First of all, we’d like to thank everyone for their quick turnaround in getting our Fall academy show organized. With the Summer show being so late, everyone really had to spin to get the October shirt order in, so thank you. It looks like the next show is going to be just as big as the Summer extravaganza!

 

Equitation Finals Season is HERE!

The show horses are in Indianapolis at the All American Horse Classic. It’s a BIG show that features many, many different areas of competition. The Indiana Futurity is held at the show, which means there are lots of weanlings on the grounds.  Competition for the big money All American Horse Classic takes place at the show, and there’s a lot of money on the line. Being in Indiana, there are also plenty of Dutch Harness Horse classes, in addition to a full slate of horse show classes.

Team Knollwood is at the Indiana State Fairgrounds for the first two pleasure equitation finals of 2022.  Our riders will compete in the National Pleasure Equitation Olympics where riders will ride for gold, silver, and bronze medals. They’ll also compete in the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup National Finals.

Both finals are split into senior and junior age divisions. Emma and Payton will be competing in the division for riders aged 14-17, while Amelia will compete in both junior finals, and Maiya will compete in the challenge cup for riders 13 and under.

You can catch the action live on Richfield Video, and we’ll update as we get news from the road.

 

 

Join Us At Wisconsin Futurity!

The show horses will return home for a couple of days before they head off to the Wisconsin Futurity Horse Festival in Madison September 14 - 17. This will be an ALL Team Knollwood affair, with plenty of academy riders making the trip for the academy performance on Saturday afternoon.

With the show only an hour away from the barn, it’s a great chance for Knollwood Kids to see show horses, top level academy riders, and to enjoy the hoopla of a big horse show. Please join us, and be sure to come back to the Knollwood aisle and say ‘hello.’

 

 

Academy Season 2023 Is Coming!

Speaking of showing, we’ve been getting lots of questions already about academy showing for next season. We’re going to hold an introductory information session about why we love academy showing so much. Please join us on Friday, October 14  at 6:00 PM in the show barn lounge as we share much information on academy showing.

We ask that this is a parent only meeting, as we will discuss boring things like costs and schedules that are of much more interest to the adults.

Please let your instructor know if you’d  like to join us. Because the event is at Knollwood, snacks will be provided.

 

 

Stirrups Aren’t Just For Holiday Gifts!

We’ve also been getting many inquiries about purchasing stirrups for academy riders. Ann is happy to order our preferred stirrups at any time, and you’ll own the same stirrups and leathers used by our champion show riders. And, they’ll last forever!

 

Jackets Are Coming Back For The Holidays!

We’ll be ordering the classic Knollwood navy jackets until October 9, the last day of the fall show. These beauties are only $125, and come with the rider’s name embroidered, so they’re very hard to lose in piles of jackets in the middle of the arena.

Note: Some of the size samples came in royal blue because of supply issues. Jackets will ALL be ordered in navy, unless someone would like to order the samples (one available per selected size).

 

Knollwood Fall Show October 7-9!

Stay tuned for news about the October show. Volunteering at the show is one of the best ways to get more involved with the Knollwood community, to meet new horse friends, and to have a lot of fun with a bunch of wonderful people.

The show committee ladies have some great ideas about fundraising.

Oh, and Scott’s involved.

Ponder that…

 

 

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

Team Knollwood lost a bit of grandeur yesterday when RWC CH Fine By Me passed away after a brief battle with colic.

Known to all as Tucker, he was born on April 4, 2001.  After showing in Park and Park pleasure in his early days, he found his first niche in the  pleasure division.

The beautiful bay gelding excelled in the big midwestern show pleasure classes for owner Alicia Sacotte.  Usually at the top of the ribbon order except when his beautiful pushiness got the best of him, he earned a reserve grand championship in adult country pleasure at Louisville in 2015.

Tucker came to Knollwood in 2016 where he became the foundation of Scott and Carol’s leasing program and started his second career as an equitation rockstar.

He was paired with Frannie that season, and this beautiful pair went on to win the World Championship for 17 year old equitation riders.

During his Knollwood years, this grand horse introduced many riders to the ways of a show horse. His students included Hanna, Heather, Lily, and Kim.

As an equitation star, he won 6 national titles in 4 years.

Everyone who was lucky enough to know him will miss his physical beauty, his enthusiasm for being a horse every day, his willingness to please, and his beautiful pushiness. He was a show horse through and through.

Great thank to Matt for his care of Tucker.

 

He was well loved, and will be missed by many, many fans.

