Team Knollwood lost an integral part of its faculty this morning when Eddie lost a colic battle.  This treasure of a Morgan was officially known as Hylee’s Red Fox.

After a successful show career with former owner Kellyn, Eddie came to Knollwood when Kellyn went to college. He was even a part of the scene when her now husband proposed at Knollwood. He has been a model citizen since the day he arrived.

The master of patterns, Eddie loved to work. He particularly enjoyed pattern camps, pattern classes, and out of barn academy shows where he could pretend he was back at Morgan Grand Nationals.

Eddie was a confidence builder. He taught a generation of Knollwood Kids that they could do any pattern in the world if they broke it down into pieces.

We’ll miss his calm demeanor, his kind eyes, and his head peeping out of his stall because he didn’t want to miss any of the barn happenings.

 

Peace, Eddie.

The off season is super exciting here at Knollwood.

 

In the school barn, riders are learning new skills, and stepping up to ride horses new to them. We have riders learning to canter, and falling in love with our newest lesson horse, Poppy.

 

Kittens Margit and Emma are entertaining all of us. Instructor Mary taught them how to play cat video games on her phone, and their screen time is being closely monitored. They’re growing every day!

             

Richmond is coming to terms with kitten life, and still seeks intelligent conversations with Hunter, and his human fans. He is still in love with Karina, Leighton’s mom, and even falls asleep on her shoulders.

 

 

In the arena, great things are happening.

The show barn team is finalizing leases for the season, looking for horses, and buying and selling some.

Our first exciting announcement is that Alexa and her family have purchased Sirtainly Stylish to show in the pleasure divisions. This beautiful gelding was previously owned by the Schuh family, and we’re excited that he will be staying at Knollwood.

Allison and Joe were stars in the show pleasure division  last season, with championship wins at Summerfun and Oshkosh.

Alexa is a Knollwood Kid through and through. She came up through our lesson program and enjoyed great success in the academy division.

Last season, Alexa graduated to the show horse world when her parents Jeff and Sheri leased Aaron, officially known as Seven Oaks Heir Man. Alexa and Aaron showed in pleasure equitation throughout the Midwest, with wins at Wisconsin Futurity and St Louis.

We’re looking forward to watching Alexa and Joe enter the ring in 2023.

 

 

We even had a special lesson last Saturday night!

Shelby, Richie, and Brooklyn’s investment group raised $450 for the Knockouts which gave them the right to give one of their instructors a riding lesson.

Carol selected Murphy as Scott’s steed for the lesson, and the student arrived in the arena promptly at 6:00. His instructors presented him with his personalized helmet before the games began.

Believe it or not, Scott had an answer, and often a follow up question to his teachers’ requests. He  maintained his sense of humor, and we think he shocked his students with his work without stirrups.

Following the lesson, Scott hosted a pizza party for the participants and spectators.

We’re thinking of other auction items like this for future shows. Please share your ideas with us!

 

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

Early Camp Enrollment for Current Students

February 1 – March 1

Currently enrolled students can sign up for Summer Riding School, including our Knollwood Show Prep weeks. Just tell your instructor which week you’d like to attend, so we can get you into your best week, and we’ll invoice in March.

Remember, if you select a show prep camp, you will be invoiced for the summer show as well.

 

 

Academy Clothing Sale

February 4 from 11-2

We’re hosting our academy show clothing sale in the show barn lounge. If you need vests, shirts, boots, or jods, be sure to stop by. Experienced academy moms will be on hand to help with sizing and selection.

Jodi will be here with her ties and bling, too!

 

 

February 8

LAST DAY TO TURN IN YOUR BANQUET RESERVATION!

 

 

 

Academy Demo Night

February 11 at 6:00 PM

Academy riders starting their show experience in 2023 are invited to join us in the arena for demos and discussion about the upcoming season. We'll have experienced riders and their parents here to answer questions about the season ahead.

Please sign up in the school barn lounge.

 

 

 

The 25^th Annual Knollwood Knockout Banquet

February 18 at 6:30

We seriously can hardly wait!

The prizes are here, the ballots have been counted, and the slide shows are completed.

Make sure to join us for our favorite celebration of the year!

 

Academy Measuring Day

February 25 from 11 – 3

Trish will be here to measure for custom academy shirts and vests, and for alteration appointments.

Her schedule is full on the 25^th, but she’s willing to add another day if needed. Please talk to Ann if you’d like help from Trish.

