Somehow, Knollwood summer 2025 blew by. We loved the long sunny days at the barn, loved hours with horses and friends at shows, and making memories that we’ll always cherish.

With everyone heading back, we’d like to recognize the seven Knollwood Kids who graduated high school last spring. They’re on their way to new adventures at college this fall.

These are seven very different individuals. Some are stars in the academy division and have helped to keep the lesson program growing and welcoming. Some dabbled in the show horse world, one of them was an instructor while still in high school, some have been super involved in the Knockouts, some have horses in their families for generations, and some have excelled to the top of the show horse world while balancing challenging school and work.

They are all exceptional people, and we will miss them while they expand their worlds.

Here, in no particular order is Knollwood’s college class.

Hannah grew up a Knollwood Kid. She rode with us and showed in the academy division with great success.

Smily Hannah has been a big part of pattern camps, serving as a counselor to the many up and coming riders learning how to show.

Hannah graduated from Arrowhead and is attending the University of Wisconsin.  She’s interested in a career in the medical field and is currently looking at the physician assistant track.

 

 

 

 

Savannah has ridden at Knollwood since she was 10 years old and rode Picasso in her first show.

She has spent hours at the barn, riding, working, and most importantly, making friends. Savannah says, ‘Knollwood has been the place to go whenever other parts of my life became too overwhelming, as there is always someone of some horse that is there to help you through.’

Mom Karen says, ‘Let them ride. They will learn so much more than you think. It develops strength mentally and physically, teaches patience, perseverance, and compassion along with confidence.’

Savannah is attending St Lawrence University, and has plane to become a dermatologist.

 

 

 

Adrienne has Knollwood credentials like no other.

She became a Knollwood Kid at age 10, and showed Fred at her first Knollwood show. She wants us all to know that ‘back in the day,’ riders showed in sweater vests and ties.

Adrienne was a quick learner and became a fixture of busy Knollwood Saturdays. She says that Saturdays were where she fell in love with the Knollwood community.

From being a helper, Adrienne advanced to camp counseling, going to academy shows as a tech, and eventually became an instructor herself. In her spare time, Adrienne also ran the Knockouts for two years. We’re not sure she ever slept.

Favorite memories for Adrienne include pattern camps and showing horses with friends. Camp let her ‘foster new connections and friendships with people I’m still close to today. ‘Everyday was filled with so much learning, laughter, and usually a sleepover at some point during the week.’

Her advice to future Knollwood Kids?

Be grateful. Thanks, Mom and Dad.

For your parents, instructors, helpers, and horses most especially. Knollwood is an incredible place and not recognizing the amazing opportunities your have there, that not everyone is able to have, is a trait that only fosters negativity and cliques. Knollwood is lucky to have the most amazing horses as well, it’s important to appreciate the work they do with the great attitude they do it with and take the time to show them that through caring for them. Take time to recognize how lucky you are – no matter what level you’re at. Life ‘s a lot more fun if we all practice gratitude and inclusivity to everyone who comes through those barn doors.

Adrienne graduated from DSHA and is attending the CU Boulder. She’s taking lots of different classes to decide what she’d like to do after school.

 

 

 

Thea took her first lesson at Knollwood when she was six, after her family relocated to Wisconsin. Carol gave the family a tour of the farm, and in Thea’s words, ‘The rest is history.’

Thea and her sister Morgan rode on Saturdays on the best lesson horses in the world. Thea remembers that she showed the late, great Willy in her first barn show.

Thea became a Saturday helper and has never left. She’s been the Saturday barn manager for years, and we feel bad for Olivia who’s stepping into Thea’s role. She is an amazing people and horse manager.

Thea has been very involved in the Knockouts and even served as president for two years with Adrienne.  Under their leadership, membership increased, shows grew, and parents’ night out events became a staple for Knollwood Kids.

Thea’s favorite Knollwood memories are the Saturday 3:30 group, pattern camps, horse shows, and Knockout events.

