Knollwood summer 2026 is going strong, with camps, shows, lessons, and special events.

You often hear us talk about Team Knollwood. It truly takes a village, and we’d like to explain some of the inner workings of the (usually) well-oiled machine.

Scott and Carol own the place, although if you ask Scott, he says he works for Carol. It’s probably better for all of us that he enjoys that role.

Scott and Carol oversee the farm operations with the help of their talented team.

 

Carlos is the man.

Carlos and his team of caretakers provide expert care for the show horses on their strings.

His team also travels to shows ahead of time and sets up the aisle, and tears down and packs up the same. During the show, they take care of horses as if they were their own.

You’ll see them doing all manner of things around the farm from fixing fences to installing beautiful new stall fronts in the show barn.

 

Knollwood Kid for life and former world champion equitation rider Payton joined us this spring. She’s taking care of horses and helping with training and teaching lessons. She’s learning from the best and is already a valuable team member.

 

Our instructor team has it going on.

We’re fortunate to have a diverse group of instructors. We have a pediatric nurse, an autism specialist, two former elementary ed teachers, a former retail exec, a former college fundraiser, and some marvelous college students who pitch in when they can.

All the instructors teach lessons, and many have additional responsibilities.

Nancy teaches four days a week and is responsible for procuring hay for the whole farm. She also communicates with Merton Feed to schedule deliveries both for home and road trips.

Nancy makes sure the farm looks beautiful all year long, manages the pastures, and is responsible for school horse health.

Ann teaches five days a week, manages the Knollwood shows, supports the Knockout officers, keeps track of riders’ memberships and points, and manages the teaching schedule. She teaches three weeks of academy camp in addition to the Knollwood Prep camp. She also runs our social media and blog.

 

Brenda teaches two days a week and somehow keeps track of all the helpers. She staffs helpers for summer riding school, rearranges barn manager schedules in the summer, and staffs minicamp helpers.

She also makes sure new helpers are paired with an experienced hand after initial training.

 

Courtney currently teaches in the school barn, while most of her time is spent teaching show barn riders. A former equitation champ herself, Court understands the pressure and tests that all equitation riders encounter.

Court also serves as our master scheduler. She works our waitlist like a magician with her excellent communication skills honed from her years as an elementary ed teacher.

 

In addition to teaching Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays, Molly teaches all of our mini camps. Molly’s kindness and patience make for an amazing record of turning minicamp riders into enrolled students.  

Molly is also known for being loved by Richmond the cat, and for being the butt of jokes made by Bilbo. Just ask her.

It’s an amazing team

 

Our admins are the friendly faces at the front desk.

We have Knollwood moms, adult Knollwood riders, and even a Knollwood grandma.

Admins help with show entries, messages, some scheduling, and questions on quite an array of topics.

They also give terrific tours to prospective riders and families.

Barn Managers keep busy lesson nights running smoothly.

These riders are selected for their leadership and organizational skills, as well as their kindness.

Managers are responsible for keeping the helper staff on track.  They supervise helpers to make sure horses are cared for, riders are safe and delivered to the arena with time to spare, that barn chores are completed, and that customers are well cared for.

It’s plenty of responsibility for these Knollwood Kids, and they do a terrific job.

They’re going to lead the world.

Camp Counselors are barn managers on steroids.

Look at the tasks that a barn manager does, and add 6-8 campers to the mix.

Counselors do it all, including teaching classroom and sportsmanship, making sure each camper is drinking enough water, and is working safely around horses.

These leaders are also specially selected based on their kindness, work ethic, responsibility, and organizational skills.

Horses build leaders.

Helpers are hard working Knollwood Kids who can’t get enough time with horses. We invite riders who are kind, want to learn, can take direction, and are OK doing all the 'glamourous' things required around horses.

Helpers work with new riders and teach them to be safe and confident around the best lesson horses in the world. They jog next to new riders during initial lessons as they cheer on progress.

Helpers will be hot, and tired at times, just like the horses they’re working with.

It’s learning to be a good helper where Knollwood Kids learn the mantra, ‘Horses first, the rest later.’

Helpers rock.

Knollwood Parents make us great.

We’re grateful for the Knollwood parents who pitch in to support all the horse kids.

They run three big Knollwood shows, just finished a car wash that raised over $1100, and provide moral support to their riders.

The reason our kids are known for their sportsmanship? Knollwood parents are a big part of it, and we are beyond grateful.

 

Knollwood Riders are special.

Because of the size of our lesson program, it’s different than smaller programs.

Our big scale means that we have a great variety of horses to learn from. Our lower headed horses make marvelous beginner teachers, build incredibly strong bareback legs, and can really rock games on horseback.

Having horses in all shapes and sizes also means that Knollwood Kids can learn to ride in groups when they decide to show.

With a bigger program, riders have more choices of instructors, camp dates, and lesson scheduling.

Knollwood Horses Do It All

We love each one of our lesson horses. Known collectively as ‘the library,’ our lesson horses each have a specific area of expertise to teach.

Leon teaches riders to canter.

Bilbo teaches riders to think ahead.

Vaughn teaches everyone to look ahead.

Bee teaches riders to be careful what you ask for, because she’ll do it.

Sport teaches everyone to be aware of horses going the opposite direction.

They greet each day with good humor, calmness, and a good work ethic.

 

We all love what we do.

What’s coming Up?

IASPHA Summer Show

July 24-25

The academy team and some show riders are heading to Beyond Stable Farm for another wonderful IASPHA show.

Please come and join us!

ASAW Summer Showcase

August 8-9

Ozaukee County Fairgrounds

The academy team is heading to Cedarburg for the weekend.

It’s worth the trip to watch.

Knollwood Summer Show

August 21-23

Our annual summer celebration is coming up!

Esteemed Saddlebred trainer Terri Anne Ullman is judging all three days of the show.

We’re starting patterns at 5:00 PM instead of 6:00 PM on Friday night.

World’s Championship Horse Show

August 22-29

Freedom Hall

Louisville, KY

The show horses will be competing at the biggest show of the season.

We’ll provide schedules and webcast info as soon as they’re available.

 

Knockouts Fall Adopt A Street

September 12

1:00 PM

The Knockouts will clean up Oakwood and Nagawicka Roads for Fall. Please save the date to join the fun, and to earn your Knockout service hours!

Bring a Friend Ride

September 19

6:00 PM

Knollwood Kids, here’s your chance to bring a friend or relative for a beginner lesson. Best of all, you get to be their helper!

The cost is $50, and we’ll start signups on Knollwood show weekend.

 

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