Even as this strange year of 2020 is swirling all around us, we're still managing to have fun safely. We thank all of our customers and their families for their diligent mask wearing at the barn so we can look forward to more safe fun at Knollwood.

Catch up on all of the latest adventures of Team Knollwood!

IASPHA Fall Adventures

The venue may have changed, but the atmosphere and fun surely did not. The IASPHA Fall Show was a sell out, and the  first at Beyond Stable Farm in Woodstock. Always well run and organized, these shows are a pleasure to attend.

Both show horse and academy classes were big, with nice horses and riders in the ring. Sunday’s academy performance was the biggest we’ve seen all season, with most classes split, and one division even had to split into three different classes!

Team Knollwood was well represented at the event, and our academy riders really shone in great competition. We learned many lessons, enjoyed time with the best lesson horses in the world, and showed off all the hard work we’d put in at home.

Some highlights?

Lauren stepped up and showed future academy star Willis for the first time, coming out on top of their championship class.

In her first year of showing in the walk trot and canter division, 11 year old Mia showed Heist for the first time, winning the second split of the championship as well as the pattern class.

The walk and trot division held several firsts as well.

Amelia showed lovely Sadie for the first time, and learned lessons about the mind of a show horse. She turned in really strong rides, and so appreciates all her lessons about horse alignment!

Brooklyn showed the one and only Panic in his walk and trot debut. After winning their horsemanship class, we honestly couldn’t tell who had more fun on the victory pass, as both Brooklyn and Panic were grinning from ear to ear.

In the show division, Erika showed Willis in the Monarch Single Bit division, winning both her qualifier and championship. Both of her rides showcased the value of academy showing as she worked the ring and always had Willis in a great spot even in a group of 10 riders.

Holly Jolly Show 

We have one more academy show in our 2020 campaign, the Holly Jolly show on December 5 and 6 back at Beyond Stable Farm in Woodstock, Illinois. Run by UPHA, the show features a relaxed schedule with walk, trot, and canter classes that won’t start before 1:00 PM on Saturday, and walk and trot classes that won’t start before 1:00 PM on Sunday. The show also offers novice and green classes for our newest show stars.

Entries close on November 10, so please talk to your instructor if you’d like to join our academy finale for 2020! We’re expecting a BIG show.

The Royal! 

The show horses will be leaving the first week of November for their finale, the UPHA National Championship American Royal in Kansas City.  Home to National Championships and the last 2 jewels in the Triple Crown of Equitation, the Royal is a BIGGIE.

Team Knollwood will be there with the finest horses and riders in the country, competing for titles in many, many divisions.

There IS a live feed, but the facility owns the rights, so it must be purchased to watch it live.  We’ll update with more info as soon as it’s available.

Woodwear 2020! 

Woodwear for Fall 2020 is fantastic, and ready for ordering.

This year’s must haves?

Purple quarter zips with warm, fleecy insides, available in misses and youth sizes.

Face masks! One size fits all, with the Knollwood Logo across the front.

Iconic Knollwood jackets with a new addition for 2020. Jackets for this year will have #KnollwoodStrong down the left sleeve.  These are available in misses sizes, and men's are available upon request.

Layering vest in black! Available in misses sizes, this vest is the perfect layering piece for those chilly barn days.

Remember, orders are due November 10 with payment due with the order. Woodwear will be delivered for the holidays.

2021 Academy Show Q and A 

We’ve had a lot of parents inquiring early about academy showing for 2021, so we’re hosting an early meeting in the arena on Saturday, November 14 at 7:00 PM. We’ll turn up the heat, spread out our chairs, and enjoy snacks while we talk about why we love academy showing. This is a preliminary meeting geared to parents with lots of details about the process.  We plan on hosting another meeting with demonstrations in January or February that will be more kid friendly.

Please contact your instructor if you think you might be interested in showing outside the barn next year. RSVPs are due on November 10 so we can be sure to have safe refreshments and info packets for everyone attending.

The Holidays are Coming!

Next week’s blog will be about gifts for Knollwood Kids. If you have any items you’d like details on, please talk to Ann.

If you’re interested in purchasing stirrups, just catch up with Ann, and she can order the Knollwood approved leathers and irons for the horse kid in your house!

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