Our trusty lesson horses have their own strategy when the weather turns extra chilly.

 

Lesson horses take extra naps.

If you’ve ever walked through the school barn on a chilly day, you’ll see lots of ‘tails on the ground.’ Sleeping horses will be dead to the world, dreaming of summer days. You’ll see horses so relaxed that their snouts are in the shavings, creating fountains of bedding. If you’re extra quiet, you’ll even hear snoring and maybe even Fred whinnying in his sleep.

Oh, and we think Vaughn may have a sleep disorder. Does anyone have a sleep mask in horse size to save him from his sleep apnea?

 

Lesson Horses Eat and Sleep In Extra Hay.

Nancy makes sure the horses have all the hay they can eat outside. The hay keeps the horses warm and safe in the chilly weather.

You may never see Bee and Fiona’s heads come up from their hay tubs when the chilly weather arrives.

Lesson Horses Enjoy Hot Breakfast.

 That’s right, when it’s extra chilly, the lesson stars enjoy a hot bran mash to keep their bodies happy.

Watching and listening to them slurp their hot steaming breakfast is a highlight of your life once you hear it.

 

Lesson Horses Wear Stylish Clothes.

Our lesson horses have coats for when the temps fall below zero at night.

Some of their blankets have turtlenecks, some are in loud colors, and some are tastefully neutral colored, but they all keep our precious lesson horses toasty warm.

 

Attendance Increases at Bilbo’s Yoga Classes.

Chilly weather brings stiff bodies. Bilbo invites all his fellow lesson horses, regardless of body type, to join in stretching and spiritual growth.

 

 

While they’re in, the lesson horses enjoy their heated barn and lots of shavings, lots of attention from students and staff, and lessons in their heated arena.

We are grateful for our furnaces.

 

We take care of the horses in cold weather, and we want to make sure riders and helpers take care of themselves.

Riders should have gloves for their riding lessons, and warmer gloves for work in the barn.

Helpers should have hats for outdoor work, and dress in layers. You’ll want all the layers outside, but will get warm while working inside with the horses.

We appreciate our helpers, and want to make sure they stay safe and comfortable when the cold weather appears.

What’s Coming Up?

Knockout Banquet

Saturday, January 31

The Legend at Merrill Hills

 

160 Knockouts and  friends will gather for our annual celebration of all things Knollwood.

We’ll enjoy wonderful food and company, review 2025 with treasurer Susan, hear Scott’s State of the Farm address, award academy riders, learn who won the School Horse of the Year award, review the year with a slide show, and dance the night away with our DJ.

Please remember to follow the club’s dress code: No denim of any kind, and men must wear shirts with collars.

 

Enrolled Rider Camp Selection

February 1 – 28

 

Riders currently enrolled in our lesson program can pick their week of summer riding school before dates are opened to the public.

Be sure to pick up your list of dates, and fill out the form once you’ve made your selection.

All camps will be billed in March.

 

Order Your Jelly Bean jods!

Also February 1-28

 

We’re offering navy jods with tan patches and the Knollwood logo embroidered on the back of one pant leg.

We’re offering the jods in youth sizes XS – XL,  and the base price is $104, tax included. Jods can be customized by length or width, and belt loops can be added as well. These have a small additional charge, please see the order blanks for more information.

Size samples will be available in the school barn lounge.

 

Used Academy Clothing Sale

February 7

10:00 AM

 

Looking for academy clothing for the 2026 season? Come shop our in-house sale, and shop with seasoned academy parents who are ready to help with sizing and colors.

 

Trish Tailoring Appointments

February 21

9:00 AM

 

The amazing Trish will be at the farm to measure for alterations, or for new shirts and vests.

Please talk to Ann if you’d like an appointment.

 

Knollwood Spring Show Entries Begin

March  6

Our first in-barn show of 2026 is happening on May 15-17, and we’re taking entries from March 6-20.

