Team Knollwood just returned home from a wonderful summer weekend of horse showing at ASAW’s Summerfun show.  It was a classic horse show with lots of warm weather, good friends, and beautiful horses.  Entry numbers were way up at this well run show, and classes were filled with wonderful horses and riders. With 40 stalls in our stabling area, we had some adventures and some stories to tell!

 

Maria Moves Up

 Maria grew up in our academy program, and has been at the top of competition for a couple of years, winning the academy championship at Oshkosh just a few weeks ago.  She’s heading off to Edgewood College this fall, and her parents have made it possible to make the big move to showing in a suit for a couple of shows before she heads off.

Thanks to the generosity of Sarah Wenzel, Maria had 2 suits to wear that fitted beautifully. Maria showed Sadie in a pleasure class as well as the UPHA Adult Challenge Cup.  They made a beautiful team, and worked the arena like pros.  You can see them next at the Wisconsin Futurity Show in September.

 

Bella and Garfield 

Isabella and Garfield have been getting to know each other, and their time together is really paying off.  This beautiful team won their Country Pleasure qualifier for riders aged 14-17, and finished reserve champs in the final.  They’re heading to Louisville next, and it’s sure to be a treat to watch!

 

Our Equitation Riders Are Ready

  With nine equitation riders in attendance (Ainsley, Amanda, Emma, Finn, Haley, Hanna, Heather, Matthew and Richie) Team Knollwood was busy in the equitation division. Whether qualifying for fall finals or getting more experience before Louisville, our riders shone in the ring.  Classes were big, enabling riders to get plenty of practice using the ring in traffic, just like in Freedom Hall in August.

 

 

Academy Strength

With 10 academy horses showing at the Saturday morning performance, it was an early morning for the academy team. Luckily, we had plenty of friends there to help! Great thanks to Ainsley, Finn, Payton, Hanna, and Jeni for helping up prep the boys for their big show. Sue, Laura, and Hanna made sure our riders had perfect hair for the ring.

Classes were huge, with many classes split. The walk trot and canter championship was split into divisions, and most of the 10 and under walk and trot classes were divided, including the championship.

Our horses and riders shone in the big ring. They navigated the traffic just like it was another big group lesson at home, making great passes along the way. Riders learned a lot of lessons at the show, and all riders in the championships were fortunate to perform the pattern for Judge Lilly.

Some ribbon highlights? Maddie and Baxter did it again, winning a split of the walk trot and canter championship.  They also won the championship at IASHPA last weekend. It looks like the pair to beat!

Maiya and Baxter were  also repeat champions from last weekend. This team won a split of the 10 and under walk trot championship just like they did at IASPHA last weekend. They’re also a team to watch!

 

 

 

It Takes a Village

It takes a lot of people with different skills to make a show work with this many horses competing.  Great thanks to everyone who pitched in to make sure all our horses and riders looked fabulous in the ring, to the ladies who created Saturday night’s aisle party, and to everyone who encouraged and cheered for the riders in the ring.

And finally, thanks to Vicky and her crew, including Ken who seems to be able to do anything to make a horse show run smoothly, for making Summerfun such a wonderful show for so many exhibitors!

 

Next Up?

The big Knollwood summer show is coming up this weekend, and we can hardly wait. We’re still looking for some help at the concession stand, and there’s still time to buy songs to benefit Saddlebred Rescue, too.  Check out all the show info in the school barn lounge.

See you at the show!

 

 

Team Knollwood enjoyed a classic summer weekend of horse showing at the Oshkosh Charity Horse Show.  Everything about this show is a little bit magical. Run by the dream team of Vicky Holston, Lance Hayes and Mike Bletsoe, no detail is left undone. A relaxed schedule, ringside tables complete with food and drinks provided, beautiful center ring set up, exhibitor parties and an ice cream social in a parklike setting make the weekend seem like one big party.  Oh, and the great breeze we enjoyed all weekend and Ken playing ‘bug buster’ keeping the mosquitoes at bay made it even better.

 

While we weren’t sitting back and enjoying the atmosphere, we were participating in a great horse show, and we have some stories to tell!

 

 

A Family Affair

Allison has been riding with us since her 13 and under Pleasure Equitation days, and enjoyed a stellar equitation career that led to her success in the adult amateur 5 gaited division with her current partner Roy, officially known as ‘I’m Royalty, Too.’ Allison also competes in the western division, showing Susan’s horse Sir Don Juan as well as her ‘home’ horse.

