You’ll often hear our instructors talking about the unique personalities of different lesson horses, and that your child is learning valuable lessons for life. Your rider will indeed meet people just like the lesson horses that are teaching them not only how to ride, but how to deal with their different outlooks. Read on to hear about some of our favorite characters…

 

Hugo

Your Lazy Co-Worker

You know the guy. He nods off at his desk, misses calls, and always talks about how busy and tired he is.

Behold Hugo. Born at Knollwood, and born to be a lesson horse.

He’s perfect. He reminds each and every rider that he’d rather have been born a slug.

Yet, he’s safe as can be, has a beginner trot to die for, and quite frankly, even RIchimond the yellow cat could sit his trot.

His valuable lessons include:

·         Never give up. If you follow through long enough and firm enough, you’ll get whatever you’re asking for.

·         Lazy can be overcome with hard work.

·         Lazy isn’t about everything. If you’ve ever played games on Hugo, you know that there’s speed in there. You just have to work to get it.

·         Lazy frequently equals smart. Hugo is a pattern master if you refuse to give in.   Did you ever think how hard it must be to move that slowly?

Bilbo

The “There Must be an Easier Way to Do This’ guy

You know this one. He argues about how to do everything as he complains about being overworked and underpaid.

Don’t get us wrong, we all love Bilbo, and he provides countless hours of entertainment to all the instructors.

Bilbo dreams of cutting lessons short when he stops at the chute gate and stares longingly up the chute.

He makes a lot of eye contact with the instructor running his lesson, especially if it’s Molly. He keeps close eyes on Molly so he can poop at the farthest corner to make her travel to clean up after him.

Always looking and trying to find a moment to rest, slow up, or make that circle a little smaller.

His important lessons:

·         Keep your reins short. You never know when his head may come up and re-shape your circle.

·         Watch his adorable fuzzy ears. Their attached to his very active brain.

·         If you’re riding with Molly, there WILL be poop breaks.

 

 

Fred

The Secretly Competitive Co-Worker

To look at him, you’d think that Fred was just another slightly overweight middle aged man. He does his day in,  day out job fantastically well. He’s taught countless Knollwood Kids how to walk and trot, taught them circles and serpentines, and emergency dismounts.

You’ll get a glmpse of secret Fred when Honey Bee is in the arena. He speeds up and tries to keep up with the Hackney. She, of course, completely ignores him.

Truly competitive Fred comes out when its time for games on horseback. He thinks relay games are enjoyable, but he can’t contain himself when it’s time for ‘Steal the Crop,’ or the latest variation, “Steal the Carrot.’

This walk trot superstar just can’t hold it in, and frequently canters. The experienced riders who have experienced this have all said, ‘It’s really not that bad.’

Whup, Fred.

The lessons of Fred:

·         Like people, horses often have hidden competitive streaks

·         Be ready for anything

·         Even the steadiest of horses and people like to have fun on the job

Pony Frank

 

The Guy Who Watches Everyone Work

You know the guy.

He watches everyone work, and has an opinion on everyone. Oh, and he has to stop working to watch.

Our legendary pony is a master watcher.

Pony Frank can be trusted with the smallest of riders, and is a small box of perfection. If he sees something interesting, he’ll stop and watch. He doesn’t stop fast, or start up again quickly, he just watches.

He especially likes to watch Scott’s ‘discussions’ with show horses who don’t always agree with Mr Matton’s plans for the moment. Of course, he silently passes judgement.

Pony Frank’s life lessons:

·         Communication is key. If you keep the pony brain occupied, he’s much less likely to stop and enjoy the view.

·         Life isn’t a spectator sport.

Earl

The Guy Who Hates Change

Everyone loves Earl. Especially instructor Court.

However, he is your future co-worker who dislikes change, and rages against it.

When he first came, Earl lived in the stall currently occupied by Mulligan. He has never forgotten this fact.

A few months later, we needed  a red box stall for a show horse, so Mulligan moved to Earl’s box stall.

Fast forward a year or so, and Earl still has days when he trots into Mullligan’s current stall.

Earl’s unique lessons:

·         Embrace change. You’ll meet new people or horses. Earl is now good friends with next door neighbor Sherman.

·         You’ll learn things!

Murphy

The dramatic one.

You’ve all met this fella.

If something happens, they ignore the facts and start telling their version of events and make it bigger each time they tell the story. Murphy would be on social media all the time.

In lessons, he teaches riders to chill out and reassure the runaway brain that, in fact, the screen door is not a killer. Neither is the show barn.

Did you ever wonder why he’s better outside? There’s too much going on out there to obsess on any one thing.

Murphy’s lessons:

·         Drama begets drama. If you answer drama with short, sharp responses, the instability escalates. When you answer it with cool, calm, slow firmness, you become the drama antidote and it disappears.

·         Most dramatic creatures aren’t the most intelligent, so be slow and give them a chance to process the message.

When you give your child the opportunity to spend time with horses, you give them so much more than physically technical riding lessons. Knollwood Kids learn communication, problem solving, empathy, respect, and the lesson of never giving up.  These are just a few of the life lessons imparted by our unbelievable string of lesson horses and our talented instructors who translate and teach the knowledge.

What’s Coming Up?

Bring a Friend Day

5:00

This Saturday

It’s a sell out.

Participants, please be sure to have a signed, completed release form for your friend. No rider can get on a horse without a release form signed by a parent.

St Louis Charity Horse Show

September 24-27

National Equestrian Center

The show horses are heading to St Louis for a favorite show. In addition to being a hospitality plus show, it features 2 pleasure equitation finals, the ASHBA National Championship for riders 17 and under, and the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion Finals. The medallion features a 13 and under division in addition to the final for riders aged 14-17.

We’ll update webcast info shortly.

 

 

UPHA Chapter 10 Fall Show

October 4-5

Beyond Stable Farm

20 Academy stars are heading to Woodstock for the Octoberfest themed horse show. We’re showing in the big covered outdoor arena, and we’d love a fan club!

 

Mid America Mane Event

October 15-18

Illinois State Fairgrounds

The show team is heading back to a favorite arena for the Mane Event show. Home to the first of the ‘Big Three’ equitation finals, the show attracts riders from all over the country.

We’ll update webcast info when it’s available.

Knollwood Fall Show

October 17-19

Can you believe it’s time for our final celebration of the in-barn season?

We’re planning on showing outside Saturday and Sunday after  an indoor pattern night on Friday.

It takes many hands to put on event of this magnitude, and you can support in many ways.

Gift basket donation lists are up in the school barn lounge. Please check out and donate the next time you’re at the farm.

Sign up genius is up for the concession stand and associated activities. We are always looking for hands-on help here. Please???

You can sign up here.

 

Horses' Day Off

Monday, October 20

We will not be holding lessons, and lessons will be credited to your account.

 

IASPHA Fall Show

October 25-26

Beyond Stable Farm

Our final academy season of 2025!

Please come and cheer us on as we complete a successful academy season. We’ll be showing in the indoor arena.

 

Throughout December

Enrollment meetings

Academy show riders will meet with their instructors to plan 2026, and instructors will touch base with all families to confirm plans and new policies for 2026, too.

 

 

 

 

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