and I mean big Sun-Times horse show was held just near the bridge at North Avenue at the west side of Lake Shore Drive. If you stand on the bridge today, 60 years later, you can still see the cinder circle under the grass. Horses came from all over. Spectators got in free and it was a huge crowd. Several classes were novelty classes such as Costume Ride, Pairs and exhbitions by Budweiser, etc. Another great national show was held in fall at the Ampeatheatre on Halsted (south side) at the stock yards; fabulous! Thanks for the opportunity to share. I only know this stuff cuz it was the biggest and most exciting thing ever to happen to me. At age 69 I bought a saddlebred and showed out of a barn in Woodstock; Illinois State Fair, Milwaukee State Fair and it was great but lasted only 2 years; got vvery expensive and well, you really can't go home again. Just didn't have the thrill as it once did when I was a kid showing.

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: nancybc ()
Date: August 07, 2011 03:43AM

Ahh, MOllyGo,
We have the same memories but you have great recall for the details and the people at the New Parkway. I rode in those Sun Times Shows and still have one of the programs. I learned to like coffee at the show in the fall because it was always so darn cold waiting outside until your event that my father bought me coffee to keep warm.
Thanks for sharing that wonderful time in our lives!
Hugs,
Nancy

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: Mornac ()
Date: August 12, 2011 01:03PM

The bridle path extended as far North as Hollywood Beach (known locally as “Ardmore Beach”). I remember seeing an occasional dung pile along it until perhaps 1972 or so. I always assumed there were riders issuing from the ultra-elite Saddle and Cycle club at Foster Ave. next to the park. I know the club has been there since the nineteenth century and they still have stables that have been converted into service buildings of some sort (they can be seen from the Foster entrance). I have no idea when they became inactive.

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: MollyGo ()
Date: August 28, 2011 06:23PM

That fancy riding stable at Foster,part of the country club there, I believe was already closed when I took my first lesson in '51. There was a hill in the park at Montrose and that was the destination from New Parkway Stables around 8:30 on Friday nites for the Midnight Ride...which was not at midnight but talk about a full gallop along the rocks at the lake's edge in the dark was crazy...especially on the way back when the horses knew they were gonna go home to their straight stalls which still bothers me today...52 horses in straight stalls in the basement of Parkway. On the second floor were the private horses owned by people from the Stewart Coffee family and others in box stalls. There was a fire in the basement of Parkway around '55 or so and only one of the 52 survived...the oldest school horse they had simply dipped his nose deep into his food trough and survived. They had to pull all the horses out of the basement through the windows and ramp and they were piled up in the alley which is still there, of course. Made all the papers but I can't find a copy. The person named "Nancy" in this forum: may I have your last name if I think I know who you are? Thanks.

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: mmberry ()
Date: September 25, 2011 04:53PM

I just found this website, and I believe the name of that stable on Clark that Col Konyak (Pops) owned, was called the Lake Shore Riding Academy. I rode in the Sun-Times Horse show one summer, in the Children's Equitation 12 and under, and I rode one of the Academy lesson horses. I also remember Ivan Parks and Peggy Drummand, but I must have switched stables, or they came to Konyaks. I don't remember. The horses came down from upstairs loose, on a gradual downward shute, and we had to catch them. I do remember a John Garvey rode in one of my classes. I always wondered if he was the same John Garvey from the Morton Grove stables later?? I lived near Oak Park and took the North avenue bus all the way to Clark Street every week. Can't believe it in retrospect. Later I rode with Hugo Schroeder in Burr Ridge, Ill. near Hinsdale. He was quite a taskmaster.

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: nancybc ()
Date: September 27, 2011 01:58AM

HI, mmberry!
It was the Ambassador Stables that Pops owned. What year did you ride in the Sun Times. I rode in the 1949 and 1950 shows. Glad to see another person that knew Pops.
I rode from the North Side- Carmen and Broadway each week to ride as well. Great memories, aren't they?
Cheers,
Nancy

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: GerryO ()
Date: October 07, 2011 10:17PM

I too rented horses with my brother in the late 1940's and early 1950's and rode in Lincoln Park on the bridle path. I was 12 and my brother 9. I cannot recall which stable it was. I remember having to ride the horses for several or maybe a few blocks, of automobile traffic before getting into the park to ride. I just visited Chicago and went to look at the Noble Horse Stable which is on New Orleans. I'm not sure if it was that stable or the New Parkway Stables which isn't there anymore. I do remember we rode with English saddles. We were allowed to go off on our own. We always went for an hour (couldn't afford more) and always tried to see if we could ride further than the last time before turning around. I remember one time my brother couldn't quite control his horse and we were not allowed to go out that day. We had to ride around the horse ring for the hour. I was so mad at my brother. Good memories.

