Happy New Year!!!

 

As you welcome 2012, take a  look back on our Top 10 happenings at Knollwood Farm in 2011.  These are, of course, only our opinions, so please feel free to chime  in with your own entries for the top 10!

 

10) Our new website!

Thanks to Patti Gale at Inspired Webworks we have a shiny redesigned website that includes a great calendar feature as well as blog capabilities.  She also works with us on social media, and our FaceBook page has been active and ever so useful.

 

 

 

9) Three Successful Knollwood Shows 

 

We had a blast in March, June, and November hosting our in-barn shows.   Riders ranged from first time ‘maiden’ riders to experienced riders competing in the Knollwood challenge classes.

 

 

 

 

Everyone got into the act with parents presenting popular raffles in March and November, and a Time and Talent Auction in June.

(Thanks to Mat Bastian for the photos!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 8)  The Knollwood Knockouts at the Kentucky State Fair

  Our youth group became the first ever to sponsor a qualifying class for a World’s Grand Championship.  Ten Knockouts were on hand in center ring to present the trophy in the gaited gelding qualifier to Courageous Lord who went on to win ‘the big one’ on Saturday night.

 

 

 

 

7)  Horses for Hannah and Hailey

 

 

 

 

 

6)  First Ever Open House

With the help of many many friendly customers – and friendly horses – we held the first ever Knollwood open house in May.  The afternoon included tours, watching lessons in progress, a coloring contest, and the first ever Paint the Pony party.  The event finished up with show horse demonstrations and questions.  We’ll be sure to host more of these in the next year!

 

 

 

 

 5)  The Inaugural Helper Olympics

Seven  teams of helpers (one team for each day of the week) competed against each other in events of skill(?) to raise money and collect food for the Food Pantry of Waukesha County.  We’re not sure who had more fun, the helpers or the spectators.  After competing in events like Musical Muck Buckets, Name That Saddle Pad, and the marathon Garbage Relay, the group had raised over $2000 and collected more than 400 pounds of  food.  We’re already planning new events for Helper Olympics II.

 

 

 

 

4) Syd’s Successful Season

Syd who started with us when she was 7 had an unforgettable 12 year old season in 2011!  She won the equitation World Championship for 12 year old riders at Louisville and then went to Indianapolis and won the UPHA Pleasure Equitation Challenge Cup for riders 13 and Under.  She won the National Championship of pleasure equitation at the Wisconsin Futurity Horse Festival in Madison in September, and proceeded to St. Louis National Charity Show to win the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion for riders 13 and under.  To finish the year, she was reserve national champion in the UPHA Challenge Cup final for riders 13 and under at the Kansas City Royal.  Way to go Syd and Cartman!!

 

 

 

3) Skeet’s Christmas Misadventure

For those of you who don’t know the story, here goes… Skeet went for a run with a friend of Nancy’s on Christmas Day.  He was further from home than normal without  Mother, and he managed to slip his collar and get away from his handler.  He was  in the Kettle Moraine near Whitewater when Nancy received the call that Skeet was lost somewhere in 200 acres.  Nancy, Ken, Scott, Carol and two more friends hopped into their cars on Christmas to find the missing pointer dog.  After dropping items with the scent of home on them, Carol’s dog Champ was actually the one who figured out which way he had gone.  Skeet came running back to Carol and Champ and he was one very happy dog!  He may have even been a little tired!

 

 

 

2) Knockout Charitable Activities

Once again, the Knockouts were leaders in service among youth groups from the ASHA. They served the breed with:

1. A Valentine’s Day rose sale for Saddlebred Rescue,
2. A $1000 donation to the American Saddlebred Association of Wisconsin for the winner of the national championship at Futurity
3. Donations to the ASAW scholarship fund through funds raised at a car wash at the Summerfun show and through the Summer Academy Show at the Wildwind Equestrian Center.
4. Sponsored classes at Summerfun, Kentucky State Fair, Wisconsin Futurity, Oshkosh, and the IASPHA shows

They served those in need with:

1. Helper Olympics to benefit the Waukesha County Food Pantry
2. Collecting cards and needed items for local soldiers serving overseas
3. Donation to Milwaukee Rescue Mission for Thanksgiving dinner
4. Collecting coats for the House of Hope in Waukesha
5. Adoption of a family with four children for Christmas
6. Cleaning up and planting bulbs on Oakwood and Nagawicka Road

 

 

 

1) Nick’s World Grand Championship at Kentucky State Fair

 

Nick did it again!  He, like Syd,  started riding with us when he was 7, won the triple crown of saddle seat equitation at 16, and was hoping to enjoy a fun season of showing in a performance division before he headed off to Madison to study business.

 

 

 

For his ‘fun season’, he  rode Aphrodite’s Tears  to the World’s Grand Championship for Junior Exhibitor Park Horses to cap off his juvenile career.

 

 

 

 

 

 

All of us at Knollwood would like to thank our entire extended Knollwood family for a wonderful 2011 and wish you all a happy, prosperous and safe 2012.

 

Happy New Year!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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