We have a saying around Knollwood that there's never a dull moment.  With plenty of lesson horses, plenty of show horses, kids and adult riders, you never know what will be happening.

Throw in the cats and dogs and some pretty chilly weather, and normal becomes nothing but a cycle on a washing machine.

 

Join us for an update of the week, and some information about all the excitement coming to Knollwood in the upcoming weeks.

 

 

Richmond Adopts A Bar Stool

You heard that right.

A leather covered stool appeared in the school barn lounge, and we all think that Richmond has been busy on FB Marketplace.  After making sure it was positioned right in front of the heating vent, it has become his home base. So, don’t be shocked if you see a cat looking like he’d like to order a drink from whoever is behind the counter.

 

A Change of Leadership on Tuesdays

After a six year run, the ultimate Tuesday helper team has grown up and disbanded. For now.

Emma, Heather, and Margit have been helpers on Tuesday nights since they were wee Knollwood Kids. They’ve learned how to work and have lots of fun in the process, learned how to interact with customers of all ages, learned how to take care of the best lesson horses in the world in all kinds of weather, and have become invaluable leaders in the process.

They’re mentors to current young riders, are active in Knockout leadership, and were instrumental in reshaping the roles of helpers during the crazy Covid days.

Oh, and they ride the hair off their horses.

While their high school and pre-college activities may disband the dream team for the moment, they’ve passed on their wisdom and sense of humor to Cecilia, the newest Tuesday leader. Cece and her young team look forward to following in the footsteps of Emma’s organization, Heather’s communication, and Margit’s unique sense of humor. We know they won’t miss a beat.

 

2022 Finn

This is so exciting.

Finn finished up her Junior Exhibitor career last season with a Reserve World’s Grand Championship in Equitation, and Top 10 finishes in all three of the national equitation finals.

This season, you’ll see Finn showing Riverdreams Masquerade in the 5 gaited division. The Coopers purchased this beautiful mare from Kay Marschel at the American Royal with Lauren Burin acting as her agent.

Now studying at the University of Michigan, Finn and mom Liesl made a Knollwood trip last weekend.  Finn and Jade commanded everyone’s attention during their lesson, and we couldn’t tell who was having the most fun, Finn, Jade, or Scott.

We can hardly wait to watch this talented team hit the ring in 2022.

 

What’s Coming Up?

Our in-house customer camp scheduling ends on Sunday, January 30.  Be sure to catch up with your instructor, or give us a call if you’d like to purchase camp before session dates are opened to the public.

 

 

 

All of our academy show dates are up on our website under ‘Calendar of Events.’

The Knollwood show dates are there as well!

New for this year, we’re running pattern classes and Knollwood Challenge qualifiers on Friday evening, to lighten up the Saturday schedule.

Spring Show is May 13-15

Summer Show is August 19-21

Fall Show is October 7-9

 

 

 

New for 2022,  we’ve added a clothing requirement page complete with links to our website. You can just click on 'riding equipment' on the banner at the top of the home page. Please talk to your instructor with any questions you may have.

 

 

In-House Consignment Sale

Saturday, February 5

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

 

Academy show riders, please join us in the show barn lounge on Saturday, February 5.

Please have your clean donations tagged with your name and price of items to Lisa by February 2. 

We’ll have experienced academy moms at the sale to help riders put together the perfect outfit for the upcoming season. Plus, Jodi will be there with all her accessories including her wonderful ties.

 

 

Virtual Knockout Banquet

Saturday, February 19

7:00 PM

FB Live

 

Get ready for the festivities!

You can watch from home, or bid for a seat in the arena. Our seat auction runs through 2/13 with a minimum bid of $35, and all proceeds go to the Knockouts. Seats will also include a swag bag.

Did someone say Swag Bag? You can order yours the next time you’re in the school barn. They include treats and a School Horse of the Year 2022 magnet!

 

 

Academy Season Kick Off and Demo Night

Saturday, February 26

7:00 PM

All new academy riders and parents are asked to join us for an evening of information and demonstrations for the upcoming show season. 

We'll have experienced academy stars dressed for the occasion, and their parents who will be happy to answer any and all questions about showing.

Please sign up in the school barn lounge so we know how to plan our refreshments!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patchwork Pony Road Show

Saturday, March 12

8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Holiday Garden Inn

on Pabst Road in Oconomowoc

The Patchwork Pony Road Show is stopping in our neighborhood with their huge assortment of academy clothes.  Our own equitation super mom Sue will be there in the morning to help our riders select their outfits for the upcoming show season.

 

 

 

  

See you at the barn!!

Our lesson program has grown by leaps and bounds over the past couple of years. Our focus has shifted from group lessons to mostly private lessons, which has changed the role and scope of our helper responsibilities greatly.

