Team Knollwood is back at home after a highly successful week at the UPHA National Championship American Royal Horse Show. 

The home team prepared riders for the future, running the 2020 finals of the Knollwood Challenge, while the show horse team was in KC, competing at the national championships.

Hard work paid off for Knollwood Kids, and we’d like to share their stories and successes of 2020.

In no particular order,

 

 

Heather

 

 Heather started riding at Knollwood as an 8 year old, and quickly became  a real Knollwood Kid.  She’s been a Tuesday night helper since we can remember, and  has been seriously involved in the Knockouts for years, currently serving as a board member.

A great example of the value of academy showing, Heather didn’t enjoy fantastic success at that level, mostly because she just kept growing and moving her center of gravity. Always gracious whether winning or losing, Heather has always been an example of true sportsmanship to those around her.

Heather made the move to the show horse world in her 13 year old year when her parents leased CH Fine By Me to show in the Pleasure Equitation division. Heather answered the challenge, finishing second and third in several finals that year.

After leasing again last season, Heather’s family purchased the accomplished Reedan’s Why Not to take her to the next level of competition. These two have quickly become a team, and Carol loves him so much that she told Scott she's going to marry him.

Heather and Samson have enjoyed a spectacular season, and finished with a Reserve National Championship in the Senior UPHA Challenge Cup Final, and a 4^th place finish in the USEF Medal Final.

 

 

 

Margit

Another true Knollwood Kid, and legendary Tuesday helper, Margit started riding at Knollwood around age 8 as well.  Owner of a fantastic vocabulary and a quirky sense of humor, Margit was quickly entertaining everyone as she rose through the ranks.

Margit finished her academy career showing Just As Unique (Sadie) for a season under the guidance of Scott and Carol. This year, her family leased Rosewood’s Homecoming Dance (Robert) to take Margit to the show horse world.

While learning the ways of the show horse, a legendary gaited pleasure horse became available, and Margit’s parents purchased CH Ken Follett (Charlie) for their daughter to show.  Margit and Charlie have become a team in short order, and headed to their first horse show shortly after joining forces.

 

Margit always possessed a need for speed, so trotting and racking down the rail are perfect for her. She’s excelling at it, with several successful shows under her belt in the first season. Team Charlie won its qualifier and championship at Futurity and Mane Event,  were second in both at St Louis, and were 4^th and 5^th in the National Championship at the Royal. 

What are they going to do next year?

 

 

 

Richie

After watching his sister Victoria ride, seven year old Richie decided he wanted to try a few lessons. It quickly became apparent that he had been a horse in a former life, and he quickly fell in love with the process.

Years later, you’ll frequently find Richie helping with lessons at the barn, spending time listening in the arena, or hanging out with Tink and Sophie.

Richie’s walk and trot academy career was fast as he wowed all of us with the horsemanship he displayed. As an 8 year old, Richie was showing Heist and Chip in deep, deep academy classes.

Richie’s parents presented him with the gift of a lifetime when they purchased legendary Miss Mheiry Mac to be Richie’s walk and trot equitation partner. This team lit up the ring as she taught him all about mares and show horses.

Richie and Tink were reserve in the 2017 Walk and Trot UPHA Challenge Cup National Final, and have notable success in the Country Pleasure division as well, after several of Richie’s famous growth spurts.

In 2020 alone, they enjoyed wins at Bridlespur and Summerfun after being Reserve National Champions at the Royal in 2019.

For the past 2 seasons, Richie’s parents have leased the beautiful CH-EQ Royal Tryst (Sophie) from the Becker family. Tink taught Richie well, and he has become a team with this talented mare.

In 2020, Richie made the initial cut in the Good Hands national final in a pool of riders 17 and under, and finished the season winning the Junior UPHA Challenge Cup National Final.

 

 In his spare time this summer, Richie also showed future lesson star Garden of Roses (Willis) to a Monarch national championship in the single bit division, and showed Impressive Asset (Fergie) to some strong ribbons in the Show Pleasure division!

 

 

 

 

Finn

Finn travels to Knollwood a couple of times a month from Denver to train with Scott and Carol.  She started riding near home, and her parents decided to sacrifice time to allow Finn to work with Knollwood.

Knollwood has become a second home for Finn, whether she’s in center ring, helping with academy riders at shows, or hanging out with other Knollwood Kids.

