Back to school season is upon us, and Team Knollwood is proud to present our five riders who have started their college careers this fall.  All five of these ladies have grown up at Knollwood, and while we’re missing them already, we know they’re going to shine in their new challenges, just like they did growing up with us. And we’re looking forward to seeing them in the middle of the arena over the Thanksgiving break!

 

Abbie, also known as ‘Bubbles’ started riding  at Knollwood when she received a gift certificate from her aunt and uncle for Tiny Tot lessons. Little did her parents know that’s how it starts!

Abbie has risen through our academy program after showing Willy in her first Knollwood show.  She grew into one of our ‘go to’ helpers, and has served as a camp counselor for the last three years.

Her mom Cathy says,’ The Knollwood lesson horses have taught Abbie every life lesson she needs to succeed. These amazing horses taught Abbie that you can never be too loud of forceful and to always ask for more. They have taught her to not let anyone push you into a corner, even if it is a humor-filled Norwegian. (Yes, Forest, that means you!) The horses at Knollwood have taught Abbie how amazing it is to run (from her first cantering lesson on Trigger to her first WTC show on Hooper), and running is the way to approach life.’

 

Abbie graduated from Divine Savior-Holy Angels in May, and is attending the University of Louisville where she’s studying Industrial Engineering. She’d love to work for Disney after graduation because it’s her second love after horses, of course.

Abbie is lucky to continue riding while she’s in college! Louisville has a saddle seat college team, and she’s already riding with them.

 

 

Emma started riding at Knollwood when she was eight.  She readily admits that she was obsessed with horses, and begged her mom for lessons. Of course, mom Becki thought it was a phase, but Emma is still riding and loving every minute of it, 10 years later.

Emma grew up with us, and enjoyed quite a distinguished academy show career for many years. Emma won championships at every major show, often riding our newer lesson horses to further their educations.

For her last season of junior exhibitor eligibility, she has moved up to the show horse world, and is showing Fergie, officially known as Impressive Asset, in the pleasure equitation division.  In just a year, Emma and Fergie are at home at the prestigious national equitation finals. At the All American Horse Classic, Emma made it to the Top 10 of the Senior Pleasure Equitation Olympics, and won the Sportsmanship Award in the UPHA Senior Pleasure Challenge Cup National Final as voted by her fellow competitors.

Emma has been in integral part of our lesson program, too.  She’s been an important helper always known for her patience and kindness with the most timid riders. She’s served as a camp counselor, held several Knockout offices, and most recently taught Tiny Tot lessons.

Emma’s favorite Knollwood memories? ‘I always looked forward to pattern camp the most. That’s where I met so many of my best friends, and I learned so much! Plus, it meant that you got to go to the barn every day AND ride! I’d also have to say that I enjoyed all the fun times Forest and I have shared over the years!’

Emma’s mom Becki says, ‘Knollwood has helped learn life lessons.  Many new friends were made, and social skills developed. Teaching lessons has enabled Emma to develop dedication to work, and to share her talents and skills with younger riders.’

Emma graduated from Oconomowoc High School in May, and is attending Edgewood College in Madison. She’s studying business and plans on attending flight school after college and becoming a commercial pilot.

You’ll still see Emma at the barn on weekends while she’s competing through the fall equitation finals!

 

 

 

 

Maria started riding at Knollwood when she was 7, and never left.  Her mom Wendy had a friend who lives on Horseshoe Bend, and said how amazing Knollwood is.  Maria took her first lesson and was hooked.

 

Maria says pattern camp was one of her favorite barn activities because she got to spend the whole day at the barn and make friends with other riders.

Maria enjoyed a long stint as one of the 'World Famous Saturday Helpers,' often prepping horses for 50 lessons on busy days. She's also held several Knockout offices. photographed events for us, and has helped with countless birthday parties and girl scout troops! 

