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An Insider's Guide to the Fall Finale
We're excited to be hosting the Knollwood Fall academy show this weekend, the 16th academy show at which we've competed in 2017. It's a favorite because most of our horses get to join the fun, with the exception of a few of the boys who have told us that they'd rather not be in the spotlight. We get to introduce some new riders to the fun of horse showing, and to watch the progress of our more experienced riders. It offers everything from our future stars showing in leadline to fun classes like bareback and pairs to the finals of the Knollwood Challenge for both walk trot and walk trot canter riders.
We have some helpful tips to help you understand the show, to be prepared for the horse show experience, and to act like a pro even if it's your first show.
The Horse Show Office
When you arrive, be sure to check in at the horse show office located in the school barn lounge. You'll receive your back number, and the helpful ladies can answer any questions about the show. You can even ask them questions about other topics, and they might surprise you.
Be sure to check in with Dean, the official horse show office cat. You'll find him sleeping in the back number box, no doubt.
Riders competing in pattern classes can pick up their copies here, and everyone will be able to walk their patterns before the start of the show.
First time show riders will receive a brief memo outlining some of the day's procedures as well.
We'll also be selling tee shirts, and taking orders for our fabulous Knollwood jackets for Christmas delivery. Size samples and order blanks are available in the office. Orders are being taken through Sunday, November 12, and these make great gifts!
Hair Salon
Our professional horse show hair stylists will be working in the show barn lounge for this show. Please arrive on time for your session as their schedule is pretty tight. Remember to bring a hair tie, a hair net, bobby pins, a brush, and hairspray. Need a bow to complete your look? We have a great assortment available from Jodi starting at only $3.
Jodi also has great ties, number magnets, vest bling, collar bars, and many other horse show accessories available at the show. Be sure to shop in the horse show office!
Support Saddlebreds With Music
We're repeating our popular fundraiser for Saddlebred Rescue at this show. (We raised over $200 at our summer show.)
For only $5, you can select a song to be played during the class of your choice with all proceeds going to Saddlebred Rescue. You can sign up and pay in the school barn lounge. Classes are going fast!!
A Toasty Concession Stand
With the weather forecast looking a little cold and rainy, we've decided to move the concession stand to the show barn in front of the wall of World Champion Photos. (There also happens to be a picture of Scott's bike, which actually has never won a world championship or triple crown of any kind.)
We are still looking for volunteers to work a shift at the stand on either Saturday or Sunday. It's a fun way to earn your service hours for the Knockouts so you can be eligible for a year end high point award. You can sign up here to help the club.
The Helper Basket Challenge
Six helper teams have entered into a competition to create the best gift basket at the show. Be sure to check them out and buy tickets so you can win your favorite.
Our judge for the weekend will have the difficult task of picking the winning team who will receive a pizza party courtesy of the Knollwood Knockouts.
Proceeds of the baskets and concession stand benefit the Knollwood Knockouts and their charitable activities.
Finals of the Knollwood Challenge
Let's face it, Team Knollwood loves equitation and how it prepares you to present a horse to it's best advantage. Our show riders compete at the biggest shows in the country, and will be competing at the UPHA National Championship American Royal Show while we're competing at home.
We have 6 riders showing in the last of the equitation finals for 2017, and 5 more riders competing for national championships in performance divisions. Many of these riders started in our arena at our in-barn shows.
To promote equitation, horsemanship, and sportsmanship, we have developed our own version of an equitation final, just like the ones in Kansas City. Each of our in-barn shows hosts qualifying classes for the fall final.
In the walk trot and canter division, riders perform rail work before each rider trots an inverted figure eight.
In the walk and trot division, riders perform rail work before each rider trots a non-inverted figure eight.
The top 2 places in each qualifying class advance to the final at the November show.
These finals will finish our show performances each day. Riders who finished first or second in April, July, and November will return to perform railwork and then return to the arena one at a time to perform a more difficult workout.
After the judge has made her difficult decisions, the winners will be announced in reverse order, with the first place winner in each division winning a traveling bronze trophy and a custom show shirt of their choosing from deRegnaucourt who outfits many of our show barn riders.
We're looking forward to a great weekend of horse showing at home, and in Kansas City. You may be able to catch a little of the action from the Royal as some fans will be watching the live stream throughout the weekend.
Please feel free to ask questions along the way. Any instructor would be happy to assist, and we have some great horse show parents who know all the tricks of the trade.
Sit back and enjoy the show. The horses and riders are pretty amazing!
We love what we do.