Always beautiful on a horse, Finn is fortunate to own the legendary equitation star, CH-EQ Brookhill’s Passion Punch. (Layla) Some of you may remember Haley and Layla winning the Triple Crown of equitation in 2018, right before Finn became her owner.

Finn and this game, strong, and beautiful mare have enjoyed great success, and they were rock stars in this crazy 2020 season, finishing in the Top 10 of all three big finals.

Finn was third in both the Good Hands, and the UPHA Senior Challenge Cup, and was 10^th in the USEF Medal Final.

 

  

And as a bonus, Finn also gets to ride her firey, beautiful pleasure horse Nuttin’ But a Lady (Frankie). Only Finn could ride her in equitation at the Royal and win her age group qualifier!

 

Payton

We think that Payton may actually be a horse masquerading as a young lady.

Also a ‘long hauler,’ Payton travels from Colorado to Knollwood  a couple times a month to train with Carol and Scott.

Coming from generations of horsewomen, Payton also had a strong beginning back home.  Mom Nicole made the leap and sacrifice of time to help Payton reach the next level with Knollwood.

A well-rounded horse person, Payton shows Dos Equis in 13 and under equitation and had several great moments in 2020.  These two finished third in the ASHA Pleasure Equitation National Championship, which was a 17 and under final, and then they had to compete in the senior division of the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion Final because they had won the junior division last year. Team Payton rode against the older riders and finished third.

They finished their 2020 season with a great 6^th place finish in the Junior UPHA Challenge Cup National Final.

Payton also has the opportunity to show Undulata’s Crystal Illusionist (Eli)  in the Junior Exhibitor 3 Gaited division. These two are a personality match, and have enjoyed great success this year, with wins at Summerfun and Futurity, and finished with good ribbons in Kansas City.

The story of the year?

It’s Payton and Riddle.

Nicole rescued him from a kill pen, helped him at home, and then brought him to Knollwood thinking he might make a nice lesson horse.

Little did anyone know what Riddle had in store.

Payton showed him for the first time at Wisconsin Futurity, finishing second in his first ever show classes, and went to the Monarch National Championship show where he won his Open Pleasure qualifier and championship.

Riddle then made the trip to Kansas City and became an equitation horse.  Payton showed him in her age group, and in the Junior National Championship, where they came in 4^th.

Great thanks to the Duerrs and to everyone who had a part in preparing Riddle for the bright future waiting for him.

 

Laney

Another Knollwood Kid coming from generations of horsewomen, Laney started her career in the Arabian world. Laney travels a few times a week from northern Illinois for her ‘Knollwood time.’

When Laney decided to go all-in to the equitation world, she moved to Knollwood for the journey.  Last season, Laney leased Rosewood’s Homecoming Dance and competed in the tough midwestern Pleasure Equitation division with great success. In her first year of competition, Laney ribboned at Louisville, and finished in the Top 10 of the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup final.

In the off season, Laney’s family purchased Seven Oaks Heir Man (Aaron) for the 2020 campaign. They enjoyed a great season, making the cut in both the Good Hands and the Senior UPHA Challenge Cup Finals.

 

 

The Knollwood Challenge Final,

2020 Edition

Nothing in 2020 is going as usual, so we reinvented the Knollwood Challenge Final. Open only to riders and their parents, and held as an independent event instead of a finale at our fall show, the event was a success.

Academy riders have qualified at the Knollwood shows this season by finishing first or second for the chance to ride in the final. We even held one last qualifier on Friday night before the final.

Terri Anne Ullman of Winsome Farm judged all events, and was very impressed with the riders.

Winners of both finals received a custom deRegnaucourt show shirt, and the winner of the walk, trot, and canter final also received a 3 month subscription to RIchfield Video.

 

Topping the tough field of walk, trot, and canter riders was Mia on Vaughn, officially known as He Plays The Blues,  with Addison reserve on Cashew, offically known as Captain Kaos.

Mia guided 4-year-old Vaughn through a tricky pattern with patient horsemanship that everyone enjoyed watching.

 

In the walk and trot division, Brooklyn captured the title with a strong ride on Baxter, AKA A Champagne Toast. Riding right on her heels was Tessa on the one and only Klem.

 

Congratulations to all of our competitors who made the final a joy to watch. 

Who knows where these future stars will ride to???

 

 

 

Team Knollwood is beyond proud of all these accomplishments.

 

With one more show coming up this season, we'll see you at the barn, or at the in-gate!

 

        

 Team Knollwood is all over the place!

