Louisville 2024 was one for the ages.

Competition was fierce and deep, but there was a sense of camaraderie. The show was overseen by a different governing body this year, and the vibe was fresh, friendly, and super responsive.

Knollwood had a heck of a show, and has great stories to share.  (In no particular order!)

 

 

Brooklyn and Gamora

These two have been soulmates from the outset. Both intense, Brooklyn gets along with her sometimes opinionated horse partner in a grand way.

These two were in fierce equitation competition, and earned a 4^th place ribbon in their qualifier, and 4^th in the Junior championship with a 1^st place vote.

 

 

 

Leighton and Prince

In her first year of showing, Leighton went for it and traveled to the World’s Championship Horse Show. She and Prince were up against riders with much more show ring experience, but they rode as if they owned Freedom Hall.

Team Leighton rode to a great 4^th in the qualifier with a second place vote, and 6^th in the world championship for riders aged 9 and 10.

What an incredible set of accomplishments while riding at Louisville for the first time!

 

 

Maiya and Rescue Riddle

In case you don’t know the story of Riddle…

He was rescued from a kill pen by the Duerr family. After getting him healthy and started in his education, they sent him to Knollwood to see what Riddle could do.

 

Riddle continued his education, and showed for the first time with Payton. He acted like a rock star, so his training continued.

He became an educated equitation horse, and has been leased for the last few seasons by Maiya.

This year, they were named 15-year-old World Champions after winning their equitation qualifier.

The rescue horse is now a World Champion!

Great thanks to the Duerr family for rescuing this grand horse, and for giving him a chance to be who he was born to be.

 

 

 

 

Margit and Her Boys

Margit flies under the radar.

You don’t often find her in the spotlight, but this Knollwood Kid can ride.

At Louisville, she piloted her beloved Charlie to a 3^rd place ribbon in their gaited pleasure qualifier, and a 6^th in their championship. Keep in mind, Charlie has a lot of experience being a horse. These two understand each other, and work so well for each other. They’re just a joy to watch.

Margit and Robert, the charismatic 3 gaited show pleasure horse she leases from Knollwood, worked their way around the arena to earn a 5^th place ribbon.

What a great way to close out her Junior Exhibitor Louisville career!

 

Richie Had a Week

Richie is a horseman.

He showed four horses at Louisville, and qualified and ribboned in all four championships.

His sister Tori asked Richie to show her beautiful country pleasure horse Stella at the show this year.  Richie and Stella were a sight, riding to 4^th place in their qualifier, and 5^th in the championship.

 

Richie showed a gaited pony for Kentucky trainer Clark Clouse, finishing 4^th in the qualifier, and 4^th in the championship.

Richie showed Showdown, the gaited horse he’s leasing from the Kingsbury family in the Junior Exhibitor Gaited division.

Tyler is a grand horse, and Richie and Scott have been working super hard at home getting everything just right.

It worked.

Richie and Tyler worked the arena, finding spots and making passes like pros. The dynamic team finished Reserve World Champions in their qualifier, and a grand third in the World Grand Championship.

The crowd favorite, Richie exited the ring to a round of rousing applause.

Richie is one of the best equitation riders out there.

He and Doc finished a great third in his qualifier for 16-year-old equitation riders, and was third in the World’s Grand Championship of senior equitation.

 

 

Payton Was a Horse in a Former Life

Payton thinks like a horse, and it shows.

Payton helps her mom in Colorado with the rescue horses who live at their home. She’s comfortable on any horse at any time

One of the best equitation riders out there, Payton has the tremendous skills to ride a fiery, talented mare, and to make her think things are her idea. Great thanks to Scott, the 'mare whisperer'!

Payton makes riding Gigi look simple, which it certainly is not.

Payton and Gigi were reserve World Champions in the 17-year-old equitation division, and finished 2^nd in the World Grand Championship in the Senior Equitation division.

What a fantastic finish to an accomplished Louisville career!

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

Labor Day Closure

We’re not holding lessons on Monday, September 2.

Instructors have arranged make-up lessons.

 

 

Monarch Series National Championship

September 3-8

Illinois State Fairgrounds

Team Knollwood will be showing at one of the most enjoyable shows of the season, and the most beautiful arena around.

Monarch showcases the pleasure equitation division with both the Olympics and the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup national finals.

New for Knollwood this year, academy horses are joining the show horses in Springfield.

 

 

Wisconsin Futurity Horse Festival

September 12-15

New Holland Pavilion, Madison

The show horses are heading to Madison for one of our ‘almost local’ shows.

 

 

Academy Photo Shoot

September 14, rail date September 21

6:00 PM

Academy riders, be sure to RSVP to Ann by September 7 so we know how many will be participating in our group shot.  We can hardly wait!

 

 

Mini Camp

September 22

Noon – 3:00 PM

Molly is running a mini camp from noon – 3:00 PM for new riders aged 7 and up. For only $99, your horse lover can learn all about safety, horse care, and enjoy a lesson from 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.

 

 

St. Louis National Charity Horse Show

September 25-28

National Equestrian Center, St. Louis, MO

Another favorite show, this one features the ASHBA National Championship of Pleasure Equitation, and the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion Finals for both the senior and junior divisions.

 

 

Parents Night Out

September 28

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Knockouts are invited to join their fellow club members to decorate their ribbon bags for the Fall show.

For only $25, Knollwood Kids will enjoy dinner, time with the Knockout officers and board members, and decorate their show bags.

 

 

 

UPHA Fall Show

October 11-12

Beyond Stable Farm

 

Our academy team is heading to Woodstock for a fun academy show. Many of our riders who showed for the first time at Cedarburg will be making their second show ring appearances.

We can hardly wait.

 

 

 

Knollwood Fall Show

October 18-20

It’s coming up fast!

Former instructor Abby is returning to judge all three days of the show, including the finals of the Knollwood Challenge Finals.

It’s a big show, and we’re looking forward to a wonderful weekend of all things Knollwood.

 

 

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