Hi Team Knollwood!

School horse of the year 2025 Fred here to bring you up to speed on the spring Knollwood show.

It’s coming up May 16-18 right here at Knollwood, and we lesson horses can hardly wait to show off our riders and ourselves.

I’ve been overhearing many, many questions from Knollwood families, and I’ll do my best to answer them. I may need to call on my co-workers for the ones about speed and efficiency.

What do I wear for the show?

Competitors should look their best.

This means black or navy jods, and riding boots.

DO NOT FORGET YOUR TIEDOWNS!

Nothing looks worse to a judge than a rider with their jods riding up towards their knees.

You’ll receive a bright blue show shirt when you receive your show packet. Your show kit will also include your back number and your personalized schedule for the weekend.

Riders should also wear their helmet if worn in lessons, and gloves.

If your horse doesn’t recognize you when you’re all dressed to show, please reintroduce yourself!

 

What Should I do With My Long Hair?

Many of us lesson horses have the same issue.

Please keep your hair off your back number so the judge knows who you are. Braids work great, or any other creative ‘do’ that keeps your number clear will do.

Bilbo knows some great stylists, if you need a referral.

How Do I Keep My Number on My Back?

Be sure to purchase some number magnets.  Knollwood customer and Murphy’s owner Jodi, has a business selling show accessories. You can reach her here.

She’ll also have some magnets for sale at the farm the week before the show.

 

 

 

What’s the Difference Between Horsemanship and Equitation?

Simply put, horsemanship classes are all about us, the best lesson horses in the world.

We take riders into the ring for their first class of their show weekend, and the class is judged on how the rider uses the ring, how they keep spacing and appropriate spacing, and how well they stay alone and show to the judge.

In equitation classes, the rider is the center of attention. They are judged on their body position because proper position is the most efficient way to ride a horse.

Rider should be sitting deep in the back of the saddle, have snug knees and thighs, and heels down in the stirrups. They should be sitting tall with their shoulders down and back with hands raised from the elbow. Finally, they should be looking over their horse’s head, and look like they’re enjoying every minute of the ride.

Who wouldn’t be?

Of course, riders should be trotting on the correct diagonal. This means that as the shoulder next to the wall is going forward, the rider should be rising out of the saddle. This helps the horse balance and maintain even back muscles.

In cantering classes, the rider must also be on the correct lead, which means that the inside front leg is going farther forward than the outside front.

Do you see why we lesson horses all laugh when someone says that riding isn’t a sport, and that the horse does all the work?

 

What’s a Championship?

In the equitation championship, riders will show on the rail like in their qualifier. Then each rider is asked to perform some individual work for the judge.

Championship ribbons are a bit fancier, with 3 colors being used instead of one.

In the walk and trot classes, it may be as simple as showing a two point position in the lineup.

In the walk, tot, and canter classes, riders will be asked to go back to the rail and to show trotting and cantering individually.

 

Where is the Show Held?

Each day of the show takes place in a different venue.

The Friday night pattern extravaganza takes place inside starting at 6:00 PM.

I actually have Friday night off, but I’ll be cheering for my co-workers.

Saturday is for our more experienced riders, and will take place in the big outdoor ring. This beautiful arena is perfect for showcasing us lesson horses.

The day starts at 10:00 AM with five splits of walk, trot, and canter for riders 11-17 years of age. The 10 and under riders will take over next, and we’ll finish with the ‘grownups.’

Following the walk, trot, and canter portion of the show, our walk and trot riders aged 11 and over will show.

New this year, we’re finishing the day with a charity class to benefit the Food Pantry of Waukesha County, the judge’s charity of choice.

Riders will compete bareback at the walk, trot, and canter with their hard earned $20 bill under each knee. The last rider with money left will take home half of the pot, and the other half will go to the food pantry.

Judge Shelby will call the class.

Instructors must approve riders to participate.

Show barn riders are allowed if they are a helper in the school barn.

You can sign up starting on Friday by bringing your 2 twenty dollar bills.