 Show horses are in Kansas City and academy riders are finishing prep for the finals of the Knollwood Challenge while lessons and training continue.

Did we mention that we also have plenty of safe fun coming up for the balance of 2020?

Read all about it!

 

 

The American Royal

Team Knollwood just started competing this morning, with Richie and Payton both showing in the National Final of the UPHA Challenge Cup for riders 13 and under.  Both of them made it to phase II this evening, and we can hardly wait. Margit also shows Charlie tonight after the final.

The Senior Challenge Cup starts off Thursday morning with Finn, Heather, and Laney competing for Knollwood.  We know these ladies will shine in a deep competition!

We’ll keep you posted as events unfold.

 

Meanwhile at home, we’ve planned lots of fun that can be done in a safe way during these unusual time.

 

Food Drive

Through November 22

The Knockouts are holding a food drive through November to benefit the Food Pantry of Waukesha County.  Please deposit your meal kit(s) in the blue barrel in the show barn lounge, and we’ll deliver the kits to the pantry. With many of our neighbors out of work in this pandemic, stocks are low, and we thank you in advance for helping the Knockouts help their local food pantry.

Don't feel like shopping? We're also welcoming checks made out to The Food Pantry of Waukesha County!

 

Knollwood Challenge Final

Friday November 13 at 6:00 PM

Our academy riders have been working all season towards their own final, and it’s coming up on Friday night, November 13. We’re hosting 2 qualifying classes before the riders compete in the Finals of the Knollwood Challenge.

After qualifying with a pre-determined pattern, the finalists will complete railwork and a more difficult pattern for judge Terri Anne Ullman of Winsome Farm.

Riders of each final will receive a traveling trophy for a year, and a custom show shirt from Degnaucourt who makes suits for the show riders. New this year, the winner of the walk trot and canter final will also receive a three month subscription to Richfield Video courtesy of owner R.H. Bennett.

Because it’s 2020, this is a closed event, but we’ll update quickly, and hope to interview the winners on FB Live as well.

 

Knockout Meeting

Saturday, November 14 at 4:30 PM

The Knockouts will hold a club meeting on Saturday afternoon, November 14 at 4:30 PM.  Meet up with your barn friends and help plan events for the balance of the year! From a distance, of course.

 

 

Parents Academy Meeting

Saturday, November 14 at 7:00 PM

We’ve had so many inquiries about academy showing in 2021 that we’re holding an introductory meeting on Saturday, November 14 at 7:00 PM. We’ll spread out in the arena while we share information about the process, and the fun we have on the road.

Of course, safe refreshments will be served!

 

Family Photo Day

November 22

Join the Knockouts for a fundraising holiday photo day. For only $100, your family gets a 30 minute photo session with Hanna Agathen Photography, and all of the digital pics. We’re serving hot chocolate to get everyone in the holiday spirit, too.

There are only 3 time slots left, so sign up soon!

 

Wreath Making

November 25 from 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM

New this year,  join us the day before Thanksgiving for a wreath making session.  From 12:30 PM until 2:30 PM, Scott and Carol will take a break in the arena, and we'll turn it into a wreath factory.

You can make a really cool horse head evergreen wreath for only $20, and sign up here!

 

Parents Night Out

December 4 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Parents, here’s your chance to shop, chill out at home, or ??? when you drop your horse crazy Knollwood Kid at the farm for three hours. While you enjoy quiet, Soul Fire Art Studio is coming to us for ornament creation in the arena. Kids will also enjoy plenty of games in the arena and dinner. Best of all, it’s only $20 per participant, and you can sign up here!

 

Knockouts Ice Skating

Sunday, December 7 at 1:30 PM

The Knockouts will take to the ice for an afternoon of fun at Arrowhead. For only $4, you can skate with fellow Knockouts and enjoy some non-horse fun.

 

Holly Jolly Show

The academy and some show horses will be off to the Holly Jolly Show, the  last of the season. It’s a big one, with eight academy horses making the trip, and we’re looking forward to another fun weekend at Beyond Stable Farm.

 

 

Good luck to everyone in Kansas CIty!

See you at the barn or the in-gate!

 

2020 Gift Guide for Knollwood Kids

 

Does the horse person in your house confuse you with lingo like ‘4 ¼ inch stirrup irons,’ 'Woodwear,' and ‘Kentucky Jods?’  Well, we’re here to help you find the perfect gift, and we’ll even order some of them for you.

