Summer horse show season is in full swing, and Team Knollwood is right in the thick of it!

Last weekend, we enjoyed the Oshkosh Charity Horse Show, one of our favorites.  The grounds are beautiful, show management is fabulous, and hospitality is top notch.

Oh, and it was quite a horse show!

 

 

 

 

Amanda and Pixie

Amanda has been working hard at home, getting to know her new horse Pixie.  Scott has been preparing this beautiful four year old, showing her lightly in Equitation Prospect classes along the way.  So at Oshkosh, Scott decided it was time for Amanda and Pixie to make their debut in their age group qualifier.  

They had a wonderful first class together, and we're looking forward to seeing this team come together as the season progresses.  Amanda was fortunate to show Sadie in her other equitation classes, finishing second in the Good Hands and Saddle and Bridle Medallion qualifiers.

 

 

 

 Hanna and Tucker

 

Fresh off a successful walk and trot academy season last year, Hanna has moved to the big time with Tucker, officially known as WC Fine By Me.  This team really came together at Oshkosh, winning their Challenge Cup, Good Hands, and Medallion qualifiers.  They're now qualified for their fall finals and are looking forward to showing at Summerfun!

 

BIG Academy Classes

The big arena at Oshkosh hosted some of the largest, most talented academy classes we've seen yet this year.  The walk, trot, and canter championship had 11 riders, while the walk and trot finale hosted 15 contenders.

 The workout for the walk trot and canter championship was a pocket pattern.  Usually only prepared for riders in suits, these academy stars welcomed the challenge of coming up with a pattern that would show their abilities off well with the horse they were showing at Oshkosh.

 

After a workout of six riders, Emma and Cashew were champions with Zada and Sadie a close reserve.

The big walk and trot championship finished with six riders performing a UPHA serpentine for their pattern.  Team Knollwood placed five of their riders in the workout group, and Richie earned the champion title showing Heist.  

 

We are so proud of all of our 14 academy riders who made the trip to Oshkosh with us.  We had riders of all different levels of experience, and they all rode to their personal bests!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a quick trip home from Oshkosh, Scott left again with a few horses for the Lexington Junior League Horse Show.  It's the last year this classic show is being held at the Red Mile Harness Track before it moves to indoor facilities at the Kentucky Horse Park for 2018, and this year's edition is really big.

The show hosts the adult equitation finals each year, and Team Knollwood has two riders competing this year.  Sarah and Fergie will be showing in both the USEF Adult Medal Final on Wednesday night, and the UPHA Adult Challenge Cup Final on Friday afternoon while Frannie and Butters will be in the Challenge Cup Final.

 

The show is also hosting the first ever Triple Crown Challenge, in which all the winners of equitation's Triple Crown were invited to compete in a class together.  Team Knollwood has had two Triple Crown winners with Sarah in 2001 and Nick in 2010, and they're both coming to Lexington to join the event.

It's a fundraiser for the ASHA's marketing efforts, and if you'd like to support the benefit, you can click here to support Sarah, or here to support Nick.

 

 

 

Lora and Finn are also showing in Lexington, and have had some great early success, with Lora winning her Challenge Cup qualifier on Wednesday after Finn won her pleasure equitation qualifier on Tuesday.  We wish them both good luck in their championships later in the week.

 

 

What's Next?

While Lexington finishes up, Carol, Lin, and Carlos will be at home prepping horses and riders this weekend, and the academy and 'B' horses will be off to Gurnee for the IASPHA Summer show.

The following weekend, we'll be at State Fair Park for another favorite, ASAW Summerfun. We'll be there with plenty of horses and riders, and hope you'll join us.

The academy performance on Saturday morning at 9 am promises to be another good one.  The Knockouts are hosting a meeting in the stands just after the performance which offers a  great chance to watch the show, and then join up with fellow Knockouts to put the finishing touches on their next event.... 

 

Knollwood Summer Show

It's coming up fast!  We're looking forward to a fun weekend of horse showing at home on July 22 and 23. Please stay tuned as we'll be posting gift basket info and concession stand sign ups.