Team Knollwood has been beyond fortunate to have wonderful kids in our program who have rolled with the changes, and have helped us update the responsibilities of our helper program. With an average of 45 lessons a day, and almost twice that in summer camp weeks, our helpers have become efficient time managers, ambassadors for the program today, and horse care pros.

Just take a look at what these Knollwood Kids accomplish on a daily basis.

 

Helpers Are Greeters.

Helpers are often the first Knollwood representatives seen as our lesson riders arrive at the barn. They greet riders, help them get their horses to the arena, and really get to know the students. They talk about school, birthdays, favorite horses, and all sorts of topics. Our helpers represent us, and do it well.

 

 

 

 

Helpers Are Escorts.

Helpers keep our youngest riders safe as they learn to safely interact with our wonderful lesson horses. They help get horses out of stalls, help the horses and riders walk to the arena for their lessons, help with mounting and stirrups, and are there to discuss the lesson as they walk the star back to the school barn.

 

 

Helpers Are Cheerleaders.

Helpers are invaluable in camp and beginner group situations. They are always at a horse's shoulder offering explanation, reassurance, and cheerleading. Having been through these lessons themselves, the helpers can offer support to our newest Knollwood Kid as only a student can.

Miles. These helpers do miles.

 

 

Helpers Are Personal Assistants.

Helpers get the chance to take care of the best lesson horses in the world. They get to spend quality time grooming, tacking and putting up these wonderful creatures. Helpers can tell you which horses love face currying the most, which ones are quirky about blankets, and which ones are hard to groom because all they want to do is cuddle.

They also know the value of horse therapy. When life gets crazy busy, horses will always ground you when you hug them.

 

 

 

Helpers Are Farm Hands.

Helpers make sure the barn is running smoothly in their ‘spare time.’ Even with many many lessons happening each day, tanks still need to be checked, hay needs to be thrown and taken to paddocks, horses need to be hayed and watered, sweeping never ends, laundry needs to be folded, and poop. There’s always poop to be picked up.

 

 

 

 

 

Helpers Have Fun.

These kids quickly learn to have fun while working. Some of our helper teams have been together for years on a particular night, and they become friends for life. Our Tuesday night team is now reaching driving age, and they’ve worked together since they were 10. They’ve become leaders at the barn, and at school, and can ride the hair off their show horses, too.

 

 

 

Helpers Are Mentors

On any given day, you’ll see 10-year-old rookie helpers learning from a an accomplished show ring star. 

Our helpers serve as mentors to our up and coming riders. They've lived the life in a barn, and love to share their knowledge and experiences with newer horse kids.

We think horses help raise great responsible kids, and our older riders who continue to give back prove our point. 

Our helpers truly run the place, and we are beyond grateful for them.

 

A Fresh Face!! 

 

 

Have You Met Beau?

Beau is one of our most recent arrivals to the lesson program. Officially registered as Beaucoup Revival, he was born on April 21, 2005. He’s enjoyed a career in the Country Pleasure division, and comes to us from the Duerr family.

Beau is learning the ways of a Knollwood lesson horses, and is fast making friends. He loves visitors in his stall with his perfect manners, and he really likes to snuggle with his friends.

He’s a total gentleman in his stall, and brings his head to the perfect height for whoever is bridling him.  

He’s great at patterns, and we look forward to his joining our walk and trot academy team this season.

 

What’s Coming Up?

 

In-House Consignment Sale

Show barn lounge

Saturday, February 5

10 AM to 2 PM

Please join us in the show barn lounge for our consignment sale. We’ll have academy clothing that some of our stars have outgrown, and we’ll have expert show moms on-hand to help with selection and fitting. Plus, Jodi will be here with her accessories and ties.

If you have clothing to donate, please bring your clean items tagged with your name and price to the school barn by February 2.

 

 

 

Patchwork Pony Road Show

Hilton Garden Inn, Oconomowoc

Saturday, March 12

8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

The Patchwork Pony is traveling from West Virginia with their fabulous assortment of academy clothing. Our own fashion expert Sue Berget will be there in the morning to help our newest stars select the perfect outfit for this season.

 

 

Knollwood Knockout Virtual Banquet

Saturday, February 19

7:00 PM

Facebook Live

You won’t want to miss this.

Tune into FB Live at 7:00 PM to catch all the action of our virtual banquet from the comfort of your own home.

Once again, we have Party Packs available for purchase. These fun bags will help you get in the party mood and help you celebrate the announcement of the horse of the year.

The adult bag contains charcuterie,  your choice of wine, and cool party favors for $25. The kids edition includes a DIY horse cookie, popcorn, favors, and your choice of a drink for $15.