We can make you (or Santa) a real star!

 

 

Helmet

Once the rider in your house has decided that horses are not just a phase, it’s time to make your first purchase, a helmet of your own.

Our favorite is the Ovation Deluxe Schooler, because it’s well ventilated, adjusts really well, and can easily take an academy rider from lessons to the show ring. It has a nice clean profile, has dial adjustment in the back, and comes in a variety of colors. Of course, if you’re planning on showing, you’ll want to purchase a black helmet, or purchase a lycra cover that can make it black.

You can purchase it from Dover Saddlery here, complete with a size chart.

 

 Warm Gloves

 

Sure, the arena is heated in the winter, but it’s still winter in Wisconsin.  Cold weather riding gloves are a must so that riders can maintain a good solid grip on the reins.  Nothing can impede lesson progress quite like trying to ride in knit ‘civilian’ gloves that keep slipping on the reins. (Although Frank the Pony greatly enjoys slippery rein lessons!)

We recommend these gloves from Dover that come in several colors, and will help your rider progress through the winter months. They’re great for working in the barn as well!

You can purchase these directly from Dover here:

Adult sizes are available here:

 

 

 Show Gloves

 

Looking for a really nice pair of gloves for the show ring? These Roeckl Grip Junior Gloves are perfect. The material is soft, sticky, and the profile of the gloves is perfect for showing. Best of all? They’re machine washable and can air dry!

 

Buy them here.

They’re also available in adult sizes here:

 

Jods

The right equipment always makes lessons easier, and a good pair of jods will prevent saddle sores and eliminate leggings ridding up the riders leg during the ride.

P and S makes a great entry level polyester Kentucky jod, and it comes in black and navy. These are perfect for lessons and entry level showing. Best of all, they come in long and Extra long lengths, and the customer service is fabulous. Be sure to purchase some extra tie downs as well!

Buy jods here.

 Buy tie downs here.

 

 

 

Show Jods

For riders beyond entry level academy showing, we suggest Lucky jods. The fabric is stretchy, seems to repel dust, and presents a great finished look. Luckily, these jods run long, and are available in long lengths!

Get your Lucky Jods here!

 

Boots

After you purchase your helmet, boots are the next important purchase. Boots help the rider develop a proper foot position with support across the foot, and improve the ability to feel the stirrup across the foot.

Best of all, SmartPak offers a kids boot that won’t break the bank!

You can buy them here.

 

 

Saddle Rental

Our school saddles are great as riders are learning the basics of horsemanship. They’re well used, and are pretty traditional in design.

If the rider in your house has decided to start showing, talk to your instructor about leasing an upgrade saddle to help your student progress. These newer, adjustable saddles, offer better construction, finer leather, and stirrup bars that adjust to put the rider in a great position even as they grow.

We offer saddles in all sizes, and rental is only $250 per year for all lessons and shows. Best of all, if your rider grows during the year, as they often do, we can move to a bigger saddle for the rest of the year.

Please contact Ann if you might be interested in leasing for 2021.

 

 

Stirrup Leathers and Irons

Once riders are renting an upgraded saddle, we suggest that they purchase their own stirrup leathers and irons. Riders will no longer have to spend time adjusting stirrups before each lesson,  making lesson time more productive.

The stirrup combination we use runs about $175. We use the best so they don’t stretch, and will last a really long time!

We’re happy to order these for you so you get the right leather length and stirrup width for your star.  Please talk to Ann if you’re interested.

 

Woodwear!

Don’t forget, you can order the classic Knollwood Jacket, ¼ zips in purple, and Knollwood face masks for gift giving. Orders are due by November 10 for holiday delivery.  Order blanks and size samples are available in the school barn.

Remember, orders close November 10 to ensure holiday delivery!

 

 

Your instructor would be happy to help with any gift ideas. Please reach out, and we’ll help you find what you’re looking for!

 

Happy shopping!

Shop like Richmond, from the comfort of your own bed.

 

 

 

The Knockouts have a long history of serving their community. They know that many of their friends and neighbors are struggling in this unpredictable year, and have started an additional food drive to help the Food Pantry of Waukesha County.

Please bring your food kits to the farm through November 22, and the Knockouts will deliver them to the pantry.

A food kit consists of:

Instant potatoes
Gravy
Can of vegetables
Can of fruit
Can of soup
Box of Jello
Boxed dessert
Box of cereal
 
Please mark your bag with your rider’s name, and the day of the week that they ride. We’re planning on prizes for the day of the week that brings in the most donations to help our friends in need.

