Anyone is from or near Maple Park, Il?

[Equus_girl]

So, my soon to be hubby and I are planning to get out of California within a year or two and I am preparing myself to long winters of Illinois, as that's where hubby has lived before and personally I am in love with Chicago.
However, having 2 horses and dreaming of a big house with acres of land Chicago and nearby suburbs are simply not going to work out. So, we are looking at other places, one of them being Maple Park. Its only 50 miles away from downtown Chicago and considering my current daily commute of 70 miles from house-to work in downtown San Francisco-to barn-back to home is very doable, considering the fact that real estate prices will totally let me stay home at least for a while to take care of future kids :cool: and who am I kidding, I meant horsies :) I picked up Dressage Daily last night and found Maple Park being mentioned for 4 times, so I took it as s sign :)

Now I am all anxious to hear from locals or at least people who have been to mysterious Maple Park :)

[webmistress32]

I live in the town just north of Maple Park in Hampshire IL. we have a Saddle Club with all amenities (members only) and it's awesome: indoor arena, outdoor, XC course, great parking, activities and Friday night games nights with great & cheap food (can you say "fried chicken with mashed plus roll for $1.50??")

my neighborhood is experiencing huge price declines and I follow the market (just for FUN, mind you) closely - so I know every horse property for sale in a large radius and what you should offer for it.

there are some great dressage trainers near Maple Park, one of them being Joanne Larsen who medalled Grand Prix. I am an eventer so not sure if I'm really sellin' you here (haha). there is also Heather McCarthy and some others probably too numerous to mention.

the IDCTA is a local combined training and dressage association that offers a complete schooling series for both dressage and eventing with year end awards. oh yeah and we have several top end competition areas such as Lamplight and Ledges.

PM me and I can help more if you like.

ps I commute to downtown Chicago for work daily and can also give you the scoop on the train and parking, etc.

[ybiaw]

I just found out where Maple Park was yesterday. :lol: It was NOWHERE near where I thought it was.

I grew up in Crystal Lake, IL, which is nearby. Great schools, nice community.

Lots of riding stuff around the Hampshire area - you can look on www.illinoishorse.com for more info specific to the Great State of IL. :)

[Giddy-up]

I am in Elburn (1 village east). There is "in town" Maple Park (which doesn't sound like what you want) & "unincorporated" Maple Park (sounds like what you want). "Unincorporated" Maple Park is also where the Kaneland middle & high school campus is (District #302).

I ride h/j & there are quite a few in the area.

[Giddy-up]

I just found out where Maple Park was yesterday. :lol: It was NOWHERE near where I thought it was.

I grew up in Crystal Lake, IL, which is nearby.

By "nearby" you may be talking 45 minutes-hour give or take of a drive up Rt 47. ;)

[LuvMyTB]

Ditto what webmistress said. It's a very small town but growing (or was, before the housing market crashed).

Lots of horses/barns in and around that area. Karousel Farms, the Barteaus recently built a barn out there (both are dressage)....Steve Schaefer also built a great place out there a few years ago--Grove Place. Versailles Equestrian (eventing) is in Maple Park as well....can't remember their names....Catherine and Bernard Moreauw??

The eastern edge of Maple Park also backs up to the western edge of Elgin/Burlington, and there are tons of big and small barns in that area as well. Do a Google search and you'll come up with lots....racehorse/TB farms, a Trakehner breeding farm....Alex Jayne's Our Day Farm is in Elgin as well.

Marengo/Hampshire are pretty horse-y as well....Diane Carney and Greg Franklin have a place out there (Canterbury is Greg's place, can't think of what Diane's is called).....

If you are needing to commute to Chicago, though, you might want to check out Elburn (15 mins south of Maple Park and has a train station) or Hampshire/Marengo (much closer to I-90).

[Woodland]

Maple Park use to be a hicks only horse town Now there are several nicer facilities there that have attracted quality. Many are from the St Charles and Wayne areas - which use to be where the horsey set was from.

I grew up in Glen Ellyn a far western suburb of Chicago. I am now in the north central part of the state where dressage is still a mystery. And I am an anomaly because I do hunters. :lol: However my DD barrel races so we "fit in" some how.

