A Little Bit of the South Travels North
By Alicia Howe
Driving up to the entrance of Hill ‘N Dale Farm, visitors immediately see the eye-catching white fences surrounding vast, seemingly never-ending pastures. For a moment, you forget you’re in Barrington, Ill., less than 50 miles from downtown Chicago. Instead, you feel as if you just arrived on a Southern horse farm.
“The appearance of Hill ‘N Dale Farm is the most unique attribute of the farm,” said Joe Carper, the farm’s long-time manager, whose knowledge of its business is endless. “People feel like they’re somewhere down South, not here. It surprises them.” The clean, neat atmosphere of the farm sets it apart from others, and its 600 brilliant acres make it one of the largest full-service farms in Illinois.
Synonymous with quality in Illinois and the Midwest, Hill ‘N Dale Farm began in the mid-1960s when racing’s great Ambassador, Richard L. Duchossois, invested in the farm. “Mr. D,” whose interest in horse racing grew beyond the racing aspect, purchased the adjacent farms and merged the properties into one in the early 70s and 80s in order to provide more thoroughbred horse services.
The premiere full-service facility provides breeding to some of Illinois’ best stallions, seasonal and year-round boarding, layups and first-class care for horses of all types, from foals to pensioners. The farm includes eight barns for stallions and mares, including oversized stalls, and a horse performance exerciser. The paddocks and fenced pastures, each 20 to 40 acres in size, average about 2.5 acres per horse.
The cleanliness of the farm is most impressive, and Carper makes a point of telling visitors about the meticulous barn sterilization procedures that are used, particularly in the foaling barns. The buildings are attractive, and the farm’s practices efficient, with a full staff of workers who perform all major duties from horse care to grounds maintenance.
Pasture analysis is done every three years to help provide the correct type of fertilizers and nutrients, and a specialized formulated feed is employed. Workers are on site 24 hours every day of the year to care for the horses at all times. The farm is gated and features an elaborate security system with workers providing constant supervision over the horses and facilities. According to Carper, “We offer a very personal, hands-on approach here.”
Joe Carper has worked at Hill ‘N Dale for 35 years. His interest in horses was sparked by his childhood experience working on his grandfather’s farm in Ohio. He worked on farms around Barrington in his youth, and lives in a home on the Hill ‘N Dale property, allowing him to watch over the facility. The dedication and loyalty that Carper and staff have for horses and their work is very obvious. “Most of our workers have been with us for over 10 years,” Joe said. “That proves what a pleasant place it is to work.”
As a full-service farm, Hill ‘N Dale specializes in nurturing race horses from foaling to training, having raised many stakes winners. Carper says that every farm raises horses differently, but Hill ‘N Dale stresses the importance of ample space and exercise, a designated feed program and the benefit of scientific research that all together creates a premiere setting for future race horses. Foals benefit from hands-on resident veterinary care.
Though Hill ‘N Dale has remained a family farm, its size and recognition have continued to grow. The home of prolific Illinois stallion Chicago Six (Wild Again-Secretaridge-Secretariat), 2006 Freshman Leading Sire, Hill N’ Dale has been home to past champions, Whadjathink, Royal Roberto and Zen.
One thing for sure stands out. The passion for horses that Duchossois and Carper have is apparent in this world-class facility. If you see the farm for yourself, you’ll understand why every horse would want the chance to graze peacefully in an open pasture surrounded with majestic trees, tranquil creeks and stunning white fences.
To learn
more about this vibrantly attractive and knowingly efficient farm, call
Joe Carper at 847-381-6199. 