0 comments / Posted by Ann Wilt

 

 

The Knollwood Knockouts youth group, a member of the American Saddlebred Horse Association’s Youth Foundation, has been in existence for more than 20 years.  They’ve been recognized by Saddlebred Rescue with their 'Youth to the Rescue' award, and by the American Saddlebred Association of Wisconsin for their continued support of their scholarship fund and horse shows. They’re the first youth group to sponsor a class at the World Championship Horse Show, and are the only one to be recognized on the Wall of Honor at the American Saddlebred Museum in Lexington.

 

The Knockouts have sent three veterans on Honor Flights to Washington DC, held annual food drives for the Food Pantry of Waukesha County, held a walk to fight heart disease, raised funds for breast cancer research, adopted families for Christmas for many years, held car washes for several different charities, kept our neighborhood beautiful with two street clean ups per year, and sent food and hurricane relief supplies to Puerto Rico this past December.

They also contribute generously to scholarship programs for riders through ASAW and several horse shows. Members Jess and Sarah both won college scholarships at the 2017 ASAW Summerfun show last July. They're currently studying at UW-Madison and Canisius.

 

 

Members of all ages participate in activities and benefit from the club throughout the year.

Knockout members also earn points each time they enter the show ring. We track points for riders who compete at both our in-barn shows and for those who compete at academy shows on the road. 

At our annual award banquet held the second week of February, we recognize high point award winners in both the in-barn and out of barn divisions.  We also recognize riders who earn Academy Awards from the Saddlebred Horse Association, and show barn riders who assist in our academy program.

To earn a high point award, members are required to participate and support the club in two ways. Riders must attend a minimum of three club meetings throughout the year, and must perform a minimum of two hours of service to the club.

Meeting are usually held on Saturday afternoons, the busiest days at the barn. Our new officers are planning fun activities to be held in conjunction with the meetings, so stay tuned!

We have many, many service opportunities throughout the year, and many of our members go above and way beyond in their support of the club. Riders can participate in a street clean up, work at the concession stand at one of our in-barn shows, or at the ASAW Summer Showcase in Cedarburg, which is co-managed by the Knockouts and the American Saddlebred Association of Wisconsin. Club members can also help us set up in Cedarburg, help us tear down, or even deliver lunch orders to the barns participating at the show.

 

 

Why perform service to the club? We’re firm believers in giving back to the horse industry and to those in need, and this is a great way to start. The Knockouts provide support to many charitable causes, underwrite the bulk of their annual awards banquet to keep it an affordable event for Knollwood families, and they host our popular holiday celebration for members.

 

The Knockouts also underwrite lots of fun activities for members. Past events have included curling, mini golf outings, and ice skating nearby.

 

 

 

One of the largest horse industry youth groups in the country, our success can be summed up in one word: participation.

If you’ve not yet had the chance to participate in the Knockouts, please consider joining us and finding out what all the fun is about. We’re holding our first meeting of the year at 4:30 pm on Saturday, February 24. We’ll meet in the show barn lounge, and finish plans for our Spring show coming up on March 23-24.

Following the club meeting, we’re hosting a meeting for parents who would like to become more involved with the group. We’re always looking for mentors who can pitch in with the concession stands we run at four shows, or who would like to help at other events.

We’re sure you’ll have a great time with our horse crazy kids.

 

 

Tradition

Honor

Passion

 

 

 

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