Margit, Alivia, and Alexa

 

Last weekend, Team Knollwood started the 2024 show season in two states while the home office kept up it's usual schedule.

Show horses traveled to the National Equestrian Center in St. Louis, Missouri, for the 81^st annual Bridlespur Charity Horse Show.

Shaye and Teddy

 

 

This friendly show was the perfect place to start the season for new teams and seasoned duos.

After watching and cheering for daughter Allison, Kim showed her very own horse for the first time at Bridlespur. She and Jaydee, officially known as Take Back the Night, look like they’d been together forever, winning their single bit qualifier, and finishing reserve in the championship. Best of all, Allison and new baby Hayden were on hand to watch and cheer!

 Margit and Charlie picked up right where they finished last year. At Bridlespur, gaited pleasure classes were a combination of Junior Exhibitors and Adult Amateurs, so Margit was in with the grownups. She and Charlie did their thing, racking and smiling through the classes. They won both their qualifier and championship.

Alexa and Scott after championship win

Alexa and Joe had a great show, too, winning their 3 gaited show pleasure qualifier and championship.

All of our equitation riders enjoyed the trip, got back into the swing of things, and qualified for some finals early.

 

 

 

Walk trot canter academy kids

Meanwhile, the academy team and ‘B’ horses traveled to the sold out IASPHA Spring show in Woodstock, Illinois. Almost all of the academy classes were so big that they split, with some championships splitting three ways.

Some highlights?

In her final season before she heads off to college, Taylor and Baxter were the team to beat. They won their horsemanship, equitation, and championship classes.

Walk trot academy stars

Our walk and trot riders showed some tougher horses at IASPHA, and made us proud. Maddie showed Sport for the first time, and earned the opportunity to ride not just one, but two victory passes.

Sophie, Kali, and Kylie with show techs extraordinaire Natalie and Adrienne

Kali showed Murphy for the first time, and rode like a star, earning top ribbons while keeping his brain in order.

Sport also proved himself a stand out in the Monarch Single Bit division with Mary, earning 4^th place ribbons in very large competitive classes.

 

 

 

Next Up?

The academy horses are off to Academy Palooza on May 3 and 4, while the show horses are working at home until the Madison Classic show May 23-26. The academy team will be joining them in Madison as well.

 

What’s Coming Up?

 

Photo by Hanna Agathen

 

Extra Prep Classes

We’ve added 4 opportunities for extra practice before the Knollwood Spring Show. Each class is $50, and must be paid for at the time of sign up.

 

Friday, April 26

7:30 PM

WTC Pattern Class

 

Saturday, April 27

5:30 PM

WT Pattern Class

 

Monday, April 29

6:30 PM

Horse Show Basics

 

Monday, May 6

6:30 PM

WT Pattern Class

 

 

Street Clean Up and Knockout Meeting

Saturda PMy, April 27

1:00

Join your Knockout friends as everyone joins to clean up Oakwood and Nagawicka Roads for the spring.

You can sign up in the school barn lounge, or online here. All participants must have a completed release form, which is available in the school barn.

 

 

 

Knollwood Spring Show

May 10-12

It’s almost here!

Horses are assigned, and class rosters are up on the school barn wall.

Show bags with your shirt, back number, and personal schedule will be available for pick up starting Wednesday, April 24.

We’re hoping all of Team Knollwood will assist with our big spring show.  You can contribute to gift baskets by signing up in the school barn, or sign up to donate your time to the concession stand or to assist with set up and/or teardown. You can sign up online here, or in person in the school barn.

 

 

Food Drive

May 10-30

It’s time to help our neighbors in need by collecting donations for the Food Pantry of Waukesha County. The food barrels will be in place from May 10-30, and we’d like to fill them many times over.

Every Knollwood Kid who collects a minimum of five food kits is eligible to join an Olympic team to compete in the Knollwood Olympics on June 8.

The Olympics are games of skill that mimic some of the skills you need in the barn. We have garbage relay races to the dumpster, blind buggy races, helmet tosses, and more.

You won’t want to miss the fun!

 

 

 

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

 

 

We've been working hard all off season.