Now Allison’s mom Kim has decided to reenter the ring after an absence of a few years.  Kim has half leased Maddie, officially known as ‘Tura Lura Lura’ to show in the Country Pleasure division. Petite Maddie also happens to be the dam of Jodi’s horse John Dillinger, AKA ‘JD.’  Kim has enjoyed getting back into the ring, and is learning the ways of the show world again.  We’re excited to see this Mother Daughter team enjoying horse showing together!

 

 

 

Equitation Excitement

Our equitation riders were busy getting qualified for the fall finals, and looking great doing it.  Amanda and Pixie earned their first blue ribbon together, winning the UPHA Challenge Cup qualifier with Matthew reserve. He was also second in the Good Hands qualifier and is on his way to that final.

 

Emma and Fergie are becoming quite a team, and won the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion qualifier and finished second in the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup. 

 

Hanna is having a great season showing several horses and learning from all of them. Our youngest equitation rider at Oshkosh made her presence known with a second place in the Pleasure Equitation championship, and a third in the big Pleasure Eq qualifier.

 

Team Payton(s)

Both Paytons enjoyed great rides in the big Oshkosh arena. Payton H showed both Robert and Michael in the pleasure divisions and learned a lot under the big top.

 

Payton D showed her Mom’s horse Dos in the Junior Exhibitor Show Pleasure division, continuing his preparation for Louisville in August.  They did it again, winning both their qualifier and their championship, both of which were big, deep classes. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again, Payton’s Mom Nicole is never getting her horse back. Period.

 

Jodi and JD enjoyed a trip to an ‘A’ show and turned in some solid rides in the very competitive Country Pleasure division.  JD also worked in the crazy deep academy division with Erika aboard on Saturday morning.

 

Academy Depth

We are fortunate to be in area that understands the importance of the academy division for the future of the sport. Oshkosh has always provided classes with appropriate age splits to let these future show stars compete on a level playing field, and to let them show in a big arena with big classes.  Kudos again this year to show manager Vicky for letting the walk trot and canter academy equitation championship go unsplit with 14 entries. These riders used the ring well, and showed like veterans.

 

Judge Clouse was very wise with his time, and in several of the biggest classes, excused the non-ribbon winners to work the top 6 a little more, saving the balance of horses in the heat. These were some tough classes to judge, and he did a great job cutting through the numbers and making his selections without wearing out horses or riders in the summer heat.

Our riders fared well in the strong competition.  Many, many lessons were learned, and we saw vast improvement in our riders since the beginning of the season. Big classes in a big ring can sure bring out confidence in a rider!

Maria and Alex emerged as the champions in the walk trot and canter division with Lauren and Baxter reserve champs in only their first year in the cantering world. Zada won her 14-17 qualifier in her first time enjoying the fun machine that is CH Callaway’s Don’t Panic as well.

Mia and Baxter were a force to be reckoned with in the walk and trot division, winning all three of their classes. These two understand each other, and look like they’re both enjoying every minute. Mikayla was a strong second in both qualifiers, too.

 

An event like this takes lots of support from Team Knollwood, and we’d like to thank some of the people who pitched in to make it a successful day. Sue drove up the day before the Bergets left for World Cup in Lexington to make sure the academy stars had perfect hair, Jeni, Vicky, and Hanna prepped horses and made sure they were comfortable after the show with cool baths, and to our wonderful parents who hosted a cookout for riders and their families.

It takes a village, and we have a great one.

 

What’s Next?

Ainsley and Haley are competing in Lexington at the Saddle Seat World Cup. They’re both members of Team USA’s 5 Gaited Team, and you can watch the event live on the USEF Network.  Good luck to them!!

 

The academy and ‘B’ horses are off to Gurnee next weekend for the summer IASPHA Show. We have a big group traveling to Illinois, and it’s a short drive, so please come cheer us on!

 

 

Our ‘home’ show is coming up the following weekend at Wisconsin State Fair Park. The ASAW Summerfun Show will feature great show horses and a big, big academy division. The Knockouts sponsor an ice cream social after the Saturday academy performance, so please come join us for a wonderful weekend of horse showing.

 

The Knollwood summer show is coming up fast, the weekend after Summerfun. Sign up sheets are posted for hair, you can sign up for practice rides, bouquets, and Songs for Saddlebreds in the lounge, and you can sign up here to help the Knockouts in the concession stand. Our in-barn shows are the biggest fundraisers for the club, so please help support our award-winning youth group with your time or donations.

