Louisville 2024 was one for the ages.

Competition was fierce and deep, but there was a sense of camaraderie. The show was overseen by a different governing body this year, and the vibe was fresh, friendly, and super responsive.

Knollwood had a heck of a show, and has great stories to share.  (In no particular order!)

 

 

Brooklyn and Gamora

These two have been soulmates from the outset. Both intense, Brooklyn gets along with her sometimes opinionated horse partner in a grand way.

These two were in fierce equitation competition, and earned a 4^th place ribbon in their qualifier, and 4^th in the Junior championship with a 1^st place vote.

 

 

 

Leighton and Prince

In her first year of showing, Leighton went for it and traveled to the World’s Championship Horse Show. She and Prince were up against riders with much more show ring experience, but they rode as if they owned Freedom Hall.

Team Leighton rode to a great 4^th in the qualifier with a second place vote, and 6^th in the world championship for riders aged 9 and 10.

What an incredible set of accomplishments while riding at Louisville for the first time!

 

 

Maiya and Rescue Riddle

In case you don’t know the story of Riddle…

He was rescued from a kill pen by the Duerr family. After getting him healthy and started in his education, they sent him to Knollwood to see what Riddle could do.

 

Riddle continued his education, and showed for the first time with Payton. He acted like a rock star, so his training continued.

He became an educated equitation horse, and has been leased for the last few seasons by Maiya.

This year, they were named 15-year-old World Champions after winning their equitation qualifier.

The rescue horse is now a World Champion!

Great thanks to the Duerr family for rescuing this grand horse, and for giving him a chance to be who he was born to be.

 

 

 

 

Margit and Her Boys

Margit flies under the radar.

You don’t often find her in the spotlight, but this Knollwood Kid can ride.

At Louisville, she piloted her beloved Charlie to a 3^rd place ribbon in their gaited pleasure qualifier, and a 6^th in their championship. Keep in mind, Charlie has a lot of experience being a horse. These two understand each other, and work so well for each other. They’re just a joy to watch.

Margit and Robert, the charismatic 3 gaited show pleasure horse she leases from Knollwood, worked their way around the arena to earn a 5^th place ribbon.

What a great way to close out her Junior Exhibitor Louisville career!

 

Richie Had a Week

Richie is a horseman.

He showed four horses at Louisville, and qualified and ribboned in all four championships.

His sister Tori asked Richie to show her beautiful country pleasure horse Stella at the show this year.  Richie and Stella were a sight, riding to 4^th place in their qualifier, and 5^th in the championship.

 

Richie showed a gaited pony for Kentucky trainer Clark Clouse, finishing 4^th in the qualifier, and 4^th in the championship.

Richie showed Showdown, the gaited horse he’s leasing from the Kingsbury family in the Junior Exhibitor Gaited division.

Tyler is a grand horse, and Richie and Scott have been working super hard at home getting everything just right.

It worked.

Richie and Tyler worked the arena, finding spots and making passes like pros. The dynamic team finished Reserve World Champions in their qualifier, and a grand third in the World Grand Championship.

The crowd favorite, Richie exited the ring to a round of rousing applause.

Richie is one of the best equitation riders out there.

He and Doc finished a great third in his qualifier for 16-year-old equitation riders, and was third in the World’s Grand Championship of senior equitation.

 

 

Payton Was a Horse in a Former Life

Payton thinks like a horse, and it shows.

Payton helps her mom in Colorado with the rescue horses who live at their home. She’s comfortable on any horse at any time

One of the best equitation riders out there, Payton has the tremendous skills to ride a fiery, talented mare, and to make her think things are her idea. Great thanks to Scott, the 'mare whisperer'!

Payton makes riding Gigi look simple, which it certainly is not.

Payton and Gigi were reserve World Champions in the 17-year-old equitation division, and finished 2^nd in the World Grand Championship in the Senior Equitation division.

What a fantastic finish to an accomplished Louisville career!

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

Labor Day Closure

We’re not holding lessons on Monday, September 2.

Instructors have arranged make-up lessons.

