Team Knollwood loves the ASAW Summerfun show, which we consider our ‘home show’ of the season. We also love the Lexington Junior League show, which is an important stop on the route to Louisville and the World Championship Horse Show in August.

The solution? Go to both shows!

Scott and Carol took show horses to Rolex Stadium for Junior League while Nancy and Ann took the academy team to State Fair Park.

We had a ball at both shows and have stories to share.

Lexington

Junior League is known as a showcase for equitation riders on their way to Louisville in August. Knollwood’s riders were rockstars on their first trip to Kentucky this season.

Mya and Natalie represented Knollwood in senior pleasure equitation, and rode like champs. Both Knollwood Kids rode strong with Mya showing Riddle to his best advantage while horse girl Natalie kept beautiful Garfield focused on the job at hand.

Their championship patterns were beautiful, and the judges recognized their horsemanship skills.  Mya and Riddle were champions of the senior division while qualifier winners Natalie and Garfield were reserve champions.

Fresh out of walk and trot equitation last year, Leighton is making a name for herself in the 13 and under pleasure equitation division. She and her new partner, the amazing Teddy, showed up in Lexington ready to compete.

Leighton and Teddy showed up in their championship focused on the assignment, and executed a near perfect pattern. It was quite an accomplishment for a rider in her first year out of walk and trot where there is no pattern work.

Maddie and Zach are enjoying their first year out of the academy division.  Knollwood Kid Maddie and personality plus Zach showed up in Rolex stadium like they’d been there before.  The team won their equitation qualifier their first time there, and finished reserve in both the UPHA Challenge Cup qualifier and in their championship. They even got to hang out with Zach the boy who Zach the horse is named after!

To say that the senior equitation division at Lexington is deep is the understatement of the century.

The classes feature many world and national champion riders and horses, and it’s a thrill to watch. Knollwood’s three stars all belonged in the group, and displayed feats of horsemanship to earn top awards.

Richie and Doc are a force to be reckoned with.

Richie and his  beautiful horse Doc catch the eye of judges and audiences alike. Richie is a true athlete and a lifelong student of the sport.  This duo won their age group qualifier and finished third in a championship stacked with the best of the best.

Last season’s rockstar 13 and under rider Brooklyn is learning her way through her first  year in the tough senior division. Partnered with the beautiful and energetic Gigi, Brooklyn’s lessons paid off at Lexington and these two finished second in the USEF Medal qualifier and sixth in the championship. What an accomplishment for Brooklyn’s first year with the seniors.

Our third student of the sport Shaye exhibited horsemanship skills as she piloted newly trimmed Garden of Roses through the big time of Lexington.

Riding a different horse mid season is always a challenge, but Scott, Carol, and Shaye made it work for them at a big show. This beautiful team finished fourth in the outstanding championship, cementing their place among the top riders in the country.

Meanwhile, in Wisconsin…

The academy team made a trip to the ASAW Summerfun Horse Show to compete against the best academy riders in the Midwest.

We’ve said it before, and here it is again.

We’re beyond fortunate to be located in a part of the country where we’re surrounded by many highly successful academy programs. Great competition raises the level of skills for everyone, and we’re grateful for the wonderful programs in our area.

Judge Nancy Becker commented several times on the level of skills shown in the academy division at Summerfun, and we were happy to be a part of it.

We took some newer riders to the show so they could experience a top level academy show to compete in large classes in a big arena.

Our up and coming academy stars made great shows as they learned to navigate traffic to make themselves visible to the judge.  They got to experience the excitement of a big show, and to learn  by watching classes as well. They all did a dandy job, and learned many lessons.

Our experienced academy riders showed like stars on the rail. Those that made the cut to perform patterns in the championship did them with precision, horsemanship, and style.

Kylie won the walk trot and canter equitation championship while showing Sport for the first time. Her pattern was spot on with the 4 transitions in just the right spots, and Sport loved every minute.

Kali rode Oscar to the championship in the 13 and under walk trot and canter division. Kali may look small on a horse, but she is patient and mighty, as shown in her railwork and pattern.

Rags and Oscar finished our show by winning the championship in the 10 and under walk and trot division. She and Oscar made it look effortless on the rail as they found clear spots, and they nailed the incorrect diagonal pick up on the pattern.

Great thanks to Instructors Molly and Brenda, Dilly, and Allison for helping us at the show. Allison also provided hair styling to the stars.

We’re also grateful for Bridget, Thea, and Jilly who kept the home office running smoothly.

It truly takes a village.

What's Coming Up??

July 26-27

IASPHA Summer Show

Beyond Stable Farm

August 3

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Knockout Car Wash and Brat Sale

Hartland Piggly Wiggly

August 9-10

ASAW Summer Showcase

Ozaukee County Fairgrounds

August 22-24

Knollwood Summer Show

August 25

Helper Appreciation Day

No Lessons

September 1

Labor Day

No Lessons

September 13

Knockouts Street Cleanup

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