Peace to you, Tucker.

 

 

 

Well, that was fun.

Louisville 2022 was a great one, and we’re happy to say that all of Team Knollwood is home safely. After a few days of rest the show barn will be on the road again to Indianapolis for the All American Horse Classic and the first of the Pleasure Equitation Finals. (We DO have to say that Scott was at it right away, shoeing horses that needed his attention.)

So many  great memories were made in Kentucky that we can’t possibly share them all. Here are a few of our favorites!

 

Richie Makes His Mark. Again.

Last year’s World’s Grand Champion of Junior Equitation made his first Louisville appearance in the senior division this year. He and Princess Leila were ready for the challenge, and were just electric in their qualifier. The dream team finished reserve world champions in the 14-year-old qualifier with a first place vote.

Never one to rest on his accomplishments, Richie returned to Freedom Hall on Thursday night for the World’s Grand Championship of Senior Equitation. After working on the rail, the judges trimmed the class of 22 to a final group of 10 that they wanted to see perform the pattern.

Knollwood was represented in the Top 10 by Payton and Richie.

The pattern was a challenging one, worthy of a world’s championship. Richie guided Leila through the complicated pattern with patience and brilliant horsemanship. He kept the princess lined up for all the tricky starts, and showed true halts when required. Not a step was out of place.

His solid no-stirrup work? You can find Richie riding lesson horses without stirrups every chance he gets.

In his first year in the senior division, Richie finished 4^th in the championship, quite an amazing accomplishment for a 14-year-old. Congratulations to everyone who had a hand in Richie’s performance.

 

 

 

A Force to Be Reckoned With - Payton and Gigi

Payton and her dynamic mare Gigi sure left their mark in Louisville. These two beauiful wild women won a deep 15-year-old equitation qualifier, and they were stunning.

Now they're off to Indy for the first of the Pleasure Equitation finals. Look for them in the senior division!

 

 

 

 

Brooklyn. Just Brooklyn.

Believe it or not, just a year ago, Brooklyn was showing with our academy show team.

She was a star in the 10 and under walk and trot division on the tough Midwestern academy circuit. Brooklyn has always been known for being a student of the sport and of horses in general.  She is intense, mature, and kind to all. Brooklyn will ride any horse at any time, whether it’s a Hackney Pony, a huge quarter horse, or a beautiful Saddlebred mare named Gamora.

Carol likes to say that Brooklyn is actually 40 years old.

At the beginning of this season, Brooklyn’s family purchased the beautiful mare Gamora for her to show in the equitation divisions. This is a new path for Gamora, who has been a wonderful performance horse.  She’s a smart girl like Brooklyn, and is learning her patterns well.

So, the team has shown several times, and made the decision to head to Louisville for the 11 and under equitation division. The rest is history.

In their first trip into Freedom Hall, Brooklyn and Gamora were named the unanimous world champions of the 11 and under equitation qualifier.

The dynamic duo showed back in the 13 and under World's Grand Championship, and did a bang up job on the rail before performing their pattern like pros. It was Gamora’s second pattern ever at a horse show, and you would never have guessed.

In a strong class of older and much more experienced riders, Brooklyn and Gamora finished a wonderful 6^th. These two have a bright future together!

 

 

 

Scott Has A Blast

Thanks to the generosity of the Kingsbury family, Scott was able to show a wonderful horse in the 5 Gaited World’s Grand Championship on Saturday night.

Scott showed Showdown, known to all at Knollwood as Tyler, with the best gaited horses in the country, and what a class it was. The best trainers around on the best gaited horses around – it was an adventure to watch.

From the look on Scott’s face, he enjoyed every minute of it.

 

What’s Coming Up?

Knollwood Show Entries Due September 7

Be sure to have your entries in by Wednesday for our show on October 7-9.

The shirt order is going in, so be sure you don’t miss out.

 

All American Horse Classic

September 6-10

The show horses are off to Indianapolis for the first of the pleasure equitation finals.

Our riders will be competing in the Pleasure Olympics and the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup Finals.

We’ll keep you posted with webcast info as it becomes available.

 

Wisconsin Futurity Horse Festival

September 14-17

Madison, WI

Show and academy horses will be headed to the New Holland Pavillion for one of our favorite shows that features everything from weanlings to the state academy championships. It’s a short trip, so please come and cheer us on!

 

St. Louis National Charity Horse Show

September 28 – October 1

St. Louis, MO

A favorite of everyone, St. Louis features the ASHA National Championshp of Pleasure Equitation, the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion Finals, the Hunt Seat Finals, AND the Shatner Western Finals.