Wendy says, ‘Riding has helped Maria be organized and manage her time so she could do homework and ride. She learned that hard work is a good thing and that getting your hands dirty was OK, too. She understands the value of having the chances to ride so many beautiful horses and never take anything for granted’

Wendy adds, ‘Riding is such a special thing to share with your child. Knollwood takes the whole person and takes them to a place where, as a parent, we could never get them by ourselves. Don’t take your time at the barn with your child for granted. The years go by so very fast!’

Maria graduated in May from Wauwatosa East High School and is studying at Edgewood College in Madison. While she’s undecided on a major, Maria is very interested in business. She plans to continue riding at Knollwood while she figures it all out!

 

 

 

 

 

Parker started riding at Knollwood at the tender age of 3 and started her show career early as well, riding Wedgie the Fresian in leadline with her brother and fellow rider Keegan as her personal assistant.

Parker’s mom Jeni says, ‘It was her destiny. I rode at Knollwood, and so did Parker’s brother. Also, Is there anywhere else to ride?’

Parker grew up a Knollwood, and is practically an institution as a Wednesday night helper. She enjoyed a very successful academy show career, and was fortunate to lease some nice show horses the last 2 years as a Junior Exhibitor.

Parker’s favorite memories of being a Knollwood Kid include pattern camps, Oshkosh show cookouts, and of course, riding.

 

Jeni says she could go on for days about all the things riding have taught Parker, but here are a few:

‘’Horses teach you to live in the moment and have thoughtful and appropriate reactions to what is happening NOW…not what happened in the past or what could possibly happen in the future. This leads to greater self-awareness and accountability.’

‘Showing has taught her grace. Grace when she received a blue ribbon and grace when she did not get a ribbon.’

Parker says, ‘Knollwood has meant everything to me. It is a second home and has taught me so many invaluable skills as well as given me unforgettable memories. Whether I was cleaning stalls, riding or even just doing chores with my pals, I loved every minute of it.’

Jeni adds, ‘The Knollwood community has offered support and kindness without being asked. Sometimes life takes a left turn when we had aimed for a right turn and having a group of friends and other ‘moms’ to connect with has been comforting to Parker. Working at Knollwood as a helper was Parker’s first job. She learned how to interact with adults and how to delegate tasks to others. And sometimes she learned things the hard way, and that’s OK.’

‘Parker had literally spent her entire life as part of Team Knollwood and neither one of us regret a single second we’ve spent at the farm.’

Parker recently graduated from Waukesha North High School, and is currently attending WCTC while still working at Knollwood when her schedule allows. She’s majoring in human resources with a minor in communications.  She hopes to become a counselor or advisor for students or children.  She’d also like to have a home for rescued animals, especially horses, and start a family of her own.

Parker’s final words of wisdom? ‘Never stop pushing! Ride without stirrups, take the pass off the rail, run with the beginner, learn how to do leg wraps, help with camp, and savor every second because it goes by way too fast! You’ll get there!’

 

 

Payton is a legacy, the third generation of her family to be a member of team Knollwood. She started riding when she was 4 and rode for a couple of years. After taking a break, she returned to riding at age 13, and says she has loved every minute since.

Payton jumped right back into riding, and showed academy for a year or so before she broke into the show horse world where she’s been a fixture ever since.

Payton is a competitive rider, and says that one of her biggest challenges was mental. She says,’ I think that learning how to lose gracefully was one of the most challenging skills for me. As anyone who has ever met me knows, I love to win. Winning is fun! For this reason, it was easy to becomes discouraged when, even after a practically flawless ride, I exited the ring without a ribbon. There is a certain degree of subjectivity regarding ribbons and judging when it comes to riding, and sometimes this can be frustrating. However, I learned that it truly is the ride and not the ribbon. While external gratification is most definitely an added bonus, internal satisfaction is more important.’

Payton’s favorite memories include summer camp and bonding with horses and people. She says, ‘Believe it or not, I used to be a pretty shy kid, and riding at Knollwood has allowed me to open up and be myself. The first summer pattern camp I did at Knollwood was undoubtedly one of the best weeks of my life. I bonded with the other girls at camp in a way that I had never really felt confident enough to do before, and I got to spend hours and hours with the one and only Hugo prepping for the Summerfun Horse Show!’