We still have limited openings in our prep camp the week before the Knollwood show.  Please talk to your instructor if you'd like to enjoy a week of camp designed for riders competing in our summer show!

 

 

Thanks for joining us for Knollwood Summer, 2017.

See you at the barn!

 

We're all in a little trouble here,

because barn cat extraordinaire Dean has demanded equal time for his feline view of Knollwood summer 2017.

Read on to experience his unique viewpoint...

Hi everyone, Dean here.

I have officially appointed myself the king of the Knollwood barn cats.

 My qualifications? I'm smart, I'm well fed, and I have a terrific sense of humor.  

Plus, I've put in enough time  to know how things work around here.

 

 

Let's get one thing straight.

 My name comes from the man who owns the game farm where I was born.  I was a sickly kitten, and Nancy asked if she could bring me to Knollwood to become one of the entitled barn cats, and human Dean let me go with her.

 My pneumonia was treated, and then I bit into an electrical cord, and I've never been the same since. The rest is history.

 

 

 

 I love summer.

 

The screen doors are open, so I get to wander wherever I'd like, whenever I like.  When there are too many kids around to mess with, I like to hide in the lilac bushes outside.  When it's really hot and there are too many kids around, I like to nap under cars and enjoy the cool shade.

I (mostly) love all the campers and kids who come for lessons.  I especially love sitting on the counter and bopping little ones on the tops of their heads while they're not looking.  When they turn around to look, I make sure I'm already looking at the ceiling so they don't think I did it.

I love outside chores in the summer.  I even hitch rides on the hay cart while deliveries are being made to paddocks. 

 

 

In the summer, the pastures have CATNIP!  OK, I may have planted the patches myself, but I sure do enjoy when the nice instructors harvest my crop as a fresh treat.  Give me a little catnip, and I can amuse a bunch of riding instructors for hours!

 

I love private lesson time in the little outdoor ring.  I get to catch up on my sun tanning, and the instructors are nice enough to build me a cabana so I can get out of the sun as well.  I must stay youthful looking, and the sun will age me prematurely!

 

I also enjoy sitting on the top of the fence watching the school horses go by.  Dudley and I have a special relationship, so he often stops to visit during his outdoor lessons.

 

I get to spend lots of play time with my friends, Nubby and Gomez.  Nubby has an eating disorder, and Go Go Gomez is about 23 years old, and is blind and deaf. In this posse, I'm most certainly the party animal.

When Gomez (pictured above in his preppy sweater) wants something, he just yells until one of the humans figures out what he wants.  Don't think you'll be able to hear him?  You will.  Trust me, they hear him in Oconomowoc when he feels he's missing something.

Don't even mention my half brother, Hunter.  Every family has 'one of those' members, and he's mine.  If you hear us growling at each other, just walk away...

 

 

One of my favorite things about the summer is the Knollwood academy show coming up on July 22-23. I'm in charge of assigning back numbers, so if you haven't already signed up, please do so soon. I have to get my cat naps in, you know.

 

While the horse show is going on in the barn and the arena, you'll be able to find me in the horse show office, making sure no one messes with my brilliant back number assignments. I also serve as the security guard for Jodi's bling and tie selections.

 

Please come watch the show on July 22-23.  You'll see the priceless Knollwood lesson horses and their hard working students.  The Knollwood Knockouts run a great concession stand, too!

The show starts at 1:00 pm on Sunday the 22nd for the walk trot and canter performance.  The walk and trot riders are the stars at the 12 noon performance on Sunday, July 22.

And me? You know where I'll be!

 

 

 

 

Well, after a week of adventures across the Midwest, everyone is present and accounted for at Knollwood.  

Where should we start?

 How about the beginning ...

 

Scott started transporting show horses to the 76th annual Midwest Charity Horse Show last Friday. The show is the first 'big' show of the season where southern barns meet midwestern competitors for the first time.  Team Knollwood had 2 loads of horses traveling to the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, so Scott returned home and left again at 6AM on Saturday with the final load of competitors.

