Team Knollwood celebrated our lesson program last weekend at home, and the show horses competed in a deep show that featured the first of the 'Big Three' equitation finals in Springfield, Illinois. What a time we had in two states.

Our Friday night performance featured 56 riders performing individual patterns in the arena.  It takes a bit of bravery to enter an arena by yourself to perform a pattern with your horse. We couldn’t be more proud of our riders who chose to participate in the Friday night performance.

For the number junkie readers, that represents 65% of riders showing over the weekend.

Why do we teach patterns so early in a rider’s education? Riding patterns teaches how horses move while turning, patterns teach patience as the rider’s message works its way from the horses mind to its body, pattern teach communication skills as the rider learns how to use multiple channels into the horse’s brain.

Patterns also teach resilience, because patterns aren’t about perfection, but about progress.  One circle might be too big, one might be too small, a line won’t be perfectly straight, and a halt won’t be in the perfect place.

If the pattern was better than the last time you tried, and you can apply what you learned to different situations, it was a success.

Bravo to everyone who joined us for pattern competition.

Saturday showcased our walk, trot, and canter riders as well as our walk and trot riders aged 11 and over.

We started the day with 6 six splits of 11-17 walk trot and canter competition. Each group competed in a horsemanship class, an equitation qualifier, and an equitation championship featuring workouts.

 

Our favorite split of the day? The group that featured our real ‘lesson’ horses, not the academy horses. We were fortunate to see big quarter horses like Sherman and Earl compete against Bee the Hackney, Pumpkin the glorious half Morgan and half Connemara, and Hugo, Leon, and Leona, three non-fancy yet priceless Saddlebreds.

Teagan rode Bee to the Horsemanship win and the equitation championship, while Molly rode Sherman to the equitation qualifier win.

Our 10 and under walk trot and canter class is always a treat to watch. Our four up and coming riders competed as fiercely as the older competitors.

Olivia and Bee won the horsemanship class while Rags and Baxter topped the equitation classes. The future is quite bright.

Our walk trot division for riders 11 and over was 9 riders strong. The classes were evenly matched, and full of hard riding competitors. Look for these riders to make the move to walk trot, and canter next season.

We finished our day with the finals of the Knollwood Challenge for 2025.

Riders have competed in qualifiers throughout the season, and the finals featured some terrific riding both on the rail and in the patterns the riders received Friday night.

In the walk trot division, Olivia rode Thomas to the championship, winning the traveling trophy and a custom show shirt. Finleigh was reserve aboard Leon.

In the walk, trot and canter division, the final was won by Madison who won aboard the pattern averse Pumpkin  with Teagan on Baxter in reserve.

Congratulations to all the Challenge Finalists.

Walk trot Sunday might be our favorite day of show weekend.

The celebration features walk trot riders of all levels, from leadliners to our 10 and under walk and trot academy stars.

We introduced 5 riders in our maiden division, and they rode like they’d been showing for a long time.

Our four splits of 9-10 year old equitation was fierce, from our academy group to our newest riders who were finishing their first year of in-barn showing.

Two splits of 8 and under walk and trot riders finished the rail work of the day, and they were fierce.

We finished the day with the 9 riders who competed in the pattern class for riders 8 and under. (We put the class on Sunday because Friday night goes too late for our youngest riders.)

These brave riders rode into the arena alone and performed the same walk trot pattern as the older riders did on Friday night, and they rode incredibly well.

We’re so proud of each and every rider who competed this weekend.

 

We have many people to thank for our glorious weekend of in-barn showing.

Great thanks to the parents who support these riders, and who make the weekend happen. They created gift baskets, set up and staffed a concession stand, and so much more. They were supporting the rider(s) in the ring as well.

Special thanks to Matt and Jaye who grilled on a wet, windy Sunday so everyone could enjoy burgers.

 

Thanks to the Center Ring staff of Judge Sydney, Announcer Wendy, and the volunteer ringmasters who kept the show running safely and smoothly.  Thank you for your time and expertise.

                                                   

Thank you to the helpers on Saturday, and the crew of ‘personal assistants’ who make the show run on Sunday. These Knollwood Kids who are known for their patience, kindness, and horsemanship took such good care of our walk trot stars. These assistants made sure the horses and riders were comfortable and ready to show.

 

Most of all, thank you to our amazing group of lesson horses. Their kindness and humor remained to the end. We owe them a fancy dinner out.

 

Meanwhile, in Springfield ...

At the Illinois State Fairgrounds, the show team was competing at the Mane Event Horse Show.

Nineteen show horses and their riders were competing in the most beautiful show arena around, and they had quite a show.

To mention a few stories…

Friends since their little Knollwood Kid days. Richie and Mia got to show against each other again last weekend. The reunion had Richie and Doc winning the 14-17 equitation qualifier with Mia and Dylan in second. Horse friendships are the best.