 

 

Parents’ Night Out!

April 8 at 5:00 PM

 

IASPHA  Spring Show

April 14-16

Our first show of the season!

 

 

March School Horse Birthdays:

5^th – Baxter

13^th – Thomas

24^th – Sport

29^th – Alex

30^th - Leon

 

 

 

Food Drive Begins!

May 10

Knollwood’s Food Drive for the Food Pantry of Waukesha County begins, and donations are due June 3.

 

Knollwood Spring Show Weekend!

May 12-14

 

 

See you soon at the barn!

 

 

The lesson horses are at it again.

Feeling left out after they were unable to complete ballots in the big ‘School Horse of the Year’ election, all of Knollwood’s lesson horses conducted an exit poll among the ranks to predict who will win the contest this year.

 

First, a little mathematical data on the group:

There are a total of 30 lesson horses, ranging from Sparky to the show barn lesson horses.

87% of the group are geldings, with a mere 13% mares.

 

60% of the crew are Saddlebreds

19% fall into the miscellaneous category, which also includes unknown. We have some of those!

 7% are Morgans

 7% are Hafflingers

 7% are ponies

 

While horses don’t have political parties as we know them, thank goodness, there are strong alliances among the group.

 

These six horses, listed in alphabetical order,  happened to be the highest in votes by the Knollwood Knockout members.

Here are some of the exit polling comments:

 

From Eddie: 'Of course Klem should win. There’s never been a Morgan winner, and we do a heck of a lot of lessons around here. Plus, everyone thinks he's adorable.'

 

From Hugo, the current Saddlebred pasture leader: 'Leon should be the winner, hands down. I always hear the instructors call him a unicorn, and I see him teaching lots of really small riders how to canter. Plus, he’s really handsome.'

 

 

From Fred, a member of the ‘miscellaneous’ posse: 'I’m hoping that Jelly the Hafflinger wins the title for 2023. He’s up for anything, any time. He never appears to be tired, and he never gets crabby. I wish I could say the same about myself.'

 

 

Klem, the only lesson horse we’ve ever known to be named after a sausage company, is standing up for fellow Morgan Eddie. He says, ‘No one does a pattern better than Eddie, and he is incapable of making a mistake. He’s been everywhere, done everything, and isn’t bothered by anything.'

 

 

Thomas believes that home grown Hugo should be this year’s winner. He says: 'Hugo is the all-around good guy. While he loves his tiny tot jog trotting, he can also teach the best of patterns, and is a fabulous bareback steed. He also loves games on horseback. In fact, you probably wouldn’t even recognize him while he’s playing games.'

 

 

Also home grown Vaughn is in favor of Pumpkin winning the crown, adding :  'While he hasn’t been here very long, Pumpkin has become an important member of the faculty. He loves to work, and never puts an ear back. He’s put a lot of effort into slowing down his canter, and is working on pattern work now. He’s just good at everything he tries. And, he's very handsome.'

The winner will be revealed at the banquet on February 18. Make sure to have your paid reservations in by February 8.

 

What’s Coming Up?

January 28

  Scott’s lesson with Shelby, Richie, and Brooklyn at 6:00 PM.

  Shelby’s investment group donated $450 to the Knockouts for the right to teach the master.

  For only $5, you can watch the lesson from the comfort of the heated arena, and all proceeds go directly to the Knockouts.

  Scott is providing food and drink for the post lesson party.

 

It’s also the final day to donate used academy clothes for our in-house sale the following Saturday. 

 

 

February 4

Our used clothing sale is happening in the Show Barn Lounge from 11 AM to 2 PM.

We’ll have academy moms on hand to help put outfits together, and Jodi will be there with bling and ties, too!

 

 

February 11

Academy Demo Night at 6:00 PM

Riders starting academy showing this year, or those who want a refresher are invited to an informational get together in the arena.

We’ll have riders demonstrating strategies, showing clothing for the ring, and they and their parents are happy to answer any questions.

 

 

February 18

Knollwood Knockout’s 25^th Annual Award Banquet

Join us at the Legend at Merrill Hills for our first in-person banquet in two years. We’ll have awards, dinner, speeches, a slide show, and dancing.

RSVP’s are due February 8 !

 

February 25

Academy tailoring event from 11 AM to 2 PM in the show barn lounge.

Trish is coming to measure and pick fabric for custom vests and shirts. She can also tailor your academy clothes that aren’t fitting just right.