 

Let's back up a little here ... On Thursday, Scott transported 9 horses to Highland Ridge Stable where they'd stay while our major show barn project was under way during the horse show.  More about that later ...

 

So, at 7AM on Saturday, Gary and his crew arrived and started taking up the old asphalt aisleways in the show barn.  The miracle workers had the asphalt up and gravel down by mid afternoon.  We actually had to kick them out of the barn at 5:30 so we could use the arena for a special event.

Did we mention that we built a gazebo on the same day? After Gary and company were kicked out of the show barn, they helped the builders in the big outdoor ring put the finishing touched on the new structure in 'patternland.'

 

 

And the 'special event?' It was Haley's 16th birthday party!  She and our other equitation riders traveling to Midwest were pretty much Knollwood residents during the week, prepping for the big show. They were ready for some horse fun that didn't involve precision, so the games were fairly entertaining.  Everyone stayed on, Finn learned how much Sundance likes to play games, Ainsley was a force to be reckoned with even on Pony Frank, and birthday girl Haley was a power blocker on Picasso, especially when she could stop him.  Oh, and we have to work on some rule changes for 'hat snatch.'

Gary and company returned on Sunday,  so the aisle would be ready for concrete pouring on Monday.  With organized precision, he scheduled trucks around our camp schedule so our first sessions of TIny Tot and Academy Pattern Camps could go off without a hitch.

 

They had the concrete completely poured by 1:00, and pretty much finished by 3. With Coleen and Amanda pitching in to finish, they had the aisle in tip top shape, ready for horses to return to their stalls by Friday.

 

And our two camps?  We had a ball!

 

Tiny Tot campers worked in the little outdoor ring while our advanced riders enjoyed the space of the big outdoor arena, known to all as simply 'Patternland.'

These 8 were immersed in the horse show mindset with patterns galore and railwork taught with the assistance of the one and only Forest. Of course, they also found time for lots of fun. modifying rules of games, attempting to keep leg wraps from tangling in the laundry, and being the first ever people to nap on the new cool concrete aisles.

 

 

Meanwhile at Midwest, the show started Tuesday in the newly constructed arena.  With the old coliseum needing renovations, this year's show was held in the modified make up ring, and many think it was actually cooler than the old traditional building, even in the Springfield heat.

The Knollwood riders proved once again that hard work does really pay.

Our performance riders riders had some great rides, tried some new things, and earned some nice ribbons in deep classes.

Ainsley and Millie had a blast in some great classes. The junior exhibitor 5 gaited division in the 14-17 age group is stacked with big time show horses, and Team Ainsley were rockstars.  

After some great performances in the show pleasure division this season, Gabby and Jerry tried the junior exhibitor park division at Midwest, and had a blast in some incredibly deep classes.

Parker and Smith continue to come together as a team, and earned some nice ribbons in big classes.

 

All three generations of Honkamps enjoyed Midwest 2017.  

Susan used to time in Springfield to get some lessons in on Rudy,  She and Carol are getting him ready to show, and welcomed  the chance for lessons in a show setting.

Susan's daughter Kerri showed her breathtaking Park mare Leila to a reserve championship in the Open Park championship after Scott qualified her earlier in the show.

 

Susan's niece Payton is enjoying a successful season with Rosewood's Homecoming Dance, AKA Robert.  Last year's equitation mount for Haley is making a name for himself in the show pleasure division with Payton.  They won their limit rider class, and earned a third place ribbon the in championship with a first place vote.

 

 

Our equitation riders did us proud. Again.

 Lora and Sophie were on fire, winning the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship as well as the Good Hands qualifier.

Finn pretty much ruled the 13 and under division, winning the Pleasure Equitation championship for riders 13 and under, the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup, and the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion.

After successfully showing Pistol in the hunt division, Frannie decided to try adult equitation, and won the grown up Challenge Cup class.  Sarah and Fergie were 5th.

 

 

Madison was the winner of the Pleasure Equitation Championship for riders 14-17 with Haley 4th and Matthew 6th.  She was also reserve in her age group.

Haley was reserve in the Good Hands qualifier, and Matthew won the UPHA Challenge Cup for riders 14-17.