Richie won the championship with barnmate and friend Natalie in reserve while Mia finished fourth.

In the Good Hands National Final, Maiya and Riddle finished 5^th while Brooklyn and Gigi finished 6^th. This was a grand accomplishment in a class of the best riders in the country.

Other Highlights?

Maddie and Averie enjoyed another show in the 10 and under walk and trot division and always found time to enjoy themselves.

Tancy and Mickey continued their fun season, even winning the Adult Show Pleasure Championship.

Allison and Arthur enjoyed another good show, as Arthur continues to grow into his big show horse body.

 

Congrats to all of Team Knollwood who competed at this terrific horse show.

It’s on to the UPHA National Championship American Royal for the show team.

What’s Coming Up?

 

  IASPHA Fall Show this weekend at Beyond Stable Farm

The academy team is off to its last show of the season. 

Come cheer us on!!

 

    Halloween on Horseback  

  Saturday, October 31 at 6:30

It’s a sellout, and everyone is invited to see the costumes and join the fun in the arena. 

Costume creation can start at 5:00 

   

     Academy Meeting for Parents

 Saturday November 8 at 5:00

Think you might be interested in academy showing for 2026? Parents are invited to join us for an informational meeting where you’ll hear all about our love of the process.  

Please sign up in the school barn lounge so we know how many info folders to prepare.

 

    Enrollment meetings for 2026 

 November and early December

  Parents will meet with their instructors to plan out 2026.

  Your instructor will be in touch to schedule.    

·           

 

 

School Horse of the Year election!

December 1-31

When you renew your Knockout membership, you’ll receive a ballot for the election. Primaries are currently being held in the pasture to determine the top 4 finalists.

   Knockout Holiday Party and Officer Election 

     Saturday, December 13 at 6:00

      All Knockout members are invited to join us for our holiday celebration and election of officers. If you think you might be interested in running for an office, please talk to President Kylie, Kali, or Ann to learn more.

     Not yet a member? We’d love to have you!

 

Knockout Awards Banquet 

Saturday, January 31

Members are invited to join us at the Legend at Merrill Hills for an event celebrating all things Knollwood.

Invitations will go out to all members in December.

        

 

 

See you at the barn, or at the in-gate!

It’s Grand Finale Weekend!

We’re looking forward to celebrating our lesson program at our last in-barn show of the season.

Our three day show features 90 riders who have been hard at work improving their horsemanship skills. Spectators will watch the results of hours and hours of skill building. It’s going to be quite a weekend, and we’d like to introduce some of the teams who make this big event run like clockwork.

 

Knollwood Parents

They’re just the best.

Melissa, Kelly, and friends are leading teams to run concessions, gift baskets, and just about anything else you can think of. We’re grateful beyond belief for these parents who donate precious weekend hours to support the cause.

Show Judge Sydney Budzinski

A Knollwood Kid for life, Sydney started riding at age 7, and never really left. She is a national and world champion equitation title holder, and really enjoys her time with young riders. We’re thrilled that she’s sharing her expertise with us this weekend as the show judge.

Wendy the Announcer

Wendy is a recently retired high school teacher and choral director. She knows the horses and many of the riders, as she rides with us on Mondays after she helps us brush horses for the busiest lesson day of the week. She’s quite a singer in her own right, too!

 

Ringmasters

We have an assortment of volunteer ringmasters who keep the show arena safe. They’re accomplished riders, and are well acquainted with all the lesson horses, and plenty of the riders.

 

Personal Assistants

These are the Knollwood Kids you see taking care of horses and riders outside the ring. They prep horses in the morning, perform tack and rider changes, and basically make sure that horses and riders are comfortable. They calm nerves, cheer for all, and create the next generation of show stars. We couldn’t do it without them.

 

 

Pam the Concierge

Pam is our friendly face in the school barn lounge for walk trot Sunday. A professional horse show mom, and Wednesday night admin, Pam can tackle any horse show event. She’ll help straighten back numbers, calm jumpy nerves, and have the answer for anything that comes up.

Thanks to Versiti

We’re thrilled that Versiti, a leading blood donation service non-profit, is sponsoring the concession stand.

Adults, if you sign up for a blood donation appointment, your name will be entered into a drawing for a $250 gift certificate for Scintilla!

Instructors

We have an unbelievable staff of instructors. Some are part time, and some are full time, but they’re all here working towards the same goals.

We strive to develop strong riders who respect their horses and the process. Learning to show horses isn’t easy, and it doesn’t happen overnight. Our instructors are on the job to teach riding and so much more. Our riders learn the value of sportsmanship, patience, and mental organization.

