Photo by Collective Grace

Our Three Day Celebration Was a Blast

While Knollwood’s show horses were having a heck of a show in Louisville, the home team celebrated our lesson program for three days.

With a record number of riders competing in pattern classes, our Friday evening indoor performance was a deep one.

Each rider who participated on Friday night had spent weeks practicing a pattern for the performance. We hosted classes for both walk trot and walk trot canter riders, split into age groups.

Here at Knollwood, we love teaching patterns. They help riders even at a young age learn to think like a horse, and learn patience and confidence. Riders learn to compete in the arena with just their horse and their skills. You can just about see the confidence grow as the pattern goes on.

Friday night also features qualifiers for the Knollwood Challenge. The program is based on national equitation finals from the show horse world.

Riders compete in a qualifier where they complete railwork and perform a pre-determined pattern. Our walk and trot qualifiers trot an exverted figure eight while the walk trot and canter riders trot an inverted figure eight.

The top 2 placings in each qualifier will compete in the final held at the October show, and are eliminated from future competition in the qualifiers.

The winner of the final will take possession of a beautiful traveling trophy for the year, and wins a custom show shirt from deRegnaucourt, the tailor who creates suits for many of our show barn riders.

Photo by Collective Grace 

Saturday morning brought outdoor competition for our walk trot and canter riders as well as our walk and trot riders aged 11 and up.

The arena had recovered well from the monsoons ten days earlier, and was ready to showcase our riders.

Photo by Collective Grace

Saturday morning featured five sections of 11 and over walk trot and canter horsemanship and equitation as well as a division of 10 and under riders. The riders looked terrific in the spacious arena, and used the arena as only Knollwood Kids can.

Two divisions of 11 and over walk and trot riders took over the arena in the afternoon. These riders were well prepared, and enjoyed the open air and all the room to use the arena like pros.

Judging these classes was not an easy task.

Photo by Collective Grace

Sunday performances bring a little different vibe. Our 10 and under walk trot riders often arrive with bigger groups of fans, and the excitement is palpable.

The weather was perfect for horse showing, and Pam had the show office running smoothly while helping with number magnets and questions of all kinds.

Photo by Collective Grace

The classes were wonderful. Our youngest riders have been learning since the spring show, and their hard work shone as they made good use of the space in the small outdoor arena. Diagonals were almost all correct, which is hard to do with all the excitement of a horse show.

Their instructors were really impressed.

Photo by Collective Grace

Our riders rode really well. Most of all, we’re grateful for all the good sportsmanship we saw throughout the weekend.

Riders thanked their horses, congratulated their friends in the line up, helped other riders, cheered for everyone on the rail, and were great role models for the riders younger than them.

As we always say, ‘It’s not the ribbon, it’s the ride.’

We have many, many people to thank.

Knollwood families make it possible to put on an event of this size. Thank you to all the parents and kids who donated their time and talents to make the weekend possible.

Melissa and Kristy were co-leads for the weekend.

Jackie was in charge of the raffle baskets.

Matt, Jade, and Ben grilled the weekend away to feed the hungry crowds.

Kim Irish of Collective Grace Photography took photos all weekend. You can view proofs and order pics here.

Wendy was our announcer both Saturday and Sunday.

Once again, the legendary personal assistants kept the riders and horses happy. Tack was adjusted just so, confidence was boosted, and riders learned all about horse shows.

These experienced show riders make wonderful mentors, and help create the next wave of Knollwood Kids. We couldn't do it without them.

Photo by Collective Grace

Most of all, we thank our lesson horses. They come in all shapes and sizes, both pretty and interesting looking. Best of all, they're all beautiful on the inside.

They carried both experienced riders and newbies with grace.

We are beyond grateful for each and every one of them.

What’s Coming Up?

Fall Knollwood Show Entries are Due September 1

The show is coming up fast on October 17-19, and we need to get our shirt order in the works. Please contact your instructor to join the fun!

Monarch Show Series National Championship Horse Show

September 3-7

Illinois State Fairgrounds

It’s pleasure equitation finals time! Monarch hosts the Pleasure Equitation Olympics and the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup National Finals.

Team Knollwood will be there in the thick of the competition!

Street Clean Up

September 13

Knockouts, please join us at 1:00 to clean up Oakwood and Nagawicka Roads for fall. We need some parent volunteers as well!

St Louis Charity Horse Show

September 24-27

National Equestrian Center

St Louis, MO

More Pleasure equitation finals await, in addition to quite a horse show.

St Louis hosts the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion finals for riders 13 and under and for those aged 14-17.

The show also features the ASHBA Pleasure Equitation National Championship for riders 17 and under.

It’s quite a horse show in all divisions, as well.

UPHA Chapter 10 Fall Show

October 4-5

Beyond Stable Farm

Our academy team is off to Woodstock to start their fall show season. It’s going to be a great show, with many of our first time show riders from Showcase showing again at Woodstock. It’s well worth the trip.

Knollwood Fall Show

October 17-19

Be sure to get your entry in by September 1 so you can join the fall celebration.

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