Team Knollwood just returned home from our first outing of 2025, the IASPHA Spring Show.

We traveled with 24 riders, 8 academy horses and 4 show horses. We sure do have stoies to share.

Photo by Collective Grace

First Time Show Stars

Mya and Vienna made their academy show debuts this weekend, and they rocked the green division. Mya and Baxter lit up the ring with their sheer enjoyment, and Vienna jockeyed Leon around the arena like she owned it.

They both executed their championship pattern like pros, and were rewarded with Mya winning the championship and Vienna being named the reserve champion.

The future is bright for both of these Knollwood Kids.

Photo by Collective Grace

Averie’s On Her Way

Averie will be showing her horse Pure Royalty this season in 10 and under walk and trot equitation, and decided to participate in her first and only academy show before her debut on Prince.

Averie and Oscar skipped the green division and headed right into the deep 9 and 10 year old walk and trot classes.

Averie lit up the ring with her skills and presence. She and Oscar learned a little more each time they entered the ring before they finished as reserve champions.

Next up, showing Prince this season!

 

Photo by Collective Grace

Kali’s World

We’re just lucky to be in it.

IASPHA was Kali’s first academy show riding in the walk, trot, and canter division. She has enjoyed success walk trot classes in previous years, and was looking forward to the new challenge.

She and Murphy showed up ready to compete, and won her horsemanship, equitation, and championship classes.

To top off the day, Kali won the pattern class of 9 riders.

Kali didn’t go home to celebrate. Instead, she changed into work clothes and started prepping horses and tack for Sunday’s walk and trot academy performance.

11 year old Kali learned the ways of a show tech from Adrienne the pro on Sunday, and did a great job with horses and riders.

This Knollwood Kid is going places.

 

Equitation Debuts

Leighton and Shaye made the trip to IASPHA to show their new horses in the friendly confines of Beyond Stable Farm.

The open equitation qualifier was on Friday night, so both ladies donned their tuxes and top hats for the performance. Both riders looked fabulous on their new horses in a really nice class of 7 riders.

Shaye and Lady won the class, and 11 year old Leighton in her first ever cantering class finished a strong 5^th on Teddy.

In the equitation championship Saturday night, Leighton finished as the reserve champ, while Shaye won the UPHA Challenge Cup Qualifier class earlier in the day.

They’re both ready to take on the challenges of 2025.

 

 

Zach shows for the first time.

Maddie's new horse, Zach Attack, made the trip to IASPHA to further his education. Mom Courtney showed him in the Open English Pleasure qualifier on Friday night. They had a wonderful ride and finished second his first time showing under the Knollwood banner.

Maddie rode a lesson on him in the show arena before she headed off to a soccer tournament. 

Knollwood trainer Lin took over the reins for the championship on Saturday night where Zach showed like a pro for the pro.

Maddie will have a blast with Zach in the 10 and Under walk trot equitation division this season.

 

Shooter at Monarch in 2024 with Lin in the irons

Margit’s New Challenge

College girl and Knollwood Kid for life Margit has taken on a new challenge for 2025. She’s be showing the wonderful young pleasure horse Shoot First in the grown up show pleasure classes.

Shooter and Margit enjoyed a promising debut this weekend at IASPHA, finishing second in the qualifier, and winning their championship.

If you ever get the chance to watch Margit show a horse, take it. Few riders are cooler, more collected, or show with more joy than Margit.

Oscar Makes His Debut

The newest member of the Knollwood equine faculty, Oscar Nominee, traveled to his first show with us.

Oscar is learning the ways of a Knollwood academy star, and was a standout this weekend.

Tall graceful Rielle and Oscar have formed a mutual admiration society, and it showed this weekend.

 

Big Takeaways?

Showing horses is full of life lessons.

It’s a long process, and learning about showing is rarely revealed in a straight line.

Most learning takes place in the middle.

 It’s where you know enough to get around the ring and where you learn from new situations, and sometimes from missteps. It’s where students realize that horses are alive and react to things they didn’t expect. It’s where riders miss a diagonal, do a transition in a silly place for your horse’s mind, or get boxed in by other riders.

The middle is where rider’s experience frustration.

 Errors are an important part of learning. How can you progress without them?

 Learning more about your horse’s mind in different situations is part of learning. Horses are comfortable at home, and always know what to expect. In a new show situation, expect the unexpected. You learn to be ready for anything with experience.

And what a rewarding experience showing horses is.

Great thanks to our team of riders who display horsemanship, sportsmanship, and friendship in the middle.

We have thee most amazing parents who ‘get it,’ and support all the riders as if they were their own. Great thanks.

We will never be able to say enough about our academy horses. We owe them Caribbean vacations and so much more.

What’s Coming Up?

Show Volunteers Needed

Now

Please sign up for gift basket donations in the school barn lounge, or for concession stand help and/or donations here.

It takes an army of volunteers to carry off an event of this size. Please consider donating some of your time to make it a success for the Knollwood Kids.

Easter Closure

We’re not holding lessons this Sunday, April 20.

Makeups have been scheduled.

 

 

UPHA Spring Show

May 3-4

The academy team is off to Beyond Stable Farm for a weekend of showing. Please join us to cheer us on!

 

Mom’s Day Ride

May 10

We’re signing up for our Mom’s ride on May 10.

For only $50, you can enjoy an introductory lesson with your Knollwood Kid as your helper.

Helpers must be at least 10, or an academy show rider.

We are expecting a big demand, so we’ve slotted three groups. Time options are 5:30, 6:15, and 7:00.

Please sign up with your instructor or admin.

Payment is due at signup.

Knollwood Spring Show

May 16-18

Friday Night Patterns will start at 6:00 PM in the indoor arena.

WTC Saturday will begin at 10:00 AM in the big outdoor arena.

WT Sunday will begin at 10:00 AM in the little outdoor arena.

 

Day of Rest for the Lesson Horses

May 19

All lessons will be credited.

Madison Classic Horse Show

May 22-25 

New Holland Pavillion at the Alliant Energy Center

 It’s going to be a big, big show.

Academy riders show on Saturday morning.

 

Memorial Day

May 26

No lessons on Memorial Day as we remember.

Your instructor will reschedule if they haven’t already.

Prairie State Classic Show

May 30 - June 1

Beyond Stable Farm

Our academy team is at it again.

It’s well worth the trip to cheer us on!

 

 

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