 

 

Some fine print reminders:

Please remember to arrive a minimum of 15 minutes early for your lesson. We want you to get as much riding time as possible, so please give yourself time to check the lesson chart and be ready to ride.

If you’re an academy rider and get your own horse ready, be sure to allow a minimum of 30 minutes to prep your horse.

After 3 months of enrollment in our program, ALL riders need to have proper attire to allow them to advance in their riding education.  We have posters around the barn, and if you have any questions, please talk to your instructor.

Academy riders and above, please allow time to take care of your horse after your ride. We build horsepeople, and you often learn the most by spending time with your horse before and after your ride.

 

 

 

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

 

Photo by Hanna Agathen

At 11:00 AM on Sunday, August 21, the first class trotted into Freedom Hall in Louisville at the World’s Championship Horse show for the matinee performance, and in Hartland, the first leadline class was led into the little outdoor ring for the Sunday walk and trot performance at the Knollwood Summer Show.

These 2 events are not unrelated.

The world champion in any event was, at one time, a beginner.

It’s not lost on us that part of Team Knollwood is starting the next group of kids on their horse showing adventures while another part of Team Knollwood is putting our hard working, accomplished kids who have risen to the top of the sport into the ring at the World Championships.

 

Photo by Hanna Agathen

Wherever you are in your showing career, you’ve no doubt learned some lessons. And honestly, the lessons may be on a grander scale if you are fortunate enough to continue to the show horse world, but they’re really not all that different.

And, some lessons are easier to learn early and often so here goes.

 

Showing horses isn’t easy.

Those of you just starting out may see the more advanced riders make showing look absolutely effortless. What you’re really seeing is the result of years of hard work, saddle sores on knees, frustration, and probably some tears. It may look like their horse understands everything they want, but again you’re seeing years of hard work and learning how to think and react like a horse

Trust the process of learning, and the results will come. If you’re willing to work for them.

 

 Cheer for Everyone, Especially Your Teammates.

Photo by Hanna Agathen

When you’re sitting in the lineup waiting for results, clap for riders who place ahead of you. Talk to the people next to you about their ride while you’re waiting.

 While you’re watching the show, cheer for everyone! It feels so good to be recognized.

 At a show away from home, maybe even in Louisville?

Cheer for everyone, compliment people you don’t even know on their good rides.

You’ll make some great horse friends along the way.

 

 

 Life Isn’t Fair. It’s Just Not.

 

Sometimes you don’t get the ribbon you think you deserve, sometimes you get a good ribbon that you know you didn’t deserve.

Sometimes you’ll make silly mistakes like missing diagonals, sometimes you’ll get cut off in the ring by mistake.

It’s all part of horse showing, so ask yourself if you and your instructor are pleased with your progress and performance. In the end, that’s all that really matters.

 

You’re not always going to win, nor should you. It’s a sport of mental organization and mental toughness. Showing horses requires a rider to control their thoughts and emotions in order to communicate with a big animal of flight who may be just as excited to be at a horse show as is their rider.

Learn to lose with grace so you can learn to win with grace. You can’t be a good winner until you learn to accept defeat with dignity.

 

 

 

 

Horse Showing Has Lots of Ups and Downs 

Sometimes the weather doesnt cooperate with outdoor shows, so we work out 'Plan B.'

Some shows you feel like you can do no wrong, some shows you think the judge doesn’t like anyone in your family.

Some shows your horse may be lame and you may have to change your steed for the show.

Margit got all the way to Louisville and found out that her fabulous gaited pleasure horse Charley couldn’t show because he was sore. It meant no rides on the green shavings for them this year, but of course. Margit was most concerned about her horse and his well being.

Horses will take you to the highest highs, and will bring you back to reality when they’re not feeling well, or are having soundness issues.

 

Horse showing requires lots of support staff.

At the Knollwood Summer Show, we are so fortunate to have a great mostly volunteer staff. Here are a few groups who make it fantastic:

Concession stand leaders and Knockout workers

Center ring staff who keep everyone safe

Announcers who keep the audience informed

Judges who place the riders and offer feedback where appropriate

Photographer Hanna who shot memories all weekend.

Gift basket donors and volunteers who run the program

Creator of the unique prizes offered to winners

Barn volunteers who mentor riders and take care of horses

Families and audience who cheer for everyone.

 

 

In Louisville, the staff behind the scenes is exceptional as well, of course.

The grooms keep show horses in tip top shape and looking great in the ring.