Be sure to talk to your instructor to see if the show is right for you.

Academy Kick Off

March 14

6:00 PM

 

All academy show riders and their families are invited to join us for a fun and informative evening.   Karina is joining us to teach hair and makeup tips, and we’ll have other experts to help with packing, prepping, and how to tie the perfect tie knot.

 

IASPHA Spring Show

April 11-12

It’s our first academy show of 2026, and we can hardly wait.

Knollwood Spring Show

May 15-17

It’s time for our first in-barn show weekend.

Please plan on joining us!

See you soon at the barn.

2025 By the Numbers

Not a math person? 

We promise it will be fun.

So we’ve just finished up recapping our action packed 2025, and we came across some informative numbers.

In 2025, Team Knollwood taught over 12000 lessons at home.

How did we do that?

First off, we have an amazing staff of instructors.

Our full and part time instructors come from varied backgrounds. We have former classroom teachers, a professional in autism intervention, a pediatric nurse, a professional marketer and fundraiser, and 2 former corporate executives.

We’re a team with many, many experiences on which to draw, and we work together to personalize rider’s plans to make them successful.

We teach  because we love the process, and the kids we work with.

Secondly, we have fantastic horses as our fellow faculty members.

We actually have three sets of lesson horses.

Our fantastic ‘outside’ horses teach our beginner riders, our summer riding school students, and do roughly 2/3 of lessons.

These are the unicorns among us who offer unlimited patience, kindness, and the perfect jog trot to make a beginner’s first lessons full of fun and confidence building. They may not be the most beautiful on the outside, and none of them are youngsters, but they’re beautiful on the inside, and are priceless.

Our second group of horses are referred to as ‘the box stall boys.’

These are saddlebreds who travel with us to academy shows.

They’re reserved for our academy show riders, and for show barn riders. They’re more powerful, more highly educated in patterns, and LOVE traveling to horse shows.

They’re also pampered a bit more than the outside fellows. The box stall boys stay in at night, and go out during the day when the weather is nice.

They wear sheets and blankets to protect their coats, and many of them have their tails braided up to protect them during play dates outside. They come down at horse shows and look fabulous.

Our third set of horses are those who work for the show barn instructors. These are higher level teachers, and many of them double as show horses at smaller shows.

They teach the highest skills to our most advanced academy riders and show barn riders. If you see them in the arena, you may well mistake them for privately owned show horses.

 

The third ingredient to the lesson number is our admins, barn managers, and helpers.

Our admins keep parents informed about upcoming events, help kids sign up for shows, Knockout events, and merchandise sales.

They can answer questions, check fit on clothes, and explain almost anything.

 

Our barn managers keep the back of the barn organized while lessons are going on. They assign tasks to helpers so horses and riders are on time for lessons and are taken care of after lessons.

Barn managers know riders’ names on their work day, make riders feel welcome, and follow through with helpers to ensure riders are taken care of and that chores are completed.

These horse girls are going to rule the world one day.

Our helpers are an early point of contact, and are super important.

They prep horses for lessons, take young riders to the arena and bring them back safely, perform glamorous tasks that all horse girls do, such as dumping muck buckets and taking out garbage in all kinds of weather.

They do this while being kind, welcoming, and answering lots of questions.

The most important key to teaching that many lessons is that we really love what we do. We’re grateful for working with supportive families, interested riders, and the best lesson horses in the world. Hands down.

What’s Coming Up?

Parent Meeting

This Saturday at 10:00 AM

Parents, please join Knollwood Parent Melissa in the show barn lounge to learn about opportunities to help the Knockouts in 2026. Our youth group is full of great kids who are planning 3 horse shows, 2 street clean ups, 2 parent night outs, a food drive, and the holiday party.

We need all the help we can get!

