News and views about the proposed Lakewood Olympic Equestrian Center.

Welcome to a new regular feature in The Sentinel, Voice of the Horse Industry in the Midwest! We’ve initiated this column, Olympic Dreams, to regularly share news and views about the proposed Lakewood Olympic Equestrian Center with you, the thousands of members of the Midwestern Horse Industry.

A Call for Support Join the “Friends of the Olympics in Lake County Illinois!”

Although plans are drawn up and there are a lot of ideas in the works, the proposed Lakewood Olympic Equestrian Center is in no way a done deal yet. It is most important NOW for the equestrian community in the midwest to show their support of this project. Despite the fact that there is widespread support for the center, there is a small, but very vocal minority that opposes bringing the Games to Lake County. The success of this proposal depends on getting past these early hurdles.

In response to this need, Sue Herbes of Libertyville has formed a political action group called “Friends of the Olympics in Lake County Illinois. “ The goal of the group is to organize the supporters of this proposal and get their voices heard. The action group is calling for the equine community to send letters in support of the Lakewood Olympic Equestrian Center to Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserve District.

Letters can be addressed to Bonnie Thomson Carter, Lake County Forest Preserves, 2000 North Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, IL 60048. The email address is forestpreserves@co.lake.il.us.

To make it easier, the group will also provide postcards for instant response. Interested parties can pick up the postcards at Libertyville Saddle Shop, 306 Peterson, Rd., Libertyville, IL 60048. Barn managers, club officers, and anyone affiliated with a number of interested parties are encouraged to pick up enough postcards to easily distribute to their associates.

Your involvement at this point of the project is vital to the long term success of the Lakewood Olympic Equestrian Center! Don’t be part of the silent majority. Get involved and help make our Olympic Dream become a reality in our lifetime, and a legacy for generations to come.

Check out this website for more information: www.lcfpd.org/lakewood2016

The Lakewood Olympic Equestrian Center– Plenty of Possibilities

The prospect of having the opportunity to witness history-in-the-making with the Olympic equestrian venue in our own backyard is a very exciting one. But after the athletes, horses and spectators from all over the world have returned home, we’ll be left with wonderful memories and something even more exciting–a first class facility with endless possibilities.

Some people hear the term “stable” and it conjures up images of “The Saddle Club” from the popular Nickelodeon television series. You know, a small clique of well-to-do kids who pass their time at the lesson barn, practicing for upcoming competitions. But a horseman can imagine an endless variety of scenarios.

Like a busy Saturday morning with eager youngsters donning helmets and grabbing a brush to prepare for a group lesson. Or later that morning, an assortment of horses and riders assemble in the arena to practice the precision maneuvers of a drill team. Outside, several trailers pull up and a group of adults unload, tack up, mount up and head out to the trails.

During the week, a peek into the spacious indoor arena might find several calm horses being led around. Young riders are perched on the soft saddle pads in various positions–some are even seated facing backwards. The big smiles on their faces tell you that they are enjoying every minute of their therapeutic riding session. You might be lucky enough to catch a tour group of wide-eyed pre-schoolers getting their first close-up introduction to a pony.

Stop and listen in on a judging clinic where a gathering of 4-H teens from several counties are learning the finer points of what to look for in horse conformation. Out in the park, a band of pony clubbers are assembled, anxiously waiting to walk in the footsteps of their equestrian idols and ride where the Olympians rode, dreaming of one day being Olympians themselves.

You’ll plan your weekends around whatever equine event is coming next. One weekend you’ll join the crowd in cheering on your favorite high action beauty at the Saddlebred show. The next weekend, you soak up some interesting facts about equine behavior and get some ideas about enhancing your own horse/human relationship while auditing one of the many clinics the center hosts.

This facility has the potential to become a much needed hub of equine opportunities and education in the Chicagoland area. With the variety of disciplines and activities available in the horse industry, the possibilities for this equine center are endless!