Please talk to Ann if you’re interested in securing an appointment.

 

 

 

 

See you at the barn!

This Saturday, the Knollwood Knockouts are hosting an inaugural fundraising event.

At last Fall's Knollwood show, the Knockouts auctioned off the opportunity for a group of Knollwood Kids to give their fearless leader Scott a riding lesson.

Bidding was fast and furious, with friends from Scott's past and present customer base joining the fun. Heck, bids even came in from fellow professionals from many states!

The winning team consists of 1 former and 2 current show riders. The faculty includes:

Shelby

A graduate of our lesson program and an equitation star, Shelby is now a graduate of Lawrence University, and is in grad school at the Medical College of Wisconsin. In her rare spare time, Shelby helps out the Knockouts and helps with the Tuesday evening academy class.

 

Richie

Knollwood's favorite red-headed equitation rider, Richie needs little introduction. He started riding after his older sister caught the horse bug, and zoomed through our academy program to become a serious student of equitation. 

He's won national and world championships, rides every chance he can, and helps in whatever way he can, whether it's in the show barn or as a lesson barn helper.

He's ridden with both Scott and Carol for years, and will offer valuable insight to Scott's mind.

 

Brooklyn

She may be the youngest instructor on the team, but don't let that fool you. Brooklyn is an old soul, always listening and thinking about many things.

She also came up through the academy program, and even won a world championship her first year in the show horse world.

Her quiet fierceness will be a valuable asset with teaching a student who knows it all.

 

 

You can watch Scott's students try to teach him a thing or two this Saturday at 6:00 PM in the arena. Admission is a mere $5, with all donations going to the Knollwood Knockouts.

Please come and pay your entry fee before Friday so we're sure to have enough food for everyone. If you're coming from out of town, please call the school barn at 262-367-2391 to reserve your spot.

Scott is providing pizza and fixin's after the lesson.

You really won't want to miss this!

2022 arena set up for online banquet

 

We’re so excited!

For the last two years, Covid has forced us to downsize our annual awards banquet, and to hold the festivities in our arena. While we made it a lot of fun broadcasting on Facebook Live, it just wasn't the same as being together in one room.

We’re back in full in-person celebration mode for this year, which happens to be the 25^th anniversary of our first ever Knockout awards banquet back in 1998.

 Winners at the first ever banquet in 1998.

 

Because we haven’t held an in-person banquet since 2021, many of our current stars have never experienced the real thing. Here are some helpful hints to enjoy the Knollwood celebration of the year like an experienced banquet attendee.

 

 

Jordan and Dilly dancing in 2020.

When:

The banquet is being held on Saturday, February 18.

Social time starts at 6:30 PM with dinner beginning at 7:15 PM.

 

 

Where:

The Legend at Merrill Hills

W270 S3425 Merrill Hills Rd

Waukesha, WI 53189

 

 

Archival photo of Academy Award winners in 2020

 

Who’s Invited?

All Knollwood Knockouts and their families are invited to join the fun. Invitations were mailed January 1. If you haven’t received your invitation, please let your instructor know, and we can provide one. Plus, we’ve placed extra invitations in the RSVP box in the school barn. Please feel free to fill out a card and attach your payment to secure your spot, even if your invitation didn’t make it to you in the mail.

RSVP’s are due by February 8.

Of course, new members are ALWAYS welcome, and your instructor or office admin would be happy to help!

 

 

How Do I RSVP?

Just return your invitation postcard with your name, and indicate how many will be in your party. Please attach cash or a check made out to the Knollwood Knockouts to secure your places. No reservations can be made without payment.

 

 

From the dance floor files of 2020, Sofia, Brooklyn, and Amelia

 

What’s the Dress Code?

It’s a celebration, so riders wear dresses and party finery. Parents tend to dress more casually.

 

 

From the archives, 2012 President Shelby turns leadership over to incoming 2013 president Sydney.

What happens at the banquet?

Oh, so much.

The party starts with social time where everyone catches up with friends, and decides where to sit. Riders can choose to sit with other riders at ‘kids’ tables, or to sit with their families. Typically, the riders sit at the tables near the front of the room, near the prizes, the speakers’ podium, and the screen for the slide show.

This year we’re trying a variation of our traditional buffet dinner. We’ll be having a dinner with three different ‘stations’ to visit along the way. Guests can visit the pasta bar, the slider bar, and the salad bar.

