Team Knollwood returned from the Monarch Series Championship Horse Show on Sunday, and we have PLENTY of stories to share!

Our equitation riders were rock stars, winning a number of National titles.

The 13 and under riders dominated the junior divisions of the Pleasure Equitation Olympics, and the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup.

Shaye showed Teddy beautifully to earn national titles in both events, and Brooklyn and Gamora were reserve national champs in both events. Knollwood took all three medals in the Olympic event, with Maddie and Eva earning the bronze.

 

Our senior division riders were standouts, too.

 Maiya and Riddle had a great show in the senior division of the finals. They earned the silver medal in the Olympics for riders 14-17, and are national champions of the UPHA Pleasure Equitation Challenge Cup for senior riders.

In their first ever equitation finals, Natalie and Mariah made the top 10 in both national championships!!

 

In addition to the pleasure equitation riders, Mia and Thaylee showed in equitation for the first time, and earned great ribbons. Mia and sometimes sassy Thaylee even completed their first pattern at a show, and earned a third place finish in the championship!

Jane and Fergie just keep having fun and winning top ribbons. At Monarch, these two ladies won both their qualifier and championship.

Alexa and Joe are a team to beat. They won their qualifier, (in a borrowed suit, ask her about it…) and finished third in the championship in her own suit.

 

And then there’s superman Nacho.

He and Kim won their Monarch single bit qualifier, and were reserve in the championship.

Super Nacho then showed in the academy division with Samara, and the team won their equitation qualifier of 15 riders.

For those in the back, Nacho is a rock star.

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

Knollwood Entries Due Friday!

 

 

Wisconsin Futurity Horse Show

New Holland Pavilion in Madison

September 13-16

Come see some beautiful show horses, and young horses, too.

 

 

Knockout Movie Night

Saturday, September 23 at 6:00 PM

Come join the Knockouts to watch ‘Racing Stripes.’

It’s a free event, and the Knockouts are providing movie snacks.

Please sign up in the school barn lounge.

 

St. Louis Charity Horse Show

September 27-30

National Equestrian Center, St. Louis, MO

Finals season continues, with the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion final, and the ASHBA Pleasure Equitation National Championship.

The show also features National Championships in the Hunt Seat Division, and the Western division.

We’ll update with livestreaming info soon.

 

 

Mane Event Horse Show

October 11-13

Illinois State Fairgrounds

Springfield, Illinois

Home to the first of the ‘Big Three’ finals, Mane Event is always a highly competitive show.

Equitation riders from all over the country will be there to compete in the Good Hands Final, and oldest of all the finals. It’s for all riders 17 and under who have finished first or second in a qualifying class during the season.

In addition to the Good Hands, Mane Event draws terrific horses and ponies in possibly the most beautiful horse show venue in the country.

 

 

Knollwood Fall Show

October 13-15

It’s going to be a great season finale!

In addition to the traditional classes on Saturday, we’ll finish the performance with the finals of the Knollwood Challenge in both the walk trot and walk trot canter divisions.

Judge Kelsey Farnham will preside over all three days of showing. We’re thrilled to have Kelsey’s expertise as a lifetime Knollwood Kid, and a former World’s Grand Champion of Saddle Seat Equitation. (That’s in addition to many, many national finals.)

She’s an equitation guru.

 

 

 

 

Don’t forget to sign up for gift basket donations which are posted in the school barn lounge, and to work in the concession stand here.

We’re also offering class sponsorships for only $25. It’s a great way to honor a horse, a friend, an instructor, or anything, really.

 

 

 

Street Clean Up

Saturday, October 21

1:00 PM

It’s your last chance to earn Knockout service hours. Remember, that you need two hours of club service to be eligible for year end awards at the banquet.

Plus, it’s fun and makes our neighborhood look better! We’ll clean up Oakwood and Nagawicka Roads for the fall, and meet back at the farm.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Team Knollwood lost a little bit of light yesterday when we had to put Captain Kaos down due to a nasty colic.

 

Known to all as Cashew, he earned his name because he looked like legendary lesson horse Peanut, but he was a lot fancier than Peanut. Since a cashew is sort of a fancy peanut, he earned a new name.

After spending some time with Scott and our show barn riders, Cashew became a most educational lesson horse.

 

27 minutes into every lesson, Cashew would decide that walking was a waste of time, he had a case of ‘pattern anxiety’ and taught all his students how to manage his conditions.

Cashew also taught countless Knollwood Kids the importance of impulsion and rhythm to keep him in his beautiful canter.

He became an integral part of our academy show string, and even showed walk trotters the way of the ring with kindness and a little bit of sass.

