We’ve been busy with horse shows and barn activities, so it’s time for a little catch up, and a look ahead.

UPHA Spring Show

We had a ball at the UPHA Chapter 10 Spring show last weekend. We took a group of mostly inexperienced academy riders to Beyond Stable Farm where our students learned many lessons in the show ring.

Showing presents unique opportunities for advancing a rider’s skills. Competitors learn to manage stress and focus on each task at hand. In addition to the rider’s mindset, horses may react differently among new horses and situations.

Knollwood riders are fortunate to have extensive group riding experience at home. We actually practice how to avoid getting boxed in, and how to get out if you do. There’s nothing like a good game of ‘coverup’ using Bilbo or Bee to learn important showring skills.

In addition to railwork, we spend a lot of time on patterns. Patterns help riders realize how horses ‘work,’ both physically and mentally.  Our riders make it look easy, but these riders are thinking and organizing nonstop to control their minds and their horses' minds as well.

Our riders handled the new challenges with patience and mental organization. (Of course, the best lesson horses in the world are great instructors.)

 

Some highlights of the weekend?

Knollwood Kids won all three pattern classes.

First time show rider Niamh won her pattern class. Niamh’s busy acting life forced her to miss showing in the walk trot division, and jumped right into the walk trot and canter world at her first show.

Maura and Olivia showed for the first time, and rode like pros.

Abby, Elise, and Olivia moved from walk and trot to the walk trot and canter division for the first time. They represented us well.

And show techs, Dilly and Kali? They took grand care of our horses, had riders taped and pinned for the ring, and were great representatives of Knollwood Kids.

We’re so proud of all our riders. Their futures are looking bright.

Next up for our academy stars?

Our most experienced riders are heading for the Madison Classic show on May 23.

More of our up and coming show riders are competing May 30 and 31 at the Monarch May Classic show at Beyond Stable Farm.

Other News?

Have you joined the parent Facebook page?

Please join the group of active parents who use the page to communicate about upcoming events, to support our riders, to celebrate achievements, and to just have fun.

Here’s the link to join the private group.

Spring Knollwood Show

Tips:

Gift basket donations are due on Tuesday, May 12.

Show parking will be available at the Kettle Moraine Curling Club on both days of the show.

We’re still looking for concession stand help, and we have a few gift basket needs.

Charity Class!

Our charity class to benefit Rogers Behavioral Health has a couple of spots left.

Rogers does so much good in our community, and has helped a number of Knollwood Kids over the years.

We’re looking for three or four more riders to play ‘Musical Towels’ in the last class of the day on Saturday.

Class cost is $50 cash, with $40 going to the charity, and $10 going to the winner of the class.

Towels embroidered with school horse names can be sponsored for $25, with all $$ going to Rogers.

Songs can be purchased for $25 with all proceeds going directly to Rogers.

Towel and song donations can be paid in cash, or with checks made out to ‘Rogers Behavioral Health Foundation’.

We’re looking forward to an entertaining game and a chance to help an important service in our community.

 

 

Our show sponsor is Hintz Giuffre CPAs.

'Hintz Giuffre CPAs is a public accounting firm helping individuals, non-profits, and individuals achieve financial peace of mind and success with reliable and customized financial reporting, tax, and advisory services.

We are excited to support the spring show and are grateful for everything Knollwood Farm provides to our community.'

The Knollwood community is grateful for their support.

It’s Food Drive Time!

Our 15^th annual (at least) food drive benefitting the Food Pantry of Waukesha County starts on May 24, and continues through June 4.

The food pantry runs low on inventory at this time of year when kids no longer receive meals at school. We’ve made it a tradition to help during the summer shortage.

Each Knollwood Kid who collects five food kits, containing six of the eight items listed on the graphic above, is eligible to join a Knollwood Olympic team.  They can also collect the cash equivalent of five kits, and each kit is worth $20. Any checks collected should be made out to the Food Pantry of Waukesha.

That Means It’s Olympic Time!

Knollwood Kids who have collected a minimum of five food kits will gather on Saturday, June 6 at 5:30 PM for team meetings.

We’ll place riders on teams to make them even, and each team will compete in five ‘games of skill.’ Last year the events included a blanket race, a blind buggy race, horse charades, and a relay race.

The games are fun and ridiculous. The Olympics are a way to celebrate your donations to help others in our community who are less fortunate.

The food barrels will be out, and you can drop your kits off in the show barn lounge. Please give any checks to your instructor or admin.

Also, please label your bags so we know who to credit for the donation.

Thanks in advance.

Quick reminders:

Knollwood Spring Show

May 15-17

Horses’ Day Off

Monday, May 18

The lesson horses will enjoy a day of rest the day after show weekend.

All lessons have been credited.

Madison Classic Horse Show

New Holland Pavillions

May 21-24

The academy performance is Saturday morning beginning at 10:00 AM.

 

 

Memorial Day Closure

Monday, May 25

We will be closed in honor of Memorial Day.

Instructors will schedule makeup lessons.

Monarch Spring Classic Show

May 30-31

Join our academy team as we return to Beyond Stable Farm for a new show this year.

 

Knollwood Olympics

June 6 at 6:00 PM

Knollwood Summer 2026 Officially Starts

June 8 at 9:00 AM

We’re welcoming a sold out Tiny Tot camp, and the first pattern camp of the summer.

Midwest Charity Horse Show

June 9-13

Illinois State Fairgrounds

Team Knollwood will be there in numbers competing against the best in the country.

We’ll update with schedules and webcast information when it’s available.

Dad’s Day Ride

Saturday, June 20 at 6:00 PM

Knollwood Kids, you can be your Dad’s helper for an introductory group lesson.

We’ll start taking entries on show weekend.

Oshkosh Summer Classic Horse Show

June 24-27

Knollwood’s show and academy teams will be competing at beautiful Sunnyview Expo in Oshkosh.

Be sure to join us for the horse show in a park!

See you soon at the barn, or at the ingate!