She adds, ‘Knollwood means a lot to me. The barn has been fundamental in my development through countless lessons in the saddle and working with people and horses through a variety of situations. The barn has a great community that I’ve loved being a part of, especially the Knollwood Knockouts and the friends I’ve been able to connect with.’

Mom Amy adds, ‘Knollwood has been an integral part of our family life. Thea has gained a forever barn family, an impressive skill set from barn managing, and a lifetime love of horses.’

Thea is headed to Stanford University and is on the veterinary path to become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

 

Tatum is a third generation Knollwood rider.

Her grandma Susan showed some wonderful horses in the western division, including the legendary CH In the Zone, known and loved as Rowdy.

Her aunt, Kerry is a well-known amateur exhibitor. Known for showing a horse to their best advantage, she’d ridden some great ones from Midtown Man to RIverdream’s Masquerade.

Tatum has shown some really fun horses, including Holiday Kisses and Roselane’s First in Line.

Tatum started her riding life at Knollwood when she was 6 years old. She showed Sparky at her first Knollwood show.

Tatum shares that her biggest riding challenge has been riding without stirrups. She has looong legs and says that keeping her balance has been a ‘challenge all its own.’

Her favorite memories include learning to canter and realizing how much fun it was, the energy and excitement of show days, and the little victories in lessons when something finally clicks.

Tatum adds, ‘Because of the people and the horses, Knollwood has always been more than a barn. It’s a community where you’re supported, challenged, and celebrated. The trainers push you to be your best, and the friendships I’ve made here mean so much.

Her mom’s advice? ‘Take the lessons you have learned from riding and carry them with you to your new adventures in college.’

Tatum is headed to Marquette University where she’s majoring in Corporate Communications and minoring in Sports Communications. She hopes to work for a major league sports team.

 

 

Knollwood Kid Tess arrived at only 5 years of age and showed Willy in her first show.

Tess came up through our academy program and graduated to the show horse world a few years ago. She’s currently showing the ever-charismatic Undulata’s Crystal Illusionist, known to all his Knollwood fans as Eli.

Tess says that her best memory was helping at camps with her friends. ‘Although the days were sometimes long and hard, it was so rewarding to see the campers understand and fall in love with horses just like I did! And I got to spend hours with my riding friends who are the best in the world.’

Mom Piper appreciates what Knollwood did for Tess, ‘It’s made her a stronger (physically and mentally) person. Life is not always easy and knowing you can manage a half-ton beast- but a loveable one is a plus.’

Tess sums it up, ’Knollwood has meant everything. It has been such an important part of my life since I started. It truly is a community who loves and respects each other through thick and thin.  Some of my hardest times have made just that much better by people at the barn.’

Tess is at the University of Kentucky, studying Communications.

She’s taking the first year to explore all the choices available.  Tess adds, ‘Ill be surrounded by horses whatever I choose to do!’

 

 

 

Richie followed his older sister Tori into lessons. He says ‘I was dragged out to watch my sister Victoria ride in group lessons for a couple of years, and I decided that if I was going to be coming along anyways, I wanted to give riding a shot. I started in group lessons when I was seven, and the rest is history.'  He notes that his first show horse at Knollwood was Forest.

Richie started showing academy at 8 years of age, and he’s never stopped.

His family purchased the legendary CH Miss Mheirry Mac for Richie to show in the 10 and under walk and trot equitation world. This team finished reserve national champs in their first year of competition. She is currently retired at Knollwood and will remain a member of the Dallen family for the rest of her days.

Richie has become a horseman and has won countless classes. He’s won the Junior Worlds Grand Championship of equitation for riders 13 and under in 2021 and finished his Freedom Hall junior exhibitor career in 2025 with a Worlds Championship in his age division and a reserve Word’s Grand Championship in senior equitation.

This student of the sport has become an accomplished rider of performance horses as well, having campaigned the challenging and talented Showdown for the last few years.