 

 

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

 

 

 

Knollwood Summer 2018 is a ball.

We’ve already enjoyed a pattern camp, a Tiny Tot camp, and we’re in the middle of the second week of our Classic Camp.

 

We enjoyed lots of adventures at the Madison Classic and Midwest Charity shows, and we’re ready for the show to start in Oshkosh this weekend.

 

 

Oshkosh is the start of the academy team’s ‘5 shows in 5 weekends’ stretch, so we want to prepare early for the Knollwood summer show coming up on July 21 and 22.  Here are some important things to remember as we get ready for the big weekend.

 

 

Hair Sign Ups

The salon is already taking appointments for both Saturday and Sunday of the show.  Sign up in the school barn lounge to have the bun the 'pros' wear in the show ring.  Best of all, they're only  $5, or $8 if you’d like to purchase one of Jodi’s bows to complete your show outfit.

 

Practice Rides

Perfect for our first time show riders or for anyone who’d like a little refresher, we’re offering practice rides on Friday the 20^th at 5:30 or 6:30.  For only $40, you’ll enjoy some extra riding time while we go through everything about the show including riding in to the arena from the school barn. Sign up soon with your instructor so you can reserve your show horse!

 

 

Bouquets!

Our friends at Bank of Flowers are once again creating wonderful bouquets for your favorite rider.  You can purchase your bouquet for only $12 up to July 6.  If we have any extras, you can purchase them at the show for $15.  All proceeds benefit the Knockouts, so reserve your flowers soon!

 

 

 

Songs for Saddlebreds

The Knockouts have long been supporters of Saddlebred Rescue, and have even won their ‘Youth to the Rescue’ award two times. We’re selling songs at the show for only $5 with all funds raised going to support our favorite cause. You can pick the song of your choice to be played during your class, or the class of a friend. Please see your instructor to pay and sign up!

 

 

The Concession Stand

We are grateful to the Honkamp Family for sponsoring the concession for the Summer Show. Team Knollwood is fortunate to call them our friends for more than 20 years. We now have three generations of Honkamps riding and showing with us, and we appreciate their continued support of the Knockouts.

Thanks to your support, the concession stand and other fundraising activities had a great spring show.  We’re asking for your help again in July to make it even better. The shows are the biggest fundraising activities for the Knockouts, and our efforts make the events for the kids affordable, including the big awards banquet.  Please consider helping out with your time, donation of supplies, of financial support to help us raise funds for the club.

The concession stand is looking for members to staff the shifts both Saturday and Sunday.  We’re also looking for help with the 50/50 raffle.  It’s a great way to meet new friends, and watch the show when you’re not working.  You can sign up here!

We’ve added a wine pull this year, and are looking for donations of bottles. You can drop them off with your instructor, and we promise they won’t drink them.

 

 

As our academy team hits the road with trips to Oshkosh, Gurnee, and State Fair Park before the Knollwood Show, we thank you in advance for your support of Team Knollwood's award winning youth group, the Knollwood Knockouts.

Hope to see you at the shows!!

 

 

 

 

Team Knollwood enjoyed a wonderful warm week at the 77^th annual Midwest Charity Horse Show. Our horses and riders were prepared for the deep competition that the show has to offer, and earned some terrific ribbons while learning along the way.

We had a blast both in and out of the ring, and have some stories to share!

 

Gabby and Charlie just keep trotting and racking along.  Following wins so far this year at Madison and Chapter 5, this team just keeps riding their hearts out. At Midwest, they won both their qualifier and their championship against some really good competition!

 

The comeback kids, Susan and grand Geronimo made the trip to Springfield to compete in the Country Pleasure Masters division.  They’re both masters of the game, and they rode to a good third place ribbon in their qualifier.  With the high heat on Saturday, Susan opted out of competing in the championship, and let Geronimo enjoy his stall fan instead.

 

 

Ainsley does it all.  From equitation to riding performance horses, she’s at home in the saddle. She and Millie have been winning great ribbons this season, and they continued the streak at Midwest. These two powerful ladies earned a second in their Junior Exhibitor 5 Gaited qualifier, and came back to win their championship.  

 

Payton has been making quite a splash with her boys Dos and Eli this season.  Actually, Dos in her mom’s horse, but the way things are going, Nicole may never get him back.