Great thanks to Dr Matt Hebl for his quick response and care yesterday for this grand soul.

We’ll miss Cashew’s patience, teaching skills, and his big brown eyes.

Peace, Captain Kaos.

You were well loved.

 

The Monarch Championship Horse Show has just begun this morning, and Team Knollwood is happy to report a win in their first class.

Super team Kim and Nacho did it again, winning the Single Bit qualifier for master riders. He and Kim always look like they’re loving every minute in the ring. They now have their sights set on the championship class on Friday night!

Pleasure equitation finals are a big part of the Monarch show, and Knollwood will be well represented in both finals.

Brooklyn, Maddie, and Shaye will be competing in the 13 and under Pleasure Equitation Olympics, and the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup for riders 13 and under.

Maiya and Natallie will be representing Team Knollwood in the senior editions of both finals.

Both finals consist of railwork and patterns, and we can hardly wait to watch Knollwood Kids compete against some of the best riders in the country.

If you can’t make it to the gorgeous arena in Springfield, Illinois, you can watch the show for free on SeaHorse Video here.

 

Entries for the fall Knollwood show are due on September 15.

It’s a quick turnaround, and we are still awaiting a significant number of entries.  Please be sure to get yours in soon so we can get the shirt and award orders in soon.

 

Speaking of the Knollwood show, we’re asking for your help. Our show barn riders will be on the road at the Mane Event Show while we’re hosting the home show weekend.

We’re looking for some additional parents and riders to help with set up, concessions, and with the gift baskets. You can sign up for volunteer hours here, and can sign up for gift basket items in the school barn lounge.

Great thanks!

 

 

Movie Night is Coming!

All Knockouts are invited to watch ‘Racing Stripes’ with their fellow club members on Saturday, September 23 at 6:00 PM.  The club will provide movie snacks, and the event is free to all Knockouts. You can sign up in the school barn lounge.

 

Attention Academy Riders!

It’s time to finalize your academy award sheets from the ASHBA. All riders who earned a minimum of 15 points from October 1, 2022 to October 1, 2023 are eligible to receive an award.

Please provide your membership number to Ann to complete the process.

If you’re not sure if you’re a member, you can call the association to verify or to sign up!

 

 

Our last two academy shows of 2023 are coming up fast!

Please join us at the UPHA Chapter 10 Fall Show on October 6-7, and at the grand finale, the IASPHA Fall Show on October 27-29.

We’d love some fan support, and Beyond Stable Farm in Woodstock is a nice drive. Please join us!

 

 

 

Street Clean Up is coming on Saturday, October 21.

Join your friends as we beautify the neighborhood around the barn. It’s your last chance to earn Knockout service hours for 2023 to become eligible for a year end award at the banquet. (And it’s fun!)

You can sign up here!

 

 

 

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

 

The show horses are back from the World’s Championship Horse Show in Louisville, Kentucky.  We’re so proud of our horses and riders for their performances in and out of the ring. 

Most of our teams even made it through the qualifiers to the world championships!

 

On To Monarch!

Horses will rest up for a week before heading to the Monarch Horse Show in Springfield, Illinois.

Home to the first of fall’s equitation finals, the show is a fan favorite at a fantastic facility.

The show hosts the Pleasure Equitation Olympics as well as the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup National Finals.

Knollwood’s 13 and Under team for both finals is Brooklyn, Maddie, and Shaye. Maiya and Natalie will be competing in the senior division.

The show also features deep competition in all disciplines, and many Knollwood horses and riders will be competing throughout the show.

 

 Summer Riding School 2023 Finishes Up!

It’s hard to believe that Summer Riding School season is almost over. We’re enjoying our last week of camp with a great group of riders.

Our sold out summer of camp has taught us many things. Here are a few of them:

 

Immersion in horses yields fantastic peogress.

Many new riders come in on Monday morning having never ridden a horse. After riding twice on most days under the direction of a friendly instructor, and with the help of supportive counselors and helpers, these kids are posting on the correct diagonals by the Friday demo.

Our Tiny Tot friends all want to start regular lessons after time with the best lesson horses in the world, and our helpers who are selected just for that special age group.

 

Pattern camps?

These riders show tremendous progress after riding pretty intensely for a week. Ringmanship and patterns are pretty great by Friday.  Oh, and competitive ladies get plenty of bareback and game time, too.

If you couldn’t join us for Knollwood Summer 2023, make a plan to join us in 2024. Riders currently enrolled in lessons will be able to sign up in February, before we open Knollwood Summer 2024 to the public.

 

 

Creative Campers!