Scott, Carol and Lin work horses, train riders, coach at the show, teach lessons at the show, and so much more.

 

Parents make sure riders look perfect for their show ring appearances.

Knollwood families support each other throughout the show.

 

Photo by Hanna Agathen

Horse showing gives us lifelong friends, a life full of great memories, and a lifelong appreciation of these beautiful animals who makes our lives complete.

Honestly, there’s nothing we’d rather be doing, and we’re glad you’re joining us for the adventures ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

September 5

Labor Day

We will not be holding lessons on Monday, September 5 in observance of Memorial Day.

 

September 6-10

All American Horse Classic

Indianapolis, Indiana

 

The show horses will be off to Indy for a great show, and the first of the National Finals in Pleasure Equitation.

Indy is home to the Pleasure Equitation Olympics, and to the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup Finals. Both of these finals have senior and junior divisions, to expect to see lots of up and coming riders competing!

 

September 14-17

Wisconsin Futurity Horse Festival

New Holland Pavillion, Madison, Wisconsin

The show horses and 13 academy riders will be competing in Madison. The show features the state championships of academy equitation, so we expect the competition to be deep, as always.

Please join us for this almost home show!

 

Knollwood Fall Show

Photo by Hanna Agathen

October 7-9

It’s coming up fast, and we expect to be taking entries already nest week. We know it’s a quick turnaround, and it’s going to be a fantastic show, featuring the finals of the 2022 Knollwood Challenge.

Judge Terri Anne Ulmann from Winsome Farm will be judging all classes.

 

 

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

Woo Hoo!

It’s almost time for the Knollwood show, and for the World’s Championship Horse Show which starts on Saturday. Before we get into upcoming events, let’s review a little…

Last weekend, our academy team participated in the ASAW Summer Showcase at the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds. Our three adult riders showed on Saturday, while Sunday was the day for our newest stars.

Ten of our riders had participated in a prep camp where they learned what to expect at their first show. They even had camp on the show grounds on Friday where they had the chance to ride in the show arena, practice their patterns, and learn a little about the hard work that goes into prepping horses to show.

They all rode like stars on Sunday, and we’re so proud of these riders as they start their horse show adventures.

And, we're most grateful to these 6 fabulous personal assistants who took such great care of our new riders, and of our horses. Klem was beyond thrilled with the care and appreciation he received.

 

 

Did someone say Louisville? Eleven horses will be heading out later tonight for their trip to Kentucky.

Knollwood will be well represented in the equitation divisions with Richie and Leila in 14 year olds,

 

Payton and Gigi in 15 year olds,

 

Heather in 17 year olds,

And Louisville first timer Brooklyn with Gamora in the 11 and Under division.

 

We’ll be in the 5 gaited divisions with

Finn and Jade,

 

 

and Bella and Tyler.

 

Bella has even offered the charismatic Tyler to Scott who will be showing him in the grand finale Saturday night, the World’s Grand Championship of 5 Gaited Horses.

 

In the Park Division,

Lin will be showing Scott and Carol’s youngster Tate in the Open Class.

 

In the pleasure divisions,

Margit will be showing Charlie in the 5 gaited Junior Exhibitor classes,

 

And will be showing Robert in the 3 gaited Show Pleasure divisions.

 

Tori will be showing her beautiful Stella in the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure classes.

 

Bella will also be showing Garfield in the Country Pleasure division for Adults!

 

If you can’t make it to Louisville, you can purchase the webcast either for certain days, or for the entire week here.

 

Updates to our Summer Academy Extravaganza:

The weather is not looking cooperative for this weekend, so we’ve decided to move the festivities inside for the first time in many, many years.

That means that start times will change, as there are still show horses at home that need to be worked while the others are in Louisville.

 

Our Friday evening pattern performance remains unchanged, and will begin at 6:00 PM.

Saturday’s show will begin inside at 12:30.

Sunday’s show will start at 11:00 AM with our leadline stars.

Please bring your own chairs, as this all happened so quickly we weren’t able to rent any.

Overflow parking will be available in the Kettle Moraine Curling Club lot.

Our fabulous volunteers who manage the concession stand and the gift baskets have a bad weather plan, and they’d appreciate more help. If you’re able to donate a few hours, we guarantee you’ll meet fun people, AND you’ll fulfill your Knockout service hour requirements. 

You can sign up here!

 

 

 

We’re looking forward to a great weekend of horse showing both in Louisville and in Hartland.

 

See you at an in-gate!