Equine Welfare and Rider Show Season
Participation Are Top the List of Immediate Concerns
PALATINE, Ill., June 19,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Citing animal welfare concerns,
the group formed to Save Palatine Stables today called on Palatine
Park District (PPD) officials to immediately form a cooperative
working group to address Palatine Stables riders' and boarders'
needs and animal welfare concerns.
The Save Palatine Stables group contends the Stables should
remain open because they are in good operating condition, are a
valuable community resource, and add value to residents. Deemed
safe by an early May 2024 structural
engineering report, the group's concerns stem from the May 13, 2024 decision to close the stables
without public input or equine specialists' input. Unsubstantiated,
inflated cost estimates created by PPD staff are also a concern to
the organizers.
"Our group is ready to discuss cooperative measures to ensure
the welfare of the 60+ horses housed there, keep the stables
running and allow the students and riders who have worked so
diligently to remain in competition," said Jamie Berger, a spokesperson for the group. "We
cannot fathom why PPD is ignoring the community's wishes and
refusing to work with riders and the highly knowledgeable equine
community to ensure the animals' welfare."
Palatine resident Berger added
that closing the stables in late July is discriminatory to riders
who are in the middle of their 2024 show season.
"Riders competing in the Northern Illinois Hunter Jumper
Association circuit will lose their horses and the ability to
complete their season, which makes no sense since horses will be on
site for Northwest Suburban Special Recreation riders," she
said.
The group also questions PPD's $2.6
million estimate for barn repairs, as referenced in PPD's
May 14, 2024 closure announcement.
Necessary repairs, outlined in a structural engineering report
ordered by PPD and performed by a highly qualified firm, total less
than $200,000. PPD's widely touted
$2.6 million estimate includes many
improvements NOT outlined or marked as necessary in the engineering
report, such as a new, coated roof and replacement of all barn
poles.
The June 24th PPD board meeting is
open to the public, for more information, visit
https://supportpalatinestables.info
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content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/keep-palatine-stables-open-group-calls-on-palatine-park-district-board-staff-to-form-working-group-reopen-stables-discussion-at-june-24-meeting-302177209.html
SOURCE Save Palatine Stables