Party planner and Knockout adult treasurer Susan has also sourced a really fun dessert for us.

 

Your 2023 Officers and board members

 

We expect a peaceful transfer of power after dinner, as our 2022 Knockout officers and board review the year that was before they hand control over to the incoming 2023 team.

Election results will be revealed when the Knockout officers announce the winner of the 2022 School Horse of the Year contest. A short video is included of the star, since country clubs frown on horses attending parties in person.

 

Susan delivering the 2021 financial report

 

Susan will present an always entertaining treasurer’s report. We don’t know how she makes the numbers interesting and inspirational, but we think it's one of her super powers.

Following that, we’ll present awards earned by our riders at both in-barn shows, and at out of barn shows throughout 2022.

Academy award winners in 2012

 

Twenty riders have earned academy awards from the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association. While we won’t have the actual medallions from the association yet, we will recognize these hard-working academy stars.

 

High point winners in 2018.

We’ll also hand out the ultimate high point awards to the top two point earners for both home shows and academy shows away from home.

 

 

Emilie and Baxter, reserve academy champs at Madison Classic in 2022

A highlight of any banquet is the annual slideshow, which brings back memories of the year that was. The show will feature pictures from home and the road, and will showcase many pics never seen before. It’s guaranteed  to make you laugh and enjoy the recap of 2022.

No caption needed.

The grand finale of the presentations is Scott’s ‘State of the Farm’ address.  A master orator, Scott reviews the show season, stories from the road, and memorable lessons. The address usually involves some zingers, and often includes some heckling back. It’s the perfect closure.

 

From the 2013 dance floor files

After all the awards and addresses, the DJ takes over, and the dance floor fills.

Whether it’s your first Knollwood banquet, or you’re a veteran of the event, we hope you can join us for this February classic.

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

 

The famous jods incident. Show tech Emma lent her pants to Cece whose zipper died in the warm up ring.

January 28

It’s the last day to drop off donations for the academy used clothing sale on February 4. Please hang them in the school barn lounge.

Please bring them in on hangers, and tagged with your name, cell #, email address, and price of each piece. If you'd like to donate sales proceeds to the Knockouts, please let us know.

And, Thank You!

Again, no caption needed.

Also on January 28:

Remember the silent auction at the Fall Knollwood Show? 

Shelby and her investment group outbid all other takers and paid $450 for the right to give Scott a riding lesson.  Shelby, Richie, and Brooklyn will be giving Scott at lesson at 6:00 PM.

A limited number of $5 tickets are available to watch the lesson. All proceeds will benefit the Knockouts, as did the purchase price of the lesson.

Both Scott and his instructor team are preparing for the event, and we're not sure who's more excited for the evening.

Before anyone even asks, Carol is in charge of the horse assignment. As we always say, 'Carol knows things.'

 

 

Walk trot stars at Turkey Trot 2022

 

February 4

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Knollwood’s used academy clothing sale.

Here’s your chance to purchase academy clothing for the upcoming season. We’ll have a selection of jods, shirts, and vests. Jodi will be there with ties and bling to finish off any outfit.

 

February 8

Banquet reservations and payment due.

 

Demo riders in the 2022 academy event.

February 11

6:00 PM

Academy Demo Night

If you’re starting your academy show journey this season, this event is perfect for you. Please join us in the arena at 6:00 PM when you’ll see some of our stars give demos on the do’s and don’ts of academy showing.

You’ll learn the fine points of attire, hair and makeup for the show ring, and show strategy. Please bring all your questions for an entertaining event.

 

 

Finn, Laney, Payton, Lauren, Maria, and Lily with the Senns at the 2020 banquet

 

February 18

6:30 PM

Knockout Banquet

You won’t want to miss it!

 

 

Taylor at IASPHA Summer 2022

February 25

11:00 AM-2:00 PM

Academy Vest and Shirt Measuring

Trish will be in to measure for custom vests and shirts for our academy stars. Please see Ann if you’d like to schedule an appointment.

 

 

Brooke, Hannah, Stella, Dilly, and Maddie at IASPHA Spring 2022

 

April 15-16

IASPHA Spring Show

Beyond Stable Farm in Woodstock, Illinois

Our first academy show of the season!

 

 

Heather presenting awards to winners Stella and Leon at the Knollwood Spring Show

 

May 12-14

Knollwood Spring Show

 

 

 

 

No caption needed.

See you at the barn!