Team Knollwood is at home after a wonderful weekend at the Madison Classic Horse Show.

Always a favorite show, this year’s edition was even bigger and better than in previous years. The event was more impressive than ever, with new barns competing, and favorites traveling from near and far to enjoy the hospitality for which the show is known.

And the competition? Classes were large and deep.  We got to see the reigning world’s grand champion fine harness horse on Saturday night, and many former or current world champions were in attendance.

Team Knollwood enjoyed their weekend at the show, and created lots of memories. Here are a few of our favorite stories:

Gabby and Charlie continued their winning ways in Madison, winning their Junior Exhibitor 5 gaited show pleasure qualifier and championship. When these two are in the ring, we really can’t tell who’s happier, Gabby or Charlie!

Bella’s in town for the summer, and she and Garfield won their Limit Horse Country Pleasure class at the show with a reserve finish in the championship. They’re coming together as a team, and are looking forward to a really fun summer.

Haley may be retired from equitation after winning the Triple Crown last year, but that doesn’t mean she’s done showing. Haley showed four horses in Madison for three different barns, and won three classes. She also served as a mentor to our academy kids on Saturday morning, and even did a couple of interviews for Richfield during the weekend.

Amanda and Smyth have become a force in a short period of time.  Amanda enjoys the feisty mare who can be a little opinionated.  They had another successful show in Madison, with strong classes in both the Country Pleasure and Pleasure Equitation divisions.

Finn and Leila looked fabulous at their second show, and won the USEF Medal qualifier.  The highlight of the win may have been Haley’s interview at the outgate.

Richie and Tink are really loving the Country Pleasure division. Maybe it’s that Tink gets to go faster, or maybe that she can be a little more competitive getting down the rail, but the team looks really bright and exciting. Team Tink featuring 11 year old Richie finished as reserve champs in a tough 17 and Under Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure championship.

Richie also had a strong showing on his star equitation mount, Sophie.

The academy division was as deep as the rest of the show. And classes were BIG, with qualifiers running as large as 12 entries. Our riders shone in the depth of the competition, and we couldn’t be more proud.

Some highlights?

Thomas (Fort Chiswell’s Aristocrat) made his out of barn debut at Madison, and looked like he’d been doing this his whole life. Sofia gave him confidence in the walk trot and canter division before Juliet took over for the walk and trot classes.

Eight year old Amelia rode in her first ‘big’ academy show with her trusty partner Klem, and looked like they owned the place. She even won her equitation qualifier!

Mia and Maiya finished champion and reserve in the 10 and Under walk trot championship, and it was a great class.

Lily came in from Pennsylvania on Thursday night, rode at the barn on Friday, and showed on Saturday.  In a big 11-13 division, Lily finished fourth in her equitation qualifier and championship.

All of our riders rode well and smart at this deep show. Our riders are all at different points on their riding journeys, and they all rode their best.  We are so proud.

Up Next?

Our academy and a couple of 'B' horses are off to the Prairie State Classic show this weekend.

Team Knollwood will be concluding their food drive and hosting their first ever video scavenger hunt on Saturday, June 8 at 5:30. Please keep those food kits and donations coming for the Knollwood rider of your choice!

Our show horses are at home preparing for the Midwest Charity Horse Show in Springfield, Illinois on June 11-15. The first really big show of the year, this historic event features the best horses in the country.  It's a predictor of the World's Championship Horse Show in August.

We'll provide webcast information as soon as we have it!

See you at the barn. Or at the in gate!