Last week was a Knollwood classic.

With the show horses in Springfield at the Mane Event Horse Show, the home team was gearing up for the Knollwood fall in-barn show.

We held the grand finale of Knollwood shows while the show horses were competing against the best, and our show riders were competing in the first of the 'big three' equitation finals.

Read on about all of our adventures, both in Springfield, and at the home office!

 

 

Girl Power

Two of our latest ‘project’ lesson horses came into their own last weekend at the Knollwood show.

Jilly piloted beautiful Fiona to 2 blue ribbons, and Bee won her first equitation class, with Sophia in the irons.

 

 Amelia’s First National Final

Knollwood Kid Amelia competed at Mane Event last weekend with the handsome Garfield.  After winning the 13 and under Saddle Seat Equitation class, she dove in to the deep end and rode into her first national equitation final.

Amelia and Garfield rode with 12 of the best equitation riders in the country in a final that’s for riders 17 and under.  Riding against ‘the big kids,’ Amelia absolutely held her own. Her Phase II pattern was beautiful, and she and Garfield looked great.

 

 Those Challenge Patterns

As many of you know, our Knollwood Challenge Final is modeled after the national equitation finals. Riders compete in qualifying classes at Knollwood shows for the right to compete in a final at the fall show.

The night before the final, riders receive their pattern for the final session. They study it overnight, and walk it on Saturday.

Riders show the horse they qualified for the final, so there’s quite an assortment of lesson horses working on a challenging pattern.

This year, the walk trot and canter challenge final used the pattern from the senior division of the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion Final.

 

In a true test of horsemanship and patience, the final was won by Jilly on Hugo with Ary and Dexter in reserve.

 

The walk and trot division was a fierce  one. Maddie came in first on Baxter, with Charlotte reserve on the one and only Leon.

 

 Payton’s Former Life

She proved it again. In a former life, Payton was most definitely a horse.

Payton rode the beautiful and always enthusiastic GiGi to a beautiful fourth place finish in the Good Hands National Final.

The picture of equitation, you just can’t take your eyes off these two!

 

 Bravo, Mane Event Riders

Team Knollwood’s riders were tuned in at Mane Event.

A few highlights?

Kerry and Uno won the amateur Park championship, and Kerry won the Open English Pleasure championship with Henry.

Mia was second with Thaylee in the Equitation Jackpot after completing a tough pattern for equitation novice Thaylee.

Margit and her boys were on fire. Robert was second in the Junior Exhibitor Show Pleasure Championship, and Charlie has never looked better.

Tancy and Mia won the Three Gaited Amateur Stake.

Jane and Fergie were a sight in the adult Show Pleasure division, too!

 

 

 The Knockouts Do It Again!

The Knockout team of amazing kids and parents raised over $1900 at the Knollwood show last weekend.

Great thanks to 4 Leaf Roofing for their sponsorship of the concession stand.

The Knockouts are grateful to the parents who helped with gift baskets,  the concession stand, the silent auction, and the 50/50 raffle.

These parents also act as Knollwood ambassadors all weekend, answering questions, supporting riders, and creating a really welcoming atmosphere for everyone.

We are grateful!

 

 

 Knollwood Kids Always Come Back

We were beyond fortunate to have celebrated Knollwood Kid Kelsey in to judge the show. Having grown up at the farm and achieving great success in the equitation world, Kelsey lived the whole Knollwood experience.

Kelsey had words of wisdom for riders, appreciated the lesson horses, and created a positive learning experience.

Her son will be joining us for a mini camp soon, so she may be a Knollwood mom, too!

 

 

 

 What Would We Do Without the Personal Assistants?

We couldn’t run a show for 95 riders without the help of these amazing Knollwood Kids.

On Friday night, Adrienne, Brooklyn, and Natalie put 55 pattern riders into the ring. This feat was done with countless saddle changes, stirrup adjustments, and moral support to the riders.

On Saturday, Thea and Morgan joined the crew. The assistants prepped horses and supported all the riders throughout the performance.

We brought in the troops on Sunday for walk trot extravaganza day.

Twelve personal assistants, one for each horse competing that day, made the day a great one for all the Knollwood Kids.  With each horse having their own assistant all day, our newest riders got to know their helper for the day, and appreciated their help.

