Wayne-DuPage HT: ever again?

[lmlacross]

Has anyone ever heard any discussion, real or speculative, about the possibility of reviving a horse trials in Wayne, Illinois? I know that Wayne-DuPage HT runs an eventing derby at Lamplight in April, but I was curious if, in the years since this event went away, there has ever been any conversation about doing a horse trials in Wayne again.

I believe (though my years are fuzzy) that ownership at Lamplight has changed hands since the event went away, and the crew at the neighboring facility adjacent the Dunham Woods Riding Club is new as of last year as well (with shows having been hosted on that site and some permanent stabling).

Just a curiosity. I wasn’t local to the area in the years of Wayne-DuPage and Maui Jim, and it sure would be cool to see a horse trials there again.

[Auburn]

I went there, all three years, when the AEC’s were held there. It was a great facility and the most affordable of any of the other AEC venues. I really enjoyed riding there.

I am certain that someone must remember the COTH name of the person, who was in charge of running the events there?

[downen]

Flutie1 was the organizer.

[peedin]

Flutie1 was in charge of Maui Jim, not Wayne DuPage. I volunteered at both events. Both events were great and are sorely missed.

[downen]

[QUOTE=peedin;8822035]
Flutie1 was in charge of Maui Jim, not Wayne DuPage. I volunteered at both events. Both events were great and are sorely missed.[/QUOTE]

Well, technically, she organized both at different times. OP didn’t reference a time frame. I don’t know if the most recent organizer of Wayne DuPage is on COTH or not.

[Auburn]

Flutie1 is the person, of whom I was thinking.

[FlightCheck]

Flutie gets asked this question a lot. But the question is worded “We will help if you organize!”

She is DONE ORGANIZING.

It is time for someone else to pick up the pieces if someone wants an event there.

As for those 2 who destroyed eventing at Lamplight, I have no use for them.

[lmlacross]

FlightCheck, being new to the area, I don’t know the backstory of how the event was blown up at Lamplight and by whom. I don’t have any experience planning and running a rated event, but I would be happy to learn-- I just don’t know how to go about it. Wayne has so many parties involved in horse life (forest preserves in the respective counties, conservancy, hunt, DWRC, Lamplight, etc.) that it’s difficult for someone new to the area to understand the landscape and players well enough to make a go of it.

I do want to see an event back in the area. I’m willing to organize, and I’m willing to start small (combined tests, IDCTA Schooling, etc.). I have to do some serious learning, though, before i could ever attempt. Shoot me an email with Flutie’s name and email address if you’re willing (and you think she would be), and I’ll express as much to her. If nothing else, hers would be the brain to pick on the subject. It doesn’t have to be what it was, but perhaps, in time, and with the right people on board, it can get back there eventually.

[Inese]

[QUOTE=lmlacross;8823714]
FlightCheck, being new to the area, I don’t know the backstory of how the event was blown up at Lamplight and by whom.

I don’t have any experience planning and running a rated event, but I would be happy to learn-- I just don’t know how to go about it. [/QUOTE]

You will learn the backstory quick enough, and people will take sides on ‘he said, she said’ - I am on Flutie’s side BTW. Old drama, best to move on…

In the mean time, you might want to spend some time this weekend at Silverwood Horse Trials just over the border in southern WI. If you get a chance to work with owner Lisa F., you could see many of the details that go into running a recognized horse trials.

When I was on the board of directors of IDCTA, we hosted and ran a recognized event at Indian Hills - from 1999 to 2003. Took a big team of hardworking, talented volunteers to make it happen - you can’t do it alone.

BTDT -

Inese.

[BBowen]

Like Inese, I volunteered at Maui Jim; Wayne-DuPage H.T.; and AECs. Was also on the Board of IDCTA with her as well. It is a sad note that the rich history of eventing in the Wayne area is past. It takes a ton of great volunteers, contacts, and team around the organizer to run a huge event, not to mention time and money. If you are truly interested in starting up something, your first step would be to contact the DuPage Forest Preserve regarding use of the land. I believe the jumps that are scattered around the forest preserve belong to the Wayne-DuPage H.T. LLC so I am sure to use them, money would be involved to rent them. Lamplight would be a separate contract.

Just a note, the Eventing Derby held in April each year is NOT organized by Wayne-DuPage. It is organized by Flutie, formerly Maui Jim. She has a team of folks that help make this event happen. When Maui Jim went away, this was a great way for people to get out of the barn after a long winter and get the ponies in horse show mode, in a relaxed environment at a top facility.

Inese, yes, BTDT.

[flutie1]

I have purposely kept quiet on this, a rare course for me to take! I do want to make it very clear that Lamplight had nothing to do with the dissolution of the Wayne events, Maui Jim, the AEC or Wayne du Page. They provided a wonderful venue and support and continue to do so for the Derby in April.

The end of eventing in Wayne sadly came about as a result of a very ugly internecine struggle best left buried. Sadly it is a political situation that continues to bind the hands of anyone wanting to bring the sport back at Pratt Wayne. Lamplight would love it. Area IV would too.

Flutie