If you decide to come to Illinois WELCOME! We are far more than are lowly deposed governor ! We are a horse friendly state with an exceptional new governor and most recent home of our newest President. We offer exceptional Veterinary hospitals and a great history of excellent horsemanship.

Ye, I do love my home state!

[ybiaw]

By "nearby" you may be talking 45 minutes-hour give or take of a drive up Rt 47. ;)

Yes, that's exactly what I mean. :)

I don't know. I've had a migraine for 5 days, I'm braindead.

I think I meant it's not too far from Hampshire. Which is isn't, really.

I'm gonna go back under my rock now. :lol:

[ybiaw]

Marengo/Hampshire are pretty horse-y as well....Diane Carney and Greg Franklin have a place out there (Canterbury is Greg's place, can't think of what Diane's is called).....


Telluride.

[Woodland]

Elburn, Big Rock, Oswego, all places to consider!

[Giddy-up]

Yes, that's exactly what I mean. :)

I don't know. I've had a migraine for 5 days, I'm braindead.

I think I meant it's not too far from Hampshire. Which is isn't, really.

I'm gonna go back under my rock now. :lol:

:lol:

OP needs to know when we say "20 minutes" that means 20 minutes of going 60-65 MPH to get there. :winkgrin:

[ybiaw]

:lol:

OP needs to know when we say "20 minutes" that means 20 minutes of going 60-65 MPH to get there. :winkgrin:

Or, just add on my oft-used disclaimer of "...but that all depends on traffic."

As in:
"How long does it take you to get to Chicago from your house?"
"Oh....it depends on the traffic. It could take me 45 minutes.....or it could take 3 hours."
:eek:

[Equus_girl]

Thank you, all for replying!
We will definitely check out all the towns you guys have mentioned on the next trip!
I do know the intricacies of traffic around Chicago as it took up 40 minutes to visit Sunflower Farms in Wisconsin one day and about 2.5 hours another day with traffic :O I do not think it will be a huge issue as hubby is a pilot and thus only needs to get to O'Hare once a week and get back :) And I am hoping to find a job outside of the city, as working for 10 years in downtown SF made me nearly insane :eek:
Woodland, thank you! We are definitely coming to Illinois; we are just waiting for the perfect moment. Besides all the nice things you mentioned, there are no earthquakes (except for that freak accident which happened last year) and of course, nothing beats deep dish pizza. We visited every possible place around and yet to find something at least close to Uno :)

[ybiaw]

As much as I WHIIIIINE about Winter, you really can't get much better than Summer in Chicago(land). THAT is what keeps all us suckers here year after year, winter after brutal winter. :)

And no earthquakes is a DEFINITE plus (my bro and sis-in-law just moved from SF to London). :winkgrin:

[johnnysauntie]

Maple Park is a nice area. And you will make out like a bandit on the housing coming from SF.

Wind Pro breeches will become your favorite thing, as will the ankle length down coat you will purchase by mid Dec. next year. (Hint: buy one now, on sale.) (You will thank me.)

Ditto what others said about wonderful summers and the IDCTA. A know a couple peeps that board at Versailles and love it.

Happy moving!

[BBowen]

Welcome. It won't take you long to learn how to dress in layers for the winters here. I grew up in MS, so it was a rude awakening for me twenty years ago. :-) Indoor arenas are a top priority.

I live in Wayne, just five minutes from Lamplight a large equestrian facility that hosts all kinds of show -- dressage, hunter/jumper, and eventing horse trials (Maui Jim, Wayne-DuPage and the American Eventing Championships-2009 is the final year for Wayne). Lots of activities and barns in the area. I am on the board of IDCTA and we are very proud of our schooling show series and clinics that we host each year. Maple Park is a nice area and you should be able to find something that works for your commute and riding your horses.

I would love to meet you on one of your visits or when you get moved. Chicago is a wonderful city. Of course, I love SF also.

[Woodland]

I spent so many fond days in Wayne, IL. It was horse nirvana for me in my youth and young adulthood. I made my first hunt there and my first event. Great horse country!!!! AND close to Maple Park!