Another favorite? Riding in a pairs class with her grandma at the Knollwood show! ‘One time we dressed up as clowns, and another as peas and carrots! Unfortunately, the judge of the show didn’t really get the message on that one, and thought my grandma was an orange gourd…’

Knollwood has been ‘life changing’ for Payton. She adds, ‘Riding has taught me so much about myself and who I want to become. During hard times in my life, my Knollwood family has always been there, and riding has been a source of motivation for me to do the right thing for my own well being. It has not always been easy, but if I had the chance to do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat.’ 

 

Payton graduated in May from Divine Savior Holy Angels High School and is now studying nursing at the University of Michigan.  She is currently interested in specializing in pediatric nursing, and she’s hoping to return to school to earn her Masters so she can be a nurse practitioner.

No matter what  she decides to do after graduation, it’s a pretty safe bet that she’ll be riding in her spare time!

Final words of wisdom?  Payton says,’ Tough love is a part of life. No one who ever did anything worthwhile did it without first failing, and riding is no exception. ‘

Susan adds, ‘Our family has been riding at Knollwood for 25 years. No reason to go anywhere else, They’re the best. Keep riding – it’s a life long sport!’

 

We wish our latest class of college girls the best, and we can't wait to hear all about your adventures when you get home for break!!

After enjoying one of the strongest and deepest World’s Championship Horse Shows in memory, it’s time to celebrate the art of equitation as we start Finals Season.

 

Equitation Finals are chances for equitation riders to compete against the best riders in the country as they compete for National Titles. Riders qualify to compete at the finals by qualifying at a class during the show season.

Following the 2 finals being held at the All American Horse Classic this weekend, the season continues at the St Louis Charity Horse Show at the end of September with the ASHA National Championship of Pleasure Equitation as well as the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion Final.

Riders of both Pleasure Equitation and Trimmed Equitation horses will then meet at the Mane Event Show at the Illinois State Fairgrounds at the end of October for the first and oldest of the ‘Big Three’ finals, the Good Hands.

   

The season ends at the UPHA National Championship American Royal with the last 2 events of the equitation triple crown, the UPHA Challenge Cup and the USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final. These 2 are ‘Open’ events, so pleasure equitation and trimmed equitation horses are eligible to compete.

Riders have been working hard all season, and some recently graduated 17 year olds have taken gap years from college to allow themselves to focus on their last ‘final season.’

 

The season starts this weekend at the All American Horse Classic in Indianapolis.  This show, held at the historic Indiana State Fairgrounds, is home to the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup Finals as well as the Pleasure Equitation Olympics.

Finals Season 2018 will start with the Pleasure Equitation Olympics, sponsored by the Illinois American Saddlebred Pleasure Horse Association (IASPHA).  Riders must earn a minimum of 15 points competing in pleasure equitation points throughout the season to be eligible for the finals.

Riders will compete on the rail, and then the judges will select 10 riders to complete individual work.  Later in the day, an awards ceremony will be held to honor gold, silver, and bronze medals for the first, second, and third place riders.

Team Knollwood will be well represented in the final, with Hanna and Heather competing in the Junior Division, while our riders in the senior division will be Ainsley, Amanda, Emma, Haley, and Matthew.

 

The UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup final started in 1992 to promote pleasure equitation. Riders who have placed either first of second in a qualifying class during the season are eligible to compete in the finals in Indy. In each qualifier across the country, riders compete on the rail before they all complete the mandatory workout of:  "Trot a serpentine consisting of four half circles to the opposite end of the ring. Return down either rail at a show trot." 

 Showmanship is paramount, and the final is judged 60% on railwork, and 40% on the individual workout. Judges are asked to select patterns that highlight showmanship as opposed to intricacy.

The event is divided into two age divisions, the junior final for riders 13 and under, and the senior division for riders aged 14-17.

Team Knollwood will be in the thick of this competition as well, with all seven of our riders competing for the National Title.

 

Best of luck to everyone competing this weekend!

 

 

If you can’t make it to Indy, you can watch all the action on SeeHorseVideo.com.