 

 

Monarch Series National Championship

September 3-8

Illinois State Fairgrounds

Team Knollwood will be showing at one of the most enjoyable shows of the season, and the most beautiful arena around.

Monarch showcases the pleasure equitation division with both the Olympics and the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup national finals.

New for Knollwood this year, academy horses are joining the show horses in Springfield.

 

 

Wisconsin Futurity Horse Festival

September 12-15

New Holland Pavilion, Madison

The show horses are heading to Madison for one of our ‘almost local’ shows.

 

 

Academy Photo Shoot

September 14, rail date September 21

6:00 PM

Academy riders, be sure to RSVP to Ann by September 7 so we know how many will be participating in our group shot.  We can hardly wait!

 

 

Mini Camp

September 22

Noon – 3:00 PM

Molly is running a mini camp from noon – 3:00 PM for new riders aged 7 and up. For only $99, your horse lover can learn all about safety, horse care, and enjoy a lesson from 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.

 

 

St. Louis National Charity Horse Show

September 25-28

National Equestrian Center, St. Louis, MO

Another favorite show, this one features the ASHBA National Championship of Pleasure Equitation, and the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion Finals for both the senior and junior divisions.

 

 

Parents Night Out

September 28

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Knockouts are invited to join their fellow club members to decorate their ribbon bags for the Fall show.

For only $25, Knollwood Kids will enjoy dinner, time with the Knockout officers and board members, and decorate their show bags.

 

 

 

UPHA Fall Show

October 11-12

Beyond Stable Farm

 

Our academy team is heading to Woodstock for a fun academy show. Many of our riders who showed for the first time at Cedarburg will be making their second show ring appearances.

We can hardly wait.

 

 

 

Knollwood Fall Show

October 18-20

It’s coming up fast!

Former instructor Abby is returning to judge all three days of the show, including the finals of the Knollwood Challenge Finals.

It’s a big show, and we’re looking forward to a wonderful weekend of all things Knollwood.

 

 

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

 

Team Knollwood gathered last weekend for our summer in-barn show. More than a horse show, it's a three day celebration of our academy program, it's students, families, and our magnificent lesson horses.

We ran the numbers to help all our friends come to terms with the magnitude of the extravaganza.

We had a ball!

 

 

$2400

Funds raised by the Knockouts.

Our volunteers ran a concession stand, created gift baskets, and offered games for kids. They also grilled, acted as concierge to the Sunday riders, and did countless unseen things.

Thanks to their hard work, the Knockouts can donate to valuable causes, and can defray the cost of the annual award banquet for members.

 

189

Trips through the in-gate by our walk and trot riders.

Our walk and trot riders were rockstars, and their classes were really DEEP.

 

 

126

Trips through the in-gate by our walk, trot, and canter riders.

Our walk, trot, and canter riders ranged in age from 8 to our experienced grownups, and they all enjoyed the big outdoor ring where they learned many, many things.

 

94

Riders participating in the Summer show.

From riders performing tricky patterns on Friday night to the leadliners on Sunday, there’s a class for every Knollwood Kid at our show.

 

 

66

Walk and trot riders showing last weekend.

Ranging on age from 5 to teens, our walk and trot riders put on a great show for family and friends.

 

 

63

Number of Classes over the weekend

With patterns on Friday night, WTC and 11 and over WT on Sunday, and our maiden and 10 and under walk trot stars on Sunday, we enjoyed quite a schedule of events.

 

 

57

Pattern riders on Friday night.

We qualified four riders for the finals of the Knollwood Challenge in October before we enjoyed patterns for both our walk trot and walk trot and canter riders.

These patterns were tough, and riders rose to the test.

 

 

32

Classes on Sunday showcasing kids from leadline to experienced 10 and under walk trot stars.

 

 

28

Walk, trot, and canter riders participating in the show.

 

 

21

Classes on Saturday from 11 and over walk trot riders to our adult walk trot canter pros.

 

 

20

Lesson Horses in the show

Hands down, we have the best lesson horses in the world.

The weekend balanced very evenly, with our more advanced horses working hard on Saturday, and our advanced beginner horses putting in a good day of work on Sunday.