Helper Training and Refreshing

Monday, January 19 10:00 AM-1:00 PM

Helpers and future helpers are invited to join the Knockout officers and board members for a three hour session in the barn. For only $25, your Knollwood Kid can learn from current barn managers. Please sign up and pay your admin or instructor.

 

Knockout Banquet

January 31

The Legend at Merrill Hills

It’s time to celebrate Team Knollwood’s 2025 and to take a peek forward to 2026.

We’re excited to have a big crowd joining us. Courtney and Kerry are hard at work on seating arrangements to make the evening more enjoyable.

Please remember that Merrill Hills enforces their country club dress code.  Their code means no denim clothing, and men must wear collared shirts.

Let’s celebrate in style.

 

Used Academy Clothing Sale

Saturday, February 7 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Looking for new academy clothes for the 2026 season?

Come shop our sale of gently used clothing. We’ll have academy moms on hand to help with selection and fit.

 

Tailoring With Trish

Saturday February 21 starting at 9:00 AM

Trish will be at the farm for alteration fitting, or for measuring for new outfits.

We’ll start making appts the beginning of February

 

Knollwood Spring Show Entries Start

March 6

Entries are due March 20

 

Academy Kick Off Night

Saturday March 14 at 6:00 PM

All academy show riders and their families are invited to join us for a fun and informative evening.

Save the date!

 

See you at the barn!

 

 

 

 

Happy 2026!

We have lots of events and experiences coming up in the new year. We hope you can join us for all of our 2026 adventures.

Your first chance to purchase your show outfit for 2026 is coming up this Friday when Jen from Midwest Saddleseat Consignment sets up shop. Knollwood has a private shopping night from 7-9 PM at the Hilton Garden Inn at Pabst Farms.

Jen has a broad assortment of show attire, including academy show jods from several lines. Plus, customer service is the best.

Carol and Ann will be there to help with selection and fit.

Banquet reservations are due this Saturday, January 10.

Please place your RSVP card and payment in the basket on the counter of the school barn.  You really don’t want to miss the celebration!

Melissa and Amy, two ‘Knollwood Moms for Life,’ are hosting a parent meeting on Saturday, January 17 at 10:00 AM.

Our youth group, the Knollwood Knockouts, is a very busy group of horse-loving kids. The group manages fundraising at three Knollwood shows, manages a food drive in May, hosts 2 street cleanups in the neighborhood, 2 Parent Nights Out,  hosts their annual holiday party and officer election, and also hosts fun events for the members.

As you can imagine, these kids need some adult guidance for hosting their events. We’re looking for parents willing to volunteer their time for an event or two throughout the year. It can range from taking shifts at the concession stand to picking up pizzas for Parents’ Night Out.

Please join the meeting if you can. If you’re interested in helping but can’t make the meeting, please contact Ann and she’ll pass on your contact info.

Since most Knollwood Kids are off school on January 19 to commemorate Martin Luther King Day, the Knockout officers and board members are hosting a helper training day in the barn.

Current helpers and riders who are interested in helping are invited to a 3 hour session to learn how the back of the barn works.

The event will run from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, and the cost is only $25. Please sign up with your instructor or admin.

The Knollwood Banquet!

We’re celebrating all things Knollwood on Saturday, January 31 at the Legend at Merrill Hills.

New this year, we’ll have assigned seating to make everyone’s lives easier. When you arrive, you can pick up your name tag which will have your table assignment. Big thanks to Court and Kerry for taking this on!

Please remember that Merrill Hills enforces their county club dress code at all events. This means denim is off limits in any form, as are sweats. Men must wear collared shirts as well.

Thanks for your cooperation as we celebrate Knollwood in style.

 

Team Knollwood is hosting a used academy clothing sale on Saturday, February 7 at 10:00 AM in the show barn lounge. We’ll have a selection of show jods, shirts, and vests that our current show riders have outgrown. Jodi will also have her beautiful ties and show accessories to complete your outfit.

We’re also looking for sale items. If you have academy show clothes that you’ve outgrown, please consider running them through our sale.