Horses and riders have learned lessons and advanced their pattern skills. Show clothes have been tailored to a T, horses are in top form, and we’re ready to enter the in-gate at Bridlespur and IASPHA Spring.

Tradition, Honor, Passion

Knollwood has a storied history of respect for the sport.

Scott and Carol have spent decades in the saddlebred industry, and their team has a tradition of sportsmanship and passion for the sport.

Everything we do adds to the history of this tradition, and reflects on all team members. Of course we want to uphold the tradition by being great supporters, friends, and competitors.

How do we do that?

 

Embrace the friends you meet along the way.

Horse friendships run deep.

With a shared bond of loving horses and riding, you'll find your horse friends will stay with you through thick and thin, because they understand. Friends may be in your own barn, or will ride with other trainers. You’ll find many of these ‘horse peeps’ stay friends for life.

 

 

Trust the process.

Showing horses is not an easy endeavor.

It’s hard.

Your trainers and instructors are trying to make you the best you can be. Some lessons will contain ‘light bulb moments,’ and some will make your body and brain reach their limit. Trust that, in the end, you’ll come out stronger and able to achieve things you only dreamed of doing.

 

 

You can’t control everything.

But you CAN control how you react.

Your real strength lies in how you control yourself in good times and in less than perfect situations.

Last year at Louisville, Richie’s horse wasn’t able to show, and through the generosity of a fellow Knollwood customer, Richie was able to show in the Senior World’s Grand Championship of Equitation. After that horse threw a shoe in the ring, Richie earned an 8^th place ribbon while balancing a horse new to him on one front shoe.

He could have given up mentally, but he fought through, and displayed horsemanship for all to see.

 

 

‘Gossip dies when it meets wise ears.’

The saddlebred world is a small one, and there’s really no room for speaking ill of others. When you encounter this, and you will, just walk away. Please don’t play the game.

Remember who you are, and who you represent. You’re here for the sport, your friends, and the horses. You’re not here for imaginary drama.

 

 

Give people grace.

Competition in any sport is intense.

Sometimes, people don’t react as you think they should, or say things in a way that sounds odd.

Nothing is personal, and if they misspoke or reacted unusually, let it go.

Control your reaction and move on.

 

 

 

Look Behind You.

Give Someone a Helping Hand.

Here at Knollwood, and at horse shows, there are plenty of up and coming riders.

They look up to you as an accomplished rider, and you're their role model.

You'll have a ball making friends with them. Listen to them, and you'll remember what it was like when you were a little horse person.

Your kindness and interest will help them feel like part of the team, and welcome in the horse world. 

You won't be disappointed, and you'll feel proud as they become accomplished riders and kids.

 

 

Clap for Everyone.

Whether they're a Team Knollwood member, or if they ride at another barn, be the kind of horse person who applauds everyone's successes.

This is a demanding sport with great rewards. Let's be part of everyone's successes by congratulating all accomplishments.

 

 

Gratitude is all.

We have the opportunity to spend hours with horses and fellow horse lovers. We get to enjoy beautiful days at the barn, get to travel to horse shows, and get to do it with our trainers, friends and families.

Is there anything better?

 

Embrace the memories.

Remember the time you missed a diagonal in an academy class? It seemed HUGE at the time, and now you laugh about it.

Remember the first time you saw a gaited horse so perfect that you never forgot it?

Remember the time you performed a great workout?

Remember the time you watched a friend win a championship?

Remember the time you and your friends were so happy that you cried?

Remember the time after a show when you stayed in the aisle just to enjoy it all?

Remember all the times your coach told you that you did a great job?

Remember looking into your horse’s eyes?

 

 

 

It’s time.

Let’s have a memorable show season showcasing our motto:

Tradition. Honor. Passion.

 

 

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

Street Clean Up

All Knockouts are invited to join us on Saturday, April 27 at 1:00 PM to clean up Oakwood and Nagawicka Roads.

Stay for the Knockout meeting right after!

 

 

Academy Palooza

May 3-4

The academy team is heading to Beyond Stable Farm in Woodstock for a fun show. Please make the trip to cheer us on!

 

 

 

 

Knollwood Spring Show

May 10-12

We can hardly wait!