Of course, they all behaved like ladies and gentlemen, and enjoyed a restful day on Monday after the show.

 

 

15

Personal Assistants

These experienced show riders donate their time to the new riders showing. They are each responsible for a horse, his care and tack changes, and for all the riders on that trusty steed.

Their kindness, patience, horse skills, and humor make show day a great experience for all the show riders.

We can’t thank them enough.

 

 

10

Pattern classes on Friday night

We start patterns really young around here, and were proud to have a full 8 and under walk trot  pattern class with riders performing a double serpentine.  Quite well, actually.

 

 

7

6 and Under Riders

Yup, we showcased seven 6 and under walk and trot riders. They impressed us with their horsemanship and use of the arena.  The future is looking bright!

 

3

Days of Showing

Team Knollwood enjoyed three great performances showing off all of our talented riders.

 

1

Team

Sometimes, even we don’t know how this all comes together.

Actually, we know it’s the community around the Knollwood Kids that make this work.

We have the best parents in the world, and they band together for the creation of the show village. They grill, sell food and drink, sell Knollwood merchandise, sold game experiences, offered gift baskets and silent auction items, and made all the spectators feel welcome and involved.

Parents also served as the Sunday concierge and the announcer.

They did all this while helping their riders enjoy and learn from show weekend.

We can’t thank them enough!

 

 

 

What's Coming Up?

Worlds Championship Horse Show

Through Saturday, August 24

Louisville, Kentucky

Team Knollwood is having a great show, and most of our teams have made it through to the championships.

 

 

Labor Day Holiday

Monday, September 2

Your instructor will schedule a makeup lesson.

Enjoy the holiday!

 

 

Monarch Show Series National Championship

September 3-8

Colliseum of Champions, Illinois State Fairgrounds

Team Knollwood will be there, and even has a academy team competing this year!

 

Knollwood Knockouts Street  Clean Up

September 14

 All Knockouts are invited to clean up Oakwood and Nagawicka Roads for the fall. We'll host a club meeting after the clean up, and plan the rest of the year for the Knockouts.

 

 

Mini Camp

September 22

Noon - 3:00

Molly's hosting a mini camp for riders ages 7 and up!

 

 

St Louis Charity Horse Show

September 25-28

St Louis, MO

 

 

Parents Night Out

September 28

Join the Knockoout officers and board membersfor a crafty event. Knockouts will decorate their ribbon bags for the spring show, and enjoy dinner and games with their fellow Knockouts.

It's only $25, and you can sign up in the school barn lounge.

 

 

UPHA Fall Show

October 11-12

Beyond Stable Farm

 

 

Mane Event Horse Show

October 16-19

Coliseum of Champions

Springfield, IL

 

 

Knollwood Fall Show

October 18-20

Knollwood Farm

 

IASPHA Fall Show

October 25-27

Beyond Stable Farm

 

 

Parent Academy Meeting

Saturday, November 9

6:00 PM

 

 

UPHA National Championship American Royal

November 11-16

Kansas City, MO

 

 

Academy Demo Meeting

Saturday, October 23

6:00 PM

 

 

 

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

 

 

Last weekend, we introduced 12 new Knollwood Kids to the joys of academy showing at the ASAW Summer Showcase. Our fresh riders looked terrific in their new show clothes, rode like they had shown many times before, and had a ball.

We laughed, we cheered, and enjoyed an afternoon with the best lesson horses in the world.

 

We’re beyond grateful for the unbelievable personal assistants who made the trip to support our new show riders.

Great thanks as well to Karina who made sure hair and makeup were perfect, and to the parents who cheered for everyone, and helped us in so many other ways. Heck, one of them even baked a cake for the occasion!

Photo by Hanna Agathen

We had a ball, and are so proud of all our riders.  The riders learned many things that can only be learned in the show ring, and brought home some pretty ribbons, too.

Our newest lesson horse, Mulligan, made the trip to Cedarburg to show in the ‘school horse training classes.’ Ridden by Brooklyn, Mulligan made his way around the arena like a champ. Look for him at some of our fall academy shows!

Most of our newest riders will finish their first season with another show in October. We are looking forward to watching them progress after their initial show. They are even more confident after their first show!