 

We'll all enjoy a relatively quiet week at home,with no major construction projects planned.  

Camps are in full swing this week, with 13 riders enjoying a session of 'classic' Knollwood summer 2017.  Next week, we're hosting another sold out week of Tiny Tot camp as well an another week of traditional  summer riding school.  We still have a few spots open, so contact us at www.KnollwoodFarmLTD.com for details.

Show horses are off to Oshkosh early next week for one of our favorite shows, the Oshkosh Charity Horse Show.   Academy horses will follow later in the week for a lively performance Saturday morning at 9.

We're looking forward to a fun filled show, and hope you can join us!

 

 

We're loving Knollwood Summer 2017, and hope you'll join us for all the adventures!

 

With the arrival of summer weather, construction season is beginning at Knollwood!

Don't be surprised to see some heavy equipment around the show barn starting on Saturday.  Project number one is replacing the old asphalt aisles in the show barn with shiny new concrete ones.

Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Winsome Farm and Highland Ridge Stables, show horses not traveling to Midwest Charity Horse Show will be spending some time away from home during the construction project.  Carlos will be a busy trainer, traveling to work his horses while the work is going on.

 

 

In addition to the major renovation of the show barn, we expect to complete work on the gazebo in the big outdoor arena in time for summer riding school.  It's well on its way, and is looking great!

Thanks in advance for your patience while we work to improve the place so many call home away from home.

Hi Everyone,

Forest here!

 

 

 

I've been asked to speak on behalf of the best lesson horses in the world, to tell everyone what we love about summer at Knollwood. Because I'm never at a loss for words, I happily accept the challenge, with a little help from my friends.

 

 

 

 My Fan!

Personally, I love my fan.  Yes, my own personal fan.  Because my 'people' hail from Norway, I'm not a hot weather horse.  And let's face it, I'm a little on the short side, so the big aisle fans kind of blow right over me.

So, I am the unique slip stall lesson horse who enjoys his own personal fan.  You'll find me napping while enjoying the breeze!

 

 

No Clothes!

 I've heard that Scandinavian people are very comfortable with their own bodies, and I'm proud to say that I am as well.  In the winter, I feel constricted by my big winter coats which feel a little tight.  Summer is quite a relief when I can go out totally naked!

 

Baths!

 

There's nothing like a warm bath after a day of lessons.  Because of my heritage, I sometimes need a little extra help staying cool, and I get cold water baths to make me feel comfortable. I am special!

During camp, I even enjoy drinking the bath water and watching the responses of the new riders.

 

 

Horse Shows!

Summer is horse show season, and even I get to ride on the cool big rig and travel!  While the fancy saddlebreds and Morgans go to lots of shows, my specialty is the ASAW Summer Showcase at the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds in August.  That show understands the importance of diversity and welcomes school horses of all sizes and colors.  Heck, they even have a separate division for school horse pleasure where we're all stars.  This year, the show is August 12 and 13, and you won't want to miss it!

The Knockouts run the show, and offer really fun things like lunch delivery, exhibitor parties, and even snow cones during the Sunday afternoon performance.  I hope someone remembers to get me one this year!

 

 

 

Camp!

Actually, we all agree that the best part of summer is the kids who come to camp.  We enjoy 4 weeks of 'classic' summer riding school with lots of beginners who are crazy about horses.  We teach them how to take care of us, and how to ride.  Actually, the instructors and helpers teach them a lot, too. Sessions are filling fast, so be sure to check out dates on the website!

We also have a week for the kids we teach during the year, helping them get ready for the summer Knollwood show. From July 17-21, we'll be hosting horse show crazy kids who want more riding time before the show July 22 and 23. I personally can hardly wait to start camp!

 

I also get to play with the advanced riders during Knollwood's pattern camps.  Over the years, I've taught patterns to riders who have used my lessons all the way to the Worlds Championships.

It just never gets old!

 

 

On behalf of all my fellow lesson horses, we're looking forward to Knollwood Summer 2017.  

We hope you can join us for all the fun!