In Memory of Lazelle Knocke
1917-2011

Lazelle Knocke’s commitment to horse sports took shape 50+ years ago when she and her husband bought Hobby Horse Hill in New Jersey. The nearby U.S. Equestrian Team and the U.S. Pony Club were still young and in need of places to hold their programs. So, Hobby Horse Hill, with its indoor arena, outside sand and grass rings, and cross-country course hosted numerous clinics with masters like Fritz Stecken, Gunnar Anderson and Major Dezso Szilagyi; and with USET coaches Bertalan de Nemethy, Stephen von Visy, and Colonel Bengt Ljungquist. The Knockes’ three daughters learned to ride there and later developed international aspirations.

Lazelle won her colors in hunting, helped with Pony Club and 4-H, and rode Grand Prix Dressage, competing internationally at FEI levels. She studied, taught, and judged Dressage and riding for 50+ years. She won her USDF silver Medal in 1991 and FEI Masters in 1992. She judged Dressage for a half-century, is an AHSA Senior Judge and Examiner, and held FEI ranking for many years. She officiated countless FEI events in Canada and the United States.

Lazelle was an active speaker, teacher and writer on both equestrian topics, and nursing, which was her chosen profession. She was one of the pioneer developers of the USDF Instructor Certification Program, and also helped to develop the ‘L’ Education Program at USDF. She was a founder, life member, and past president of USDF. Lazelle held life membership in the United States Combined Training Association and was a former member of its Board of Governors. She founded and remained active in the Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association.

Lazelle served on the National Board of Directors of The Dressage Foundation for many years, and with her equine partner, Don Perignon, was Team #1 in the Foundation’s Century Club. Lazelle was also honored as a Grand Prix Donor to the Foundation (recognizing gifts of $100,000 or more).

Among so many crowning achievements, Lazelle was featured as the 1993 Horseman of the Year, and as the 1994 Dressage Horseman of the Year by the Chronicle of the Horse. In 2001, she received the S. Braley Gray, Jr. Award, given to a “pioneer” who has done so much for the sport of Dressage over a lifetime.  In 2002, she was given the USDF Lifetime Achievement Award, for demonstrating a lifelong dedication to USDF and its mission.