Illinois - The Chicago Tribune carried a story by Anika M. Scott about the consequences for a community of the relocation of a riding stables:

The history that surrounded Bridleway Stables in Barrington is perhaps best seen in a single gravestone beneath a maple in the pasture. There, carved in marble, are the words "Genius Bourban King, 1943-1967."

He was a world-class American Saddlebred horse, who for years sired champions at the farm on Dundee Avenue.

"There's so much history here, so many great names," said Samantha Goodman, 18, of Mt. Prospect, who has trained and worked at the stable for nearly a decade.

The latest chapter in Bridleway's story came Saturday, when Marcia Everett, the farm's operator, hosted riding lessons for the last time. The Cook County Forest Preserve District, which owns the stable lands, plans to demolish the 50-year-old barns, paddock fences and storage areas.

Walking paths and possibly parking will replace Bridleway, said Steve Mayberry, spokesman for the district.

"We intend to make it an observation place for wildlife and waterfowl," he said.

Everett wanted to keep the stables going, but couldn't afford to bring the 1940s-era buildings up to code. The forest preserve district purchased the farm from the previous owner for $2.9 million four years ago. Everett still operated the stables.

But with the change of deed, the farm structures became public buildings, subject to more stringent safety codes. District officials gave Everett until Monday to either make the necessary repairs or vacate the land.

Those repairs added up to $1.6 million, more than the stables could afford, Everett said.

"There was just no way I could pay that, and the forest preserve certainly doesn't have the funds," she said.

Bridleway is closing in Barrington, but it will reopen this week at a new farm Everett purchased in Woodstock. The Bridleway staff has spent weeks hauling 60 horses, their blankets, bridles, saddles and other necessities.

Among the final visitors over the weekend was Pam Love of Lake Barrington, whose daughter Hannah, 9, was taking lessons at the stable on Saturday.

Love said she was concerned when she heard that Bridleway was closing in Barrington because she wasn't sure that she wanted to make the drive to Woodstock.

"We didn't have to debate that very long because it was the right situation to stay with," she said.

"There's a lot of support, all the staff is wonderful," she said. "There's a firmness but there's that gentle side also."

Brendan Heintz of Oak Park spent years driving the trailers that carried Bridleway horses to shows and fairs. After hauling horses to the Woodstock farm several times, he said the animals are holding up well to the stress of moving.

"Some of these horses haven't been moved in quite awhile," he said. "But when they go to the new location and see it's all the same horses and all the same people, they're fine."

In the 1940s, Bridleway began breeding American saddlebreds under the eye of owner Leslie Younghusband, whose focus was on showing the horses rather than giving riding lessons, Everett said. After his death in the 1960s, the farm was leased to a succession of horse trainers. Everett began leasing the stables in 1987, and transformed them into a place for breeding horses and giving lessons to the public.

Despite the Barrington-area's equestrian reputation, there were few places for people who did not own a horse to take lessons. The passing of Bridleway will only further underscore the dearth of riding schools.

"What's especially sad is there's no park district programs for kids to take lessons," said Leslie Roberts of Barrington, as she walked her horse Magic at a riding lesson last week. She got her start at Bridleway when her daughter began lessons four years ago, she said.

Goodman planned to continue working at the new Bridleway in Woodstock. As she took a break Friday from hauling supplies, she looked sadly at the old barns and quiet pasture.

"It's been hitting me in the last couple of days," Goodman said. "It's so empty in here, and now it seems the ghosts are coming out."