Thank you for helping the Knockouts help their neighbors.

 

 

 

Even as this strange year of 2020 is swirling all around us, we're still managing to have fun safely. We thank all of our customers and their families for their diligent mask wearing at the barn so we can look forward to more safe fun at Knollwood.

 

Catch up on all of the latest adventures of Team Knollwood!

IASPHA Fall Adventures

The venue may have changed, but the atmosphere and fun surely did not. The IASPHA Fall Show was a sell out, and the  first at Beyond Stable Farm in Woodstock. Always well run and organized, these shows are a pleasure to attend.

Both show horse and academy classes were big, with nice horses and riders in the ring. Sunday’s academy performance was the biggest we’ve seen all season, with most classes split, and one division even had to split into three different classes!

Team Knollwood was well represented at the event, and our academy riders really shone in great competition. We learned many lessons, enjoyed time with the best lesson horses in the world, and showed off all the hard work we’d put in at home.

Some highlights?

Lauren stepped up and showed future academy star Willis for the first time, coming out on top of their championship class.

In her first year of showing in the walk trot and canter division, 11 year old Mia showed Heist for the first time, winning the second split of the championship as well as the pattern class.

The walk and trot division held several firsts as well.

Amelia showed lovely Sadie for the first time, and learned lessons about the mind of a show horse. She turned in really strong rides, and so appreciates all her lessons about horse alignment!

Brooklyn showed the one and only Panic in his walk and trot debut. After winning their horsemanship class, we honestly couldn’t tell who had more fun on the victory pass, as both Brooklyn and Panic were grinning from ear to ear.

In the show division, Erika showed Willis in the Monarch Single Bit division, winning both her qualifier and championship. Both of her rides showcased the value of academy showing as she worked the ring and always had Willis in a great spot even in a group of 10 riders.

 

Holly Jolly Show 

We have one more academy show in our 2020 campaign, the Holly Jolly show on December 5 and 6 back at Beyond Stable Farm in Woodstock, Illinois. Run by UPHA, the show features a relaxed schedule with walk, trot, and canter classes that won’t start before 1:00 PM on Saturday, and walk and trot classes that won’t start before 1:00 PM on Sunday. The show also offers novice and green classes for our newest show stars.

Entries close on November 10, so please talk to your instructor if you’d like to join our academy finale for 2020! We’re expecting a BIG show.

The Royal! 

The show horses will be leaving the first week of November for their finale, the UPHA National Championship American Royal in Kansas City.  Home to National Championships and the last 2 jewels in the Triple Crown of Equitation, the Royal is a BIGGIE.

Team Knollwood will be there with the finest horses and riders in the country, competing for titles in many, many divisions.

There IS a live feed, but the facility owns the rights, so it must be purchased to watch it live.  We’ll update with more info as soon as it’s available.

Woodwear 2020! 

Woodwear for Fall 2020 is fantastic, and ready for ordering.

This year’s must haves?

Purple quarter zips with warm, fleecy insides, available in misses and youth sizes.

Face masks! One size fits all, with the Knollwood Logo across the front.

Iconic Knollwood jackets with a new addition for 2020. Jackets for this year will have #KnollwoodStrong down the left sleeve.  These are available in misses sizes, and men's are available upon request.

Layering vest in black! Available in misses sizes, this vest is the perfect layering piece for those chilly barn days.

Remember, orders are due November 10 with payment due with the order. Woodwear will be delivered for the holidays.

 

2021 Academy Show Q and A 

We’ve had a lot of parents inquiring early about academy showing for 2021, so we’re hosting an early meeting in the arena on Saturday, November 14 at 7:00 PM. We’ll turn up the heat, spread out our chairs, and enjoy snacks while we talk about why we love academy showing. This is a preliminary meeting geared to parents with lots of details about the process.  We plan on hosting another meeting with demonstrations in January or February that will be more kid friendly.

Please contact your instructor if you think you might be interested in showing outside the barn next year. RSVPs are due on November 10 so we can be sure to have safe refreshments and info packets for everyone attending.

 

The Holidays are Coming!

Next week’s blog will be about gifts for Knollwood Kids. If you have any items you’d like details on, please talk to Ann.

If you’re interested in purchasing stirrups, just catch up with Ann, and she can order the Knollwood approved leathers and irons for the horse kid in your house!

 

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