 

Don’t forget our Open House is coming up on September 15 from  11-3.  Please bring your friends who might be interested in lessons to enjoy a free mini lesson, paint Forest, and enjoy a tour of the farm.  New customers who purchase lessons at the Open House will receive a discount, too!

 

 

Team Knollwood is back from a memorable week at the Worlds Championship Horse Show in Louisville, Kentucky.  We competed against the best horses and riders in the country, and held our own in the deepest of competition.  We had a great time, too!

 

Preparation started months ago for both horses and riders.  Of course, the training became even more intense most recently, with some riders staying in town for weeks at a time to prepare for the big show.  Besides lots of extra private lessons, Scott and Carol also ran group lessons for Louisville riders on the show barn lesson horses to practice and perfect using the arena to your advantage. These groups were especially beneficial for our riders new to the intensity of the Louisville experience. Besides the riders learning a lot from each other as well as Scott and Carol, these groups were an absolute blast to watch!

 

All the extra work paid off, as our riders all rode incredibly well, and their horses performed beautifully.  We couldn’t be happier with their performances!

Here are just a couple of stories from the big show…

 

The show celebrates riders competing for the first time at the World Championships, and this year, Knollwood had three strong contenders.  Bella showed Garfield in the Country Pleasure division, Heather showed Tucker in the Junior Equitation division, and Richie was there to show TInk in the Walk and Trot Equitation classes. They all turned in great rides, and Heather and Richie even made it through to their championships!

 

Our performance riders showed their horses against the best, and turned in some great rides and came home with some wonderful ribbons, too!

Gabby and Charlie racked and trotted their way through a huge qualifier to earn a third place ribbon, Ainsley and Millie rode hard to earn an 8^th place in their qualifier and earned the right to ride in the championship.

 

Bella and Garfield turned in a strong first Freedom Hall ride in their qualifier, Ainsley and Robert rode to a great 4^th place in their Show Pleasure Championship, and Payton rode Dos to a Reserve World Grand Championship in Show Pleasure for riders 13 and Under.

 

 

 

 

Hard work really did pay off for our equitation riders who all made it into their championships.  Finn, Haley, and Matthew made it through their deep qualifying classes to ride in the 23 rider Senior Equitation Championship on Thursday night.  When the judges cut the class down to 10 riders to perform the workout, Haley earned the right to compete with the best in the country. After a strong pattern with Leila, Haley earned 5^th place in the senior final.

 

First time Louisville rider Heather rode Tucker with confidence to advance to the Junior Championship, and performed a beautiful pattern to earn a strong 5^th place in the Junior Worlds Championship. Quite an accomplishment for her first time in Freedom Hall!

Richie and Tink made a strong showing in their Louisville debut, earning a 6^th in their qualifying class.  Always striving to improve, Richie rode even harder in his championship class, and moved up to 4^th in the final. Another great result for a first time World Championship rider!

 

 

Horses are resting at home for a bit before some of them head to Indianapolis for the All American Horse Classic next weekend. It's the start of equitation final season, with this show hosting the Pleasure Equitation Olympics and the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup National Finals.

 

 

 

What’s Next In Hartland?

 

Our Fall Open House is coming up Saturday, September  15 from 11-3.  If you know of anyone who might be interested in lessons, please bring them to the farm for FREE mini lessons, tours, Forest painting, and the chance to watch lessons in progress.

 

 

Wisconsin Futurity Horse Show is coming up at State Fair Park the weekend of September 22.  We’re expecting a big show with huge academy classes, so please come join us!

 

 

The Knockouts fall Street Clean Up is coming on Saturday, September 29 at 1:00.  Help us tidy up Oakwood and Nagawicka Roads for fall, and stay for the Knockout Meeting at 2:30!

 

See you at the barn!

Last weekend, Team Knollwood hosted a horse show AND participated in the same show.  Thanks to everyone who helped, it was a smooth, fun horse show for everyone involved.

