Gifts of experience leave lasting memories, and we have some wonderful ideas of how to share time with horses for riders of all levels of interest and experience.

 

Mini Camps

Knollwood Kids start their education with a Sunday afternoon  mini camp.

Taught by amazing instructor Molly, our newest riders learn safety around horses, how to groom and saddle their horse, and how to mount, dismount, and hold their reins.

All that is even before their riding lesson!

The last 30 minutes of the camp is spent in the heated indoor arena, learning some riding basics with the horse they’ve been working with.

Each rider even has a personal assistant, an experienced rider, with them from start to finish.

Best of all, these mini camps are only $99.

Camps for riders aged 7 and up run from noon – 3:00 PM.

2026 dates are:

January 11

March 16

May 3

September 20

November 15

Our mini camps for riders aged 4-6 run from 1:00 until 3:00.

2026 dates for Tiny Tots are:

February 16

April 19

June 7

October 11

December 13

Welcome to Knollwood 

If riders love their mini camp and would like to continue their education, the next step is our small group program that we call Welcome to Knollwood.

We offer this step on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:30 throughout the year, although we take a break in the summer.

Riders start this program with a personal assistant in the arena, and become independent as the weeks go by.

Emphasis is on riding skills, and the progress is visible from week to week.

Cost for this session is $375.

2026 Monday session start dates are:

January 5

March 2

April 27

September 14

November 9

2026 Wednesday session start dates are:

January 7

March 4

April 29

September 19

November 11

We also offer a Welcome to Knollwood experience for our Tiny Tot riders who have completed a mini camp.

Held on Saturday afternoons at 4:30, the class teaches the same skills as the ‘grown up’ lessons, but is tailored to our youngest horse kids.

2026 Saturday start dates are:

January 10

April 11

 

Knollwood Parent Welcome to Knollwood

Knollwood Moms are taking over their own Welcome to Knollwood!

We started the Knollwood Kid and parent class a little while ago, and it’s become a weekly funfest. Your Knollwood can even serve as your personal assistant if they’re old enough.

We’re continuing the group on Mondays at 7:30, and any Knollwood parent is welcome to sign up for the 8 week session.

 

Our Annual Sale Is On!

Not sure what to get the Team Knollwood person in your house?

Everything is 10% off until December 31. 

You can purchase gift certificates, or pay some enrollment fees for your rider.

Please talk to your instructor or admin to pay future enrollments. You can purchase gift certificates online.

Be sure to enter promo code Holiday2025 at check out to receive your 10% discount.

DISCOUNT IS NOT AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED.

As always, your instructor can also offer ideas for gifts, and we love to help.

What’s Coming Up?

School Horse of the Year Election

Polls close December 31

Be sure to pay your 2026 Knockout dues to receive a ballot for the big election.

Election results will be announced at the banquet on January 31.

 

Knockouts Holiday Celebration

Saturday, December 13

6:00 – 8:30

All Knockouts and their families are invited to join the celebration and election of Knockout board members for 2026.

It’s going to be cold, so please wear many, many layers. The scavenger hunt will take you outside, so layers, hats, and mittens are required.

Holiday Closures

December 24, 25, 31, and January 1

We will not be holding lessons, and lessons will be credited to your January bill.

Parent Meeting

Saturday, January 17

10:00 AM

The Knockouts are looking for some parental help for 2026. Please join us as we talk about 2026 events and how you can help with this fantastic group of kids.

 

Knollwood Banquet

Saturday, January 31

The Legend at Merrill Hills

It’s time to celebrate all things Knollwood!

You won’t want to miss all the celebration, food, and dancing.

Invitations will be mailed to all current Knockout members.

Used Academy Clothing Sale

Saturday, December 7

Academy riders, here’s your chance to find clothes for the 2026 season in the comfort of home. We’ll have experienced academy moms on hand to help with selections.

We’re looking for donations of outgrown academy clothes, too. Please bring your clean academy clothes to the barn tagged with your name and venmo, approximate size, and price.

 

Tailoring with Trish

Saturday, February 21

Trish will be here to fit for alterations, or to measure for new academy clothes.

Academy Kickoff

Saturday, March 14

Save the date!

All academy riders are invited to join our celebration of the new season.

You’ll learn about hair and makeup, clothing and packing, tying the perfect tie, and so much more.

See you soon at the barn.

We’re in the thick of the holidays here at Knollwood, and we’re loving it.

