Team Knollwood enjoyed a classic summer weekend of horse showing at the Oshkosh Charity Horse Show.  Everything about this show is a little bit magical. Run by the dream team of Vicky Holston, Lance Hayes and Mike Bletsoe, no detail is left undone. A relaxed schedule, ringside tables complete with food and drinks provided, beautiful center ring set up, exhibitor parties and an ice cream social in a parklike setting make the weekend seem like one big party.  Oh, and the great breeze we enjoyed all weekend and Ken playing ‘bug buster’ keeping the mosquitoes at bay made it even better.

 

While we weren’t sitting back and enjoying the atmosphere, we were participating in a great horse show, and we have some stories to tell!

 

 

A Family Affair

Allison has been riding with us since her 13 and under Pleasure Equitation days, and enjoyed a stellar equitation career that led to her success in the adult amateur 5 gaited division with her current partner Roy, officially known as ‘I’m Royalty, Too.’ Allison also competes in the western division, showing Susan’s horse Sir Don Juan as well as her ‘home’ horse.

Now Allison’s mom Kim has decided to reenter the ring after an absence of a few years.  Kim has half leased Maddie, officially known as ‘Tura Lura Lura’ to show in the Country Pleasure division. Petite Maddie also happens to be the dam of Jodi’s horse John Dillinger, AKA ‘JD.’  Kim has enjoyed getting back into the ring, and is learning the ways of the show world again.  We’re excited to see this Mother Daughter team enjoying horse showing together!

 

 

 

Equitation Excitement

Our equitation riders were busy getting qualified for the fall finals, and looking great doing it.  Amanda and Pixie earned their first blue ribbon together, winning the UPHA Challenge Cup qualifier with Matthew reserve. He was also second in the Good Hands qualifier and is on his way to that final.

 

Emma and Fergie are becoming quite a team, and won the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion qualifier and finished second in the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup. 

 

Hanna is having a great season showing several horses and learning from all of them. Our youngest equitation rider at Oshkosh made her presence known with a second place in the Pleasure Equitation championship, and a third in the big Pleasure Eq qualifier.

 

Team Payton(s)

Both Paytons enjoyed great rides in the big Oshkosh arena. Payton H showed both Robert and Michael in the pleasure divisions and learned a lot under the big top.

 

Payton D showed her Mom’s horse Dos in the Junior Exhibitor Show Pleasure division, continuing his preparation for Louisville in August.  They did it again, winning both their qualifier and their championship, both of which were big, deep classes. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again, Payton’s Mom Nicole is never getting her horse back. Period.

 

Jodi and JD enjoyed a trip to an ‘A’ show and turned in some solid rides in the very competitive Country Pleasure division.  JD also worked in the crazy deep academy division with Erika aboard on Saturday morning.

 

Academy Depth

We are fortunate to be in area that understands the importance of the academy division for the future of the sport. Oshkosh has always provided classes with appropriate age splits to let these future show stars compete on a level playing field, and to let them show in a big arena with big classes.  Kudos again this year to show manager Vicky for letting the walk trot and canter academy equitation championship go unsplit with 14 entries. These riders used the ring well, and showed like veterans.

 

Judge Clouse was very wise with his time, and in several of the biggest classes, excused the non-ribbon winners to work the top 6 a little more, saving the balance of horses in the heat. These were some tough classes to judge, and he did a great job cutting through the numbers and making his selections without wearing out horses or riders in the summer heat.

Our riders fared well in the strong competition.  Many, many lessons were learned, and we saw vast improvement in our riders since the beginning of the season. Big classes in a big ring can sure bring out confidence in a rider!

Maria and Alex emerged as the champions in the walk trot and canter division with Lauren and Baxter reserve champs in only their first year in the cantering world. Zada won her 14-17 qualifier in her first time enjoying the fun machine that is CH Callaway’s Don’t Panic as well.

Mia and Baxter were a force to be reckoned with in the walk and trot division, winning all three of their classes. These two understand each other, and look like they’re both enjoying every minute. Mikayla was a strong second in both qualifiers, too.

 

An event like this takes lots of support from Team Knollwood, and we’d like to thank some of the people who pitched in to make it a successful day. Sue drove up the day before the Bergets left for World Cup in Lexington to make sure the academy stars had perfect hair, Jeni, Vicky, and Hanna prepped horses and made sure they were comfortable after the show with cool baths, and to our wonderful parents who hosted a cookout for riders and their families.

