Team Knollwood’s show horses are heading to Kansas City tomorrow where they’ll compete at the UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show.

What’s the big deal about the Royal?

It’s the final show of the season, and the show features national championships in many divisions.

In addition to the show horses, Kansas City is an equitation showcase. Home to all of  the UPHA Challenge Cup finals, the USEF Medal Final, and the national championships of equitation, the Royal draws the best of the best equitation riders. The competition is exciting to watch.

Here’s the Knollwood team traveling to the Royal

 

Tancy and Mickey

A life long equestrian and saddlebred exhibitor, Tancy took some time away from the show ring to support her daughter Lora in her successful equitation career.

Now that Lora finished college and is a successful professional in DC, Tancy is headed back to the Royal with her new horse, The Mouse King. Known to his friends as Mickey, he enjoys life as a show horse in the show pleasure division.

He and Tancy will be competing in the veteran horse division, for show horses that love to enter the ring as ‘grown up’ horses. Mickey still thinks he’s a four year old!

 

 

The Country Pleasure Kids

Richie and Tess will be showing in the country pleasure division for riders aged 14-17.

Tess will be showing Undulata’s Crystal Illusionist, known to all as Eli. Richie is once again borrowing college sister Tori’s horse Stella’s Stilettos, known simply as Stella.

These two grew up together at Knollwood, and always have a great time in the ring.

 

 

Richie’s Need for Speed

Richie will also be showing Showdown, his 5 gaited partner. Richie and Tyler are a pleasure to watch, and no one can tell who’s having more adventures in the ring, Richie or his horse.

 

 

Alexa Takes a Study Break

College girl Alexa is taking a break from her studies at University of Miami of Ohio to compete with Sirtainly Stylish, in the show pleasure division for riders 14-17. She and Joe have enjoyed a very successful couple of show seasons together, and we’re all looking forward to watching them on Alexa’s break.

 

The UPHA Challenge Cups

The United Professional Horseman’s Association (UPHA) established the first Equitation Challenge Cup Final in 1972. The program has grown to include many divisions including the 10 and Under Walk and Trot Cup which was added in 1986.

In this finals, showmanship is paramount. Judging is based 70% on showmanship, and 30% on the pattern. The judges are asked to choose patterns that showcase showmanship rather than intricacy.

Team Knollwood will be well represented in several divisions.

Brooklyn and Gamora are competing in the Junior division, for riders 13 and under.  Brooklyn and her powerful mare have become quite a team, having won 3 junior national finals already this year. Brooklyn and ‘Gammy’ have won the Junior UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup Final, the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Junior Medallion Final, and earned the gold medal in the Pleasure Equitation Olympic junior division.

They’ll also compete in the National Championship for Junior equitation riders.

 

 

 

Leighton and Pure Royalty will be competing in the UPHA Challenge Cup final for Walk and Trot riders. In only their first year together, and Leighton’s first year out of the academy division, this dynamic team has made names for themselves.

Prince is enjoying his life in the walk and trot division, and Leighton looks like she’s been doing this forever.

They’re a terrific team looking forward to their first trip to the Royal.

 

 

 

The UPHA Senior Challenge Cup final is stacked, as usual.  There are currently 22 riders entered in the competition, and Knollwood is well represented with 5 contenders.

Maiya and Riddle have had quite a season so far. They’re the current 15 year old world champions, and are the silver medalists in the Senior Pleasure Equitation Olympics.

‘Rescue Riddle’ is living his dream as an equitation horse, and Maiya is helping him make a name for himself.

Maiya and Riddle will also compete in the senior national championship.

 

Natalie and Garfield will be joining the deep class after having a great year, and are the reserve national champions in the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup National Final.

Garfield and Natalie present a beautiful picture of calm, cool athleticism in packed show rings.

Natalie and Far Away Garfield will also show in the senior National Championship.

 

 

Payton and beautiful Gigi are heading to KC ready to take on any and all competitors. They’ve had quite a season, and are currently the Reserve World Grand Champions of Senior Equitation.

She and Gigi are the perfect team. Not everyone could keep up with the beautiful mare’s mental and physical skills, but Payton loves the challenge. They are thrilling to watch.

 

Richie and Doc are ready to join the talented contenders in the final. Reedann’s Dark Mystery and his young man are standouts in the arena.

They finished 3^rd in the world at Louisville, and have traveled far and wide this season to hone their skills.

 

Shaye and Teddy are making the trip after quite a season.

Teddy and Shaye were the grand champions at the Lexington Junior League show, and have since won the gold medal in the Pleasure Equitation Olympic, won the Saddle and Bridle Senior Pleasure Equitation Medallion Final, and won the ASHBA Pleasure Equitation National Championship.

You can’t miss Fox Grape’s Fort Defiance and Shaye in the ring. They’re quite a team.

Shaye and Teddy will also show in the senior national championship.

 

 

The Medal Final

The USEF Medal is considered the toughest final of them all.

The Medal started in 1937 with all seats competing together. Imagine a giant equitation class with saddle seat, hunt seat, and stock seat riders competing against each other!

Common sense eventually prevailed, and the final was split by seat in 1948.

Trivia fact: The saddleseat riders got to keep the original trophy while replicas went to the other divisions.

The medal is based 50% on railwork, and 50% on workouts.

Team Knollwood has had 4 winners of the prestigious final, Sarah, Kelsey. Nick, and Haley.

This year, Payton and Richie will join 10 other riders in the competition.

We wish everyone a terrific show, and applaud all the hard work that’s gone in to making it to Kansas City.

 

You can purchase the webcast here.

 

What’s Coming Up?

Parent Academy Meeting

Saturday, November 9

6:00

Parents are invited to join us to learn more about our academy show team.

Please sign up in the school barn lounge.

 

Academy Demo Night

Saturday, November 23

6:00

If you attended the first meeting and are interested in learning more, please join us for a fun demo session. A few of our academy riders will be show ready and ride for us so we can learn more about the show process.

 

Adopt a Family

The Knockouts have adopted a family with 5 children for the holidays. Their wish lists are posted in the school barn lounge. Please consider donating an item or two to help a local family’s holidays a little brighter.

You can donate to any day of the week, regardless of which day you ride.

 

Thanksgiving

We’re not holding lessons on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 28. Your instructor will schedule a makeup.

 

Parents Night Out

Saturday, November 30

6:00-8:00 PM

Join us for a gift wrapping party as we prepare gifts for our adopted family.

We’ll also enjoy pizza, and games with the Knockout officers and board members.

Please pay your $25 in the school barn lounge.

 

The Month of December

Ongoing…

Enrollment meetings

Your instructor will reach out about changes to your enrollment for 2025. Did you know you can include Knollwood shows and summer camps and enrollments in your enrollment so you can pro-rate the costs?

Academy riders, you’ll have your annual meeting to discuss plans for 2025!

 

 

School Horse of the Year Election

The lesson horses have just about finished their primary process, and will announce their candidates soon.

Knollwood Kids who join or renew their memberships in December will receive a ballot for the election.

The winner will be announced at the banquet on January 25.

 

Knockout Holiday Party and Election 

December 7

6:00

Knockout Holiday Party and Election

Knockouts, please join us for your party!

We’ll celebrate the season AND elect officers for 2025.

It’s free to all Knockout members. Please sign up in the school barn lounge.

 

 

Holiday Closures

December 24, 25, 31, and January 1

We’re closed to celebrate the holidays.

Your lessons will be credited.

 

 

 

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