Some poor soul took a trip around the barn and asked the lesson horses what they’d like for presents, and we got some really eye-opening answers.

Here in no particular order are the wishes of the best lesson horses in the world.

Bee, our Hackney Pony who currently looks like a wooly mammoth, would like salon time to make her very long hair under control She does, however, really enjoy her nightly blow dry sessions at home.

 

Bilbo is our resident yogi, at least when the goal is food instead of enlightenment. He’s in need of a BIG yoga mat. He’s worn his old one out while digging under his feed bin. He has not found enlightenment there. Obviously.

Speaking of supersized gifts, Earl would like a BIG pillow for use during his daily naps.

Fiona is dreaming of teaching more students their patterns. She SO enjoys those lessons with circles as she sashays through various shapes until riders find their outside leg.

Being a true Wisconsinite, Fred would like accordion lessons. He fell in love with the music while swaying to Brenda’s holiday stylings, the annual highlight of the Tuesday night holiday celebration. Fred sways while listening to accordion tunes, but he’ll have to stay still while learning. Can he do it?

Hugo is hoping for an all expense paid trip to Egypt. He identifies with camels, a fact you’ll know if you’ve watched him walk for very long.

 

Leon says he doesn’t need anything and just wants everyone to be happy.

Leona would like a high stall partition so her neighbor Murphy will stop bothering her.

 

Murphy would like the partition removed.

Poppy would like a metronome for her stall so she can even sleep to the rhythm of her perfect tiny tot trot.

 

Pumpkin wants peace on earth.

Sherman would like a wider stall to make napping more comfortable.

Thomas would like a subscription to a relaxation app.  Would anyone like to share their ‘Calm’ app with him?

 

 

Vaughn would like an imaginary friend to keep him company after other horses have gone out for the night.

Baxter, king of the corner office with two windows, would like a monthly window cleaning service.

Beau would like more tiny riders.

 

Oscar really wants a portrait of himself in his stall. He needs someone beautiful to admire.

Sport is hoping for a monthly delivery of Taffy Town’s flavor of the month.

 

What do you think your favorite horse would enjoy?  Please share your ideas on our new bulletin board!

What’s Coming Up?

Election 2025!
Through December 31

The polls are open, and all Knockout members are invited to cast their votes for school horse of the year.  Members can pay their 2026 dues and mark their ballot.

Not yet a member? You can join at any time, and we’d love to have you. Your instructor or admin can help.

 

2026 Enrollment Meetings

Meetings are winding down, and enrollments are due to your instructor by December 17.

We’re looking forward to an exciting new year.

 

Parents’ Night Out

Saturday, December 6

5:00 – 7:30

Rescheduled after last Saturday’s snow day, we’re going  to have a ball wrapping gifts for our adopted family, eating a pizza dinner, and playing games in the arena with barn friends.

If you’d like to join the adventure, you can sign up and pay in the school barn lounge.

 

Knockout Holiday Party and Election

Saturday, December 13

6:00 – 8:30

All Knockouts are invited to join us as we celebrate the holidays.

The gala includes a scavenger hunt, pizza, games in the arena, and best of all, we’ll elect officers and board members for the Knockouts.

If you’re interested in running for office, please talk to Kylie, Kali, or Ann.

The event is free to all Knockout families. If you’re not a member, you can become a Knockout in the school barn lounge. As a bonus, you’ll receive a ballot for the horse of the year election!

Please sign up in the school barn with the total number of attendees so we have enough treats for everyone.

 

Holiday Closures

December 24, 25, 31, and January 1

We’re not holding lessons these days, and all lessons will be credited on your January bill.

 

 

Knollwood Award Banquet

January 31

The Legend at Merrill Hills

As if you need one, here’s another great reason to pay your 2026 Knockout dues.

All current members will be invited to our annual celebration at the end of January.

We’ll have a delicious dinner, social time, awards, speeches, a slideshow, and the big election reveal before we dance the night away.

Invitations will go out in December.

IASPHA champs Hailey and Vienna.

Winners not in attendance incude Amanda and Thea in academy. Show barn riders include Jane, Shaye, and Tatum.

See you soon at the barn!

The campaigning and the debates are over.

While you were enjoying a quiet Thanksgiving at home, primary ballots were being counted in the school barn pasture.

We’re happy to announce the four horses who were victorious in the primary elections and will run for School Horse of the Year 2026.

Here, in alphabetical order, are the candidates.