Payton and Dos are undefeated in 13 and under show pleasure this season, and at Midwest they entered the UPHA Challenge Cup qualifier and won that as well.  This team now has options for fall, as they’re qualified for their first equitation final in addition to their string of pleasure wins!

The dynamic duo of Payton and Eli made a splash in the 13 and under 3 Gaited division as well, winning their qualifier and finishing reserve in their championship.  Payton is ready for anything, and has the look of sheer joy as she shows. It’s fabulous to watch.

 

So Bella was finishing school on the Tuesday of Midwest, the day that Garfield had to qualify for the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure Championship.  Enter Ainsley, who rode him a few times at home, and showed him to qualify at the Tuesday matinee performance.  She won the qualifier, and said she had a blast doing it.

Bella arrived in Illinois in time to show her horse back in the championship, and rode to a reserve title. This is going to be quite a team to watch, as they’re coming together so quickly early in the season. Stay tuned!

 

Our equitation riders were stars. Again.

Richie and Tink were a sight, finishing second in their Challenge Cup before coming back to win the 10 and Under Walk and Trot Equitation class. They just keep getting better at each show!

 

Heather and Tucker rode with polish beyond their experience to win their age group class and the 13 and Under Pleasure Equitation Championship. They also finished third in a really competitive Good Hands qualifier. These two are a force to be reckoned with!

Ainsley’s equitation horse had sore feet, so she showed Ernie at Midwest. Great thanks to the Worzalla family for their generosity!

This new team won their Pleasure Equitation Challenge Cup, finished fourth in a crazy deep USEF Medal qualifier, and won the Senior Pleasure Equitation Championship.  It’s quite a list of accomplishments with a new horse.  Look for Ainsley later this season as she represents Team USA on the World Cup Team!

 

Finn has made the move to the senior equitation division with style. She and Sophie make a beautiful pair in the ring, and were rewarded for their efforts at Midwest. They won the trimmed Challenge Cup qualifier, were second in the Good Hands class, and won the Senior Equitation Championship.

In addition to her equitation rides, Finn also showed her beautiful pleasure mare Frankie to a good 5^th in their Show Pleasure qualifier for riders 14-17 before they came back and won their championship. It was quite a win in a good, good championship!

 

Haley and Leila are really enjoying this equitation thing. Leila is getting more and more relaxed under Haley’s guidance, and seems to like her change of division. This team won their Pleasure Equitation age group, and won the USEF Medal qualifier. They skipped the championship to let Leila rest after a wonderful show as an equitation star!

It was a wonderful week of horse showing, and we’re so grateful to all our customers as well as our staff who worked to hard to make sure horses looked picture perfect entering the ring. It was a week to remember with good friends and beautiful horses.

 

 

Next up?

The show horses are heading to Oshkosh on Wednesday, and the academy horses will join them Friday afternoon. It’s going to be a good show at the Oshkosh Charity Horse Show, so please come join us!

 

 

You've seen them on our Facebook, you've seen them on our Instagram, you've seen them in our group rides, and you've seen them in the show ring.  Now, for the 1st time (and maybe last yeeeeesh) we've dared to give KF Photo of the Day champions of champions, Miss Mia and Maiya a mic and a camera to stand in front of!  Introducing:  Mia and Maiya - The web series!

 

 

Mia and Maiya have both been riding at Knollwood since they were even smaller than they currently are (hard to believe, I know).  Growing up Knollwood comes with some responsibility.  Not only do you learn to take care of your horse and those around you with less experience, but also to take care of coming up with a creative photo of the day for Miss Ann to post on our Facebook and Instagram.  People need to know just what IS happening here on a daily basis and it's important to be honest about how hard we are working and how by the book we tend to run things.

 

 

Oh and don't forget the importance of preparedness and being organized for shows.  Packing trunks, checking and double checking your show caboodle, and..... uhhh.....stowing away?

 

 

Well anyway, Mia and Maiya may have an unorthodox approach to things, but we hope you will continue to enjoy their spin on things in video format! 

 

For their first adventure, Mia and Maiya headed off to the Madison Classic Horse Show to talk with some of our industry's best and brightest about showing horses, memories of the past, and what makes them tick.  They also asked the notorious R.H. Bennett (the interview guy) about interviewing!  It's good to talk to the experts!  Without further delay:

 

Mia and Maiya Take Madison!