Sometimes, hard work pays off at the perfect time.

Riders have been riding many intense lessons, Scott, Carol, and Lin have been hyper focused on the tiniest of details with horses and riders, and it all showed last week at the St. Louis National Charity Horse Show.

The show is home to both the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeder’s Association national championship of pleasure equitation as well as the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion Finals. It is one of everyone's favorite shows.

Team Knollwood came ready to compete against the best horses and riders out there, and we have stories to share.

Grown-ups Rock!

Tancy and her beautiful show pleasure horse, The Mouse King,  have quickly become a strong team. A lifelong Saddlebred exhibitor, Tancy and Mickey enter the ring with style and pure joy.  At St. Louis, they were rewarded with a blue ribbon in their qualifier, and a strong 4^th in a stacked championship.

Leighton and Prince are Champs

Let’s all remember that just a year ago, Leighton was showing in the academy division.

She and Prince have worked so very hard this year, and have made tremendous progress. They’ve shown at Madison, Midwest, and Lexington so far this year, and made quite an impression at St. Louis.

This charismatic team won both their UPHA Challenge Cup class, and the 10 and Under Walk-Trot Equitation championship in St. Louis. These were good, deep classes, and Leighton was all business.  And Prince? He couldn’t be happier with his new job.

Determined Shaye Made Her Mark

All three of our senior pleasure equitation riders were wonderful in St. Louis. Maiya, Natalie, and Shaye have each been contenders in the finals so far this season. Their success continued last week with precise patterns and dynamic railwork.

Shaye’s determination could not be denied. She and Teddy won the ASHBA Pleasure equitation national final first, with Maiya and Riddle in 3rd, Natalie and Garfield in 4^th, and junior equitation rider Amelia and Connor in 8^th. All four of Knollwood’s riders made the top 10, which is quite an achievement on it’s own.

Shaye moved on to the Senior division of the Saddle and Bridle Medallion Final on Saturday.  After railwork and initial patterns, all three Knollwood riders were named to the Top 10. At the end of the competition, Shaye was the champion with Natalie finishing in 4^th and Maiya in 5^th.

Triple Crown Winner Brooklyn

Knollwood’s 13 and under pleasure equitation riders have enjoyed a busy season learning about their horses and competition.

Brooklyn and Gamora have been learning and getting better and better all season.  This team is peaking at the perfect time of year, and came into St. Louis ready to take on the competition.

You may remember that Brooklyn won the Pleasure Equitation’s Olympics Junior Division and the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup Final’s Junior Division at the Monarch Show.

Brooklyn came to St. Louis with her sights set on the Medallion final, and her determination took her to a 1st place finish. Her barnmates were close behind, with Maddie and Eva in 4^th, and Amelia and Connor in 5^th.

Winning all three finals in a single season is a rare and difficult achievement, and we congratulate Brooklyn on all her hard work.

Richie Has A Week

The senior Saddleseat equitation division is always crazy deep at St. Louis, and this year was no exception. Richie and Payton were competing against some of the best in the country. The two Knollwood Kids came out at the top of judges’ cards, with Richie winning the qualifier and the championship, and Payton and Gigi riding to great 3rd place ribbons in both.

In addition to his equitation successes, Richie showed two 5 gaited horses at the show.  He has been showing Showdown all season in the Junior Exhibitor 5 gaited division all season, and what a ride they’ve had. They wowed the crowd at the National Equestrian Center, winning both the qualifier and championship in St. Louis. The championship was a unanimous win, as well.

Richie rode CH Lucky You Lucky Me for another trainer in the 5 Gaited Country Pleasure division, and left the ring with a 3^rd place ribbon in the qualifier before winning the championship.

Congratulations to everyone on the successful week at St. Louis.

Show horses will be hitting the road for the Mane Event in Springfield, Illinois from October 16-19.

What’s Coming Up Next?

October 11-12

UPHA Fall Show

Beyond Stable Farm

Woodstock, IL

October 14

Donations for gift baskets due

October 18-20

Knollwood Fall Show

October 20

Last day for Woodwear orders

October 21

Rest day for horses.

Lessons will be credited.

October 25-27

IASPHA Fall Show

Beyond Stable Farm

Woodstock, IL

November 9

Academy Parent Meeting

6:00 PM

November 17

Tiny Tot Mini Camp

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

November 23

Academy Demos and Meeting for those who attended on November 9

6:00 PM

November 28

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lessons will be made up.

November 30

Parents Night Out

Gift wrapping for our adopted families

December

Meetings to plan 2025 enrollments

December 7

Knockout Holiday Party and Election of 2025 officers

December 24, 25, 31 and January 1

Closed, lessons will be credited

January 25

Knockout banquet at Merrill Hills

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