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: peony71 ()
Date: October 13, 2011 02:54PM

I too rode at the Ambassador Stables and in the Park. I found this site because I am looking for information about what happened to Prof. Konyot. Does anyone know? I thought he was an excellent teacher. In the course of my childhood we boarded two horses there and I showed. I had a number of other favorite horses there and was especially thrilled when the Professor put me on one of his Arabian stallions.

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: 423reed ()
Date: October 14, 2011 01:28AM

I rode at New Parkway stable back in the early-mid-late sixties. It was owned by Chuck and Crista Thompson and Peggy Drummond taught jumping lessons. I met my future wife, Susan Ellen Frey there. She owned a Morgan mare named Angel. We were married 44 years until two years ago when Susie passed away. Chuck passed away years ago, but his daughter now owns and operates their other stable in Palos Hills, Illinois. The names excape me. I remember when she was a little toddler. Susie and I used to ride on the Lincoln park bridle path all the time...it was really great. We both rode in a few of the horse shows at the stable. I never won, but Susie won five ribbons ranging from 1st thru 5th.

The sixties were great years with Old Town developing and all. We both were born and raised in Chicago and we lived in the city at that time. Susie went to Immaculata HS and I went to Waller HS. Susie received a brand new 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza convertible as a graduation present. We fell in love that magical summer. I remember the midnight rides and Crista used to let me ride escort so that I could ride beyond my limited finances, sometimes six to eight times a day on the weekends. I remember Otto, Joe Avololio, Mrs. Thompson (Chuck's mom), Sandy Gorino, Donna Kasavich, Biff Bond, etc.

We used to hang out across the street at the LaPetite or Uhlein's restaurant. I remember the Sun Times horse show and a big deal that was.
Jim Reed

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: sheepandgoatlady ()
Date: November 17, 2011 06:40AM

I used to board my horse at the Parkway,,back in the late 1950;s, there was a another stable down the street I think on webster and cleveland as well, I forgot the name of it,

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: nancybc ()
Date: November 27, 2011 02:23AM

HI Peony 71,
Pops Konyot went on to work for Arthur Godfrey who was a big radio star in the 50's.He trained Godfrey in dressage for a number of years and then, I think retired after that. He also wrote or co-wrote a book called The White Rider. HIs grand daughter, Tina is still a performer and trainer.
Fascinating family!
Cheers,
Nancy

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: aprilfool2 ()
Date: November 29, 2011 01:36AM

I was so excited to find this connection to Parkway Stables!! I rode there from
1957 to 1966. I rode in the barn shows and helped at the stable in the summer.

Bill Tracy and John Tobin were instructors there too and I rode with Peggy and Chuck. I remember when Crista was pregnant with Martha. My daughter shows saddlebreds and I see Martha often at horse shows. I remember Sandy Gorino too.

The stable was such a part of my life growing up. I remember the "midnight" rides to the lake through Lincoln Park. I also went to LaPetite and Uhleins accross from the stable many times after a lesson.

The stable that was near Parkway was called New Fashion at one time. I think that barn was more into western riding.

Does anyone have any pictures?

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: 423reed ()
Date: October 09, 2012 07:36PM

Aprilfool

New Fashion Stable was owned at one time by a nice fellow named Eddie (his last name escapes me). Eddie was also a Farrier and he used to shoe the horses at Parkway. Eddie trained another Farrier named A.J. (I don't remember A.J.'s last name either, sorry). Later, Eddie opened and operated another stable located near Cumberland and Lawrence avenues called Westown Stables. We moved Susie's horse Angel there for awhile in the late sixties until we gave Angel away in 1969 or 1970. Over the years we would occasionally ride or consider buying another horse. I guess you never stop loving horses. In the late '70's I taught my daughter, Lisa, how to ride. My son, Mike never took to riding. I have a number of old pictures from Parkway somewhere.

I met my future in-laws at Parkway. I was riding Susie's horse Angel bareback in the ring when my future wife brought her parents into the ring to meet me. I rode over to meet them and at the last second Angel deliberately shied and dropped me on my butt right in front of Susie's parents and I was mortified. Those were the days. I also remember Beverly Metzger, Johnny Scatchel, Ruth Sorkin, old George who worked in the basement with the livery horses, Diane Borker, Sue Stoyer, etc. Jack Tobin used to bring those houge bags of carrot bags to sell to us. I ate a lot of carrots in those days.

