Scott and our three pleasure equitation stars made the trip to the All American Horse Classic in Indianapolis.  This fall show, held in the historic coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, is known for its rich futurity, and for the first two equitation finals of the year.

Our riders were competing in both events, the Pleasure Equitation Olympics, and the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup National Final.

Both events are divided into senior and junior divisions, with the 13 and under in the junior section, and the riders aged 14-17 competing in the senior division.

Both competitions are open to riders who participate in pleasure equitation classes throughout the year.  The Challenge Cup Final requires a rider to participate and place highly in a qualifying class during the season, while the Olympics were open to all pleasure eq riders this year.

Both competitions require showing both on the rail and in individual patterns.

Following a qualifying round, the field of competitors is cut down, and the judges’ top riders are invited back to phase II.  Following that ride, the top 10 riders are announced, and then the winners are introduced.

Knollwood’s three riders performed incredibly well, and we’re proud of all three.

Here’s a little bit about each rider's journey to Indy.

Emma is having an unbelievable first year out of the academy division. Indy, was, in fact, only her third show wearing a suit.

She grew up a Knollwood Kid, has been active in the Knockouts, and is currently the co-president.  Emma was a star in the academy division, and her parents have leased personality-plus Fergie, officially known as Impressive Asset, for her debut season in pleasure equitation.

Emma put on great shows in the finals, and even made the cut in the Challenge Cup final while competing against the best in the country.

We could not be more thrilled with Emma’s trip to her first finals!

Payton was a horse in a former life.

She travels from her home in Colorado to ride her horses, and she has the ability to understand and to ride each of them as individuals.  Payton gets along with every horse she meets.

Payton just came off a Reserve World Champion title in the 14 year old division at Louisville, and she and Eli (Undulata’s Crystal Illusionist) were ready to take on the older riders in the senior division.

Take them on, she did. Payton and her heart horse finished with the silver medal in the Olympics, and was awarded third place in the Challenge Cup final. 

Laney is a rock star.

She grew up mostly in the world of Arabian horses, and made the switch to saddlebreds several years ago. Determined to make it to the top of the equitation world, Laney has worked her butt off to get there. She works out, rides any horse anytime anywhere, and even home schooled for her final year of high school, so she could spend more time at the barn.

Laney received the fantastic opportunity to show Far Away Garfield at Indy, thanks to the generosity of the Kingsbury family.  While Garfield has never competed in the equitation division, Scott knew that Laney would enjoy the challenge of showing this grand horse in equitation for the first time.

The team rose to the occasion, winning the bronze medal in the senior Olympics, and finishing reserve in the Challenge Cup final.

All three of these riders were fabulous in Indy, and started finals season in style.

The next finals are at the St. Louis Charity Horse Show, where riders will compete in the ASHA Pleasure Equitation National Championship, and the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion Final.

These three will be there, ready to ride!

What’s coming up next?

Academy Photo Shoot

September 26

Hanna will be at the farm on Sunday, September 26 at 5:00 PM to take a picture of all our academy riders.  Please remember to RSVP by September 19 to join the celebration.

St. Louis Charity Horse Show

September 29-October 2

Our show horses and equitation stars are heading to St. Louis for a favorite show.  St. Louis features the ASHA National Championship of Pleasure Eq, and the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion Finals as well as a fantastic show.  Stay tuned for webcast info!

Street Clean Up

Saturday, October 2

Join the Knockouts on Saturday, October 2 when we’ll be cleaning up Oakwood and Nagawicka Road for the fall. We’ll meet at the farm at 1:00 PM, and return for a snack.

We’re looking for adults to help chaperone the kids, as well!

Knollwood Show Prep

The record-setting Knollwood Fall show is coming up fast on October 9-10.

This event takes help from many, many friends.  Here’s a link if you can help with the concession stand the weekend of the show!

Practice Rides

October 8

We’re hosting outdoor practice rides on Friday, October 8. Groups are offered at 4:30 PM, 5:30 PM, and 6:30 PM.  The 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM sessions will be in the little outdoor while the 5:30 PM time will be held in the big outdoor.

Classes are $40, and we’ll start accepting sign ups on Monday.

Knollwood Fall Academy Show

October 9-10

The Knollwood Fall show is going to be amazing.  Please be sure to pick up your info packet from your instructor so you have your schedule, lunch pre-order form, and lots of information about the weekend.

We’re excited that ‘Knollwood Kid’ and riding rock star Allison Schuh will be judging the whole weekend.

Mane Event

October 14-17

Show horses and Equitation stars will head to Springfield, Illinois for the Mane Event Show.  This show features the first of the ‘Big Three’ finals, the Good Hands. The first jewel in the triple crown, the event attracts the very best equitation riders from around the country.

It’s a heck of a horse show, too.

We’ll update webcast info when we have it!

IASPHA Fall

October 22-24

Academy and ‘B’ horses head to Woodstock, Illinois for the last IASPHA show of 2021. The show has a Halloween theme, and we can hardly wait to see some of our riders compete at only their second show!

If you’d like to attend the show, but it wasn’t on your initial show schedule, please talk to your instructor soon, as the show is expected to be a sell-out, and we’re providing stall counts shortly.

ASHA Points Due

Academy Award points are due by October 25.  Please be sure to review your point sheets, and to sign the bottom of the sheet so we can submit them to the association on time!

Academy Meeting

November 13 at 7:00 PM

Would you like to know more about academy showing for next season? We’re hosting an informational meeting for parents at 7:00 PM on Saturday, November 13. We’ll  discuss schedules, requirements, costs, and what’s to be gained from the academy showing experience.

We’ll also host a meeting in early spring for riders and parents, which is more geared to the riders.

UPHA Fall Academy Show

Our final academy show of the 2021 season will be at Beyond Stable Farm on November 20-21. If you'd like to add this fun weekend to your show schedule, please talk to your instructor.

Where did the time go?

Holiday Photo Shoots

November 21 and 28

Here’s your chance to support the Knockouts, and to get a beautiful holiday family photo. Sessions will start at 10:30 AM both November 21 and 28, and we’ll start signups shortly.

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