Hello everyone, Dexter here.

I recently earned my gold watch, and have fully retired from the lesson program, Since I’m no longer giving lessons, I enjoy spening time with fellow retirees Panic and Tink. I have also become the spokesperson for the 2025 Knollwood Summer Show.

I have participated in more Knollwood academy shows than I care to admit, and trust me, I know the ins and outs of show weekend. I’ve seen it all.

A Very Special Show

We’re dedicating our summer show to the memory of Hanna Agathen, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this summer.

Hanna grew up a Knollwood Kid, and started as a rider, helper, and academy star. She moved on to become an accomplished equitation rider, and even won some finals. She became a camp counselor and instructor in addition to starting a saddle cleaning business, and a photography one as well. Most of all, she was a cherished friend and kind soul, an she is missed terribly by her mom Abbie and brother Will.  She was an important part of team Knollwood, and left a hole that will never be filled.

Saddlebred Rescue was near and dear to her heart, and we’re accepting donations through show weekend. We’re collecting cash, or checks made out to Saddlebred Rescue. You can also donate here in her memory.

The Show Schedule

We have a 3 day show schedule.

Friday’s night performance starts at 6:00 PM, and features pattern classes for our riders who have started learning the art of patterns. We also hold qualifying classes for our Knollwood Challenge Final in October.

The challenge is based on equitation finals in the horse show world. Riders compete on the rail, and them complete a pre-set figure 8 pattern in their qualifiers, The top 2 riders in each qualifier will compete in the October final and are eliminated from further qualifying classes.

The winners of the final receive a beautiful traveling trophy, and a custom show shirt from deRegnaucourt, who makes many of the suits worn by our show ring stars.

The Saturday performance starts at 10:00 AM in our big outdoor arena. We showcase our walk, trot, and canter riders as well as our walk and trot riders who are 11 years of age and over.

Each rider will compete in a horsemanship class, and equitation qualifier, and an equitation championship.

Our Sunday show starts at 10:00 AM in our little outdoor ring. Our newest show stars are the focus of the day, with classes for our 10 and under walk and trot riders, our first time riders known as maiden riders, and our leadline stars.

What’s the Difference?

How is a horsemanship class different from an equitation class?

Horsemanship classes are judged on a rider’s ability to control their horse and show him to his best advantage. The rider should walk and trot when requested, should ride at a good speed for their horse, and should maintain good spacing through the class.

Equitation classes are judged on all of the above, as well as the position of the rider, and their ability to make riding look smooth and effortless.  Correct diagonals are important, as well the overall impression of ease.

Equitation championships require additional testing after railwork is complete. The work is chosen from a list of possibilities known to all the riders and instructors, and it’s based on the level of the riders in the class. The judge will determine which test or tests they'd like to see, ranging from a 2 point at the halt to trotting and cantering at certain spots on the rail.

Horse Assignments

Horse assignments for show weekends are an art. I know that many riders request the same horses, and not everyone can ride Fred or Bee.

The instructors review choices on the entry blanks, and we try to stay with the selections there. Keep in mind that each horse’s schedule must be appropriate for their age and physical condition, and that horses cannot compete in 3 sets of classes in a row. I’ve heard Ann talk about ‘fuzzy logic,’ and that horse usage must ‘add across and down.’

Riders who only enter 2 horses on their entry form may not fare well. We ask that you fill out the form completely.

All of my co-workers are talented teachers, so they’re all great for showing.

Sportsmanship

The instructors really don’t care about ribbons, and neither do we, the best lesson horses in the world. (Although I have to admit that victory passes are really a rush!)

Team Knollwood values the goal setting and lessons learned in the show ring more than ribbons.

More than anything, we prize sportsmanship. Riders in our program are taught early that learning is the most important part of showing horses. We focus on the process of learning to ride being the reward. It’s a long process, and it’s really hard at times.

Horses can be unpredictable, our attention spans can be unpredictable, and situations can be unpredictable. We can, however, learn to control our horse through unrelenting attention to the simple stuff, learning how horses think and react, and learning to control our own emotions, It’s hard.

So, we congratulate each other, cheer for each other and offer a pick-me-up when required.

We don’t complain about judges’ decisions or ribbons. We asked for the judge’s decisions, and we got it. Please move on.

Anyone who shows a horse is brave just for participating, and we applaud the riders you’re going to see this weekend. We couldn’t be more proud.

The Details

Riders should have picked up their show bag with their back number, show shirt, and personalized schedule. If you have not picked up yours, it’s ready in the school barn lounge,

Gift basket donations should be at the farm. Due date was yesterday.

Our concession stand is still looking for some volunteers. Please sign up here if you’d like to support the show and meet some really fun parents and kids.

We have two judges presiding this weekend.

Mia will be judging Friday night and Saturday. She’s been a Knollwood Kid since she was four years old, and was a star in our academy program as a kid. She’s currently a show barn employee, and shows all sorts of different horses for Scott and Carol. She’s a wealth of information.

Whitney will judge our smallest riders on Sunday. A former instructor with us, Whitney also grew up a Knollwood, and is looking forward to returning to the little outdoor arena to watch the youngest riders.

Wendy will be our announcer for both days.

Collective Grace will be our official show photographer. Known for their beautiful candids and artistry, we’re excited to welcome them to the world of horse show.  Galleries for proofs are already set up here.

I hope you have an enjoyable summer horse show weekend. I'll be watching out my window on Sunday.

Cheer your riders, love my co-workers, thank your helpers, compliment someone, and be kind.

Let’s make some Knollwood memories!