Participating in Knollwood’s academy season is a commitment that can appear ambitious.  Some people think we’re crazy when we tell them that our academy riders will be able to compete in their choice of fifteen shows this season.   Riding in academy shows can absolutely be challenging, but taking on the challenge is part of the reward as are the life experiences and life lessons gained throughout the process.  Academy showing is as much about fun and pride in accomplishment as it is about discipline and hard work. 

Here is a brief overview of the climb from lessons to academy shows for the uninitiated.  Academy showing is entry level competition for riders enrolled in professional lesson programs.  Riders from different barns compete against each other while riding lesson horses.  Knollwood competes in Wisconsin and northern Illinois against barns from the same areas. 

Shows offering these competitions vary from smaller shows that offer plenty of academy classes to large ‘A’ rated shows that offer limited academy classes for the most experienced riders to present their skills. Two of the smaller shows even offer ‘maiden’ classes for our riders competing for the first time away from home.

Here are just a few reasons that we love academy showing along with some personal testimony by a few of our riders’ parents:

Showing creates and nurtures confidence. 

Riders are able to take a large animal into the show ring and compete against other riders.  While they’re competing, the horse’s thoughts, feelings, attitude, and perception of events all must be taken into account while performing the skills requested by the judge. This is some serious multi-tasking!!

As Haley’s mom said, “Academy showing has given her confidence. Haley was really shy before she started, and as many of you know, she is no longer shy!”

Showing promotes good sportsmanship. 

Riders are competing to better their skills in each class. Sometimes a rider is working on a particular skill, or is working on an issue with a particular horse, such as keeping him walking.  The reward comes from improving what they’re working on, and not necessarily on the ribbon from the class.  Learning how to make a horse walk in a class when he would really rather trot is a much more important achievement than winning a blue ribbon. That skill may lead to many top ribbons down the road!

Members of Team Knollwood reward each rider’s accomplishments in the ring!  Micki’s Mom said, “Academy showing has taught her ‘teamsmanship’, grace, and poise.  She has learned the importance of being a good winner, and a really good seventh place recipient!”

 Friendships

Time spent at lessons and at shows leads to many new friends.  Riders get to spend time together riding, taking care of their horses, talking about horses, playing around horses, and simply sharing their common passion.

Maria’s mother said, “Academy showing with Knollwood has given Maria great confidence, self discipline, and responsibility.  She has made a wonderful group of friends who are a very important part of her life. Riding is her passion and has helped her become a stronger student.”

Riders learn resilience. 

Riders learn that not every day is a perfect one for either horse or rider.  Sometimes horse and rider aren’t in tune, sometimes the horse acts like a horse faster than the girl thinks like a rider, sometimes you have a good ride and the judge doesn’t agree, and sometimes you don’t have a good ride, and you get a good ribbon. Academy showing teaches us that we can always try again and work to improve skills, timing and focus.

Academy showing is really fun! 

Team Knollwood has a great time at shows.  Being in the ring provides a wonderful rush for the rider, but there is also a fun experience outside the ring.  We cheer each other on, help each other out, take care of our wonderful lesson horses, and then allow kids to be kids and goof around after everything is done.

If you are interested in joining the fun, you are invited to attend our Academy Show Seminar on Tuesday, January 31 at 6:30.  We’ll meet in the show barn lounge to talk about our 2012 schedule, go over presentation and preparation for the ring and answer any questions.  Please sign up in the school barn if you can attend, so we can have plenty of refreshments for all. 

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