 

Representing The Pony Party, we have Bilbo.  This fuzzy Hafflinger stands up for fun sized people and horses everywhere. (Although, Bee is not endorsing him at the moment.)

Bilbo believes that small is strong, and that rules frequently don’t apply to him. In particular, Bilbo feels he should be able to urinate at any time in any location, including the arena.

Voting for Bilbo is a vote for adventures, a little bit of passive aggressiveness, lots of humor,  yoga sessions that are rewarded with food, and self-confidence. He did nominate himself, after all.

 

Representing The Sleeper Party, we have candidate Earl. Our giant gray quarter horse stands (or lays down) for quiet days in the barn with lights out, maybe some soothing music, relaxing between lessons with or without tack on, and pillows for everyone.

Earl is representing the biggest party on the farm, and is nominated by his next-door neighbor Sherman. Sherman is frequently so well rested when he comes in from outside that he goes to Earl’s stall instead of his own.

Other notable members of the Sleeper Party include Vaughn, Pumpkin, and Hugo.

A vote for Earl is a vote for lower wattage bulbs, meditation, and pillows. Big pillows.

 

 

Representing the Girl Power Party, we have Fiona. This beautiful bay half Arabian and half Morgan is a true feminist. She believes that riding mares makes for strong, creative thinking riders who understand that things are rarely what you think they are.

Fiona was nominated by fellow party member Poppy, purely for her intimidation factor. The geldings all fear Poppy because of her fence destruction skills, and for the stories she tells to neighbor Vaughn. Did you ever wonder why Vaughn is always in such a hurry to go outside?

A vote for Fiona is a vote for creative teaching of patterns, learning how to make the people and horses in your life believe that what you’re asking them to do was actually their idea, and for looking into her beautiful brown eyes and seeing the wheels spinning.

Our final nominee, Thomas, represents the Academy Award Party.  This registered Saddlebred known in the registry as Fort Chiswell’s Aristocrat, is a legend in the academy world.

Thomas was nominated by fellow party member Leon, who is also a unicorn. (Extra points there)

Thomas is a pattern genius, a confidence booster to our newest academy show riders, and has just enough tricks to make more experienced think twice about that right lead.

A vote for Thomas is a vote for promoting academy showing, for learning that patience is a virtue, and that even the nicest people and horses can have crabby days. Thomas says, ‘Just deal with it.’

 

All Knockouts are invited to pay their 2026 dues in the school barn lounge. You’ll receive a ballot when you pay for the upcoming year.

Please place your competed ballot in the dues envelope and place it in the ballot box provided.

DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY THE YELLOW CAT!

Even if he says he’s running a write-in campaign, or is conducting an exit poll, do not make eye contact.

He’s a scammer, but we love him anyway.

The election winner will be announced at the banquet.

May the best horse win.

The Holiday season has arrived at Knollwood, and we have some wonderful gift ideas for the rider in your house.

Freedmans!

The best of the best, Freedmans makes the best clothing and accessories for everyday barn wear.

Their Tous les Jours jods are a favorite for their compression fabric and length designed for home wear.

Misses sizes come in a variety of colors, while kids are available in black.

Freedmans also offers jod boots, and nice gloves.

They have a couple of Black Friday specials on their website that you might be interested in. They have a $29 logo tote, and $20 gloves. Quantities are limited.

We are brand ambassadors for Freedmans because we really believe in the quality they offer. If you enter code KnollwoodFarmLT at checkout, we’ll get some credit to spend on horse care here at Knollwood.

 

Tie Downs, AKA Underpasses

You can NEVER have enough tie downs.

They tend to break in the warm up ring, or right before your lesson, so don’t leave home without them.

All riders are required to have tie downs on their jods for every lesson to keep their  pants from riding up.

Tie downs come in button model, for jods with buttons near the hem, and a clip on version for riding pants without buttons.

Stock up for next year now!

Gloves

Riding gloves are a part of our clothing requirements, and good warm make chilly riding weather a little more comfortable. We recommend these.

 

Saddle Horse Report

Do you have a horse show junkie in your house? How about getting a subscription to Saddle Horse Report? Your horse show fan can receive both the print edition of the newsprint magazine as well as an online subscription which offers all the details any horse show crazy Knollwood Kid could ever want.

Your rider can look up show results, check out judges cards, and look up show records of riders and horses.

