The show barn staff, horses, and Izzy are safely home after an eventful Louisville 2026.

The World’s Championship Show isn’t just a horse show, it’s an event.  It features a full week of horse showing and all the ups and downs that go with high level competition.

The camaraderie of Team Knollwood shone all week in Louisville. Riders celebrated each other, supported Carlos and his terrific group of horse professionals who took great care of horses, and they loved their horses. A lot.

We want to share several wonderful stories!

First Timers.

Knollwood was proud to have three first time riders in Freedom Hall.

Sophie made her debut aboard her beautiful equitation horse Gamora. Relatively new to the game, Sophie earned a fourth place ribbon in her qualifier, which qualified her for the World's Grand Championship of Senior Equitation on Thursday night.

While many of the riders in her age group have been showing at this level since their walk and trot days, this is only Sophie’s second season at this level.

Congratulations are in order.

Charlotte is showing in a suit for the first time this season, and is showing beautiful, curious Garfield in equitation. This exciting new team went to Louisville to gain experience and almost made the cut to the championship.

With their first Freedom Hall show under their belt, these two are on to the challenges of the fall Pleasure Equitation finals.

After attending Louisville for years while supporting her talented kids Tori and Richie, Tracy got her chance to ride down the chute on her own horse.

Tracy showed Mickey in the packed and stacked show pleasure class for ‘grownups,’ and had a grand time. The division is so ginormous that there are three splits of the qualifier, and they’re BIG.

While they didn’t advance to the championship, Tracy had a ball.

Tori’s Mom even stole her horse for the week while Tori was at home working like a good college student.

Tracy showed the always beautiful Stella in the equally packed country pleasure qualifier for adults, which was also split three ways.

The exciting team won a ribbon to qualify them for the World’s Grand Championship of Country Pleasure for adults. They may not have won a ribbon in the class of life long show riders, but they had a great time, and learned many, many things throughout the week.

Best of all, Tracy received her ‘first time rider’  Louisville ribbon from her son.

We’re so proud of our three first time riders. They all exceeded expectations by far, and are on to more great things.

World Cup Team member Addison showed beautiful Lexi at the show, and looked fabulous. This girl team is poised and exciting to watch.

Last Louisville, Richie won the Reserve World Grand Championship of Senior Equitation. This year, Richie made his Freedom Hall debut as an adult amateur on his beloved Doc, formerly his equitation horse.

Scott and Richie have worked since last November to help Doc excel in his new line of work.  We’re pretty sure both Scott and Doc are relieved with the change of division, and Richie can let Doc be a little more himself.

At their first Louisville in the tough amateur three gaited division, Team Doc ribboned in their qualifier, and earned the right to show on the biggest night of horse showing. Stake night at Louisville hosts all the biggest championships, and it’s a thrill to even be in the building.

Richie and Doc were glorious showing with the best of the best.

The Equitation Team

Wow. Just Wow.

Seven Knollwood Kids had the Louisville equitation experience, and they were all stars.

All four of our senior riders were motivated and locked in to the task at hand. They all qualified for the World Grand Championship on Thursday night, which is an amazing accomplishment.

Success is never a straight line, and there were some squiggles.

Shayes’s horse wasn’t available to show, and the Werner family graciously offered Teddy for Shaye to show in the qualifier. Teddy and Shaye had been an unbeatable team in the junior division a few years back, and their connection was still there.

Shaye earned a second place ribbon with a first place vote, and was on to the championship.

Huge thanks to Allison Deardorff who provided a  offered a horse to use for the championship.  Shaye had the chance to ride the horse once before their final.

Shaye’s horsemanship skills carried her into the top 10, and the opportunity to perform the workout. She did a masterful job on a new horse in a ring full of seasoned teams.

Huge congratulations to Shaye.

After finishing second in her age group, Maiya and Riddle finished the finale as Reserve Grand Champion of Senior Saddle Seat equitation. She was flawless on the horse who was rescued by the Duerr family and who has become an accomplished, valued show horse.

What a way to finish out your junior exhibitor Louisville career!

Barnmate Brooklyn finished 5th in a championship of the best, after winning her age group and becoming a world champion for the second time.

Our junior riders are learning the ways of the equitation world, and also that there are always squiggles on the learning path.

In her first year out of walk and trot, Maddie is learning about her horse Zach, and about all the variables in the show ring. She rode to a strong third in a BIG qualifier and got to do the workout in her championship.

Leighton and Teddy have a year under their belts in the cantering world, and the added experience shows.  Leighton and her trusty steed finished second in their qualifier with a first place vote.

In the championship, they look relaxed and confident as they used their arena, and their  workout appeared effortless.

The experienced team was awarded the Reserve World's Grand championship of junior equitation, with a first place vote.

Team Knollwood is so proud of all our horses and riders who took on the challenges of the World Championship Horse Show.  The thrill of riding into Freedom Hall is a memory for a lifetime.

What’s Coming Up at Home?

Labor Day

We will not be holding lessons on Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day. Your instructor has scheduled a makeup lesson.

Knollwood Fall Show Entries are Due September 8.

You don’t want to miss out on the festivities of the last in-barn show of the season.

Monarch Series National Championship Show

September 9-13

Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Illinois

One of the most enjoyable shows around, Monarch is home to the first two national pleasure equitation finals, one heck of a horse show, and some of the best academy competition in the land.

Team Knollwood will be there competing, and will be represented in the finals. We’re bringing some top academy riders, too.

We’ll update with webcast info when available.

Street Clean Up

Saturday, September 19 at 1:00 PM

Join your fellow Knockout members to clean up Oakwood and Nagawicka Roads for the fall.

It’s a fun way to meet more Knollwood Kids, and you help beautify the barn neighborhood.

Plus, it’s great to be outside earning your club service hours so you’re eligible for year end awards at the banquet.

Bring a Friend Ride

Saturday, September 19 at 6:00 PM

The spots are filling! Do you have a friend who’d like to try riding? Do you have a classmate that thinks riding is easy?

Bring them for a fun introductory group lesson, and you get to be their helper.

It’s only $50, and you can sign up and pay with your instructor or trusty admin.

Save the Dates!

UPHA Fall Academy Show October 3-4

Mane Event Horse Show, October 14-17

Knollwood Fall Show October 16-18

Academy New Parent Meeting November 7

Academy Demo Night  November 21

Parents’ Night Out wrapping party November 28

Knockout Holiday Party December 5

See you soon at the barn, or at the in-gate!