Now situated on a 40-acre parcel surrounded by rolling farmlands, members of the Fox Valley Saddle Association are optimistic that they're safe from development.

"Should development catch us, now we have a buffer," said Judy Dowling, vice president of the saddle association.

The club celebrated the grand opening of its new facility near Tower and Rohrson roads in unincorporated Kane County Sunday. The event included a horse training seminar conducted by clinician Rick Cornwell, a parade of breeds that highlighted the advantages of different kinds of horses, and a raffle for horse fare from sponsor Nutrena Feeds.

There are around 80 families - and roughly as many horses - in the saddle association, which has been in existence since 1946. The club offers educational and recreational activities for riders of all ages.

Originally situated on Elgin's east side, the area's development in the early 1970s prompted the association to move to Bowes Road on the west side.

When plans for the Bowes Creek Estates subdivision took shape, club members eyed the western horizon for a second time.

Although the group tried to stop the development by filing a lawsuit against the developer, a 2002 settlement landed them this new 40-acre plot in exchange for their Bowes Road site.

Club members seemed content with their new location as they welcomed visitors to Sunday's grand opening.

"I think it's going well," Dowling said. "Everybody seems happy, and that's the idea. We all have this common thread of horsemanship."

The new location is basically a mirror image of the Bowes Road site, with a heated clubhouse, an indoor arena and a warm-up area. But there's still work to do on two stall barns, an outdoor arena and a cross country course, which includes an obstacle course.

"It's a lot of work but it's labors of love, I must admit," Dowling said.