Riding in Lincoln Park by Lake Michigan was a truly wonderful experience that I miss to this very day. Almost all of the old Chicago stables are gone now. There used to be quite a few of them in the city, plus all of the suburban stables.
Jim Reed

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: Lance Grey ()
Date: October 10, 2012 01:31AM

Recalls Horse riders on the Bridle path weren't uncommon in the 60s

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: rjmachon ()
Date: October 20, 2012 02:23PM

I recall bridle paths along the lake as far north as Foster Avenue back in the early 1970's. Is this correct?

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: afarinasdeleon ()
Date: October 22, 2012 07:30PM

I rode at night through Lincoln Park in the '60's. It was a delight! I can still smell that fresh breeze coming off the lake. I recall riding Diablo -- a horse which was accurately named. Afterward I always picked Jenny to ride (a mix of a horse and a donkey who was as mild as could be).

I rode with the Jack and Jill Club. It was a great time! I was very saddened when they closed. (My guess would be they closed around 1965.)

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: liz ()
Date: October 24, 2012 05:29AM

Noble Horse Stable
The Noble Horse Theatre is located in Chicago 's last remaining Riding Hall. This historic site was built in 1871 after the Great Chicago Fire. The facility stabled as many as 60 coach and riding horses as well as hansom cabs and carriages for local Chicagoans when horses were still a necessity for everyday life.

In 1922, major renovations took places transforming the facility into an elegant riding academy. The facility operated as Lakeshore Stables through 1972 offering horse boarding, performances, and trail riding through Lincoln Park . Riders would ride into Lincoln Park via Schiller Street where trails would go as far North as Foster Street (approximately 10 miles of trails). From 1972 until the early 1980s, the site stood empty and the building began falling into disrepair.

During the 1980s and 1990s, the stables were used as a riding academy once again. By 1998, the already deteriorating facility was in dire need of repairs or otherwise the site needed to be demolished.

In 2000, with the help of Friends of the Stables, a grant from the City of Chicago , and an investment from Noble Horse, a massive renovation took place. The historic site was returned to its 1922 era riding and performance hall under the name Noble Horse Theatre. Horse shows now take place year round at this climate controlled facility. The barn now stables horses used for both the show and for Michigan Avenue carriages.

It took a tremendous effort to rehabilitate this unique Riding Hall and it requires ongoing upkeep. Donations are always appreciated to help keep Noble Horse Theatre going.

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: FranCarmen ()
Date: December 02, 2012 10:56PM

Do any of you recall the Christensen Stables that were located at Lincoln and Kedize until the mid/late 40s on the site that later became Lincoln Village Shopping Center? Thanks,

http://francesarcher.com

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: rjmachon ()
Date: December 03, 2012 07:59AM

@Fran, wasn't there a bridal path going north along the river from the stables?

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: FranCarmen ()
Date: December 04, 2012 04:13PM

I've learn quite a bit more in the past 24 hours. First, rjmachon: yes the bridal path went north between McCormick and the channel.

The Christianson Stables were on Lincoln near Kedzie, on the site of what is now Lincoln Village. But there was another stable just a block south, on Lincoln and Peterson. This was the Idle Hour Riding Stables, which was opened in 1933 by a very young Silas Jayne. He later moved to another location, where a terrible crime took place, the murder of some boys. Later Jayne was implicated in the Brach murder case as well -- this is just the short, incomplete version of his long life of crime.

also on Peterson Avenue -- possibly at the site of the Idle Hour stables, at least they shared the same address according to the Trib archives, was another stables called Kleinert Stables, this was in the late 30s. Another long story involved the Kleinert. The address is confusing because while a Tribune announcement indicates the Kleinert Stables were at 6135 N. Lincoln, that is the same address given for the Idle Hour stables and the timing overlaps. Perhaps there were two separate entities at the same location.

http://francesarcher.com

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: murphman ()
Date: January 30, 2013 11:19AM

Growing up in Lakeview in the seventies, I recall a young woman who rode a horse around the neighborhood. Was a strange sight. She was very friendly and allowed us kids to pet the horse. Also I seem to remember she rode bareback. Doubt if you would see that today!

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Date: January 31, 2013 12:16AM

[b]How about the stables at Dan Ryan Woods and the coral. I have some pictues from the 40's of the coral.[/b]

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Re: Riding Stable near Lincoln Park
Posted by: adgorn ()
Date: February 24, 2013 08:14PM

Here's a mention of New Parkway Stables linked to Palos Hills Riding Stables:
http://www.phrsinc.com/WIAM1883/history.htm

Wasn't this or a similar stable on the site of the old Ivanhoe Theater?

Mobster "Nails" Morton went riding from a northside stable on May 13, 1923. His horse threw him and he died from the injuries. His mob pals blasted the horse for revenge. The episode is recreated in the Cagney movie "Public Enemy."

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