Held at the scenic Ozaukee County Fairgrounds in Cedarburg, the ASAW Summer Showcase is a joint venture between the American Saddlebred Association of Wisconsin (ASAW) and the Knollwood Knockouts. We supply the manpower and organization, and we get to split the proceeds with the ASAW Scholarship Fund.  It's a win for both organizations!

 

The 'B' show horse classes and the academy classes for the more experienced riders are held in the beautiful, large outdoor ring on the grounds.   Laura and Jodi represented Team Knollwod in the 'B' division while Lauren, Lily, Madison, and Tori showed in the afternoon academy division. Everyone rode their best, and we're so proud of all of them!

We enjoyed picture perfect weather for these classes, and perfect lighting for our photographer Lauren Gall to capture special moments for all the riders.

Following the Saturday afternoon academy classes, riders were treated to an ice cream social to celebrate their rides, too.

Sunday started with a brunch in the concession stand before the 'B' championships ran in the big outdoor ring.

The afternoon session moved to the indoor arena for our 10 and under walk and trot riders as well as the maiden and exceptional divisions. The ring is perfect for our less experienced riders, and class sizes are small to accommodate the cozy arena.

Team Knollwood had a great afternoon performance, with Mikayla finishing her day by winning one of the 8-10 year old equitation championship splits while showing Baxter for the first time.

Our four maiden riders performed strongly after their week at prep camp.  Alexa, Amelia, Tess, and Thea each won at least one class at their first show, and performed in their first pattern classes, too!

 

The behind the scenes team made the show work for all the barns who attended this year.

 

Great thanks to our concession stand leaders, and all the Knockouts who came to staff the stand, and deliver lunches throughout the weekend.  Great thanks to Margit and her family who came up to deliver shavings on Friday, to the center ring ladies who kept everyone safe, to Jeni our announcer, and to Vicky who kept the show running so smoothly all weekend.

In addition to the ASAW Scholarship Fund, the show also raised money for Saddlebred Rescue and HAWS as well.

We're already looking forward to next year's edition of the ASAW Summer Showcase, and hope everyone can join us!

 

Don't forget, mini golfing is coming up this Wednesday at 11:00.  You can sign up to join the fun in the school barn lounge!

 

See you at the barn!

 

 

Team Knollwood enjoyed a near perfect summer horse show weekend in Roscoe competing at Mid America Horse Show Association's Signature Show. The weather was wonderful to enjoy the beautiful outdoor arena, hospitality was fabulous with ice cream treats, popcorn, pizza, and even a water balloon fight!

 

Our riders shone at the sunny show, too!

Mary and Panic represented the 'B' horses, and they did it well. They started the show for us by winning the Show Pleasure class for riders 50 and over, and finished the show with a strong fourth place ribbon in the championship for riders 18 and over.  Panic really enjoyed the nice long straightaways, and Mary sure looked like she did too!

Hanna helped us Saturday morning, acting as hair stylist for all our riders.  During the show, she helped us on the rail, and then did a quick change into her suit.  She showed Panic in the Good Hands qualifier during the afternoon performance, and won the class!  She's on her way to the final in October.

 

Our 14 academy riders did us proud on Saturday morning.

The walk, trot, and canter riders rode like pros, using the big arena to their advantage.  The horses loved the big ring, too!

Classes were large and deep. Maddie and Syd represented Team Knollwood well in the 13 and under division.  Korinne, Erika, Tessa, McKailey, and Paige showed in the 14-17 division and did us proud in the big classes.

Our walk and trot riders have been progressing all year, and it's been a blast to watch. Juliet had Dexter looking like a million bucks, making passes off the rail.  Mia and Murphy are fast becoming a team, and looked like they've been together forever. Florence made great progress since her last show, and Hailee and Hooper looked really polished.

It was hard to tell if Margit or Baxter had more fun on Saturday morning, and Emma had a blast with pro Eddie.

Great thanks to Heather who came down Saturday morning to help prep horses for the academy performance, and who helped during and after the show as well.

We had a blast!

 

Next Up?

Don't forget to sign up to help at the ASAW Summer Showcase Show in Cedarburg next weekend!  You can sign up here!

See you at the barn!