[Gray Horse H/J]

Huh...Hampshire is next to Maple Park? The things you learn on here. I've lived in Carpentersville my whole life and never had any clue where Maple Park is. Especially interesting since I board in Hampshire.

Equus_girl - buy yourself some good down coats, warm boots, warm socks, hats, mittens, scarves, and all the long underwear you can get your hands on. Chicago winters suck. (Not to bring ya down or anything!) Seriously, I have lived here my whole 25 years and I more miserable every winter. :lol:

BUT, the summers do make up for it.

And Chicago is a fantastic city. I don't get to go enough.

[Gray Horse H/J]

Besides all the nice things you mentioned, there are no earthquakes (except for that freak accident which happened last year) and of course, nothing beats deep dish pizza.

I forgot about that freak earthquake! I was actually in England at the time with some family. My cousin's wife called from Chicago to tell him she'd felt an earthquake and we thought she was playing a really weird joke on us. :lol:

[HaulnHorses]

"dreaming of a big house with acres of land"

Maple Park is a great area for that. Many of my customers have farms in that area and love it. Close to horse shows and vet clinics and not 2 far from shopping malls galore. Winters are rough though! Most of us spend the winter in Florida horse showing.

[Dressage_Rider]

If you are looking for a Dressage place with great trainers Kim and Yvonne Barteau are the best trainers in Midwest. I would NOT recommend Joann Larson for anyone. She is probably good for someone who is a beginner and needs to learn the very basics. Personal experience here so I can speak freely about it. I think you should go watch lessons and see barns around the area. I bet you if you were to see Barteau's place and their training you would not look any further. Also comes from experience. Good luck with your search and hope you find what you are looking for!

[LittlePaint]

Thank you, all for replying!
We will definitely check out all the towns you guys have mentioned on the next trip!
I do know the intricacies of traffic around Chicago as it took up 40 minutes to visit Sunflower Farms in Wisconsin one day and about 2.5 hours another day with traffic :O I do not think it will be a huge issue as hubby is a pilot and thus only needs to get to O'Hare once a week and get back :) And I am hoping to find a job outside of the city, as working for 10 years in downtown SF made me nearly insane :eek:
Woodland, thank you! We are definitely coming to Illinois; we are just waiting for the perfect moment. Besides all the nice things you mentioned, there are no earthquakes (except for that freak accident which happened last year) and of course, nothing beats deep dish pizza. We visited every possible place around and yet to find something at least close to Uno :)

Be prepared for the storms, ;)

[kaluha2]

OMG! I am home sick now after reading this thread.

You will love Maple Park or any of the areas mentioned. Is Maple Farm still alive and well? Good friends of mine have their farms which backed up to Maple Lane's farm and their place was/is lovely. I must give them a call now and catch up.

Oh I miss home now evenmore. I think I might be ready to move back. You will have the best time---horse shows galore, clinics, lot's of great trainers and real riders. I miss home!

[Equus_girl]

If you are looking for a Dressage place with great trainers Kim and Yvonne Barteau are the best trainers in Midwest. I would NOT recommend Joann Larson for anyone. She is probably good for someone who is a beginner and needs to learn the very basics. Personal experience here so I can speak freely about it. I think you should go watch lessons and see barns around the area. I bet you if you were to see Barteau's place and their training you would not look any further. Also comes from experience. Good luck with your search and hope you find what you are looking for!
Thanks for input!
KYB Dressage is actually how I found out about Maple Park :)
I was actually hoping to get into training with them :winkgrin: all in quest for the perfect 20 meter circle :) And they host Arthur Kottas' clinics and after getting into one last month, I loved the guy!

[Dressage_Rider]

Thanks for input!
KYB Dressage is actually how I found out about Maple Park :)
I was actually hoping to get into training with them :winkgrin: all in quest for the perfect 20 meter circle :) And they host Arthur Kottas' clinics and after getting into one last month, I loved the guy!

Trust me you will do more than 20 meter circle with them. They are bar far THE best trainers and the most professional people I have ever met in this industry. Maybe we can meet up at the clinic? ;) If you do stop in I am sure we will run into each other. Send me a PM and I will give you my name than we can say hi to each other if you go out there.

Hope to see you there!!!