What a show season it’s been.

 Team Knollwood has travelled all over the Midwest competing against the best horses and riders in the country. We’re off to the last show of the season when the horses leave for the UPHA/American Royal National Championship Horse Show.

Starting on Monday morning at 11:00 AM, Hale Arena will be home to competition for National Championships and two big equitation finals. The show features beautiful facilities, wonderful management and hospitality, and a vibrant city in which to spend any off time.

Team Knollwood will be represented across many divisions.  Here’s a quick peek of the Knollwood Kids competing at the Royal!

 

 

5 Gaited

College Girl Finn and Shane (Admiral Able) will be racking through the Junior Exhibitor 5 gaited classes at the Royal.  Just off wins at Mane Event, these two will be a team to watch.

 

 

Haley and Allen (Americanas Standing Ovation) are headed to the tough amateur 5 gaited division in KC.  These two have formed a mutual admiration society, and are always a blast to watch.

 

 

Show Pleasure

Tori and Frankie have had quite a first season together. These two get along like they’ve known each other forever, and they’ve had many excellent adventures.  Look for this beautifully graceful team in the 3 gaited show pleasure classes for riders aged 14-17.

 

Margit and Robert will join Tori in the show pleasure division for riders 14-17.  Robert loves being a horse every day, and Margit helps him look mighty every day.  Watch for heir smiling faces in Hale Arena.

 

The dynamic duo of Margit and Charlie have had a most successful season.  They’ve been in the top ribbons from Milwaukee to Louisville, and they’re ready to take on all junior exhibitor 5 gaited show pleasure challengers in KC.

 

Richie and master teacher Fergie will take on all competitors in 13 and under Show Pleasure. Fergie has an opinion about just about everything, and Richie has all the answers.

 

Equitation Riders

5 Knollwood Kids are heading to the Royal to compete in the UPHA Challenge Cup National Finals, and in the USEF Medal Final.  The final two jewels in the Triple Crown of Saddle Seat Equitation, these finals represent the highest achievement in the discipline.

 

Meet the Knollwood Kids:

 

13 year old Richie is finishing his junior equitation career at the Royal. He and his beautiful mare Sophie (officially known as CH-EQ Royal Tryst) have had quite an action packed year.

They’re the current World Champions of Equitation for riders 13 and under, and won the UPHA Junior Challenge Cup Final last year, so he cannot compete in that final again.

Richie is looking forward to competing in his age group and the junior national final, and in the biggie, the USEF Medal Final where he’ll compete against riders up to 17 years old.

 

 

 

 

 

In her first year of competition in the senior equitation division, Payton has finished at the top of competitions againt riders with  years more experience than she has. In KC, Payton will compete with two different equitation horses. 

Payton is qualified for all the finals,  and will show her ‘heart horse’ Eli, officially known as ‘Undulata’s Crystal Illusionist,’ in the Challenge Cup final and in the Medal final.

Riddle, officially known as ‘Who’s on First’,  is making the trip to Kansas City to compete with Payton in her age group and in the National Championship.

We can hardly wait for 14 year old P to show the older competitors that she’s wise beyond her years.

 

 

 

 

16 year old Heather is making the trip to KC with her legendary equitation horse Sammy, officially known as ‘Reedanns Why Not.’ Heather has won top ribbons at every show she’s been to, including a third place finish in the World’s Grand Championship and most recently a 3rd place finish in the Good Hands Final.

This charismatic team will be competing in both the Challenge Cup Final and the Medal Final. We can hardly wait to see them enter Hale Arena.

 

 

17 year old Laney will be finishing her successful junior exhibitor career at the Royal, and she’s fortunate to be competing on two horses.

Laney will be showing Garfield, officially known as ‘Far Away Garfield’ in the UPHA Final and in the Medal Final. Garfield is owned by the Kingsbury family who have loaned him to Laney for the finals while his usual partner, Bella, is concentrating on her college studies.

Laney’s horse Aaron is also making the trip to Kansas City to show in the age group qualifier and in the championship.

Laney has had a fantastic season in the with her 2 equitation rockstars.  Laney won the Senior division of the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion, and was Reserve National Champion in the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup National Final. She is also the bronze medalist in the Pleasure Olympics, and finished third in the ASHA National Championship of pleasure equitation.

 

 

Finn is finishing her storied equitation career at the Royal. An equitation rockstar, Finn has been a competitor since her junior equitation days. Heck, she started showing leadline academy when she was only 6!

Currently studying at the University of Michigan, Finn is making the trip to compete with Leila, known to all as CH-EQ Brookhill’s Passion Punch. This firery mare and elegant Finn make a stunning combination in the ring.

Finn has had quite a year, including winning the Reserve World’s Grand Championship at Louisville, and she’s looking to cap a 9 year equitation career with an exciting show at the Royal.

 

We wish all the Knollwood Kids a fantastic show in Kansas City. We’ll be cheering from world headquarters, and watching the live feed here.

 

What’s Coming Up?

 

November 10

Woodwear Orders are Due!

They make great gifts for yourself or others.

 

 

November 13

Parents Meeting for Academy Season 2022

Please let us know if you’ll be joining us for an informational session about the 2022 academy season. This meeting is for parents only, and we’ll follow up with a kid friendly meeting in early spring which will include demos and kids on horses.

 

November 19 and 20

Turkey Trotters Academy Show 

Beyond Stable Farm

Our academy team is off to Illinois for a final show of the season. Performances are Friday evening and Saturday morning.  Please come cheer us on!

 

 

November 21 and 28

Holiday Photo Shoots with Hanna

Sign up here for the perfect photo shoot with beautiful holiday décor.

 

 

 

 

 

November 25

Thanksgiving

No Lessons

Accounts will be credited.

 

 

 

 

November 26 – Dec 3

Knockouts Holiday Family Adoption

The Knockouts will be ‘adopting’ a family for Christmas, and they’d love your help. We’ll post needs for the family in the school barn lounge, so you can sign up to donate items on the list.

Please help us make a family’s Christmas a little brighter.

Please have donations to the barn by December 3 so we can wrap the gifts and deliver them in plenty of time for the holidays.

 

 

 

December 1

School Horse of the Year Election Begins

Starting on December 1, you’ll receive a ballot for School Horse of the Year when you pay your 2022 club dues. The election winner will be announced at the banquet on February 19.

 

 

 

December 4

Parent’s Night Out

5-8 PM

All Knockout Kids are welcome to hang out with club officers and board members from 5-8 on Saturday, December 4.  You’ll enjoy dinner, fun with friends, and a gift wrapping session for the presents donated for our adopted family for Christmas.

It’s only $25, and you sign up in the school barn.

 

 

 

December 11

6:00

Knockouts Holiday Party and Officer Election

All Knockouts are welcome to join the fun of a scavenger hunt, pizza dinner, and election of club officers for 2022.

Sign ups will be starting soon.

Not yet a member? Please talk to your instructor to join the fun.

 

 

December 24 and 25

December 31 and January 1

No Lessons

Accounts will be credited.

 

See  you soon at the barn or at the ingate!