Orders are due by February 15, and can be paid with cash or a check made out to the Knollwood Knockouts.

 

 

Seat Auction!

We’re offering a seat auction for 20 ‘in-person’ banquet attendees. If you’d like to be in the arena for the event, you can place your bids in the school barn. We’ll announce the winners on February 13. All proceeds benefit the Knockouts.

 

 

 

Academy Demonstration and Kick Off Evening

Saturday, February 26

7:00 PM 

Knollwood Arena

All of our new academy riders are asked to attend our kick off evening with demonstrations from some of our experienced stars. Their parents will also be in attendance, and are experts at explaining the process and details for parents.

We’ll talk about clothing, schedules, horses, and anything you’d like to explore.

The sign up sheet is up in the school barn lounge so we can have enough refreshments for all.

 

 

 

 

IASPHA Spring Show

April 9-10

Beyond Stable Farm

Woodstock, Illinois

Our first academy show of the season!

 

 

 

 

See you soon at the barn!

The Knollwood Knockouts banquet is a storied event with a rich past. For more than 25 years, Team Knollwood has been gathering to celebrate the accomplishments of both the lesson program and the show horses.

 

 

The Knockouts can hardly wait to celebrate all things Knollwood on Saturday night, February 19.

In the interest of keeping everyone safe, we’ll be hosting the banquet with a limited in-person audience via Facebook Live.

In attendance will be Knollwood staff, Knockout officers and board members, and 25 lucky people who are willing to bid for their seats. The opening bid to join the ‘studio audience’  is $25 per seat, and the auction will run through February 12.  We’ll notify the winners on February 14, and payment can be made to the Knockouts with cash or a check made out to them.

 

Once again, we’re offering nifty party packs for our friends watching from the comfort of their own homes.

 

For $15, the kids party bag will include:

Sparkling juice

A plastic champagne glass

A snack

Candy

Bubbles!

 

For $20, the Adult version will include:

Prosecco

Charcuterie

Chocolate

Plastic champagne glass

Snack

Bubbles!

 

Paid orders are due February 12, and bags will be available for pickup February 14-18.

 

 

 

We have a grand event planned.

2021 President Heather will review 2021 before new Knockout leaders Emma, Hanna, and Margit will announce their plans for the upcoming year, and then Susan will deliver her always enlightening treasurer’s report.

We’ll be  presenting 38 high point awards for both in-barn and out-of-barn academy stars, and we’ll honor our show barn mentors as well.

 

Knollwood academy riders have earned 18 academy awards from the Saddlebred Horse Association, and we’ll recognize those achievements, too.

 

 

Our 2021 slide show is in progress, and we’ll show it in the arena while the Facebook live audience will receive a link to watch from home.

 

Of course, we’ll introduce the winner of our ‘2021 School Horse of the Year’ election, and it’s a doozy.

 

 

We’re pretty sure Scott is already working on his “State of the Farm’ speech, and it’s always a ‘must see and hear’ event.

 

 

We hope you can join us for an action-packed evening of all things Knollwood!

 

What’s coming up?

 

In-House Academy Consignment Sale

Saturday, February 5

Show Barn Lounge

Has the rider in your house outgrown their show outfit from last year? Are you looking for an outfit for the 2022 season? Bring in your old clothes, and you can sell them in-house with no commission, and help outfit another team member.  Plus, Jodi will be there with bling and ties!

We’ll update soon with hours, and how to enter your items in the sale.

 

Patchwork Pony Road Show

8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Saturday, March 12

Hilton Garden Inn, Oconomowoc

The Patchwork Pony is coming with their wonderful customer service, and a terrific supply of academy clothing. Professional horse show mom Sue will be there at 8:30 AM to help Knollwood Kids create the perfect look for 2022.

 

 

Academy Demo Night

7:00 PM

Saturday, February 26

All new academy show riders should plan on attending our action packed evening of demonstrations, refreshments, and fun.

 

 

IASPHA Spring Show

April 9-10

Beyond Stable Farm

Our first academy show of 2022!

 

Parents’ Night Out

Saturday, April 16

6-8 PM

Save the date while our Knockout officers plan an Easter themed event.

 

 

 

See you soon at the barn!

 

Happy 2022!

Sure, parts of 2021 were, well, challenging. 

Luckily, all of Team Knollwood had many friends for company, beautiful horses to spend time with, and so many adventures along the way.

We’re ready for new experiences and stories for 2022, and here are seven things we’re looking forward to!

 

 

The Virtual Banquet

Sure, Covid may still be changing things around us, but it can’t keep us from celebrating all the fun we fit into 2022.

