Team Knollwood enjoyed a wonderful summer weekend of horse showing at State Fair Park last weekend.  The ASAW Summerfun show is one of our favorites, and we have some great stories to share!

Teamwork

Over the course of the weekend, we had 28 horses at the show.  Some of the young horses went home after their performances, the academy horses came in and went home, and the show schedule was action packed.

The show string added some extra staff with Sarah and Parker pitching in, and the academy crew was fortunate to have quite an accomplished pit crew.  Haley, Madison, Ainsley, Hanna, and Abbie met us in the aisle at 6:00 am to prep ten academy horses. These champion junior exhibitors served as grooms, personal assistants, and mentors to our future stars.  We couldn't have done it without them, and we are so grateful.

Hard Riding Kids?

They Become Accomplished  Amateurs.

We often talk about our Junior Exhibitor riders, and our academy kids.  This weekend was a fabulous example of what a strong riding foundation leads to after 'kids' age out of the youth ranks.

Kerry Richter, our second generation Honkamp, started showing in the academy division, and had great success in the Junior Exhibitor ranks, showing in multiple divisions.  She now owns and shows the beautiful, athletic, and sometimes strong willed  Park mare Brookhill's Passion Punch.  They've been favorites from Kentucky to Wisconsin,  and won both her classes this weekend.

Allison Schuh was a standout equitation rider as a Junior Exhibitor and has enjoyed great success with the athletic CH I'm Royalty Too.  They've made it all the way to the World's Championships, and they were in great form last weekend, winning the amateur 5 gaited stake.

Abby Kastenholz enjoyed a storied academy career before she moved into the show horse world with her first 5 gaited horse, Here to Win.  She then moved up to the legendary Freaky Links, and they've been perennial champs around the country. Hard riding Abby is home after her first year of college, riding as well as ever.

Jen Fox enjoyed her first show in a suit last weekend, debuting Heist in the Open English Pleasure division.  The pair looked every bit the part in a big qualifier, and rode to a reserve championship in the stake.  They looked fabulous, and boy, that girl can ride!

Standout Students

Each year, ASAW awards three college scholarships to high school seniors. Rewarding a young member's commitment to leadership, scholarship, and community service, we're proud to say that two Knockouts received the awards this year.

Sarah finished her show schedule at Summerfun, showing Alex, AKA Perilous to some really nice ribbons.  She's heading to Buffalo to study at Canisius University in the fall.

Jess had the opportunity to show Sharky, AKA Deker's All American in the academy division, and earned good ribbons on her borrowed horse. (More about that later.)

Jess is heading to the University of Wisconsin this fall.

Friends To The Rescue

Due to some unusual circumstances, we found ourselves short one horse for the highly competitive academy division.Our friends at Lance Hayes Stables in Neenah came to the rescue with one of their lesson horse stars for us to use.

Very tall Jess was matched with very tall Sharky for the show.  After a lesson at the show on Wednesday, this pair made a compelling team, riding to good ribbons and even making the workout in the championship.

Great thanks to Lance and Sammy for their generosity!

Equitation Excellence

Team Knollwood showed up for the Pleasure Equitation in numbers.  From 11 year old Hanna to 17 year old Madison, these five riders showed the result of hard work and dedication in their Sunday championship.  Judge Cater had a difficult chore ranking the riders in a closely matched final.

This is their last show before hitting the green shavings at Louisville, and it looks like these riders are peaking at the perfect time for the World's Championship Horse Show.

Our Bright Future

The academy performance was a whopper, with over 150 entries.  Team Knollwood was ready with 15 riders ranging in age from 7 to 17, and from beginning show riders to our very experienced academy stars.

The walk trot and canter division was a showcase of horsemanship in numbers, with a split championship to prove it.  All of our experienced riders showed well, and learned some great lessons along the way,  Maria piloted our up and coming academy horse Joey through his first pattern after making the championship cut, Jordan and Panic lived through a lost shoe, while Emma and Cashew got better with each ride and winning one of the championship splits.

Our walk and trot riders even wowed us. 

The 10 and under riders rose to the occasion in the big arena and rode beyond their years.  When Klem, Heist, and Baxter thought they'd show off their cantering skills in the walk and trot division, Maiya, Richie, and Mia did their best to stop the enthusiasm.  

Juliet won her first class away from home with Hooper after a great ride, taking him off the rail and looking super confident.  This 7 year old even made the workout in the 10 and under championship!  

Mikayla turned in some strong rides on steady Eddie as well.

What's Next?

This weekend brings the Knollwood Summer Show!  Please join us for a weekend of showcasing our academy riders.  The Knockouts are running their concession stand, they're offering gift baskets, and are raising money for Saddlebred Rescue. For only $5, you can pick a song to be played during a class, and the $$ goes to help Saddlebreds in need.

See you at the barn!