A Great Finish to a Great Season!

Academy show season 2011 finished in grand style at the Fall Knollwood Show last weekend.

Riders from the most advanced to those showing for the first time competed over two days at the final in-barn show of 2011.  Judge Maggie Keuking presided over all events  while several of our instructors and advanced adult riders provided ringmaster duties.  Shelby was unforgettable at the gate, cheering the riders on, and providing entertainment between classes.

 

Saturday featured our  intermediate and advanced riders in the show ring where they competed in pleasure, equitation, bareback, pairs, and pattern classes. 

Equitation champs were Savannah riding Zeus in the advanced division, Denise riding Devo in the adult division, and Lizzy riding Zeus in the intermediate division. 

The Final of the Knollwood Challenge completed a hard fought day of showing.  Nine finalists who had earned the right to show in November by winning qualifying classes during the year performed rail work and were asked to execute a tricky pattern.  After all the patterns were compared, the 2011 challenge was won by Jen on Hugo with reserve to Ainsley on Hooper, and third to Lizzy on Merlin. 

Sunday saw the walk and trot riders take over the show ring, and what a busy place it was!   Classes were filled with plenty of good riding shown throughout  the afternoon.  There were many splits in equitation, and pleasure classes as well, with five splits in the school horse pleasure division! Sunday riders  competed in pleasure, equitation, and pattern classes.

Equitation champions were Nicki and Nick in the adult division, Sarah and Devo in the 11-17 group, Ashley and Amos in 8-10 walk trot, and Kalina on Turtle in the 7 and under group. 

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah and Skipper topped a field of nine first time show riders to win the maiden championship!

 

 

 

 

 

The day finished out with the Walk Trot finals of the Knollwood Challenge.  Six riders came into the ring to perform rail work and a pattern modified slightly from the tricky one from the Saturday challenge final.  After the judge sorted out the performances, Emma on Zeus was the champion with Micki on Sundance reserve, and Jordan on Dexter in third.

This last show of the season was a showcase of the talented riders in the Knollwood academy program.  The demonstrations of sportsmanship and friendships throughout the weekend are what make this such a great event for all.

It takes a small army to put on an event of this size, and we’d like to thank all the families who help by donating to the raffle, chili dump,  and bake sale. Very special thanks to those who assist with tent construction, raffle basket creation, concession stand management, ring decor, and all the countless behind the scenes things that make this so much fun for so many riders. 

Finally, a big thank you to all of the experienced show riders who assist in the barn with the horses and riders.  From the show barn riders who helped both days to the intermediate riders who made the walk trot riders ready to show on Sunday, you did a great job helping them have fun and being confident going in to the ring.

Congratulations to all the riders who participated in this show.  It’s quite an accomplishment to take a 1000 pound animal in the ring and persuade him to do what you want him to do!

It’s not the ribbon, it’s the ride!

Enjoy the holidays, and then get ready for the Knollwood Spring Show on March 17 and 18, 2012!