 

 

 

Food Drive  

May 10th to 31st

Our annual food drive to benefit the Food Pantry of Waukesha County is kicking off on show weekend. Traditionally, we gather about 1000 pounds of food for the pantry at a time when their inventory runs low. Please help us help our neighbors in need.

Every Knollwood Kid who gathers a minimum of five food kits will be eligible to join a team for the Knollwood Olympics on Saturday, June 8.

 

 

 

 

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

 

Horse assignments for the spring show will be posted by this weekend, and we’re so grateful that some brilliant scientist discovered fuzzy logic back in the 1960’s to help with the multi-layered process.

If you’re interested in learning more about fuzzy logic, you can read about it here.

It may appear that we take the roughly 100 entry blanks, throw them in the air, and see where they land to assign horses.

If only …

 

Here’s a little inside info on the actual fuzzy process of assigning horses for 94 riders competing in a total of 60 classes over three days on 12 walk trot canter horses and 18 walk trot horses.

First of all, we need to divide the entries into divisions, such as 11-17 walk trot and canter. This helps us decide how many splits we’ll need for each division.

On Saturdays in the big outdoor ring, the class size is limited only by the number of eligible horses, except you have to plan in case the show is forced inside if the weather decides not to cooperate. So, we keep the classes under 10.

On walk trot Sunday in the small outdoor ring with less experienced riders, we keep the classes to six riders or less, except for our new division for riders aged six and under, which we’re limiting to four riders in a split.

The next step is creating class splits based on rider experience and age. We try very hard to keep the classes level in terms of show experience. We also try to keep the level of horses similar in each split.

Then, we look at the horse choices on each of the 94 entry blanks. Each rider should have written in four horse choices of horses they’ve ridden in lessons.  A few notes on entry blanks:

• Not everyone can show Pumpkin, Vaughn, and Hugo.

• Writing only one horse on the form doesn’t mean you’ll get that horse. Probably, quite the opposite will happen in fairness to everyone.

• In-barn shows create some great opportunities to show horses who usually don’t leave home. Some of the WTC riders have gone way off the map in their selections, which makes the show even more fun. Let’s face it, you’ll probably never have the chance to show Jelly or Bee away from home!

 

We assign horses as best we can on the first pass, using our brain to keep track of horse workloads. Of course, this is just the first pass.

After horses are assigned initially, we take out a group chart and tally up how much each horse is working each day. This is usually pretty eye opening, as we’re not rocket scientists on the first round.

We want each horse to have a fair workload, so we go back to the entry blanks to make changes to the assignments to even out the schedule.

After recalculating, we go back and make sure the schedule is workable for each horse. Since the schedule works with riders showing their three classes in a row, we make sure no horse is working 3 sets in a row if at all possible. This is where it gets tricky.

Next up, we talk to individual instructors to see if we can change horse selections to make sure each horse works at an appropriate level. Often, riders forget about some of the newer horses.

Then we look at it all again.

We look again for safety, which is the most important part of assigning horses. Like people, some horses get more aware and excited on show day, and we want to make sure riders will be safe riding each horse in their own ‘show mindset.’

 

Riding outside is different from riding inside, especially with all the show ‘hoopla’ going on around the show arenas. While some of our newer show riders may feel they can handle ‘more horse,’ we’re looking out for both horses and riders. We don’t want to scare anyone, or create any more horse or people stress in an already exciting weekend.

 

 

The fuzzy logic continues to our selection of judges for these events.

 

This spring, we’re thrilled to welcome Ainsley Budzinski to preside over the weekend.

Ainsley is a Knollwood Kid for life.

 

She started riding at age five after watching her sister Sydney’s lessons from center ring. Ainsley is a beautiful, and highly skilled rider who can ride anything, and best of all, can explain anything to all levels of riders.

 

Plus, she grew up around the farm, moving up through the academy program to become a champion in the show horse world.

 

A few of her many accomplishments include:

• UPHA National Champion 10 and Under Walk and Trot Final

• UPHA National Champion 13 and Under WTC Final

• Reserve World Champion 13 and Under Equitation

• National Champion 13 and Under Equitation

• Captain, Gold Medal Winning World Cup 5 Gaited Team USA

 

 

Being a Knollwood Kid, Ainsley understands in barn shows through and through. They’re opportunities for each rider to learn about horses, riding, and sportsmanship.