You can bring them to the school barn where we have tags to mark your clothes with your name, contact info, Venmo info, price, and approximate size.

We’ll take care of the rest.

Our fabulous tailor Trish will be at the farm on Saturday, February 21 to measure for new academy show clothes, or to alter previously purchased items. We’ll start setting up appointments at the beginning of February.

We’ll start taking entries for the Knollwood spring show on March 6. Our first in-barn show of the season  is coming up May 15-17, and we can hardly wait.

Our academy kick-off evening is coming up on March 14 at 6:00 PM. All families involved in the academy show team are invited to attend our evening of education and fun.

Karina will be onhand to teach makeup and hair for the ring. We’ll also have experts on hand to teach packing, final tips on clothing, and how to tie the perfect tie for the ring.

Signups will start at the end of February.

We’re traveling to our first out of barn show for 2026 on April 11-12. The season starts at one of our favorite venues, Beyond Stable Farm, and is run by our favorite organization, IASPHA.

We’ll be traveling with many academy stars, even some who are making their academy debuts, and some show horses, too.

The Knollwood Spring Show is coming up at home on May 15-17.

Start hoping for beautiful spring weather!

 

See you at the barn.

Here at World Headquarters, Team Knollwood is ready to look back fondly on 2025, the year that was.

Hard Work Paid Off

We applaud the hard work that went in to achieve show ring successes, and even greatness during the year.  Not all the big achievements were rewarded with primary colored ribbons, but were rewarded with satisfaction of goals achieved, lessons learned, and progress made for both riders and their horses.

Beginnings

We appreciate all the beginnings by Team Knollwood in 2025. Our two walk-trot equitation riders, Averie and Maddie, made their debuts in the show horse world, Leighton moved up from walk and trot into the 13 and under equitation world, and Brooklyn moved into the immensely competitive world of senior equitation.

Senior Equitation Excellence

Maiya, Natalie, Richie, Shaye, and Sophie enjoyed successful years in the senior equitation arena. 

This incredibly talented group of riders made their mark on the equitation world this year. They made patterns look easy and railwork so smooth that you'd think anyone could hop on their horses and ride.

In a superbly deep year of senior equitation, the Knollwood Kids were always in the mix for the top ribbons.

Grownups Have More Fun

Our adults may have had more fun than the junior exhibitors.  You could see the experienced Knollwood Kid posse having a grand time at shows. Jane, Julie, Kerry, Margit, Tancy, and Tatum cheer on everyone, and show their horses successfully in the always deep adult division.

They know how to have fun.

 

What A Finish 

While two of our super successful riders aged out on top at  the Royal, we know that Natalie and Richie won’t be strangers to the horse show world.

Our academy team achieved wonderful progress this season as well. From our maiden riders to our champs at Monarch, we couldn’t be more proud.

It's About Sportsmanship

Of course, ribbons are but one part of the horse showing life.

This season showcased sportsmanship by many riders. Richie struggled with Tyler’s soundness issues, while Lady became ill after Madison.

Our academy riders have started a new tradition of slapping hands of the winner of their pattern classes, regardless of barn affiliation, and it’s catching on.

 

Horse Friendships Last 

Horse friends are for life.

These ladies showed together as junior exhibitors, and are still involved in the horse world.

We value these friendships in good times and in tough ones.

 

The past is just that.

We’re looking forward to great things in 2026.

 

 

SSSHHHH!

Anyone who knows Knollwood knows how proud we are of our academy program.

We have exciting news about some of our academy stars moving into the horse show world, and will announce the new teams after their photo shoots with Kim of Wee Irish Photography.

We can hardly wait.

Newest Adult Amateurs

Natalie and Richie may have aged out at the Royal, but once you’re a Knollwood Kid, you’re always a Knollwood Kid.

Natalie is finishing her Knollwood internship this summer and will be off to college. Richie continues to study at Butler University, and makes trips home when he can.

