Thanks to everyone who came out last Saturday for our academy kick off. Our demo riders were joined by their parents who added their unique insight and advice to the program, Klem, Baxter, and Thomas were at the top of their games, and Lisa prepared a wonderful spread of appetizers and wine to enjoy during the program.

 

We’re thrilled to be introducing 14 riders to the joys and adventures of academy showing this season.  These Knollwood Kids are going to learn many, many things about horses and themselves, and have stories to share with everyone. We can hardly wait until April when our first three new stars make their debuts.

 

 

Have you met Pumpkin?

Our latest addition to the best school horses in the world just arrived from Kentucky, and his name is Pumpkin. This sturdy chap is half Morgan, and half Connemara pony. He was already working as a lesson horse in a riding program.

Our advanced riders are helping Pumpkin adjust to our way of doing things and he will meet our younger riders when his orientation is complete. Be sure to say ‘Hello’ to our newest arrival!

 

 

2022 Improvements

Have you noticed that the school barn is feeling warmer on chilly days? Well, of course it does, because we have a new furnace. The heat is much more consistent, even in the oldest barn on the farm.  The horses, cats, and dogs are enjoying it almost as much as we are!

 

 

We’re always looking for ways to improve the farm and our growing lesson program. New for 2022, we’ve instituted clothing requirements for all of our riders who have been enrolled for 3 months, excluding our tiny tot riders.

Knollwood riders are required to have their own helmet, riding pants, boots, and gloves.

Why did we make this new policy?

 

Proper attire is necessary for safety.

 Boots allow for proper foot placement in the stirrup, and make it easier to get feet in and out of the stirrups. Having your own helmet ensures proper fit, a must for helmet effectiveness. Riding pants provide comfort in the saddle and minimize saddle sores and slipperiness. Gloves keep a consistent feel on the reins, keep the hands warm, and prevent rein slippage.

Proper attire is necessary for progress.

It’s hard to learn proper form and technique when riders are distracted by leggings  bunching up under knees and reins slipping through fingers. Proper attire will allow instructors to clearly see a rider’s position, will allow students to maintain good foot position in the stirrup, and will make progress easier to attain.

We’ve provided links to some of our favorite products on the home page of our website for easy shopping.  Please talk to your instructor with any questions you may have.

 

 

 

 

Did you know...

that the Knockouts, our award winning youth group, has two big charity events coming up this spring and summer?

The club will start its annual food drive on May 1 for the Food Pantry of Waukesha County. 

Each Knollwood Kid who collects a minimum of five food kits will be eligible to compete in the Knollwood Olympics on Saturday, May 21.

 

A food kit consists of:

  Boxed potatoes

  Gravy

  Canned vegetables

  Canned fruit

  Box of Jello

  Boxed dessert

  Can of soup

  Box of cereal

 

 

What are the Knollwood Olympics?

 Teams of kids, organized by days of the week, compete in fun ‘games of skill,’ such as blanket races,  blind buggy races, helmet tosses, and other interesting events we dream up.

 We’ve been running this food drive for more than 10 years, and we gather more than 1200 pounds of food each year for our neighbors in need. We'd love to have your help!

 

 

 

We’re organizing a memorial walk for a Knollwood Kid who passed away this year. Libby’s family asked that donations in her memory be made to Lifestriders, a therapeutic riding program in Waukesha. Please save the morning of June 11 to walk the bridle paths around the farm in memory of Libby. We’re in the early stages of planning the event and will update soon. If you're interested in volunteering, please talk to Ann.

 

 

 

 What's Coming Up?

March 12

Patchwork Pony Road Show

Hilton Garden Inn, Oconomowoc

8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Knollwood equitation mom extraordinaire Sue will be there to help Knollwood Kids and parents create the perfect outfit.

 

 

April 1

Last day for entries for the Knollwood Spring Show

Last day for Jelly Bean Jod Orders!

 

 

 

April 9-10

IASPHA Spring Show

Our first academy show of the season! Join us at Beyond Stable Farm in Woodstock, Illinois.

 

April 16

Parents Night Out

Knollwood Kids, join the Knockout officers and board members for a few hours of barn fun!

 

May 1

Food drive for the Food Pantry of Waukesha County begins!

It continues through May 21.

 

 

 

 

May 13, 14, 15

Knollwood Spring Show

Judge for all three days is Knollwood Kid, National Champion, and Colorado State student Laney Lonchar!

Here's an overview of the weekend:

Friday Night 6:30 PM

WTC Pattern Classes and both Knollwood Challenge qualifiers

 

Saturday, start time TBD

WTC classes, all adult classes, Walk and trot riders 11 and over, and our premier walk trot division

 

Sunday, 10:00 AM

Leadline, 10 and under walk and trot, and maiden classes

 

 

 

May 21

Knollwood Olympics and Knockout meeting at 5:30 PM

 

 

 

See you at the barn!