 

We can hardly wait to celebrate the weekend with all our riders.

 

 

What's Coming Up?

Parents' Night Out

This Saturday at 6:00 PM!

It's a fun night at the farm with the Knockout officers and board members.

If you'd like to join us, please sign up and pay your $25 with your instructor or admin.

 

 

Bridlespur Society Horse Show

St. Louis

April 11-13

The show horses are off to Missouri for their first show of the season. We'll post schedules soon.

 

IASPHA Spring Show

April 13-14

Our first academy show of 2024 is coming up soon. Please join us at Beyond Stable Farm to cheer us on!

 

Street Clean Up

April 27

The Knockouts are headed out in the neighborhood to clean up Oakwood and Nagawicka Roads, and they'd love lots of members to join their service project.

Please sign up in the school barn lounge, and fill out a release form from the City of Delafield.

Be sure to stay for the Knockout meeting right after the cleanup!

 

 

Academy Palooza

May 3-4

The Academy Team is heading back to Beyond Stable Farm for the UPHA academy show!

 

 

Food Drive Begins

May 10

Our annual food drive supporting the Food Pantry of Waukesha County runs through May 31. If you bring in five food kits, you're eligible to participate in the fun filled Knollwood Olympics on June 8 at 6:00 PM.

All of Team Knollwood is invited to join our service project and fun finale.

 

 

Knollwood Olympics

June 8 at 6:00 PM

Rain or shine, our food kit contributors will join teams to compete in hilarious 'games of skill.'

Be sure to get your donations in by May 31 to join the fun.

ALL members are welcome to donate and join us. Show barn, school barn, parents...

 

 

Knollwood Spring Show

May 10-12

Please plan on joining us for the most fun weekend of spring. The competition is fabulous, and all the activity surrounding the show is spectacular, too.

We're looking for volunteers to help us out in the concession stand, set up, and all sorts of things that probably never crossed your mind.

 

 

 

 

Photo by Hanna Agathen Photography

 

See you soon at the Barn!

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Officially Spring!

How can you tell?

 The doors are open.

 It's the season of mud in the pastures.

Horses are shedding, showing us their shiny coats underneath. Be sure to leave your chapstick at home for grooming!

The pastures are greening up.

Many Knollwood families are on spring break, soaking up sun in exotic places.

 

 

Spring means we’re getting ready for Knollwood Summer 2024!

 

 Drizzly spring days are the perfect time to:

 Make sure your show association memberships are current. If you’re not sure which organizations to join, please speak to your instructor, or Lisa.

If you’re showing at Showcase or Summerfun, please be sure to join the American Saddlebred Association of Wisconsin, called ASAW.

If you’re showing at any of the IASPHA shows, you’ll need to join that organization.

If you’re showing at a minimum of two academy shows before September 1 of 2024, please join the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association, to be eligible for academy awards. This group is frequently referred to as ASHBA. This national organization will give you a membership number which you can pass on to Lisa.

 

Check your show clothes for fit and condition.

Your instructor can get you in touch with our fantastic tailor to make sure you’re looking perfect in the show ring.

 

 

We can hardly wait for Knollwood Summer 2024 to start.

We’re looking forward to welcoming Knollwood Kids for full days of camp, helping, and unlimited fun!

 

 

What’s coming up?

 

Knollwood Entries

Great thanks to all the Knollwood Kids who have signed up for our Spring show May 10-12. The last chance to enter is coming up this Friday, March 29. You really don’t want to miss the fun of this weekend!

 

Knollwood ‘Classic’ Jackets

Friday is also the last chance to order your navy Knollwood jacket this spring. This jacket is perfect for nights at horse shows and at the barn. Available in misses sizes XS-XL, the jacket is $125 and comes with your name embroidered, so we can keep track of everyone’s coat!

 

 

Happy Easter!

We’re closed on Sunday, March 31. Your instructor will be in touch to arrange a makeup lesson.

 

 

Parents’ Night Out

Saturday, April 6

Knollwood Kids, enjoy a few hours of barn fun with the Knockout officers and board members. The event features dinner, crafts, and fun for only $25. Please sign up and pay for the event in the school barn lounge.