 

That was last weekend, this weekend it’s time for the Knollwood Summer Show!

We’ve had a judging change due to a death in the family of our scheduled judge. We wish Terri Anne and her family peace at this difficult time.

The show starts inside on Friday night at 6:00 PM with the walk and trot Knollwood Challenge qualifier. We’ll continue with a full slate of pattern classes for both walk trot and walk trot and canter riders.

Friday evening will be judged by one of our home-grown equitation stars, Mia.

 

The 10:00 AM Saturday performance in the big outdoor ring will showcase our walk, trot, and canter riders as well as our 11 and over walk and trot stars.

Lifelong Saddlebred exhibitor, former instructor, and accomplished horsewoman Jeni will preside over all the Saturday events.

 

Photo by Hanna Agathen

 

Our newest show stars will take over the small outdoor arena starting at 9:00 AM on Sunday morning. Starting with our leadline division, the performance will also showcase our first time show riders, and all of our 10 and under walk trot riders.

Lifelong horsewoman and saddlebred exhibitor Jane will judge all the Sunday events.

 

 

Insider Scoop:

The theme of the weekend is ‘Beach Party,’ so please wear your tropical gear! The weather is looking perfect for Hawaiian shirts and sundresses.

Our show photographer is Hanna Agathen. She’ll be assisted by Tammy in the ring to get the perfect action shots. Her website is: https://hannaagathen.zenfolio.com/

Parking is available at the Kettle Moraine Curling Club.

Knollwood Rider Wendy will be announcing both Saturday and Sunday.

Knollwood Mom for Life Pam will be acting as the Sunday concierge while Jane judges the show. Pam is a master of number magnets, tie downs, and schedules. She can answer almost any question.

We’ve updated our ribbon process to assist the riders.

After each class, a ribbon manager in the school barn lounge will put each rider’s ribbons into a specially labeled bag. At the end of the performance, riders will turn in their back number in the school barn, and will receive their ribbons for the day.

We hope this will lead to fewer lost ribbons!

 

Our in-barn shows are a major fundraiser for the Knollwood Knockouts. Please support their concession stand, gift baskets, and their other options.

Funds raised at shows help defray the cost of our awards banquet, and are used for charitable donations. Your generosity is appreciated.

 

Horse showing is about much more than riding.

It’s about building confidence by making a horse pay attention.

It’s about follow through by never giving up.

It’s about sportsmanship.

It’s about appreciating your horse.

It’s about clapping for your friends, even if they do better than you do.

It’s about clapping for everyone.

 

Let’s have a great weekend!!

 

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

World’s Championship Horse Show

Louisville, Kentucky

August 17-22

Horses left today, and Knollwood starts showing on Sunday.

We’ll update with schedules shortly. There’s a paid webcast available if you’d like to watch from home!

 

Entries Close for Knollwood Fall Show

August 18

Don’t miss out on our final in-barn show of 2024 on October 18-20!

 

 

 

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

 

 

Last week, we welcomed a great group of Knollwood Kids who will be starting their academy show experiences at the ASAW Summer Showcase Show this weekend.

It was a busy week with lots of learning. The riders made incredible progress in their riding and horse skills while being immersed in barn life.

We took some time to chat during our tack cleaning sessions last Thursday, and came up with their five favorite things about their first official academy camp.

 

 5. Learning from Scott

To new Knollwood Kids, Scott can appear a little scary. He has a big voice, is often quite expressive in his choices of words, and is pretty clear what he expects of his equine students (Human ones too, for that matter).

Campers enjoyed the chance to listen to his take on showing for the first time. He simplified the experience into listening to your horse and instructor. Scott emphasized keeping their horses lined up and paying attention while staying smooth.

He answered questions from the camp stars. The best was when one rider asked which horse was Scott’s favorite to work. His answer was, ‘Do your parents have a favorite child?’

Pitch perfect.

 

 4. Learning to Plan Ahead in the Arena

Our riders rode in the big outdoor arena, frequently referred to as ‘patternland’ where there’s plenty of room for nine riders to spread out, if they’re paying attention.  The Knollwood Kids quickly learned that things happen that you hadn’t planned for, that people do unusual things around you, and that you should always have two ideas of where you could end up.

