0 comments / Posted by Ann Wilt

We did it again.

We participated in two very different shows last weekend in two states, and both were grand successes.

Our show horses were competing at the iconic Lexington Junior League horse show at Rolex Stadium. This beautiful newish venue hosted many of the best saddlebred show horses and equitation riders from around the country.

Always full of southern hospitality, Lexington is a favorite of many, and is seen as a tune up for the World’s Championship Horse Show coming up in August.

The Knollwood Kids turned up and held their own against the best competition around.

Our ‘grown up’ kids Allison and Maria competed in the adult equitation finals held at the show. Both ladies finished at the top of both finals.

Payton showed her soulmate Eli in pleasure equitation for riders aged 14-17.  They won their qualifier unanimously in a field of 14, and finished reserve in the championship.

 

Heather and Sammy showed in the equally deep trimmed senior equitation and were fantastic. These two finished second in their Challenge Cup qualifier, and fifth in a crazy good senior championship.

 

Richie showed Payton’s pleasure horse Dos in the 13 and under show pleasure class and finished second before he started his equitation rides.

We may start calling Richie ‘Rain Man,’ as both of his eq classes took place in the rain for which Lexington is famous. 

 

Richie and Sophie won both their qualifier and their junior championship. 

The championship decision was unanimous!

 

Margit showed Charlie in the fabulous 5 Gaited pleasure division, and was second in her qualifier and 3rd in a rainy championship.

Margit keeps her sense of humor always, even when she's wrapped in plastic for her own protection.

 

 

Meanwhile, back at the home office…

 

The Knollwood Summer Show was near perfect. We couldn’t have asked for better weather for an outdoor show, and everyone joined in to create a weekend made of dreams.

We had 97 riders participate last weekend, our largest show to date.  If you’re a numbers person, we had 303 entries pass through the gates over the weekend!

This was truly a team effort, and we have many, many  people to thank for their help.

 

First of all, our friends at Wild Impact Marketing created the fantastic neon pink show shirts that the riders LOVED. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen 68 walk and trot riders running around in bright pink shirts.

 

Great thanks to Knollwood Kid Emilie for creating the unique trophies won by the first place stars.  The bottles and juice glasses will be used for a long time. In case you didn’t know, Emilie’s creative business helps her pay for her academy show expenses.

 

Great thanks to Hanna Agathen for capturing the show with her photographic skills. Hanna has a gift for catching the emotion of exciting events, and we’re proud to call her a Knollwood Kid. Hanna also uses her photography business to help finance her horse showing addiction.

All KF show photos in this blog are by Hanna.

You can view proofs and purchase pics here.

 

Great thanks to Jeni for announcing both days of the show. Jeni always keeps the show light and entertaining, even apologizing at the start of each performance for mispronouncing names of riders.

She sat in the sun, had to almost jump up and down to see ringmaster Nicole’s hand signals, and she told the riders it was ‘canter time’ as only Jeni can.

Great thanks to ringmasters Laura and Nicole who kept the arenas safe and orderly all weekend. They distributed ribbons, organized lineups and patterns, and used an unbelievable amount of sunscreen.

Great thanks to Sammy Jo for spending her weekend as our show judge. An honorary ‘Knollwood Kid,’ Sammy took the time to talk to riders and even left notes for our Sunday walk and trot riders.

 

Knollwood Parents are unbelievable.

Supermoms Lisa, Julie, Abby, and Pam ran a concession area, gift baskets, silent auction items, and even offered a shady hospitality area.

 

The concession stand was primarily operated on a pre-order basis, but walk up Sunday business required several additional trips to the grocery store.

The wonderful crew of parents and kids brought in more than $2000 for the Knockouts which will help with the club’s 2021 banquet and charitable contributions.

 

Knollwood Kids are wonderful mentors

Fifteen of the best helpers in the land were in the barn on Sunday at 7:30 AM brushing horses for the 9:00 AM leadline start.

Most of the ladies showed on Saturday, helped with camp the previous week, and worked with riders for 10 hours on Sunday.

Each of the mentors had a horse to manage for the day.  These Knollwood Kids were responsible for tack changes for the day, encouraging riders, taking care of their horse’s water breaks and comfort, and entering for the line-up in some classes. Our helpers were great with the kids, parents, and the best lesson horses in the world. We’re proud to call these horsewomen Knollwood Kids.

 

We have the best lesson horses ever. Hands down.

As we mentioned earlier, we had 303 entries pass through the arena gates, and we had ZERO horse issues. From our beginner stars like Sparky and Pony Frank to our more advanced school horses like Cashew, the boys were on their best behavior. Dexter thought the show in the big outdoor arena was the best after his injections, too.

We’re pretty sure these horses know who’s on them, and adjust their behavior accordingly.

We can’t possibly thank these grand souls enough but we try every day.  The boys had Monday off, and enjoyed spa treatments and nap time in a quiet, dark barn.

We are grateful.

 

 

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

The Knollwood tank tops just delivered were so popular that we’re placing a quick reorder. They are available in misses and girls sizes in both lavender and charcoal.

Order blanks will be at the barn on Wednesday, and we’re taking orders until August 4.

 

The Knockouts are sponsoring a car wash at the Hartland Piggly Wiggly on Sunday, August 8.  We’ll also run the brat shack.

Sign ups sheets will be in the school barn shortly, and we’re asking all Knockout members to take a shift for this which is one of our largest annual fundraising events.  It’s a blast, too!

 

The Knockouts are co-sponsoring the ASAW Summer Showcase Show at the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds on August 14-15.

The club will be looking for volunteers in the concession stand and for other aspects of running the show.  Stay tuned for info soon!

 

The Knollwood Fall Academy show is coming up October 9-10!

We’ll start taking entries on August 1, and all entries will close on September 1.

Fall shirts will be a deep green in long sleeves.

 

 

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

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