Once you’re a Knollwood Kid, you’re always a Knollwood Kid.

We lost one of our own last week when Hanna Agathen passed away unexpectedly at the age of 20.

Hanna was loved by everyone who met her, including the Knollwood community of which she was a treasured member.

Hanna grew up a horse girl.

Her mom Abbie is an accomplished horsewoman, and the horse gene was passed to Hanna, She grew up with horses at home, including a testy pony that she showed at local shows, starting in leadline.

Abbie delighted in sending us videos of Hanna dealing with his pony antics. We could all tell that even at a young age, this was not a horse girl to mess with.

Hanna became a Knollwood Kid to further her education, and possibly to get away from the pony.

Hanna loved every horse she encountered. Her skills increased quickly, and she started showing at our in-barn shows. That quickly turned into wanting to do more, and Hanna joined our academy team.

Hanna made tons of friends, and shone in the arena, giving us an early glimpse of her future. She enjoyed showing horses like Hooper, Baxter, and Chepengo.

In 2017, Hanna went to the big time when her Mom leased Tucker for her. She and the charismatic bay gelding made quite an impression on judges and audiences. They even made the initial cut in the Good Hands Finals as a junior equitation rider.

The beautiful team was at the top of all the 13 and under pleasure equitation finals, beginning a new phase in her career.

Hanna went on to show a number of horses under the Knollwood banner including Callaway’s Don’t Panic and Go Fund Me.

Hanna was a mentor.

Hanna’s organizational skills and her kindness led her to becoming a show tech and a barn manager. In these positions, she excelled at teaching the younger Knollwood kids how to organize their day, and to prioritize tasks, with the horses always coming first. She taught without judgement, and had the super power of managing  her staff while being kind.

Many of our best current barn managers learned under Hanna’s watchful eye on Monday nights at Knollwood.

As a show tech, Hanna’s horses were always spotless, well cared for, and happy. She would spend as much time as was needed shedding out horses so they looked their best. This can be a task with academy horses who live outside until they go to an academy show!

Hanna was a business woman.

She started her first business at age 10 when she started cleaning saddles. Her first business helped fund her academy career and lessons. These saddles were CLEAN!

While still in high school, Hanna started her second business, Hanna Agathen Photography. She started with photo shoots, and grew her business into covering horse shows such as the ASAW Summer Showcase, and the UPHA Spring and Fall Shows. Of course, she was the official photographer of all the Knollwood Shows.

Hanna also ran a business of house and pet sitting. The Knollwood community loved having her stay with their pets during vacations, and Hanna enjoyed her time with animals of all kinds, including chickens.

Hanna was an artist.

She had a special eye for the connection between horse and rider. Her photos have always had a magical, timeless quality.

Most of all, Hanna was a friend.

Hanna was kind to all, whether they were 4 or 40. She never spoke ill of others, and didn’t tolerate those who did.

Hanna will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know her. We are all better for having this kind, talented soul in our lives.

Peace, Hanna.

Services will be held at Jerusalem Presbyterian Church, 207 West Main Street in Wales on Friday at 11:00 AM, followed by a luncheon at Thunder Bay Grill N14 W24130 Tower Place in Pewaukee, 53072.

Knollwood will be remembering Hanna with a memorial bench and some trees to provide a quiet place to honor her.

Our summer show on August 22-24 will be dedicated to all the happy hours we spent with this amazing person.

Hanna’s family has asked that memorials be sent to            Saddlebred Rescue, or to HAWS.  We’ll be taking up a collection for Saddlebred Rescue at Knollwood through the August 24th show weekend.