Last weekend, Team Knollwood enjoyed a picture perfect couple of days at the Wisconsin Futurity Horse Festival.

 Relocated to the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds for Labor Day weekend, many had their doubts about this year's show that was backed up to the World's Championship Horse Show in Louisville.  Horse people are never afraid of hard work and crazy schedules though, so Futurity didn't disappoint.  The show was competitive, and classes, especially in the academy division, were LARGE.

We enjoyed the show and made some great memories.  Here are a few of our favorites.

Amanda and Pixie

Team Pixie, comprised of Scott, Amanda, and Pixie have been working all season to prepare Pixie to live the life of an equitation horse. Scott has shown her lightly, and Amanda showed her for the first time at Oshkosh. Scott decided that the beautiful 4-year-old was ready to handle some real patterns, so she and Amanda made their workout debut at Futurity.  Team Pixie looked great, and will continue the process at the All American Horse Classic in Indianapolis where they'll compete in the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup Finals!

Emma

Few people are as unassuming as our champion academy rider Emma.

In addition to being an accomplished rider, she's also the co-president of the Knockouts, and is always willing to help with whatever she can around the barn.  She's a fantastic camp counselor, one of the best helpers there is, especially with apprehensive new riders, and is always looking for ways to help out.

Because we're sure she didn't tell you, in 2017, the modest Emma has won the academy championships at Madison Classic, Oshkosh Charity, ASAW Summerfun, AND the state championship at Wisconsin Futurity!

While she's been making her way to the winners circle, she's been educating one of our newer academy horses, Captain Kaos.  Emma's calm ways have given this handsome horse a new job in the academy world.

Murphy

Speaking of new handsome horses, Futurity marked the debut of Irish Victory as a Knollwood academy horse.  "Murphy' was recently purchased by Nancy, and started his new career with a bang.  Maria introduced him to the academy world, even winning her equitation qualifier.  Richie took over for the walk and trot academy classes and had a blast with our newest teacher.

Welcome Charlie!

The Marsden family purchased Ken Follet at Louisville, and Gabby lost no time having fun with him in the show ring.  Gabby and Charlie were second in both their 5 Gaited Pleasure qualifier and championship. We think there are many, many fun adventures ahead for these two!

Mia and The Walk Trot Gang

The youth movement is alive and well at Knollwood.

 Our six walk and trot academy riders all competed in the 10 and under qualifiers, and made us proud.  Classes were nice and big, especially in the 8 and under division, and our riders presented themselves with style and determination.

14 riders entered the ring for the all ages State Championship for walk and trot equitation, and they were ready to compete.  After initial rail work, the three judges selected eight riders to complete the pattern of a figure eight.

Of the eight riders selected, we were happy to have four of our riders make the cut. Richie guided Murphy through his first walk trot pattern, and then Mia, Maiya, and Mikayla took their turns at the figure eight. While they were all good, Mia's stood out for its precision and attention to detail.  Baxter had no doubt what eight year old Mia was telling him to do, and it showed.

When the tabulations were completed, Mia was announced the winner, with Richie and Murphy in third, Maiya and Klem in fourth, and Mikayla and Hooper in seventh.

We're proud of each and every one of our riders, and are thankful to the best lesson horses in the world for their fantastic performances last weekend.

What's Ahead?

All American Horse Classic

Show horses are already in Indianapolis for the All American Horse Classic.  Home to the first two pleasure equitation finals of 2017, the show will host the best riders in the country.  Team Knollwood is sending some strong competitors, with Finn and Hanna competing in the junior division of the Pleasure Equitation Olympics and the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup. In the senior division, Madison and Haley will compete in both the Olympics and the Challenge Cup while up and coming team of Amanda and Pixie will stick with the Challenge Cup final.

Lora is going to compete in the equitation division, and Ainsley and Millie are going to compete in the Junior Exhibitor 5 gaited classes.

You can watch the free webcast here.

Knollwood Fall Open House

It's coming up fast! 

Bring your friends Saturday, September 16 from 11am to 3 pm when they can enjoy free mini lessons, tours, and lesson observation.  New customers will receive a discount when they sign up for lessons at the Open House.

If you'd like to be a tour guide, help with mini lessons, or with painting a pony, please talk to Nancy about available opportunities.

Knollwood Fall Show

It's also coming up fast!

We're now taking entries for the grand finale of our academy season on November 11 and 12.  Featuring everything from leadline classes to the finals of the Knollwood Challenge, there's a class for everyone.

The show will also feature our annual helpers basket challenge to see which night's helpers can create the best gift.  

You can enter the show with forms and payment in the school barn lounge.  Your instructor will be happy to answer any questions you may have, and to assist with horse and class choices.

You won't want to miss the fun!

ASHA Medallions

For our riders working on their academy awards from the American Saddlebred Horse Association, our competition year ended with the Futurity show.  Competitions after October 1 will count towards your 2018 awards, so please take some time and complete your point sheets for 2017.  If you would like some assistance with placings or the forms, please talk to either Ann or Nancy who can help figure it all out.

We hope you can join us for all the Fall fun we have planned.

See you at the barn!