It takes a village, and we have a great one.

 

What’s Next?

Ainsley and Haley are competing in Lexington at the Saddle Seat World Cup. They’re both members of Team USA’s 5 Gaited Team, and you can watch the event live on the USEF Network.  Good luck to them!!

 

The academy and ‘B’ horses are off to Gurnee next weekend for the summer IASPHA Show. We have a big group traveling to Illinois, and it’s a short drive, so please come cheer us on!

 

 

Our ‘home’ show is coming up the following weekend at Wisconsin State Fair Park. The ASAW Summerfun Show will feature great show horses and a big, big academy division. The Knockouts sponsor an ice cream social after the Saturday academy performance, so please come join us for a wonderful weekend of horse showing.

 

The Knollwood summer show is coming up fast, the weekend after Summerfun. Sign up sheets are posted for hair, you can sign up for practice rides, bouquets, and Songs for Saddlebreds in the lounge, and you can sign up here to help the Knockouts in the concession stand. Our in-barn shows are the biggest fundraisers for the club, so please help support our award-winning youth group with your time or donations.

 

 

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

 

 

 

Knollwood Summer 2018 is a ball.

We’ve already enjoyed a pattern camp, a Tiny Tot camp, and we’re in the middle of the second week of our Classic Camp.

 

We enjoyed lots of adventures at the Madison Classic and Midwest Charity shows, and we’re ready for the show to start in Oshkosh this weekend.

 

 

Oshkosh is the start of the academy team’s ‘5 shows in 5 weekends’ stretch, so we want to prepare early for the Knollwood summer show coming up on July 21 and 22.  Here are some important things to remember as we get ready for the big weekend.

 

 

Hair Sign Ups

The salon is already taking appointments for both Saturday and Sunday of the show.  Sign up in the school barn lounge to have the bun the 'pros' wear in the show ring.  Best of all, they're only  $5, or $8 if you’d like to purchase one of Jodi’s bows to complete your show outfit.

 

Practice Rides

Perfect for our first time show riders or for anyone who’d like a little refresher, we’re offering practice rides on Friday the 20^th at 5:30 or 6:30.  For only $40, you’ll enjoy some extra riding time while we go through everything about the show including riding in to the arena from the school barn. Sign up soon with your instructor so you can reserve your show horse!

 

 

Bouquets!

Our friends at Bank of Flowers are once again creating wonderful bouquets for your favorite rider.  You can purchase your bouquet for only $12 up to July 6.  If we have any extras, you can purchase them at the show for $15.  All proceeds benefit the Knockouts, so reserve your flowers soon!

 

 

 

Songs for Saddlebreds

The Knockouts have long been supporters of Saddlebred Rescue, and have even won their ‘Youth to the Rescue’ award two times. We’re selling songs at the show for only $5 with all funds raised going to support our favorite cause. You can pick the song of your choice to be played during your class, or the class of a friend. Please see your instructor to pay and sign up!

 

 

The Concession Stand

We are grateful to the Honkamp Family for sponsoring the concession for the Summer Show. Team Knollwood is fortunate to call them our friends for more than 20 years. We now have three generations of Honkamps riding and showing with us, and we appreciate their continued support of the Knockouts.

Thanks to your support, the concession stand and other fundraising activities had a great spring show.  We’re asking for your help again in July to make it even better. The shows are the biggest fundraising activities for the Knockouts, and our efforts make the events for the kids affordable, including the big awards banquet.  Please consider helping out with your time, donation of supplies, of financial support to help us raise funds for the club.

The concession stand is looking for members to staff the shifts both Saturday and Sunday.  We’re also looking for help with the 50/50 raffle.  It’s a great way to meet new friends, and watch the show when you’re not working.  You can sign up here!

We’ve added a wine pull this year, and are looking for donations of bottles. You can drop them off with your instructor, and we promise they won’t drink them.

 

 

As our academy team hits the road with trips to Oshkosh, Gurnee, and State Fair Park before the Knollwood Show, we thank you in advance for your support of Team Knollwood's award winning youth group, the Knollwood Knockouts.

Hope to see you at the shows!!

 

 

 

 

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!