Their positivity in contagious.

These kids are so organized that the instructors were freed up to watch their riders compete in the show ring, allowing great feedback to each rider.

Heck, they even stayed on top of setting the barn up for business as usual on Monday.

Amazing, just amazing kids.

 

 

 

Olivia holding Richmond, the boneless cat.

Sportsmanship

If you’ve been around our program for very long, you’ll know that good sportsmanship is a big part of what we teach.  Bad sportsmanship is called out and dealt with.

We loved seeing riders clap for each other in the line up, and the pattern class riders lining up at the chute door to congratulate the class winner after their victory pass. On foot, of course.

 Our favorite story of the weekend involves small but mighty Olivia.

She and Hooper were stars on Sunday, winning all three of their 8 and under walk trot classes.

Her friend and fellow competitor Matilda was second in all three classes.

When Olivia discovered she had won 2 Knollwood champion hats in her qualifiers, she gave one to Matilda because, ‘I wanted her to win.’

Possibly better yet is the thank you note Matilda wrote to Olivia, saying, ‘Thank you for giving me the other hat you won. You’re a great friend! I like riding together.’

Horses raise great kids.

 

 

 

Richie the Horseman

Richie has been a Knollwood Kid from the moment he saw his sister Tori riding and decided he wanted to ride, too.

All of his lessons, including the ups and downs that go along with the process, aligned last week at Mane Event.

While Tori is studying at River Falls, Richie showed her beautiful mare Stella to wins in both the qualifier and championship in the Country Pleasure division, and he showed  Tyler to two wins in the  qualifier and championship in the Junior Exhibitor 5 gaited division.  He also showed two saddlebred ponies from trainer Clark Clouse in Kentucky, winning the 5 gaited pony division, and the 3 gaited division.

Then he put his equitation hat back on, and won the Good Hands National Final on his own horse, Doc.

Richie has become a great horseman. He has always embraced all the behind the scene work in addition to time riding. As a 10 and under walk trot star, he learned how to take care of Tink, even putting her wraps on by himself.

He spends time working in the show barn, and you’ll often find him  in center ring watching and listening.

Congratulations, Richie!

 

What’s Coming Up?

 

Street Clean Up

Knockout Meeting

Halloween on Horseback

 

It’s all happening this Saturday!

Join us at 1:00 as the Knockouts clean up Nagawicka and Oakwood Roads. It looks like its going to be a beautiful Fall day to be outside with friends.

Come back to the barn for the Knockout meeting immediately following!

We have 15 Knollwood Kids joining us for Halloween on Horseback in the evening. Costume creation starts at 5:00, and judging is at 6:00.

All Knollwood Kids are invited to watch at 6:00. We ask that you come in costume to celebrate the Halloween theme.

 

 

 

IASPHA Fall Show

October 28-29

Our last academy show of the 2023 season!

Please join us at Beyond Stable Farm for a really fun show!

 

 

UPHA National Championship American Royal

November 6 - 11

The show horses are off to Kansas City to compete against the best at the National Championships. The Royal features the last of the 2 equitation finals making up the Triple Crown, the UPHA Challenge Cup Final, and the USEF Medal Final.

Webcasting is available with a subscription, and we’ll keep you updated.

 

 

Parents' Meeting

Think you might be interested in academy showing next season? We’re hosting an informational meeting for parents on Saturday, November 18 at 6:00.

We’ll talk about schedules, pricing, lesson requirements, and much more.

Please sign up in the school barn so we know how many packets to prepare.

 

 

Parents Night Out

Saturday, November 25

5:00 - 7:00

Kids, join us for an evening of wrapping gifts for our adopted holiday families, games with the Knockout board members, and so much more. It’s only $25, and you can sign up soon in the school barn.

 

Academy Demo Night

Saturday, December 2

6:00 PM

Parents and riders interested in academy showing in 2024 are invited to join us in the arena for an evening of demos and information from current academy riders and their parents.

 

 

Holiday Party and Knockout Elections

Saturday, December 9

6:00

All Knockouts are invited to join us for our holiday celebration and election of officers and board members for 2024.

 

 

Enrollment Meetings

December

If you show away from home, your instructor will meet one on one to discuss your enrollment plans for 2024.

 

 

 

 

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