Team Knollwood enjoyed a wonderful warm week at the 77^th annual Midwest Charity Horse Show. Our horses and riders were prepared for the deep competition that the show has to offer, and earned some terrific ribbons while learning along the way.

We had a blast both in and out of the ring, and have some stories to share!

Gabby and Charlie just keep trotting and racking along.  Following wins so far this year at Madison and Chapter 5, this team just keeps riding their hearts out. At Midwest, they won both their qualifier and their championship against some really good competition!

The comeback kids, Susan and grand Geronimo made the trip to Springfield to compete in the Country Pleasure Masters division.  They’re both masters of the game, and they rode to a good third place ribbon in their qualifier.  With the high heat on Saturday, Susan opted out of competing in the championship, and let Geronimo enjoy his stall fan instead.

Ainsley does it all.  From equitation to riding performance horses, she’s at home in the saddle. She and Millie have been winning great ribbons this season, and they continued the streak at Midwest. These two powerful ladies earned a second in their Junior Exhibitor 5 Gaited qualifier, and came back to win their championship.  

Payton has been making quite a splash with her boys Dos and Eli this season.  Actually, Dos in her mom’s horse, but the way things are going, Nicole may never get him back.

Payton and Dos are undefeated in 13 and under show pleasure this season, and at Midwest they entered the UPHA Challenge Cup qualifier and won that as well.  This team now has options for fall, as they’re qualified for their first equitation final in addition to their string of pleasure wins!

The dynamic duo of Payton and Eli made a splash in the 13 and under 3 Gaited division as well, winning their qualifier and finishing reserve in their championship.  Payton is ready for anything, and has the look of sheer joy as she shows. It’s fabulous to watch.

So Bella was finishing school on the Tuesday of Midwest, the day that Garfield had to qualify for the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure Championship.  Enter Ainsley, who rode him a few times at home, and showed him to qualify at the Tuesday matinee performance.  She won the qualifier, and said she had a blast doing it.

Bella arrived in Illinois in time to show her horse back in the championship, and rode to a reserve title. This is going to be quite a team to watch, as they’re coming together so quickly early in the season. Stay tuned!

Our equitation riders were stars. Again.

Richie and Tink were a sight, finishing second in their Challenge Cup before coming back to win the 10 and Under Walk and Trot Equitation class. They just keep getting better at each show!

Heather and Tucker rode with polish beyond their experience to win their age group class and the 13 and Under Pleasure Equitation Championship. They also finished third in a really competitive Good Hands qualifier. These two are a force to be reckoned with!

Ainsley’s equitation horse had sore feet, so she showed Ernie at Midwest. Great thanks to the Worzalla family for their generosity!

This new team won their Pleasure Equitation Challenge Cup, finished fourth in a crazy deep USEF Medal qualifier, and won the Senior Pleasure Equitation Championship.  It’s quite a list of accomplishments with a new horse.  Look for Ainsley later this season as she represents Team USA on the World Cup Team!

Finn has made the move to the senior equitation division with style. She and Sophie make a beautiful pair in the ring, and were rewarded for their efforts at Midwest. They won the trimmed Challenge Cup qualifier, were second in the Good Hands class, and won the Senior Equitation Championship.

In addition to her equitation rides, Finn also showed her beautiful pleasure mare Frankie to a good 5^th in their Show Pleasure qualifier for riders 14-17 before they came back and won their championship. It was quite a win in a good, good championship!

Haley and Leila are really enjoying this equitation thing. Leila is getting more and more relaxed under Haley’s guidance, and seems to like her change of division. This team won their Pleasure Equitation age group, and won the USEF Medal qualifier. They skipped the championship to let Leila rest after a wonderful show as an equitation star!

It was a wonderful week of horse showing, and we’re so grateful to all our customers as well as our staff who worked to hard to make sure horses looked picture perfect entering the ring. It was a week to remember with good friends and beautiful horses.

Next up?

The show horses are heading to Oshkosh on Wednesday, and the academy horses will join them Friday afternoon. It’s going to be a good show at the Oshkosh Charity Horse Show, so please come join us!