Walk Trot Sunday takes place in the small outdoor arena, and starts at 10:00 AM with our leadline stars. Leadline is my first class of the weekend!

Sunday will also showcase 2 splits of Maiden Equitation, riders showing for the first time.

Following maiden, we’ll show off our riders in the 9-10 year old and 8 and under divisions. We’ll finish Sunday with the pattern class for walk and trot riders who are 8 and under. This will take place inside at 2:30.

 

Who’s Judging the Show?

We’re thrilled that ‘Knollwood Kid for Life’ Shelby Hader is joining us for the weekend. A graduate of Lawrence University, Shelby grew up at Knollwood, and was quite an equitation rider.

She fills in teaching at the farm, and is a mentor to lots of current Knollwood Kids.

When not riding or teaching, Shelby is a researcher at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

She appears to be a friend of Richmond, so she's a friend of mine.

 

What’s the Most Important Thing to Learn From Show Weekend?

 I think all of us lesson horses agree that it’s sportsmanship.

 Everyone who rides in the show deserves applause. Showing horses is hard work both physically and mentally. It takes a lot of courage to ride into the ring to be judged.

So, please:

 Appreciate how much you’ve learned from us.

 Clap for everyone.

 Hug your horse.

Congratulate your fellow riders.

Thank your parents.

Tell you horse how great he or she is.

What’s Coming Up?

Mom’s Rides

Saturday, May 10

We have a few openings at the 7:00 session of Mom’s rides. If you’d like your Knollwood Kid to teach you why they love riding so much, please give us a call. It’s only $50, and we guarantee you won’t forget it.

 

Knollwood Spring Show

May 16-18

It’s not just a horse show, it’s a celebration.

We’re still looking for parent and rider help at the concession stand.

Please sign up here.

 

Woodwear Orders Due

Sunday, May 18

Be sure to get your order in for summer Woodwear and for our classic navy jacket.

Forms and size samples are available in the school barn lounge.

 

Horses’ Day Off

Monday, May 19

The school horses will enjoy a day off after show weekend. Lessons have been credited.

 

Madison Classic Horse Show

May 22-25

New Holland Pavillion

This is going to be quite a show.

Knollwood will be well represented with show horses and academy riders.

It’s worth the trip to cheer!

Academy riders show at 10:00 on Saturday morning.

 

Memorial Day

May 26

We will not be holding lessons on Monday, May 26.

Your instructor has arranged a makeup.

Prairie State Classic Horse Show

May 30 – June 1

Our academy team is heading to Beyond Stable Farm  for a show put on by some of our Morgan friends. Please come watcn!

 

Annual Food Drive

June 1 – June 14

We’ve moved the food drive and Olympics by a couple of weeks due to our busy show schedule.

The food collection to benefit the Food Pantry of Waukesha County starts on June 1, and will run until June 14. Any rider who collects a minimum of 5 food kits earns the right to compete in the Knollwood Olympics on Saturday, June 21.

 

Midwest Charity Horse Show

June 10-14

Springfield Illinois

The show horses are heading to the beautiful show arena at the Illinois State Fairgrounds to meet the best competition around.

We’ll provide more info and livestream links when available.

 

Dad's Rides!

June 14

It’s Dad’s time! Knollwood Kids will give their Dad’s a lesson and get to tell him what to do.

For only $50, this memorable experience is yours. Please pay sign up in the school barn lounge starting on Saturday, May 10.

 

 

Knollwood Olympics

June 21

Yes, it’s time to celebrate a successful food drive and have some fun. Riders who collected a minimum of 5 food kits or a minimum of $75 in donations to the Food Pantry of Waukesha get to compete in ‘games of skill.’

You won’t want to miss it!

 

Oshkosh Charity Horse Show

June 25-28

Sunnyview Expo Center

Show and academy horses are headed to the Fox Valley for one of the most enjoyable shows of the year.

Held in a giant covered arena that’s set in a park-like setting, it’s just the best.

Come up and cheer us on!

 

Photo by Hanna Agathen Photography

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