Knox Equestrian

Knox Equestrian is a riding academy that offers three different programs for our riders: Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Club Team for students enrolled at the School.

Varsity Team: This elite program competes at the National Level and practices at the Phebe T. Phillips Byrne Equestrian Center *Tuesday-Friday afternoons with private lessons available on the weekends. This team competes at Wellington International, Old Salem, Saratoga, Lake Placid, Vermont, Capital Challenge, and other AA-circuit competitions.

*Practice schedule is to be determined by the horse and rider team and their trainer

Junior Varsity Team: Intermediate program for riders with experience, knowledge, and ability to ride. Introduction to competition and jumping skills for riders looking to advance to the Varsity Team. Students will compete in the IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association – Hunt Seat) competitions.

Club Team: Beginner program focusing on horsemanship classes and lessons. We are looking to participate in future EAP (Emerging Athletes Program – USHJA) competitions.

Founded in 1914, The Knox School’s Equestrian Program is the longest-running sports activity with a legendary history. As seen on Netflix and in the New York Times bestseller The Eighty-Dollar Champion: Snowman, the Horse that Inspired the Nation by Elizabeth Letts, Knox’s equestrian program is renowned for the story of Harry deLayer and his horse Snowman. deLayer, a Dutch immigrant and riding trainer at The Knox School saved Snowman from slaughter and turned the Gelding into a champion jumper.

Snowman resided in the Knox barn during the 1950s and 60s as a school horse and was used to train student riders in the equestrian program before becoming a national figure in the equestrian world.

“Champions are not necessarily the best, or the most beautiful, or the most expensive; champions are the ones with the biggest dreams and the heart to make those dreams come true.” -Harry deLeyer

Today: Our riders learn and grow in our historic, horse-shoe-shaped equestrian center where students may choose to board their own horse or ride one of the many Knox show horses and ponies. Having recently undergone an impressive renovation, our state-of-the-art equestrian riding ring was designed and installed by industry leaders who created some of the finest show rings including the Longine Global Championship Tour.

Knox student-riders learn that any goal can be reached through cooperation with the highest qualified teachers and trainers, an exemplary work ethic, and a growth mindset. Knox equestrians are not just taught to ride horses – our expert trainers instill in them a confidence to command one of the strongest animals in creation, and an ability to weigh the risks versus the rewards of every decision they make – both on and off the horse.

Meet Our Trainers

Check back for details about our upcoming season.

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Knox Equestrian is currently taking donations in an effort to build an indoor riding ring at our Phebe T. Byrne Equestrian Center. Click To Donate

Interested in donating a horse to Knox Equestrian? Click the link below to learn more.