With his wide-ranging skills, Richie is a sought-after catch rider as well. At Louisville a few weeks ago, he had the privilege of showing a gaited pleasure horse for trainers in North Carolina.

Richie traveled to South Africa last year with Team USA for the World Cup competition, too.

Richie’s favorite Knollwood memories? ‘The small moments. The extra bit of time you spend with your horse after the lesson is something that I will always cherish and remember, because at the end of the day, it’s all about the horse.’

Mom Tracy says, ‘Horses have thrown Richie headfirst into experientially learning lessons in life. I’d like to refer to these lessons as the 4R’s: Respect, Responsibility, and Resourcefulness.  Kids who immerse themselves in the horse world will quickly be exposed to all aspects of life in the real world and the character-building decisions that ultimately follow -good and bad, beauty and temptation, jubilation and heartbreak. Through these trials and with the foundations of the 4R’s, horses and the horse world have forged him into a young man of resilience, humility, integrity, and compassion.’

As I’m sure Scott and Carol will attest, great horses are not born great, but are developed through disciplined and continued training, and so are humans. Parents must provide firm and predictable boundaries so that when the child is faced with the crucible decisions, they have the tools necessary to choose the 4^th R, to do the right thing.

Taking the hard road in the horse world has been the true gift, not the ribbons or titles. The lessons Richie learned through horses have shaped who he is. It has opened doors we could never have imagined, and new gifts continue to be revealed as he moves on his great new adventures.’

Richie is attending Butler University and is studying Finance.  While there are many opportunities in the financial sector, Richie is excited to explore, narrow down his options, and 'find a job I love.'

 

We wish these hard-working, accomplished Knollwood kids all the best as they head to new adventures.

See you in the arena at Thanksgiving!

 

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

Monarch Series National Championship

September 2-7

Illinois State Fairgrounds

Team Knollwood is there for a great horse show, and two pleasure equitation national finals. You can watch all the action here.

Wisconsin Futurity Horse Festival

September 11-14

New Holland Pavillion, Madison

Knollwood’s show horses are heading to Madison that celebrates young saddlebreds. It’s also a heck of a show for performance horses, and it’s a short ride to Madison!

Street Clean Up

September 13

1:00

Knockouts, be sure to sign up to join your friends for our fall service project. We’ll be cleaning up Oakwood and Nagawicka Roads for the fall.

A kind parent has donated a 12:30 lunch from Jersey Mike's for all participants! Please sign up for the event by Wednesday, September 10 so we can place our food order!

Bring a Friend Day

Saturday, September 20

6:00

Knollwood Kids, here’s your chance to act as a helper for a friend or relative. For only $50, you can show your friend why you love horses so much.

Participants must be at least 10 years of age, or be an academy show rider.  They must be able to tack horse and take care of him after the class, too.

You can sign up in the school barn lounge with your instructor or admin. Payment is required to hold your spot.

St Louis National Horse Show

September 24-27

National Equestrian Center

St Louis, MO

One of everyone’s favorite shows, St Louis is a big friendly show that also hosts two more Pleasure Equitation finals.

UPHA Fall Show

October 4-5

Woodstock, IL

Our academy stars are heading to the big outdoor arena at Beyond Stable Farm for a wonderful Fall weekend of showing. Many of our newest riders are showing for the second time this weekend. Please come and cheer them on!

 

Mid America Mane Event

October 15-18

Illinois State Fairgrounds

Home to the first of the ‘Big Three’ finals, Mane Event is a fall tradition. Riders come from far and near to compete in the Good Hands, the oldest of the finals included in the Triple Crown of Saddleseat equitation.

Held in the beautiful coliseum, the show is fantastic. We’ll update with webcasting info when it becomes available.

Knollwood Fall Show

October 17-19

The grand finale of our in-barn season.

We’re looking forward to a big show celebrating our academy riders.

The fall show features the finals of the Knollwood Challenge in two divisions.

Who will ride away with the traveling trophy, and the custom shirt from deRegnaucourt?

 

 

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