 

 

You've seen them on our Facebook, you've seen them on our Instagram, you've seen them in our group rides, and you've seen them in the show ring.  Now, for the 1st time (and maybe last yeeeeesh) we've dared to give KF Photo of the Day champions of champions, Miss Mia and Maiya a mic and a camera to stand in front of!  Introducing:  Mia and Maiya - The web series!

 

 

Mia and Maiya have both been riding at Knollwood since they were even smaller than they currently are (hard to believe, I know).  Growing up Knollwood comes with some responsibility.  Not only do you learn to take care of your horse and those around you with less experience, but also to take care of coming up with a creative photo of the day for Miss Ann to post on our Facebook and Instagram.  People need to know just what IS happening here on a daily basis and it's important to be honest about how hard we are working and how by the book we tend to run things.

 

 

Oh and don't forget the importance of preparedness and being organized for shows.  Packing trunks, checking and double checking your show caboodle, and..... uhhh.....stowing away?

 

 

Well anyway, Mia and Maiya may have an unorthodox approach to things, but we hope you will continue to enjoy their spin on things in video format! 

 

For their first adventure, Mia and Maiya headed off to the Madison Classic Horse Show to talk with some of our industry's best and brightest about showing horses, memories of the past, and what makes them tick.  They also asked the notorious R.H. Bennett (the interview guy) about interviewing!  It's good to talk to the experts!  Without further delay:

 

Mia and Maiya Take Madison!

 

The 2018 version of the Madison Classic Horse Show is a memory now, and what a time Team Knollwood had. The show was a sell out with some of the best horses in the country in attendance, classes were full of quality horses and riders, and we were right in the thick of it.  Here are our favorite stories of the action-packed weekend.

 

Versatility Is Rewarded

We often mention Allison as a perfect example of how valuable a juvenile equitation career can be for an adult amateur exhibitor. By showing in the equitation division, riders learn the most efficient way to ride and feel a horse, and this knowledge can be applied to many horses in many divisions.

So at Madison, Allison showed Rudi again in the Western Country Pleasure Division, and won two classes.

The decision was made for Allison to show her own horse, CH I’m Royalty Too in the Amateur Park division instead of the 5 Gaited Division.  Allison made her adjustments, and she and Roy rode to third in their qualifier and came back to win their championship class.

Truly, you just never know where this equitation thing might take you!

 

 

Three Generations Cheering  

Gabby and Charlie have been on a winning streak and most recently they were reserve champions at the UPHA Chapter 5 Show in Kansas City. Gabby comes from a long line of Saddlebred enthusiasts including her Grandmother, Nance. Nance is quite a rider in her won right, having showed the legendary Park horse Fury to many, many wins.

Nance made the trip from Florida to watch Gabby show Charlie in Madison, and was treated to seeing the team win both their Junior Exhibitor 5 Gaited Pleasure qualifier and championship.

 

She Stole Her Mom’s Horse!

Bubbly  Payton also comes from a family of horse lovers. Her mom owns Dos Equis, and has shown him very successfully in the pleasure division. Payton is fortunate to show Undulata’s Crystal Illusionist in the Junior Exhibitor 3 Gaited division, and does a fabulous job with him.

Scott and Carol wanted to try Payton on ‘Dos’ as they think he may make a crackerjack equitation horse. To date, Payton and Dos have won every class in which they've competed, and won both the 13 and Under Show Pleasure qualifier and championship at Madison. She also campaigned ‘Eli’ to great ribbons in a most competitive Juvenile 3 Gaited division.

This kid can ride, and we think it might be a while before Nicole gets her horse back.

 

Mia and Maiya, Video Stars

Academy walk and trot stars Mia and Maiya are not camera shy. They enjoy staging a ‘picture of the day’ every Tuesday after their rides, and are rarely at a loss for words or creative ideas. Assistant trainer and technology whiz Lin thought videos may be in order, and this trio went to Madison to create ‘Mia and Maiya Take Madison.’  They interviewed some fantastic horsemen, the show management, a famous exhibitor who rode at Knollwood as a kid and now works for the ASHA, and of course, Scott and Carol.  The video is in the editing process, and we hope to share it with you soon.

 

Haley. Just Haley.

Haley started riding with us as a wee one. Talent was evident in the early stages of her academy shows, and she moved up quickly to the show horse world. She proceeded to win 13 and under finals, and now has risen to the top of the senior equitation division.

