Our favorite weekend of the summer is coming up in 10 days, and we have all the information you need to make the most of the Knollwood Summer Show.

The weekend festivities start in the indoor arena at 5:00 on Friday, August 21. If you’ve shown before, please notice that this is an hour earlier than in the past.

Our Friday night performance showcases students who have progressed to riding their horses through a pattern they’ve been practicing.

We’ll start with riders who are showing at the walk and the trot and finish the performance with the more advanced students who ride at the walk, trot, and canter.

The performance also features qualifying classes for our own equitation final, the Knollwood Challenge.

Modeled after the National equitation finals in which  our show barn equitation riders participate, the Knollwood challenge requires competitors to finish first or second in a qualifying class to advance to the final competition at our fall show.

Entrants will compete on the rail and all riders will complete a trotting figure eight. Classes are judged 50% on performance on the rail, and 50% on the pattern.

We offer challenge programs for both our walk trot and walk, trot, and canter riders. 

Riders who finish first and second in the qualifying class are eligible to compete in the final in October, and are eliminated from further competition in the qualifiers.

The winners of the finals take possession of a beautiful traveling trophy with the names of all the previous winners engraved on it, and win a custom show shirt from deRegnaucourt, the tailor who makes suits for our show horse competitors.

Our Saturday performance starts at 10:00 AM in the beautiful big outdoor arena.

Classes feature our walk, trot, and canter riders competing in horsemanship classes as well as equitation qualifiers and championships.

Riders are divided in classes by age and experience. We feature classes for ‘grownups,’ riders 14-17, 11-13, and our 10 and under riders.

In equitation championships, the judge will ask riders to perform a simple workout on the rail to see how each rider performs on their own.

Following the walk trot and canter classes, we finish our performance by showcasing our walk and trot riders who are 11 years old or older.

Our more mature walk and trot riders enjoy riding in the big outdoor arena, and the size of the arena allows their class size to be bigger, and more challenging to navigate.

Our Sunday performance is a blast.

Known as Walk trot Sunday, it starts at 10:00 AM in our little outdoor ring.

This performance features our youngest riders and our most experienced horses. These four legged gems have been horses for a while, and they really seen to enjoy the Sunday show with their smaller riders.

We start with leadline, which features riders aged 7 and under. These riders are led by an experienced riders as they show at the walk and trot. They’re judged on their position, rein length, and overall communication with their horse.

We also feature a maiden division for first time show riders. These riders making their show ring debuts are excited, brave, and so determined to do their best.

Novice riders, those who have not won 6 blue ribbons, come next. These riders are one step up from maiden in experience level.

We’ll finish Sunday with our age group classes. Our more experienced walk and trot riders will show in age splits of 9 and 10 year olds, and 8 and under classes.

Frequently asked questions:

What happens if it rains on Saturday or Sunday?

We’ll make a judgement call based on the weather forecast. We’ll ride in a little rain, but if it looks like a full blown rain day, we’ll move inside.

We’ll announce the venue change, and any timing adjustments on social media. We’ll also contact each family via text of the changes.

Will there be seating?

We ask families to bring their own comfy chairs to watch the show. Please don’t bring umbrellas or shade tents on Sunday. With inexperienced riders showing, we don’t want any unusual distractions that might spook horses.

Will there be food available?

YES!

Our youth group, the Knollwood Knockouts, is running a concession stand with great burgers and more.

The stand is staffed by Knockouts and their families volunteering their time and talent the club.

In reality, the show operations are a volunteer effort by a fantastic group of Knollwood kids and parents.

If you’d like to join the fun, please talk to your instructor, or join the parents’ special private Facebook page.  Here's the link to join.

Where can we park?

Our friends at the Kettle Moraine Curling Club allow us to use their parking lot on horse show weekend. Please park there, and avoid parking on the street. Our good friends from the Delafield police dept will be enforcing parking regulations, particularly on the curve of Horseshoe Bend.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the show.

If you’re a new Knollwood Kid, please come to watch the show, and see what you’ll be able to do soon!

What’s Coming Up?

World’s Championship Horse Show

August 22-29

The best of the best are gathering in Freedom Hall, and Team Knollwood be there with 12 beautiful horses and talented riders.

We’ll post schedules and webcast info soon.

Horses Day Off

August 24

No lessons will be held after camp. Your lessons have been credited on your August bill.

Knockouts Fall Street Clean Up

September 12

Please join us at 1:00 to clean up Oakwood and Nagawicka Roads for fall. It’s a great way to earn your Knockout service hours for year end awards.

Bring a Friend Day

September 19

Bring your bestie, a relative, or your pesky friend who thinks riding is easy for an introductory lesson.

You’ll act as their personal assistant for the fun filled lesson.

Sign ups will start show weekend.

October 3-4

UPHA Fall Show

Our academy team is off to Beyond Stable Farm for a show featuring many of our newest show riders.

Please come and cheer us on!

October 16-18

Knollwood Fall Show

It’s time for our beautiful fall show, featuring the finals of the Knollwood Challenge.

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