Doc is ready and waiting for his next adventure with his favorite gentleman.

 

Izzy’s Therapy Business Continues Into 2026

Izzy loves all her people and is always eager to help anyone who could use a dog in their lap. If your lap isn’t available, Izzy will stand next to you and lean in. Aggressively.

Izzy is our daily reminder that her mentor Hazel Belle Boxer Matton, who has a brick on the Saddlebred Walk of Fame in Lexington, was a great teacher, and is always with us.

 

Life Lessons Continue

Horses are the best at teaching us lessons we didn’t know we needed. Although, on occasion, they WILL state the obvious.

Whether it’s a tiny tot rider on Sparky, an academy rider on Sport, an equitation superstar on their own horse, or Scott working one of his mares, a lesson will be taught.

We’re fortunate to have our wonderful lesson horses who teach patience, strength, gentleness, consistency, and persistence on a daily basis.

Richmond and Molly’s Love Story Goes On

Instructor Molly is Richmond’s favorite person. They enjoy long conversations that no one else can understand, and Richmond spends many an hour on Molly’s shoulders while she makes phone calls and catches up on scheduling.

 

Payton is Coming Back

Many of you will remember Knollwood Kid Payton Duerr, who was an equitation star, even finishing as the Reserve Grand Champion of Champions of Senior Equitation in 2024.

She’s spent some time working at Glendale Stables in Missouri, and is returning to Knollwood as an Assistant Trainer.

We're thrilled to welcome Payton to our staff. She brings her own unique perspective from her equitation successes.

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

Shopping Night

Friday, January 9

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Academy and show riders are invited to our private shopping night. Jen from Midwest Saddleseat Consignment will welcome Knollwood riders at the Hilton Garden Inn at Pabst Farms.  Carol and Ann will be there to help with selection.

Banquet Reservations Due January 10

Invitations to our January 31 banquet went out in the mail the week of Christmas.  Please be sure to return your reply card with your payment and seating choices in the school barn by January 10.

 

 

Knollwood Parent Meeting

Saturday, January 17

10:00 AM

All parents are welcome to join our get together to see how you can help the Knockouts in 2026. The club is looking for parents to assist with Knollwood shows and other club events.

It’s your chance to work with a great group of horse kids!

 

Knollwood Banquet

Saturday, January 31

You don’t want to miss our annual banquet celebrating all things Knollwood.  The gala offers social time, a buffet dinner, awards, speeches, a slide show, and dancing.

Invitations are out to all current Knockout members. If you didn’t receive one, please contact your instructor or admin.

Not currently a member? We’d love to have you. Please talk to your instructor or admin to join the fun today.

 

 

See you soon at the barn.

It’s time to set the record straight.

It  has come to our attention that the term ‘horse girl’ is considered an insult in some circles. Anyone who’s spent any time at Knollwood knows that we are proud to raise horse girls. Not all who ride are horse girls, and that’s fine. The few who make the cut learn focus, connection, problem solving, patience, and kindness  that will serve them well in the future.

BIG NOTE: Knollwood is fortunate to have some amazing honorary horse girls who happen to be horsemen. For the blog, we'd love to treat Richie and Luke as honorary horse girls, which we consider high praise indeed.

Their mantra?  ‘Horses first, the rest later.’

 

Horse Girls are Present.

You can identify a horse girl by the lack of a phone in their hand, or worse yet, in their face.

This rare species is paying attention to the horses and riders around them. They may be taking care of a horse, often while talking to another horse girl grooming a horse. They may be in the arena watching and listening to lessons or watching Scott and Carol work horses.

 

Horse Girls are Welcoming.

You won’t find horse girls in a closed circle with their backs to others. You’ll find them welcoming new riders, especially the young ones. These riders will talk horses with anyone, at any time.

 

Horse Girls are Confident.