We love goal setting. Confidence comes from achieving goals, not from ribbons. Most of our riders have goals for the weekend, and they all have the skills to achieve them.

We also remind our riders to be grateful for the opportunities they have. Not everyone is able to ride remarkable horses and learn all the lessons they teach.

The instructors are possibly more excited for the weekend than their students!

 

Our Horses

They’re just the best.

All of them are amazing, and several of them have achieved unicorn status.

They’re working pretty hard this weekend, and will enjoy Monday off.

Please come and enjoy the show.

You’ll admire the riders and the horses.

Show Ops Updates

Weather looks pretty iffy this weekend. 

     We'll move the show inside if the rain won’t stay away.

     Our show schedule remains the same.

     We’ll section off part of the arena for spectators to stand. Please feel free to bring chairs if you’d rather sit than stand.    

     The concession stand will move to just inside the show barn.

Our neighbors at the Kettle Moraine Curling Club are hosting events this weekend, so their parking lot will not be available to us.

We do NOT have a show photographer for this show. We are all set for 2026, though!

What’s Coming Up?

Mane Event Horse Show

October 15- 18

Home to the Good Hands Final, Team Knollwood is there in numbers.

The show is livestreamed on Richfield Video.

Woodwear Orders

Courtney has created a wonderful line of Woodwear for Fall 2026.

Samples in size medium are available in the school barn lounge, along with order blanks.

Orders are due October 26 for holiday delivery.

 

 

IASPHA Fall Show

October 25-26

Join us at Beyond Stable Farm for our last academy show of the 2025 season!

 

Halloween on Horseback

October 31 at 6:30 PM

It’s a sell out, and everyone is invited to see the costumes and games on horseback.

 

Parents Academy Meeting

Saturday, November 8 at 5:00 PM

Parents are invited to learn all about academy showing, and about why we love it so much.  Please sign up in the school barn lounge.

 

UPHA National Championship American Royal Horse Show

November 10-15

Kansas City, MO

Team Knollwood will be there for the National Championships, and for the last two of the ‘Big Three’ equitation finals, the UPHA Challenge Cups and the USEF Medal.

We’ll update livestream info soon.

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

Team Knollwood lost quite a character today when Pony Frank lost his fight with a brief illness.

Frank came to us with that classic pony name, and it fit like a glove.

 

He lived at Knollwood for 16 years and raised many wonderful Knollwood Kids.

For every day of those 16 years, Frank would pretend to not remember where his stall was, so he could run down the whole aisle to steal some of Fred's grain.  It didn’t matter if Fred was already in there or not. Frank would stand in front of Fred to eat while Fred backed away from the pony. Even Fred knew he was in the presence of greatness.

 

He was smart as a pony could be and was super talented at escaping his slip stall even when hooked up with the butt chain closed. We suspect he may have actually had thumbs.

 

Frank loved to play games on horseback and put up with just about anything.

He was a favorite contestant in Halloween on Horseback. He’s been everything from a carousel pony to a banana split.

 

A favorite bareback mount, riders knew they had seriously long legs when they could hook their feet under pony’s girth.

Most of all, he was a grand teacher. He was trusted with the smallest of riders and knew his job. Frank had no trouble working in the arena with big going show horses, as he never doubted his own importance.

 

We will miss our pony who taught us that good things can come in small packages.

 

 

 

Peace to you, Pony Frank.

 May you have all the grass and grain your big heart desires.

 

Hazel Belle may have crossed the rainbow bridge, but she lived every day to its fullest.

Here are some life lessons she shared during the time we were fortunate enough to be in her world.

 

 

Make Friends That Are Different Than You

Your friends don’t have to look like you, act like you, or even be anything like you. I spent hours with cats, horses, and people. And  yet, many of them understood me better than other dogs.

 

 

 

You Don’t Have to be Loud

Sometimes, the most interesting creatures don’t make a lot of noise.  I found that when I DID make noise, everyone came running. Sure, it usually involved a sandhill crane in the pasture, but everyone knew SOMETHING was up.

 

 

Help Whoever You Can, Whenever You Can

While I never got my PHD in psychology, I could see when someone was having a tough day. The best thing to do was to sit with them in the lounge. Sometimes, I got to lean into them and share ‘Hazelness’ with them up close.

I also guided patterns in the arena by not being in the way, and kept people warm for hours by sitting in their laps.

Whatever you can do to help, just do it.

 

 

Embrace the Outdoors

People like to complain about the weather in Wisconsin, but there’s always something to enjoy. One of my favorite people, Tracy, told me, ‘There’s no bad weather, just poor clothing choices.’

Disclaimer: I've been to her house for play dates and pool parties. Her dog Rosie is a good friend.

