Team Knollwood finished their in-barn show season with a celebration of the lesson program.

Ninety riders competed on the best lesson horses in the world in our beautiful outdoor arenas. Did we mention that the weather couldn’t have been any more perfect?

We had a ball, and have stories to share.

Abby comes home

Knollwood Kid Abby returned to Knollwood to judge all the events this weekend.

Abby grew up at Knollwood, rising through the academy program before she moved up to the world of show horses.

Abby was an incredible performance rider and showed two wonderful 5 gaited horses in the junior exhibitor division. She finished her show career with the one and only CH Freaky Links, and they were a top team known for their exciting rides.

Judge Abby was looking for riders with spunk. After judging on the basics, she was looking for riders who looked ahead and planned their next move. She was also looking for energy and riders who were enjoying themselves.

Abby remarked many, many times this weekend that her job this weekend was incredibly difficult. She loved all the riders and horses and had a hard time placing many of the classes.

We loved having her back.

 

Shooting the Weekend

Knollwood Kid and professional photographer Hanna Agathen was in the ring on Saturday and Sunday capturing the memories of the weekend.

You can check out proofs and order here.

 

 

Sportsmanship on Display

We value sportsmanship.

The Knollwood Kids have learned this lesson well, and showed it this weekend. Riders cheered each other on, helped with tack changes, and congratulated fellow competitors.

It’s not the ribbon, it’s the ride.

 

 

We Have the Best Parents Around

Our parents raised over $2000 for the Knockouts this weekend.

They ran a killer concession stand, ran a raffle of gift baskets, and offered encouragement to riders and parents new to horse showing.

Joe O’Brien and his company Four Leaf sponsored the concession stand this weekend. Daughter Finleigh is a Knollwood Kid and showed on Sunday.

We can’t thank these hard working supportive parents enough. We couldn’t do it without them.

 

We Have Happy Horses

If you think our riders looked happy this weekend, did you check out the lesson horses?  They love showing, especially outside.

Thomas loves his wee walk and trot riders, Baxter loves audiences anywhere, Earl likes meeting new friends along the rail, and Fred just likes being a horse anywhere, anytime.

Our newest equine additions, Sherman and Leona were great in their test runs this weekend, and will be showing at our spring show.

These horses are priceless teachers.

 

 

Our Personal Assistants Make Sunday Happen

Sunday is a special day at our shows, because it’s the day that our youngest riders shine. Each horse is assigned his or her own personal assistant. The assistant is responsible for the horse’s grooming, tacking, and care throughout the day. Assistants get riders on and off, head horses in the lineup, and offer encouragement to riders.

These experienced helpers must be experienced riders to be able to tack and adjust stirrups and reins for an assortment of riders on Sunday.

Most importantly, they must be patient and kind. New show riders are usually nervous, and assistants must rise to the occasion to stay positive, calm, and kind in the face of sometimes a million and a half questions.

Personal assistants are amazing, and do a terrific job of representing the spirit of Knollwood.

 

Our 6 and Under Division is Growing

We have a special group of riders showing in our new 6 and under division. They ride a certain group of horses due to their size, but these are mighty riders. At this show, they even rode in their own pattern class.

We offer great thanks to Bilbo, Fred, Hooper, Hugo, Leon, Pumpkin, and Thomas for being such patient teachers to our youngest stars.

 

 

Our 12 finalists

 

 

Knollwood’s 2024 Equitation Final

Knollwood offers its own equitation final for our academy riders.

Based on the national finals in the show horse world, riders qualify for the final by placing first or second in a qualifying class.

Held on Friday night at each of our shows, riders perform railwork before each rider performs the qualifying workout.

In the walk trot division, each rider trots an exverted figure eight, while in the walk, trot, and canter division the rider trots an inverted figure eight.

Riders who finish first or second in a qualifier advance to the final in October, and are eliminated from further qualifiers.

In the final, riders receive a pattern on Friday night after the final riders have qualified. All riders get to walk the pattern on foot before they ride it on Saturday, but no one has the opportunity to ride it.

The Knollwood Challenge is a wonderful test of horsemanship, and has been won by many Knollwood riders who have gone on to accomplished equitation careers, including triple crown winner Hailey Berget.

The finals winner in each division each gets their name engraved on a traveling trophy that they keep for a year, and they also win a custom show shirt from our show barn tailor, DeRegnaucourt.

 

The competition was fierce again this year, with Charlotte winning the walk trot and canter final on Leon, and Maddie was the reserve champion on Hugo.

In the walk and trot division, Rags was the winner on Baxter, and Kali was reserve on Thomas.

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

One more Spooky Weekend!

Friend of Knollwood Sarah is battling breast cans=cer, and her husband has designed a spooky fundraiser to assist with medical bills.

Please  visit Highland Ridge Stables this weekend to enjoy a very scary haunted walk through the woods, and support Sarah's journey.

We may be at IASPHA this weekend, but Knollwood Kids will enjoy the spooky season at HIghland Ridge for a great cause.

 

IASPHA Fall Show

Join us this weekend for our last academy show of the season.

We’re heading to Beyond Stable Farm in Woodstock Illinois, and would love to see you there.

 

 

Knockout Mini Photo Shoots

Sunday, November 3

Hanna will be at the farm for mini photo sessions to benefit the Knockouts. They’re perfect for family pics, holiday pics, or just for fun.

You can sign up here.

 

 

 

Parents Academy Meeting

Saturday, November 9

6:00 PM

Parents, please sign up in the lounge if you’d like to learn more about our academy showing program. We’ll discuss schedules, commitment, and finances.

Our second meeting on November 23 is kid friendly, and will primarily involve demos.

 

 

UPHA American Royal National Championship Show

Kansas City, MO

November 12-16

Team Knollwood is traveling to KC to compete in national championships, and to compete in the last two equitation finals of 2024.

 

Tiny Tot Mini Camp

Sunday, November 17

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Molly is running a mini camp for our youngest new riders.

 

 

 

 

Academy Demo Night

Saturday, November 23

6:00 PM

We’ll be in the arena with academy riders dressed to show. You’ll learn all about what the judge is looking for, what proper attire and turn out looks like, and what’s required.

We’ll have a lot of fun talking to current academy riders and their parents as well.

 

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 28

We will not be holding lessons. Your instructor will arrange a makeup.

 

 

Parents Night Out

Saturday, November 30

Join the Knockout officers and board members as everyone wraps gifts for our adopted families. Of course, dinner and barn fun is included in the evening!

 

The month of December:

School Horse of the Year Election

You guessed it, the lesson horses are currently holding their primary elections in the pasture at night. (Maybe that’s why Hugo is so tired?)

They’ll announce the primary winners soon!

You can cast your vote in the month of December when you pay your Knockout dues for 2025.

 

Academy Enrollment Meetings

Instructors will be meeting with parents during the month of December to plan 2025.

Did you know that everyone can include camp and Knollwood shows in their enrollment packages in the monthly enrollment? Your instructor would be happy to work out an enrollment perfect for you.

 

 

Knockout Holiday Party and Election

Saturday, December 7

Yup, It’s election and celebration time!

All Knockouts are invited to our holiday party and election for 2025 club officers.

Interested, but not yet a member? You can join in the school barn lounge. We’d love to have you!

 

 

 

Holiday Closures

December 24, 25, 31, and January 31

All lessons will be credited

Happy Holidays!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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