 

 

The Best Gift of All

Knollwood starts it’s annual sale the day after Thanksgiving, and it runs through December 31. During that time, customers can receive 10% of any purchase made on our website. We’re also happy to help you with your purchase over the phone.

Currently enrolled students can still get 10% off any day of the year on purchases of 6 months or more of enrollment fees.

This is the perfect for grandparents, friends, or anyone who understands how much your Knollwood Kid loves riding.

What’s Coming Up?

Happy Thanksgiving!

We’re grateful for everyone in Our Knollwood community, and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

We will not be holding lessons on Thursday, November 27. All lessons have been credited.

Parents’ Night Out

This Saturday from 5:00 – 7:30

The Knollwood Kids have outdone themselves, and have donated a great number of gifts for our adopted family. The Knockouts are gathering this Saturday to wrap gifts, enjoy a pizza dinner, and enjoy each other’s company.

There’s still time to join the projects. You can sign up with your instructor or admin in the school barn lounge. It’s $25 for the evening of fun.

If you’re not yet a member, we’d love to have you. Your instructor or admin can help you join our award winning youth group.

 

Enrollment Meetings Continue

Due by December 15

All currently enrolled students will meet with their instructor to plan 2026’s adventures. Remember, you can apply 10% to any purchases made for 2026!

 

Last year's winning horse's campaign poster

School Horse of the Year Election

December 1-31

The polls are opening on Monday!

Hard fought primaries have been completed, and the 4 finalists will be announced on Monday, December 1.

Voting is simple. Just join or renew your Knockout membership during December, and you’ll receive a ballot. Place your completed ballot in the box, and wait for the results to be announced at the banquet on January 31.

It’s sure to be a close election.

 

Scavenger hunt confusion ...

Knockout Holiday Party and Election

Saturday, December 13

6:00 PM

 All Knockouts and their families are invited to join us to celebrate the season, and to elect club officers for 2026.

Knockouts will enjoy a team scavenger hunt before they eat a delicious dinner of pizza from the Picnic Basket. After dinner, the Knockouts will hold their annual election after some enlightening campaign speeches.

We’ll finish the night with an optional gift exchange. If your Knollwood Kid would like to participate, please bring a wrapped gift with a value of $25.

Holiday Closures

December 24, 25, 31, and January 1

We will not be holding lessons on these days, and all lessons will be credited.

Happy Holidays to all!

 

 

Knockout Parent Meeting

January 17

1:00 PM

Would you like to know how you can help the Knockouts? We’re hosting a parent meeting in the show barn lounge to spread the word about multiple opportunities to help this great group of horse kids.

We need help at horse shows,  managing club events, and sometimes we just need help with phone calls and other tasks that are better completed by an adult.

Please join us, we’d love to

 

Knollwood Banquet

January 31

The Legend at Merrill Hills

Please plan on joining our annual celebration of all things Knollwood.

Memorable speeches, a slideshow highlighting our 2025 adventures,  social time with barn friends, and a wonderful buffet dinner.

Did we mention awards? Academy riders will receive high point awards for both in-barn and out of barn shows.

We’ll finish the night with music and dancing.

You won’t want to miss it!

Used Academy Clothing Sale

February 7

Our academy moms will host a fabulous sale for our new riders, or for anyone who wants a new look. They can help you put together a great outfit, and answer your questions along the way.

Tailoring Appointments

February 21

Our fantastic tailor Trish will visit to measure riders for academy outfits for 2026. You can also make an appointment for alterations to an existing outfit.

We’ll start making appointments in January.

Academy Kick Off

Saturday, March 14

6:00

All of our academy show team families are invited to our kick off night.

You’ll learn all about hair, makeup, what you need to pack for the show, how to tie a perfect tie, and so much more.

 Plus, you’ll get acquainted with fellow show team members!

 

Congrats to Richie and Addison on making the US World Cup team!

 

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

Team Knollwood enjoyed a rewarding week of competition at the UPHA National Championship American Royal Horse Show last week.

Trainers, riders, and caretakers have been working hard all season to finish strong at the last show of the 2025 season. They were rewarded well for their efforts.

Maddie and Averie showed at the Royal for the first time, competing in the walk trot division.  They both showed in the UPHA Walk and trot Challenge Cup for Riders 10 and under, and the class was ginormous.

Both riders turned in strong rides, and Maddie showed Zach to a Top 10 finish.

Averie showed again after the final and finished second in her 2026 qualifier.

Leighton and Prince have had a highly successful first season in the 13 and under walk trot and canter world.

