So, last week, admin Wendy was giving a tour to a family with 2 small future riders. One of the girls noticed that all the horses in the arena were ‘brown,’ and asked if we painted the horses so they were all the same color.

At that moment, a rider brought big gray Earl through the chute door. The younger sister said, ‘It looks like they missed one.’

Welcome to the third installment of how to identify our lesson horses. This week, we’ll meet all the horses that we ‘missed’ with the brown paint.

 

Bee

Bee is a powerhouse.

Registered in the Hackney society as Honey Bee, she’s a character through and through.

She was a tad, well, feral when she arrived, and has learned the Knollwood way. It’s easier to be agreeable than to offer your own version of how things should go.

She now gladly teaches walk trot lessons, teaches riders how to slow up her energy, and will even canter in a teacup with the right direction.

A favorite of Knollwood Kids, Bee is friendly, addicted to mints, and is a fierce competitor of ‘musical towels.’

How to recognize Bee in the arena?

She’s a tiny bay mare.

With her short legs, she takes many, many steps.

Bee still lacks patience, and stopping for long is a challenge.

After her lessons, there’s usually a child hugging her.

Bilbo

Where to begin?  Let’s state the obvious, he’s yellow.

Bilbo is a round Hafflinger and is a comedic genius. None of the instructors would be shocked to see him on a late night talk show doing stand up.

Our favorite yellow lesson horse came to us from a lesson program in Rockford, Illinois.

He does yoga in his stall to maintain his flexibility.

Bilbo will take care of the smallest riders in the arena, and will even make cornering decisions when needed.

He may not canter, but he’s a mainstay of our beginner program, keeping all riders safe and challenged just a little.

Now to recognize Bilbo in the arena?

He is adorable.

Bilbo has a thing about instructor Molly. He likes to pee in the arena during lessons she’s teaching. Of course, he does in in the furthest corner so she can’t stop him.  Only Molly.

Bilbo will challenge little riders by stopping. That’s him being ‘bad.’

Mostly, you’ll see very wee riders trotting around on him with big smiles on their faces.

Earl

Earl  is a thing of beauty.

Our huge gray quarter horse catches your eye the minute he saunters into the arena.

Not built for speed, he closely resembles a battleship, a whale, or an elephant depending on who you ask. (For Halloween this year, he was a Knollwood school bus. You get the idea.)

Instructor Court is in love with Earl, and the feeling is mutual. Maybe it's because they share an almost unbelievable calmness?

Earl is smooth, slow, patient, and kind. He’s a mainstay of our minicamps, ‘Welcome to Knollwood’ sessions, and summer riding school.

He has a jog trot to die for, and our experienced riders have helped him develop a nice canter. He’s a bareback god.

Earl has one drawback: He’s no good for games. That slow speed we cherish for beginners? That’s his only gear. But he’s sooo handsome going at the speed of a turtle.

How to spot Earl in the arena?

He’s gray, he’s huge, and he’s slow.

Earl is frequently trotting around with a small child aboard.

This handsome guy teaches the smallest of riders how to circle and how to stop.

He is the best.

Fiona

The second member of our ‘bay mares club,’ Fiona is Bee’s best friend.

Fiona came to us from a lesson program in Kentucky.

This pretty ½ Morgan and ½ Arabian mare is a step-up ride. She pays close attention to what her rider asks for, and does it.

Fiona has beautifully smooth gaits, is cute as a button, and teaches riders who are ready to learn about a horse’s brain.

How to recognize Fiona in the arena?

She’s a taller version of Bee’s coloring.

She’s not particularly slow and is frequently teaching patterns to her riders.

Fiona likes to talk to Bee when they’re both in the arena.

She doesn’t have a great sense of humor, and doesn’t enjoy games. She enjoys following the rules.

 

Sherman, as in 'Sherman Tank"

Sherman is the beautiful black ½ quarter horse ½ Morgan you see moving around the arena teaching small riders all about posting, diagonals, and steering.

Sherman came to us from a lesson program in Kentucky.

