Team Knollwood just returned from the Monarch Series Championship Show. Show and academy riders alike traveled to Springfield, Illinois where they competed in the most beautiful horse show arena in the country.

Monarch offers a wide ranging show that includes show horses galore, Pleasure Equitation National Finals, and gigantic academy classes.

Did we mention fun? The show and it’s fabulous staff are famous for fun.

Parties, nightly social hour, and pony noodle races are just the start.

We have stories to share!

Knollwood Olympians

The Pleasure Equitation Olympic Final was the first national equitation final at Monarch, and Team Knollwood shone in the cometition.

In the Junior division for riders 13 and under, charismatic Brooklyn and Gamora rode to the gold medal with grace and grit. These two are a match with their determination, while Brooklyn’s calm balances out Gamora’s enthusiasm.

Amelia and Connor rode to the silver medal in the event with grace on the rail  and precision in their pattern work.

In the Senior division for rider aged 14-17, Shaye and Teddy were cool, calm and collected to claim the gold medal. These two present a picture of teamwork and energy every time they enter a ring.

Silver medalist in a tough division was Maiya showing her teammate Riddle. These two are a factor in every class they enter, and were incredibly accurate in their pattern work.

While Mia didn’t compete in the finals, she showed a ‘work in progress’ horse in the equitation division. She and Lin and Dylan have been working  together, and showed at IASPHA summer for the first time.

They showed at Monarch, winning their qualifier, and finishing reserve to Maiya and Riddle in the championship. It’s quite an accomplishment for the rookie equitation horse to get through a pattern smoothly and confidently.

Mia was most definitely a horse in a former life.

Speaking of Lin, she showed two of her projects at the show, and they were both stars.

She and Shooter won their Park class, and she was third with Bolt in the 5 gaited class.

Jane and Fergie continued their successful partnership at Monarch. Fergie is happiest in the show ring, and won both the qualifier and championship in the adult Show Pleasure division.

Congrats to both of these ‘go for it’ ladies!

UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup Finals

The Knollwood ladies shone in the second national final at Monarch as well.

This final is sponsored by the United Professional Horseman’s Association, the horse trainers’ organization. As a result, it’s based on a riders’ ability to show a horse well.

The results are weighted a little differently, with showmanship accounting for 60% of the score and pattern for 40%.

In the junior division, Knollwood Kids finished first, second, and third.

Brooklyn and Gamora returned to the ring and really shone. The brassy mare and her calm rider rode with grace and confidence to win the National Final.

In addition to winning the event, Brooklyn also won the sportsmanship award, voted on by her fellow competitors.

Maddie and Eva finished second with a strong showing,  while Amelia and Connor finished in third.

The future is bright as these strong riders go forward.

In the senior division of 14 riders, the competition was fierce.

Showmanship was paramount, and we all know who can rise to that occasion.

She showed us when winning the 17 entry Horsemanship Challenge at Summerfun, and actually, every time she gets on a horse.

Yup, Natalie and Garfield let out the stops again and finished reserve in the Pleasure Challenge Cup National final.

Academy Riders Made the Trip

A group of our most experienced academy riders made the trip to Springfield to join the brilliantly deep academy division. What a great experience for these riders to compete in that iconic arena.

Addison and Thea represented Knollwood in the 14-17 division, while Dilly, Jilly, and Sophia showed in the 13 and under classes.

They all shone brightly in deep classes and did us proud.

Some highlights?

Knollwood Kids love patterns, and it showed at Monarch.

In the first split of the pattern qualifier, Knollwood finished 1-2-3 with Addison, Thea, and Jilly.

In the second qualifier split, Sophia finished second with Dilly in third.

To finish out the division, Addison and Dilly won their pattern championships, earning crowns for their accomplishments.

Jilly was a star in the 13 and under division, winning both of her championships, as well as the equitation qualifier.

What’s Coming Up?

Wisconsin Futurity Horse Show

September 12-15

New Holland Pavillion

Madison

The show horses will be in Madison for the show that features young horses in addition to show divisions.

Street Clean Up

This Saturday

1:00

Come join us to earn your service hours, and beautify our neighborhood.

The Knockouts will hold a club meeting following the clean up at 2:30.

Academy Photo Shoot

This Saturday at 6:00

Academy riders, if you’re rejoining the shoot for National Horseman, please arrive at 5:30 in your show clothes.

If you need your hair done, please arrive at 4:30. We have 2 volunteers coming in to create buns.

St Louis Charity Horse Show

September 25-28

National Equestrian Center

Team Knollwood will be in St Louis in force for a wonderful horse show. Home of 2 pleasure equitation national finals, and big performance equitation and performance classes, it’s one of our favorites.

Watch the pleasure equitation riders compete in the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation National Medallion Finals, and the ASHBA Pleasure Equitation National Championships.

The trimmed equitation division is pretty great, too.

Parents Night Out

September 28

6:00

Please sign up and pay your $25 to join a night of fun with the Knockout board members and officers.

We’ll be decorating ribbon bags for the Knollwood show, and enjoy pizza.

Come join the fun!

UPHA Fall Show

October 11-12

Beyond Stable Farm

Eighteen of our academy riders are traveling to Woodstock to compete in a fun 2 day show. Some of our future stars who competed for the first time at Showcase will enter the show ring for the second time.

Please make the trip to support these new Knollwood academy riders.

Knockout Awards Banquet

January 25

Merrill Hills

Save the date so you don't miss our annual celebration of all things Knollwood.

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