Like fellow Knollwood rider Ainsley, Haley is also a member of the United State Saddle Seat World Cup team and will compete against the world in July.

Like many other Knollwood riders, Haley has had the chance to show some horses for other trainers. This weekend, Haley had the opportunity of her young life, showing Kalarama’s out of the Ordinary to the championship in Juvenile Park and Take Back the Night the blues in both the Limit Show Pleasure qualifier and the Limit/Junior Show Pleasure Championship. Both horses are trained by Hollow Haven Farm in Oconomowoc.

She also had a chance to show a horse for Fairview Farm when she rode Put Me In Coach to a strong second place ribbon in a deep, deep Juvenile 3 Gaited qualifier.

In addition to her catch riding, Haley showed Leila to a win in the UPHA Challenge Cup and a 4^th in a very competitive USEF Medal qualifier. Well known for her horsemanship skills, Haley is guiding Leila through her first year in the equitation division, and they are both enjoying the process.

 

Our Newest Stars

Emma, Heather, and Jordan all traveled to their second show out of the academy division, and what a show they had. They did us proud. Again.

Emma turned in strong riders on Fergie, and executed a beautiful pattern in the Pleasure Equitation Championship to finish third.

 

Heather and Tucker are turning into a force to be reckoned with. This charismatic pair came out on top of their age group qualifier, the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion qualifier, and the Pleasure Equitation Championship.

 

Jordan and Maddie were in some deep, deep classes this weekend, and were right in the thick of the battle. This elegant pair ribboned in every class, and each ride was stronger than the last.

 

Academy in Numbers.

Big Numbers.

Held on Memorial Day weekend with people heading to their cabins or picnics, the Madison Classic has never hosted a huge academy division. Until now.

The 14 and Over division was seventeen riders strong, leading management to split both the qualifier and championship. The walk and trot division was no different, with the 10 and under walk and trot championship split into two deep, large groups of riders.

Team Knollwood was well represented with eight riders in the 14 and over walk, trot, and canter division. These riders were at various stages of their showing educations, and they all rode to the best of their current abilities. We’re proud of all of them, and a couple stories stand out.

Korinne moved up and showed Sadie, officially known as Just as Unique while Zada continued Joey’s education with a visit to a BIG show.

It was Erika’s day.

Teamed with the one and only CH Callaway’s Don’t Panic for the first time, we couldn’t tell who was having more fun, Erika or Panic.  This team won all three of their classes, and Panic made sure each victory was a little faster than the previous one. Not too bad for Erika’s first show of the season, and her first show in the tough senior division.

 

 

The 10 and Under walk and trot division was stacked.

Our five riders worked the ring and battled for good spots to show their horses in heavy traffic. They managed the ring well, and really shone in the pattern portion of the equitation championships. In the split 10 and Under championships, both Mia and Maiya rode to reserve championships, and all five of our riders received ribbons.

These big classes allow riders to learn important lessons about placement and showmanship. It’s one thing to practice it at home, and totally different to do it at a show with all the distractions and other riders who may use the ring differently. We’re so proud of our riders who performed beyond our expectations yet again.

 

 

We Are Grateful.

 

Shows like this don’t happen without a lot of ‘behind the curtain’ people.

We’d like to thank everyone who worked so hard to make sure horses and riders looked fabulous in the ring. Special thanks to Laura and Sue - bun makers to the stars, to Abbie, Hanna, and Brenda for helping with the best lesson horses in the world. And a big shout out to Bubbles who graduated from high school on Friday night, showed on Saturday morning, and stayed for the afternoon helping put up academy horses. Thank you!

 

Next Up?

The academy and ‘B’ horses are off to Beyond Stable Farm in Woodstock, Illinois for the Prairie State Classic Horse show on Thursday night. Originally a Morgan show, it now features classes for Saddlebreds as well, and it offers a full schedule of academy classes spread over both Saturday and Sunday.

 

Our show horses will be home until they head out to the first of the ‘big’ shows of the season, Midwest Charity. The 77^th edition of Midwest will feature the best in the Saddlebred and Equitation world, and Team Knollwood will be there with numbers. We’ll update you with webcasting information as soon as it’s available.

 

Till then, See You At the Barn!