If you believe in reincarnation, we had a very similar fellow named Tony in the past. Their physical and mental similarities are spooky.

Like Earl, Sherman is a tank. Almost as wide as he is tall, Sherman is an ideal beginner horse who is steadfast, slow, and smart. He’s also a wonderful bareback horse since he’s like riding your dining room table.

Our advanced riders and helpers have helped Sherman develop a really lovely canter.

 

How to recognize Sherman in the arena?

Not to be sarcastic, but he’s our only black lesson horse.

He’s wide and slow.

Sherman loves people, and sometimes stops to chat with instructors.

 

Sparky

School horse of the year in 2021, Sparky is a bona fide legend.

Sparky lives in the coveted last stall on the right near the screen door where he enjoys a clear view of the great outdoors. He also enjoys breezes on warm nights. He deserves all his benefits.

Sparky has taught every current Knollwood Kid at one time or another.

Named ‘Sparky’ because he’s not, he loves his people, pets,  and his life.

This little gray quarter horse came to us from a fantastic horse dealer who ‘saw a kind look in his eyes’ and brought Sparky to us.

Sparky is a tiny tot star, can instill confidence in the most timid of riders, and is his own man. When he comes in for the day, he has to trot past his stall and check out the entire barn before he eats his lunch.

Sparky loves mints almost as much as he loves his spa treatments. He refuses to be tied up, and we’re happy to allow him his one rule.

Sparky surprises us with his competitive streak, even in beginner games of ‘Red Light, Green Light.’ There are days when he HAS TO WIN.

How to spot Sparky in the arena?

He’s the little gray quarter horse, not the huge one.

He doesn’t canter, is frequently accompanied by an instructor in the arena because Sparky’s riders are frequently very small. Oh, and he has big beautiful brown eyes.

He’s one in a million.

 

You’ve now met all of our lessons horses.

We’re sure you agree with us that we have an outstanding group of equine faculty members.

They’re the best, and we cherish each and every one.

What’s Coming Up?

 

March is New Application Month

Please be sure to fill out your updated application form for 2026. We want to make sure we have current contact info, and have updated wording about payment, cancellations, and photo releases.

Your admin and instructor are happy to help.

Knollwood Show Entries!

We’re accepting entries March 6-20 for our Spring show happening May 15-17.

Please talk to your instructor to see which classes are right for your rider(s).

We believe that in-barn shows are an important part of each rider’s continuing education, and hope all of our riders embrace the chance to learn new skills.

It’s not the ribbon, it’s the ride.

 

Clocks Move Ahead Saturday Night March 7

 

 

Sold Out Mini Camp March 15

Mini Camp leader Molly  is teaching another sold-out mini camp Sunday, March 15 from noon to 3:00 PM.

If you know of riders who might be interested in future mini camps, check out our website, www.knollwoodfarmltd.com. We have monthly event for riders ages 4 and up.

Parent’s Night Out

All Knockouts are invited to join club officers and board members Saturday, March 28 at 5:00. Knollwood Kids will enjoy a few hours of fun, games, and pizza dinner.

Sign ups and $25 cash payments will start on Friday.

Easter is May 5

We will not he holding lessons on Easter. Your instructor will be rescheduling your lesson.

Happy Easter!

Bridlespur  Horse Show

April 9-11

The show horses are off to the National Equestrian Center in St Louis for their first show of the 2026 season.

IASPHA Spring Show

April 10-12

Our academy team’s first show of the season.

Yes, we’ll be in 2 states to start the season.

Street Clean Up April 25

Come join the Knockouts for their first service project of 2026!

We’ll clean up Oakwood and Nagawicka and Oakwood Roads for spring.

We're looking for parent volunteers to help the Knockouts with this event.

Signups will start at the beginning of April.

 

Congratulations to Knollwood Kid for Life Richie on being named Horseperson of the Year by the American Saddlebred Association of Wisconsin, the only junior exhibitor to have earned the honor.

 

 

See you soon at the barn!