The off season has been anything but quiet for Team Knollwood.

Show horses are working on final prep for the season, vet work is finishing up, association memberships are pouring in, and lessons are rocking on all levels.

It's time to catch up on all the happenings around world headquarters ...

Knollwood was fortunate to welcome Hall of Fame trainer and instructor Lynda Freseth last weekend for a pre-season clinic. Our show barn riders enjoyed the opportunity to ride a school horse group lesson, a show horse lesson, and a show horse group lesson under Lynda’s watchful eye.

The show horse groups were a sight.

The 'home show' featured a 13 and under equitation class, a 14-17 equitation class, and a 5 gaited class that was to die for.

A group of our most experienced academy riders got to join the fun on Sunday, too!

Lynda is a force of nature. Her enthusiasm was contagious, her teaching style is direct and friendly, and she loved the lesson horses. 

School Horse of the Year Pumpkin has enjoyed his newfound celebrity status. Dare we say this perfect lesson horse has been receiving even more mints than usual?

Several instructors were talking about what Pumpkin should do next in his spare time, now that he’s done campaigning.

We decided that with his almost perfect manners, (and we regretfully say almost perfect manners because Pumpkin has a habit of lying down after he's been groomed) Pumpkin should start a charm school for lesson horses. Previous ‘Horse of the Year’ winners Sparky and Baxter could join the faculty, and we’d have a really good thing, right?

We’re welcoming any and all ideas to make ‘Pumpkin’s School of Charm’ become a success.

If you haven’t already received your Pumpkin magnet, please pick one up at the front desk.

We’re  taking entries through March 29 for the Knollwood Spring show on May 10-12. We really do have classes for everyone, from walk only leadline to advanced classes for our most experienced riders.

Your instructor will help you determine which division is best for you, and will gladly help you with horse selection.

Size samples are available in the school barn lounge, too. We’ll be wearing royal blue long sleeved shirts.

It’s membership time for our academy team. Lisa has emailed all of our riders with links to the memberships you’ll need to join, based on what shows you’re attending.

Please feel free to reach out to Lisa or your instructor with any questions. We know that all the associations can sometimes sound like alphabet soup.

What’s Coming Up?

Through March 29

We’re ordering our ‘signature’ Knollwood navy jackets for spring show season. These classics are the perfect weight for evening shows, and are only $125.

They’re available in misses sizes XS – XL, and will be billed to your account. 

Please place your order in the school barn lounge.

Entries for the Knollwood spring show on May 10-12 are being taken through March 29.

We offer classes for all riders, from our walk only leadliners to our advanced academy stars competing in the Knollwood Challenge classes.

Please talk to your instructor to see which division is right for you.

You can pick up your entry and try on shirts in the school barn lounge. Entries will be billed in May.

We can hardly wait!

March 16

Academy Kick Off Meeting

All academy show families are welcome to join us in the show barn lounge for a fun get together. Scott will teach everyone how to tie the perfect knot for small riders while Karina will show how to create the perfect horse show bun. She’ll also offer guidance on makeup for young show riders.

Of course, refreshments will be served!

March 24

Tiny Tot Mini Camp

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

We have a  couple of openings for young horse lovers at our upcoming mini camp. Our tiny tots between the ages of 4 and 6 will learn safety, how to groom a horse, how to get their equipment on the horse, and will enjoy a riding lesson at 2:30 PM.

Each participant will have their very own personal assistant in addition to the instructor.

This mini camp is also great for our established tiny tot riders who may like some extra time with the horses. Best of all, it’s only $99.

Please sign up soon, as these spots will disappear soon!

April 11-13

Bridlespur Society Horse Show

St. Louis, MO

Knollwood’s first show for the show horses.

April 12-13

IASPHA Spring Show

Woodstock, IL

Our first out of barn academy show for 2024! We’re headed to Beyond Stable Farm for one of our favorite show series.

April 21

Mini Camp for riders aged 7 and up

Noon – 3:00 PM

We have a couple of spots left in this mini camp for riders aged 7 and up. The mini camp experience is a great beginning for new horse kids, and a fun chance for current riders to spend more time with the horses.

Please call quickly, as these spots will go fast at only $99.

April 24 – June 5

Welcome to Knollwood Session  

6:30 PM each Wednesday

It’s our last intro lesson session before we take a break for summer riding school season. If you have any friends who might enjoy our 8 week introductory session, please let us know.

Welcome to Knollwood is a terrific way to start learning about and riding horses.

We’ll start up again in September!

April 27

Knockouts’ Street Clean Up

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Our first service project of 2024 will be our neighborhood street clean up. Please join your fellow Knockouts as we clean up Oakwood and Nagawicka Roads for  spring. It’s a fun way to meet new friends, and to fulfill your club service hours.

May 3-4

Academy Palooza Show

Woodstock, IL

We’re back to Beyond Stable Farm for a wonderful Friday and Saturday academy show!

See you at the barn.