Last week was the last week of pattern camp for the summer, and it was pretty hot. We spent some time relaxing under a tree at lunch, and the campers went through the horse list to decide what each of the horses would do if they had to get a different job.

Here are a few of the highlights:

 

Bilbo and Jelly would run a laid back surf shop in Hawaii.

 

 

Pony Frank would be a blogger about cruises, wear big gold chains, and drink samples of something all day.

 

 

Poppy would own a bar in New Jersey, and change her name to Betty.

 

Photo by Hanna Agathen Photography

Thomas would be a dancing instructor.

 

Vaughn would live in his Mom’s basement, play video games, and eat hot Cheetos.

 

Murphy would be a Youtube vlogger writing about conspiracy theories.

 

There’s always time for some creativity!

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

Photo by Hanna Agathen Photography

Knollwood Fall show entries are due August 15.

 

Knockout Movie Night

Saturday, September 23

6:00 in the arena

 

Photo by Hanna Agathen Photography

 

Photo Shoot Day with Hanna!

Sunday, October 1

You can sign up here.

 

 

 

UPHA Fall Show

October 6-7

Beyond Stable Farm

Join us for a great Friday and Saturday all academy show.

 

 

Photo by Hanna Agathen Photography

 

Knollwood Fall Show

October 13-15

You can sign up here to help with concessions and many other things that make the show run smoothly.

 

Street Clean Up

October 21 at noon

 

 

IASPHA Fall Show

October 28-29

Beyond Stable Farm

Join us for our final academy show of the season! 

We'd love a big audience to celebrate all the accomplishements of our academy team.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Team Knollwood enjoyed another weekend of horse shows in 2 states at the same time.

 

Eleven show horses started competition at the World’s Championship Horse Show in Louisville, Kentucky on Sunday.

Sunday was a big day, with both Payton and Richie earning ribbons that advance them into the World’s Grand Championship of Senior Saddle Seat Equitation on Thursday evening.

Since Sunday, almost all of our horse and rider combinations have made it into the championship round.

This show features the best of the best, and earning a ribbon in that company is an unbelievable achievement, and we’re so proud of all the work that has gone into achieving these heights.

 

The show in Wisconsin was our summer in-barn show, the highlight of many Knollwood Kids’ school vacations.

We showcased 90 riders ranging from our leadline class on Sunday morning to our Knollwood Challenge qualifiers on Friday night.

We have a lot of thanks, and some random thoughts, too.

 

Thank you to our riders who made all of their instructors proud.

Judge Jeni had a hard time with many of the classes full of hard working riders.

In addition to the strong riding, our students also exhibited wonderful sportsmanship. We saw riders congratulating each other in the line up, and all over the farm, too.

The riders also took great care of the horses after the show, giving spa treatments after a long day of showing.

 

 

Thank you to the parents and riders who volunteered at the concession stand and other parts of the ‘fundrasing village.’

Thank to your efforts, the Knollwood Knockouts earned $2000, which will be a big help for the club’s donations and for funding the award banquet in February of 2024.

We ARE looking for additional parents to help for the fall show in October. Please talk to your instructor, or admin if you’d like to help the weekend of October 13-15.

 

Photo by Hanna Agathen Photography

 

Thank you to the best lesson horses in the world.

These boys and a few girls showed why they’re the best.

From patterns to walk and trot Sunday, they were all on their best behavior, which is their usual way.

Photo by Hanna Agathen Photography

We want you to know just how special this cast of characters is. They do lessons every day, camps in the summer, and horse shows at home. Some of them travel to shows away from home, too.

While they’re still horses which makes them unpredictable in some situations, they did a fantastic job again this weekend, with near perfect behavior.

Few horses are this close to ‘unicorn status,’ and we can’t possibly thank ours enough.

 

Thank you to the personal assistants who make the Sunday show so spectacular for our youngest show stars.

These ladies worked a long day prepping their horse, tacking and saddle changing as well as making sure stirrups were even and the right length.

Assistants serve as cheerleaders, barn moms, stand in instructors, and advice givers.

They’re the epitome of  Knollwood Kids, and we couldn’t do it without these gems.

 

Congratulations, and great thanks to everyone who participated in the show, or who helped make the show memorable for so many Knollwood Kids.

 

Our fall show is coming up October 13-15, and we’re taking entries through August 15. Please talk to your instructor with any questions.

 

What’s Coming Up?

 

Back to School

We understand that schedules change at the start of the school year. Please talk to your instructor if you'd like to change your lesson time or day of the week.

 

 

Futurity Academy Classes

Saturday, September 16

New Holland Pavillion, Madison WI

Join our academy riders for their division at the Futurity show. We'll be competing for state championships, and would love a big cheering section!

 

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