Saddling up for Halloween
by Brian Stanley bstanley@stmedianetwork.com October 30, 2011 8:00PM
Volunteer coordinator Nick Kiehl places Abby Klika, 4, of Plainfield, in her angel costume up on a horse at the Plainfield Park Distict's Halloween pony rides at Normantown Trails Equestrian Center in Plainfield. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: December 1, 2011 8:47AM
PLAINFIELD — The horse remained calm, despite having a cheetah on top of it.
Apples, Shadow, Peter Pan and Leroy also served as mounts for a ladybug, a cowgirl and a bunch of young children — mostly girls — Sunday at the Normantown Trails Equestrian Center.
While many riders weren’t in costume, Leroy was dressed as a lion, Peter Pan resembled an Almond Joy candy bar and Apples was an apple.
“Beware, Snow White. I’m poisonous,” read the sign on the horse’s shiny red cape.
Shadow had a red cape as well. He started off the day as a painted flower, but, depending on your level of comic book fandom, changed into either Superman or Comet the Super-Horse. He didn’t say which.
The park district has offered costumed pony rides to the public for about five years, Barn Manager Amanda Bergman said.
“This is a good opportunity for kids who aren’t in our programs to ride and see the horses up close,” she said. “I don’t think our horses notice any difference (wearing costumes) for the rides.”
In the past, ponies have portrayed mummies, giraffes and a horse skeleton, earning carrots instead of candy.
The outfits are chosen and made by students in one of the park district’s riding programs to present in their Costume Show lesson, held in the morning before the public rides.
Coordinator Nick Kiehl supervised the volunteers walking the animals around the large barn before a packed waiting area. Slots for the 10-minute rides, which cost $10, filled up quickly.
Beth Kaiser, of Joliet, saw a notice for the event in The Herald-News last week and knew the event would appeal to her daughter, Jenna Smith, 7.
Jenna wasn’t in costume, but she brought her own riding helmet for her ride on Apples.
“I love horses so much, but I’ve never ridden one (that was) wearing a costume,” she said. “I just like to pet them and talk to them as I ride.”
Jenna has taken two riding lessons, but admits having her own horse would require too much effort and expense. Her family does have two dogs that will accompanying them trick-or-treating tonight.
The Troy Craughwell student, who wants to become a veterinarian, will be dressed as a cat.
“Another animal,” Kaiser said, while her daughter put her long legs into the stirrups. “And she’s just like a colt, galloping through the house at home.”
Jenna’s upcoming birthday will also give her an opportunity to re-do her bedroom with a horse theme, despite having many horse posters and stuffed animals already.
As Kaiser watched and took pictures, Jenna and Apples ambled around the barn. The girl smiling as she stroked the horse’s neck.
“That was awesome,” Jenna said at the end of her ride.
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