So, my mom always dressed me for the elements so I could enjoy snow, wind or rain. I was even allowed to be naked and sleep on the toasty pavement in the summer.

You can’t change the weather, and there’s always something to enjoy.

 

 

Get Your Rest

I noticed that you horse people have to work. A lot.

Be sure to get your naps in. You’ll feel a lot better for it.

 

Be Happy and Entertaining

My mom Carol taught me tricks so I could be the life of the party in center ring. I earned a lot of mints, and had a lot of opportunities to have my butt scratched. (My wardrobe sometimes got itchy.)

I developed strong tail muscles from wagging, and I hope you all develop your smiling muscles.

 

Cheer For Everyone

I’ve been to a lot of horse shows, and I love them.

At horse shows, and everyday, remember to cheer for everyone. It’s tough out there, especially if you don’t have a boxer dog to make you smile all the time.

 

 

 

Spend time With Kids

Kids are my favorite.

Best days  ever? Summer camp days!

I couldn't get out of the house fast enough to greet the campers.

They're honest, they're fun, and everything is new to them. Enjoy their laughing, games, and love of life everyday.

And, they let me take naps with them.

 

 

Be grateful.

Appreciate your people.

Team Knollwood is full of friends who gave me years of happiness. Scott and Carol are the best, and Scott’s lap is the perfect place to spend an evening. Walks with Carol and Izzy are perfection.

Be grateful for the outdoors, your friends, the horses and pets in your life. Most of all, be grateful for the memories you have that will always make you smile and remember.

 

Memories are Forever.

 

 

 

Coming Up?

 

Knollwood Show Updates

• Gift basket donations are due Wednesday, October 15
• Show bags are available for pick up in the school barn lounge.
• We're still looking for help at the concession stand. Please help here.

Mane Event Horse Show: October 15-18

• The show horses are headed to the Illinois State Fairgrounds
• The show features the first of the 'Big Three' equitation finals, the Good Hands.
• We'll update webcast info shortly.

IASPHA Show:  October 25-26

• 19 Academy riders are making the trip
• We're traveling to Beyond Stable Farm in Woodstock, IL
• It's our last academy show of the season. Please join us!

Halloween On Horseback:  Friday, October 31

• It's a sell out, and everyone is invited to watch
• Please feel free to wear a costume to watch the fun
• Costume creation can begin at 5:00 PM, Lessons will continue until 6:00 PM

Academy Parent Meeting: Saturday, November 8

• Parents are invited to join our informational meeting at 5:00 PM
• You'll learn why we love academy showing so much, and what it has to offer the rider in your home.
• Please sign up in the school barn lounge, so we know how many folders to prepare.

UPHA National Championship American Royal Horse Show  November 10-15

• The show horses will be competing for National Championships and in the UPHA and USEF Equitation Finals.
• We'll update with webcasting info when it's available.

 

Knockout Holiday Party and Officer Election: December 13

• All Knockouts and their families are invited to join our annual party, and election of club officers for 2026.
• Not yet a member? We'd love to have you. Please talk to your instructor or admin to join the adventures.

Knockout Award Banquet:  January 31, 2026

• Knockout members and families, please save the date!
• We'll gather at the Legend at Merrill Hills to celebrate 2025 and take a peek into 2026.
• All Knockout members will receive invitations after the holidays.
• You really don't want to miss this!

 

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

 

Team Knollwood lost part of its soul on Saturday when Carol and Scott had to let Hazel go.

Hazel was a therapist for anyone having a rough day. How many of you enjoyed Hazel leaning into you when she knew you needed her?

Hazel loved all the Knollwood Kids. Scott and Carol’s house couldn’t contain her during camp, as she HAD to be in the barn when the campers arrived. Hazel’s summer days were spent with the camp kids. When they laid in the sun for naps, so did Hazel.

Hazel knew patterns in the arena. She kept of the way as she counted serpentine loops and circles. When riders were working on crazy patterns, we created safe places for her highness to enjoy the sun.

Hazel raised Izzy to be a good Matton. With patience and the occasional reprimand, Hazel helped Izzy grow from a crazy puppy into a proper horse show dog. Of course, Izzy loves everyone, as Hazel taught her.

 

Most of all, Hazel loved Carol and Scott. The look in her eyes when it was time to go back to the house with them as all you needed to see.

For a dog found running the roads of rural Arkansas and sent to a Boxer rescue, Hazel lived a heavenly dog life with Scott and Carol. She had the freedom of life on a farm, parents who adored her, horse show dog friends around the country, dog friends at home, and a tribe of people who adored her every day. And kids. Millions of kids.

 

We wish her peace, sunny naps, and play with her friends who went over the bridge before her.

 

There will never be another Hazel Belle Boxer Matton, but we’re all better people for having been in her world for a while.