At the Royal, this personality plus team finished in the top 10 of their first ever walk, trot, and canter national final.

In addition, Leighton won the Sportsmanship Award voted on by her fellow Challenge Cup competitors.

Congratulations, Leighton and Prince.

 

 

Shaye and Lady are making a name for themselves. In Lady’s first year as an equitation horse, she and Shaye made the first cut in the most prestigious final of them all, the USEF Medal.

They have made amazing progress in a short amount of time. Just imagine how wise Lady will be after a Knollwood off season!

 

Maiya and Riddle were contenders all week. Rescue Riddle and Maiya are a seasoned team, and it showed at the Royal.

The rescue horse turned equitation superstar and his skilled rider finished in the Top 10 of both the UPHA Senior Challenge Cup Final, and the Medal Final.

 

Brooklyn and Gigi are in their first season together, and they have learned to appreciate and understand each other.

Firey Gigi and calm Brooklyn were the youngest team to make the top 10 in a final this year, and they made both the Challenge Cup and Medal final cut.

Just imagine how much closer they’ll become after an off season at home.

Natalie and Garfield closed out their junior exhibitor career at the Royal. These two have become a force to be reckoned with, usually finishing at the top of the ribbons.

Keep in mind that Garfield notices everything, and Natalie rides him superbly,  Her calmness is the perfect match for beautiful Garfield’s sense of awareness.

At her last equitation show as a ‘kid,’ Natalie finished in the Top 10 of the UPHA Senior Challenge Cup final.

Richie  

To say that Richie has had a storied equitation career is an understatement.

From his first ever championship at Cedarburg on Klem to the Royal this week, he’s been a true horseman and gentleman.

Richie loves his horses, and it shows.

At his final equitation show as a junior exhibitor, Richie won the UPHA Senior Challenge Cup National Final on his athletic horse Doc. They won it unanimously.

Richie just about brought the roof down on his victory pass.

To finish off the week, Richie finished 4^th in the USEF Medal Final.

Congratulations to all the Knollwood Kids who turned in strong performances in the finals!

What’s Coming Up?

 

World Cup Trials

November 21-22

William Woods University

Knollwood Kids Addison, Natalie, Richie, and Shaye have been selected to try out for the US Saddleseat team to compete at the World Cup this summer.

They’ll draw two horses each to ride in both railwork and patterns. Their horsemanship will be tested by riding two unknown horses with the luck of the draw being a big part of the process.

Shaye is trying out for the three gaited team, while Addison, Natalie, and Richie are aiming for the 5 gaited side.

Best of luck to them this weekend.

Academy Demo Night

Saturday, November 22 at 5:30

After attending the first info meeting, interested families are coming to the arena on Saturday to watch some of our academy riders show off. New show riders will learn what the judge is looking for, what clothing looks like, and how to get the most from your show ring time.

 

Happy Thanksgiving

November 27

We will not be holding lessons. Your instructor will schedule a makeup.

 

Parents’ Night Out

Saturday, November 29

5:00 – 7:30

There’s still time to join the fun!

All Knockouts are invited to join us to wrap gifts for our adopted family. Wrappers will also enjoy pizza from the Picnic Basket as well as fun and games with the Knockout officers and board members.

It’s only $25, and you can sign up with your instructor or admin.

 

School Horse of the Year Election

December 1 – 31

Pay your Knockout dues during the month of December, and receive a ballot for the horse of the year election.

Primary results will be available shortly after Thanksgiving, and the polls will open on December 1.

Knockout Holiday Party and Election

Saturday, December 13

6:00

All Knockouts are invited to join the fun of a new scavenger hunt, an optional $25 gift exchange, pizza, and election of Knockout officers and board members for 2026.

Parents are welcome to join the festivities, and to bring the beverage of their choice.

The event is free to all current Knockout members. Please sign up in the school barn lounge, and let us know how many family members will be joining so we have enough refreshments.

 

 

Happy Holidays!

We’ll be closed December 24, 25, 31, and January 1.

Holiday lessons will be credited.

 

 

 

Knockout Awards Banquet

Saturday, January 31

The Legend at Merrill Hills

All Knockouts are invited to join us at Merrill Hills to celebrate all things Knollwood.

Knockout members will recive invitations around the holidays. If you're not yet a member, we'd love to have you. Please talk to your instructor or admin to join the fun of being a Knockout!

 

See you soon at the barn!