 

 

Bridlespur Society Horse Show

April 11-13

The show horses are off to St Louis for their first show of the 2024 season.

 

 

IASPHA Spring Show

April 13-14

Our academy team is headed to Beyond Stable Farm  for the first show of the year.  Please join us, and cheer on our academy team.

 

 

Street Clean Up

April 27

All Knockout members are invited to clean up Oakwood and Nagawicka Road at 1:00 PM. Catch up with your barn friends, earn service hours, and beautify the neighborhood.

Stay for the Knockout meeting immediately following the clean up.

 

 

Academy Palooza

May 3-4

Our academy team will be heading back to Beyond Stable farm for a Friday/Saturday show.

 

 

Photo by Hanna Agathen Photography

 

Knollwood Spring Show

May 10-12

Our three day celebration is almost here.

Pattern classes will be inside on Friday night at 6:00 PM.

Walk Trot Canter classes will start at 10:00 AM on Saturday in the big outdoor ring.

Walk Trot Sunday kicks off with leadline at 9:00 AM in the little outdoor ring.

We’ll post a schedule with time estimates when entries are complete.

 

An event of this size requires an army of supporters to pull off. We’re asking Knollwood families to consider volunteering their time at the concession stand, donating to gift baskets, or the many other ways you can help make this a memorable weekend for all the Knollwood Kids.

 

 

Food Drive Starts

May 10

Our biggest charitable event of the year begins on May 10 with the start of our food drive. The Knockouts support the Food Pantry of Waukesha County at a time of year when pantry inventory runs low, and kids are no longer getting school lunch during summer break.

Every Knollwood Kid who gathers a minimum of five food kits from family or friends will be eligible to join a Knollwood Olympic team and compete in ‘games of skill’ with their teammates on Saturday, June 8.

 

 

Camp will start the following week, and Knollwood Summer 2024 will be in full swing!

We can hardly wait.

 

 

 

See you soon at the barn.

 

Spring break season is upon us, and many, many Knollwood Kids are on their way to warmer destinations.

Travel plans are also being made around the round bales at night. The school horses work hard every day, and several of them are dreaming about spring break destinations. Here’s what we know:

 

Bee would like a spa weekend to relax and be waited on. She’d like to be rid of her winter coat, and maybe have some highlights in her mane.

Bilbo and Jelly would like to travel to their native land of Austria to check out their ancestors. Maybe they’d be welcomed with a family reunion of Hafflingers?

Fred would like to go to Gulf Shores, Alabama to lie on the beach. Of course, he’d make side trips to local restaurants for the ‘all you care to eat’ buffets, and to Biloxi for the casinos and nightlife.

Maybe he'd even bring Margit, his cat friend.

Leon would travel to the far east where he would meditate with monks to maintain his serene state of mind.

Pony Frank would enroll in magic school so he could find new ways to escape from his stall.

Poppy would like to travel to New Jersey to spend time at the shore with her soul mates. They’d hit the bars and nightlife.

Thomas would like a week at a spa so he could relax and catch up on his reading.

Being a simple man, Vaughn would simply like to sleep. Anywhere. Anytime.

Mulligan would like a staycation to enjoy his new best life. He’s making great progress in his new home, and is loving every minute.

Sport would like to get access to a good gym so he can work on his canter start speed, and maybe a little spin work.

Nacho will do some service time with juvenile offenders to give back to his community.

 

 

Wherever you're off to in the next few weeks, please keep us informed of your travel schedule.

If you’re going away, please consider packing some Woodwear, and taking a photo in your location so we can share spring break memories on social media.

 

What’s Coming Up?

March 29

Show Entries Due

Knollwood jacket orders due

 

 

March 31

Closed for Easter Sunday

Your instructor will be in contact to arrange a makeup.

 

 

April 6

Parent’s Night Out

 

 

April 11-13

Bridlespur Society Horse Show

First show of 2024 for the show horses

 

 

April 13-14

IASPHA Spring Show

Our first academy show of the season

 

May 3-4

Academy Palooza

 

 

 

May 10

Food Drive starts for the Food Pantry of Waukesha County

 

 

May 10-12

Knollwood Spring Show

 

 

 

 

 

See you at the barn!