ASAW Summer Showcase 2012

 

The American Saddlebred Horse Association of Wisconsin and the Knollwood Knockouts hosted their annual summer show last weekend at Wild Wind Equine Center.  The Knockouts showcased their event hosting abilities off site as five barns from Wisconsin and Illinois brought riders to Waukesha to compete in a full slate of academy classes with a few ‘B’ classes thrown in for the morning performances.

 

 

 

The tropical summer of 2012 continued on Saturday as horses and riders competed in walk  trot, and canter classes.  

Riders competed in pleasure, equitation, and pattern classes before the championship round.  Heather was champion of walk trot and canter equitation while Jess won the novice rider equitation title.

Here they are cooling off after their performances!

 

 

Following the championships, it was time for a little fun.  Riders went back in the ring for pairs and bareback classes.  The pairs classes were fun, with Dexter and Dudley making a well matched set, and winning the class.

As for the bareback classes… The bareback pads were missing in action, so it became the ‘saddle no stirrups’ class instead! Parker was declared the winner on Dexter, and decided to two point her victory pass!

After the fun classes, it was time for the exhibitors party with cool sub sandwiches, and a little birthday party for Jimmy Hanrahan, trainer at Hanrahan stables. Everyone really enjoyed the delicious birthday cake and the piñata!

The weather cooled off tremendously overnight,  so the walk trot riders on Sunday enjoyed a really pleasant almost cool day at the show.

 

 

This show features maiden classes for riders showing away from home for the first time. We were really proud of our three maiden riders,  Dani, Sarah, and Madison who made their show ring debuts.  They all looked a little nervous going through the in gate the first time, and got better and more comfortable as the day went on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s a great accomplishment to take a 1000 pound animal with its own thoughts, feelings, and reactions into a ring and make him listen to YOU, and all three of these riders did a great job of listening to their horses,  communicating with them, and making adjustments along the way. We’re really proud of their achievements at the show!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ribbons are the icing on the cake when it comes to horse showing, and Madison got some icing this weekend as she was the winner of the maiden equitation division.  

She and Dexter looked cool and confident together as they worked their way around the ring!

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to all the barns who participated in the show this weekend!  The breadth of the academy classes at this show make it a great opportunity for both experienced and newer academy riders to show.  Riders get to compete in a number of classes at the same show, so it’s a great opportunity to work on things and get lots of practice and feedback!

 

Also, thanks to Jean Baeseman for the beautiful championship neck ribbons she made and donated to the show!!

 

 

 

 

 This show is run by the Knockouts to benefit both the youth group and the ASAW Scholarship fund.  As you can imagine, it takes a small army to put on an event like this!

 

 

Great thanks to the Knockout members who helped set up for the show and tear down after the event.  A HUGE Thank you to the parents and youth members who shopped for, cooked for, served, and managed the successful concession stand!  Thanks, too,  to our announcer and helpers in center ring and the warm up area who kept the show safe for everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’re off to Madison this weekend for the Madison Invitational show.   Come join us for ‘B’ classes Friday through Sunday, and academy classes on Saturday morning!

The ‘A’ horses will be finishing preparations for the World Championship Horse Show in Louisville!!

 

 Good luck to everyone wherever you’re showing!!!!