News
Relax, and Catch Up.
Here’s your chance.
Take a few minutes to relax and catch up on all that we’ve been up to, and to find out all the fun we have planned.
Off to South Africa!
Knollwood Kid (and Triple Crown winner) Haley made it through trials last weekend at William Woods University, and is now a member of Team USA. She’s heading to South Africa to represent the US in the Saddle Seat World Cup as part of the 5 gaited team.
Busy, Busy Saturday
Last Saturday was a fabulous one for Knollwood Kids. Our friends from Soul Fire Art Studio turned the show barn lounge into a big craft room as riders enjoyed making their own ornaments. The unique decorations made their way back to Soul Fire to be fired in the kiln, and will be returned to the artists at the Knockout Holiday Gala this Saturday. (more about that later ...)
If your Knollwood Kid thought that was fun, keep in mind that Soul Fire will be in their cool new space at 636 Main Street in Delafield soon. They offer craft parties, fundraising, classes, or just dropping in for a crafty afternoon.
After we finished lessons for the day, Knollwood Kids returned (or just hung out for the day) and enjoyed a Parents Night Out with the always entertaining Knockout officers and board members.
They created some compelling campaign posters for their favorite lesson horses, (again, more about that later…) enjoyed dinner, and spent lots of time in the arena playing all different versions of horse show. The gaited classes were especially competitive.
Don’t Forget to Vote!
The Knockouts election for School Horse of the Year continues through December 31. Renew your membership, or become a member, and you’ll receive a ballot. Dues are a real value at only $5 per junior exhibitor or $10 for senior exhibitors. Dues entitle you to join the holiday gala, attend the awards banquet in February, and participate in all the fun activities throughout the year.
Paying your dues also registers you to vote in the officers election for 2020 which we’re holding at the holiday gala on Saturday.
Knockouts Holiday Gala
Be sure to join all us this Saturday at 6:00 for the Knollwood Knockout Holiday Gala. Jeni has prepared a scavenger hunt that has lots of outdoor clues, so be sue to wear layers for your trip(s) around the farm.
We'll also enjoy pizza before we meet to elect officers for 2020. Candidates, plese be prepared with a short speech to introduce yourself and enlighten the members as to why they should vote for you.
While the votes are being counted, members can enjoy anotional gift exchange. Please bring a wrapped gift of approximately $25 value suitable for a horse girl.
Of course, we'll finish the event with games in the arena.
Please sign up here to bring an appetizer for the adults to enjoy while the kids are scavenger hunting, or a treat to share after dinner.
Parents, please feel free to BYOB.
Vacations Continue
School horse vacations continue through Christmas week, with Hooper enjoying this week off. So far, Klem has been the only horse who hasn’t really enjoyed his week off. He really missed his time in the arena, and missed a lot of mints, as he has most of the instructors trained to provide treats on ALL occasions.
Next week, Cashew will enjoy a week of rest, and the one and only Thomas will finish up the schedule the following week. Be sure to stop in and visit the holiday horses. They love special attention, extra grooming, and treats!
Woodwear is Coming
We expect to have all the clothing you ordered in November ready for pick up on Monday. We’ll have a few extra pieces available above the order, so if you missed the ordering period and would like to check on availability, please get in touch with Ann.
Pattern Class December 13
We know it’s the off season, but we also know that it’s when the real work is done. We’re hosting a pattern class on Friday, December 13 at 6:30 as part of our Friday Passport series. Give us a call if you’d like to join the fun!
Last Chance for Stirrups
If you’d like to give the gift of stirrups and leathers to the Knollwood Kid in your house, please talk to Ann this week for ordering. We’ve been ordering lots, and there are going to be a lot of happy riders with their very own stirrups on Christmas morning!
Your instructor is a wealth of information for last minute gifts for your horse crazy kid. You can never go wrong with warm riding gloves, jods, extra tie down for jods, or a helmet!
Our Newest Knollwood Kid
We welcome Vaughn as our newest lesson horse. Born at Knollwood, he has learned his lessons well thanks to Lin, and has been teaching lessons for our most advanced riders who helped in his education. Young Vaughn is slowly working into group lessons for our experienced riders, and is quickly taking a place in everyone’s heart.
Holiday Schedule
We won’t be teaching lessons on December 24 or 25, or on December 31 or January 1. Please contact your instructor if you’d like to schedule make up lessons.
Also, we know it’s a busy time of year, and we ask that you please let us know of any cancellations. Going somewhere warm after the holidays? Please keep us informed, and think of us Wisconsonites while you’re enjoying the sun!
Our website has been updated, and now includes 2020 dates for group lessons and summer riding school dates as well as Tiny Tot camp dates. Heck, we even added the 2020 show dates for our academy riders!
Lessons and camps are on sale at 10% off through December 31, and you can even shop in your pajamas. Just use promo code HOLIDAY2020 at checkout to receive your discount.
Of course, we’d be happy to design a lesson program to take your rider wherever they’d like to go. Please contact your instructor for ideas.
Coming Up!
For all of our show riders...
Midwest Saddleseat Consignment will be setting up shop at the Holiday Garden Inn in Oconomowoc for the weekend of January 4-5, and Knollwood has a private shopping time on Friday night, January 3 from 7-9 PM. The collection opens to the public on Saturday morning, so it’s a great chance to pre-shop for show clothes for the 2020 season.
Academy Meetings
We love sitting down with our academy show stars’ parents in January or February and discussing goals and schedules for the upcoming season. With so many shows to choose from, we can guide riders to appropriate venues and plan a progression for the year.
We’ll also have dates for pattern camps for our academy stars!
Thinking about showing this year? We’re planning our academy show seminar, and will post the date shortly. Of course, we’d be happy to meet and talk about why we love academy showing with you, too!
Knollwood Banquet
Join us Saturday, February 8 at the Legend at Bristlecone for an evening of all things Knollwood. Invitations will be sent to all Knockout members at the beginning of January, and it’s an event you won’t want to miss.
If you’re not yet a member, we’d love to have you. Your instructor can help you join, and if you sign up by December 31, you can even vote for School Horse of the Year!
Hope you enjoyed your 5 minutes of relaxation during the busy holiday season.
Just a couple of questions after looking at the blog...
Why is Klem ALWAYS the horse in pictures, and why does it look like he always just got up from a nap?