Knollwood Spring Show 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Knollwood academy riders kicked off their 2010 show season with a spring in barn academy show March 13th and 14th hosted by the Knollwood Knockouts. The show featured the first qualifying classes for the inaugural Knollwood Equitation Challenge. Judge Kelsey Nicole Smith presided over the weekend show which featured advanced and intermediate riders on Saturday, followed by the walk trot and lead line riders on Sunday.
Saturday’s performance started with pleasure classes for all riders. Equitation took over the ring for the qualifying classes. After some deep classes, Kelsey had her line-ups for her championships set. Before those finals, riders returned to compete in bareback, pattern, and pairs classes.
Just before the championship portion started, the show welcomed the first class of The Knollwood Equitation Challenge. Riders competed in rail work first, followed by all riders performing an inverted figure 8. The top two riders are eliminated from future qualifying classes this season and earned the right to compete in the finals class to be held at the end of the Knollwood Fall Show in November. Riders were so enthusiastic about this event that a 2nd split was added! Four riders, Hannah Shepherd, Katelyn Gazdecki, Rachel Kreiter, and Parker Burton, advanced to the finals round from this show. The qualifying class will he held again in June and November before the finals class at the end of the Fall Show.
The Championship classes were large and deep. Kelsey watched riders perform workouts to finalize her placings. Coming out on top of the Adult championship was Karla Getzel.
Advanced Champion was Mackenzie Christian with reserve going to Savannah Nickey. The Intermediate 17 and under champ was Hannah Shepherd while Rachel Ferrito took the reserve spot.
Walk Trot Sunday started at noon with plenty of pleasure classes for Knollwood’s future show ring stars. Equitation classes followed with hard fought classes for all ages.
The walk trot version of The Knollwood Challenge was completed with Alex Albrecht and Jessica Kuzniewski advancing to the November final.
After pattern and lead line classes, it was time for the maiden riders to take the arena. These 16 riders competed for the first time at this show, and compete they did!
Championships followed with Dawn Sherry named the adult champion and Abby Carriveau reserve. Alex Albrecht won the 11-17 category with Chantel Timmerman in reserve. Ainsley Budzinski was the champion in 8-10 with Jessica Kuzniewski reserve. Bella Post was the 7 and under champ with Olivia Krahn reserve. In the maiden championship, Kalina Kapetanovic was the winner and Emma Peterson was reserve.
In addition to the show classes, the crowd was treated to demonstrations of Saddlebred show horses including CH Lexmark, Mojito, and CH Freaky Links, all shown by Eric Griedl.
The Knollwood Knockouts provided great food at the concession stand as well as terrific and popular raffle baskets. All their hard work earned a record amount of more than $2,000 to put towards their club’s work.
It was a terrific weekend of horse showing, friendship, and camaraderie. The Knockouts are looking forward to the start of show season, and to their next in barn show on June 26th and 27th. Who else will advance to the finals of the Knollwood Equitation Challenge??
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