Of course we added counselors on Pony Frank and Bee who acted as ‘interrupters.’  Our new show stars learned all about clearing a path and finding good arena spots even while being covered up by a creative counselor on a Hackney pony.

 

 

 3. Riding New Horses

The campers agreed that riding and learning from some different horses was great.  Everyone loved Bee and Mulligan, who are a little challenging with patterns. Beau was also a favorite, and was a good challenge in the energy production department.

These different souls helped bring home the point that each horse has their own personality. While they must perform the same tasks, different strategies are important with different horses.

The kids are becoming horse people!

 

 2. Rein Length

While it may seem elementary, rein length was driven home in the giant arena while performing patterns.

You may be able to get away with long reins on the rail, but patterns implode pretty quickly with too much length.

Plus, you just never know when a big truck may go by,  the mares in the pasture might start a kicking fight with each other, or a whooping crane might fly over.

Lesson learned.

 

1. Getting Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

We banished the word ‘hot’ from our vocabulary, and replaced it with ‘summery.’

We agreed that we couldn’t change the weather, and that complaining about it only makes people feel worse.

So, we drank tons of water, used the shade, rode early, and drank more water.

Learning was sometimes uncomfortable when riders were frustrated or summery, or both. That’s part of becoming a horse kid, too.

These kids were fantastic, became good friends and are well on the way to being ‘horse girls.’

After traveling to Cedarburg for a day of Friday camp at the show grounds, they’ll make their show ring debuts on Sunday afternoon.

We can’t wait to see them shine.

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

Knollwood Show Entries

Through August 18

 

 

 

ASAW Summer Showcase

Ozaukee County Fairgrounds

August 10-11

 

 

World’s Championship Horse Show

Louisville, Kentucky

August 17-22

 

 

Knollwood Summer Show

August 16-18

 

 

Academy Photo Shoot

September 14,  Rain Date September 21

All of our academy show riders have received an invitation for a photo shoot. We're doing a group shot for a magazine ad. Please let Ann know if you'll be participating by September 1.

 

 

Knockout Street Clean Up

September 14

1:00 PM

 

Mini Camp

Riders 7 and Up

Noon to 3:00 PM

 

UPHA Fall Show

October 11-12

Beyond Stable Farm

 

 

Knollwood Fall Show

October 18-20

 

 

IASPHA Fall Show

October 26-27

Beyond Stable Farm

 

2025  Ac PMademy Parent Meeting

November 9

Parents, come join us for an adults only meeting about academy showing 2025. We'll discuss preparation, pricing, and schedules.

 

Mini Camp

Tiny Tots

1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

 

2025 Academy Meeting #2

November 23

Riders are welcome to our second academy meeting where we'll offer demos of riders in their academy attire.

 

 

Parents Night Out

November 30

Join the Knockouts as they wrap gifts for their adopted families for the holidays!

 

 

Knockout Holiday Party and Election

December 7

All Knockouts are invited to join fellow club members for an evening of holiday fun.

Plus, we'll be electing new club officers for 2025!

 

 

 

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

 

 

Team Knollwood lost one of it’s finest teachers today when Jelly passed after a brief illness.

Jelly was a schoolmaster. He could teach the youngest riders how to post, and was endlessly patient with lessons about diagonals and steering.

Jelly was a lunge lesson master for the show barn riders. His trot cadence never changed, allowing total concentration on the smallest of rider adjustments.

Jelly was a wonderful cantering teacher. As riders progressed, he’d test them about leads and follow through.

Jelly was a pattern king. He was patient beyond campare teaching the littles how to trot circles, and could be a genius at pattern camps, teaching our advanced riders to listen to all his subtle clues before he became, shall we say, creative.

Most of all, Jelly was a grand soul.

Friendly to all, Jelly loved everyone and loved being a horse.

We’ll miss him dearly, but he’ll live on in all the memories he made with us. We are truly better for having spent time with this gentle soul.

 

Peace, Jelly.