These Knollwood Kids know what it’s like to manage big horses and love it. They can prevent Bilbo from dragging a small child to food, and can keep Sherman from coming to the middle to see his friends.  They’re the ones who can ride Vaughn past the lounge windows even when the holiday lights are on. IYKYK.

Their confidence doesn’t scream, it’s just evident in the way they interact with horses, and people. Calm as cucumbers.

 

Horse Girls Don’t Compare.

These kids are thrilled to improve their riding skills and to learn from new horses, but they don’t brag about it or compare themselves to others. They understand that riding is challenging every day, and that everyone is on their own schedule and path.

Congratulate others? Absolutely.

Compare others? Never.

 

Horse Girls are Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable.

Knollwood Kids live in Wisconsin, so they will be cold in the winter, and hot in the summer.

They will endure tired muscles, and tired brains.

They will experiences rides of frustration, and difficulty.

Voices will be raised, as will expectations.

There will also be the triumph of finally ‘getting it,’  and becoming a true teammate with your horse.

 

Horse Girls Cannot Get Enough Horse Time.

You’ll find them connecting with horses in ways you never even dreamed of.

They have long conversations with horses while grooming.

They offer spa treatments to our retiree horses.

They provide blow dry appointments to our bay mares after lessons.

 

Horse Girls Avoid Drama Like the Plague.

They have perfected the ‘pivot on the heel,’ meaning that when they come upon people talking about others, the turn and go the other way.

Horses are challenging, so why waste time with idle, unkind chatter when there are horses to take care of?

 

 

Horse Girls Can Make Anything Fun

Whether it's looking for a lost shoe or halter or shoe in the pasture, searching for a fly boot, or dusting ceiling fans, horse girls know that it can be fun if you want it to be.

 

Horse Girls Represent.

You’ve seen it at shows.

 They cheer the small wins, and the big ones.

Cheering for everyone, regardless of barn affiliation.

Horse girls are universal.

We’re proud to raise some of the best horse girls in the land.

 

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

Election 2025

The polls are open through December 31.

Be sure to join the Knockouts, or to renew your membership for 2026 to receive a ballot for the school horse of the year election.

The winner will be announced at the banquet. 

Who will succeed last year’s winner, Fred?

 

 

The Sale Continues

Through December 31

All things Knollwood are 10% through the end of December.

You can use promo code Holiday2025 online, or you can talk to your instructor or admin to run your transaction.

It's the perfect gift!

 

Holiday Closures

We will be closed on December 24, 25, 31, and January 1.

Happy Holidays to all!

 

Special Shopping Event

Friday, January 9

Hilton Garden Inn, Oconomowoc

Jen from Midwest Saddleseat Consignment is offering us a private 2 hour shopping time to get new outfits together for the 2026 season.

She offers both academy and suits as well as a great selection of accessories. Carol and Ann will be there to help with selections.

Best of all, Jen's customer service can't be beat.

 

 

Parent Meeting

January 17

10:00 AM

Join Melissa and other Knockout parents to learn how you can help our youth group in 2026. We need lots of help with horse shows and events, and would love to meet some new parents.

 

Knollwood Banquet

January 31

The Legend at Merrill Hills

All Knockout members are invited to celebrate all things Knollwood. Invitations will go out shortly, and RSVP’s are due January 10.

 

Knollwood’s Used Academy Clothing Sale

Saturday, February 7

10:00 AM

If you’re looking for a new academy look, here’s your chance to shop a great selection of gently used jods, shirts, and vests. Experienced academy moms will be present as personal shoppers.

Trish Time

Saturday, February 21

9:00 AM

Tailor Trish will be on hand for alterations or measurements for new shirts and vests. We’ll set up appts in February, so save the date.

 

Academy Kick Off Night

Saturday, March 14

6:00 PM

All academy families are invited to join us for an entertaining and informative evening.

More info coming soon!

 

See you soon at the barn!