We’re taking to Facebook Live at 7:00 PM on Saturday, February 19 to honor all of our academy high point winners, our ASHBA academy award winners, our show barn mentors, and of course, to announce the winner of the school horse of the year election. 

To top it all off, we’re putting together a fabulous slide show, and Scott is preparing his annual ‘State of the Farm’ speech.

You really won’t want to miss this!

 

 

Photo by Hanna Agathen

Knollwood Shows

We’re going back outside! 

We’re already picking shirt colors and contacting judges for busy home show season. 

Our home season starts with our Spring show on May 14-15, our Summer show will be held August 20-21, and our final show of 2022 will be October 8-9.

We’re thinking of hosting pattern classes and Knollwood Challenge qualifiers on the Friday nights before the shows to shorten the other two days as well. We can hardly wait!

 

 

 

New Show Barn Combinations 

Our show barn team has been busy putting together new horse and rider combinations for the 2022 season.

Their first announcement was that Maiya is leasing Riddle this year, and that’s just the start.  Stay tuned for more news for 2022!

 

 

 

 

 

Photo by Hanna Agathen

New Academy Stars

We’re thrilled to announce that we have more than 10 new riders joining our academy team showing away from home this season.  Some riders will be making their debuts at the Academypalooza show in April, and the rest will join throughout the season.

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Riding School 

Knollwood Summer 2022 is coming!

Our first ever camp pre-sale is starting January 15 and runs through January 30.  All enrolled students currently taking lessons are eligible to sign up for summer riding school before the dates are announced to the public. 

This summer, we’re offering three weeks of traditional summer riding school, two weeks of Knollwood show prep camp, three weeks of Tiny Tot Camp, and three weeks of invitational pattern camp in addition to our sold out Summer Showcase Prep Camp.

Please talk to your instructor who will help you select the camp that fits the rider(s) in your house. You can sign up with the office admin at the desk, or with your instructor. Camps will be billed to your account.

 

 

The Adventures of Richmond

                  Just this week, Richmond had his nails trimmed, and he put on a dramatic performance that deserved an Oscar nomination.

Over the past year, he’s ridden school horses, hunted countless mice and birds while only regurgitating some of them on instructors’ belongings, spent many hours on the bench in the arena during lessons, and lost his bones several thousand times. 

What will he do this year???

 

 

 

 

The Education of Honey Bee

Since she came in, Bee has made great progress to becoming one of the best lesson horses in the world. She’s doing group and private lessons, is working on patience and her patterns, and is preparing for the challenge and fun of pattern camp 2022.

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

 

Saddle Rentals

Due December 31, 2021

 

 

 

Photo by Hanna Agathen

Midwest Saddleseat Consignment

Friday, January 7

7-9 PM

Hilton Garden Inn, Oconomowoc

 

 

 

Photo by Hanna Agathen

Patchwork Pony Consignment Show

Saturday, March 12

8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Hilton Garden Inn, Oconomowoc

 

 

Knollwood Virtual Banquet

Saturday, February 19

7:00 PM

Facebook Live from the arena

 

 

 

Academy Demo Evening

Saturday, February 26

7:00 PM

Knollwood’s Arena

 

 

 

 

See you soon at the barn!

 

 

Happy 2022!

 

The best lesson horses in the world have spent the past few weeks reflecting on their wishes and hopes for the new year. In the past, they’ve worked on New Year’s resolutions, but judging by Fred’s continued weight challenges, and Hugo’s continued anti-social behavior with his next door neighbor Picasso, the resolutions have not been kept.

So, in alphabetical order, so as not to make anyone feel slighted, here are the wishes of Knollwood’s finest:

Baxter would like a sun lamp in his stall so he gets plenty of vitamin D on days when he can’t get out.  He’d also like everyone to remember all the great lesson horses who have gone before, especially Sundance and Dudley, who were great friends as Baxter was becoming one of the gang.

 

 

Bee is grateful to have landed at Knollwood, and is wishing for a 2022 full of more learning and more quality time with her teachers, our up and coming academy stars. She’d like to make it to a show or two, also!

 

Big Frank is always looking for ways to improve himself. He’d like to steal the lesson horse iPad and enjoy some of ‘The Great Courses’ online. If he can’t get enough screen time, he’d like to learn more about landscaping so he can dig some interesting shapes in his stall. A berm, perhaps?

 

Cashew would like some new colors for his fleece covered cribbing collar. Periwinkle IS the color of the year, you know!

 

Dexter would like more wee pattern riders. He enjoys teaching them the ins and outs of circles, and really loves to use his patented ‘speed racer’ timing when they least expect it. Of course, he’d also like to attend more outdoor shows where his perfect coloring shines in the sun!

 

Photo credit Hanna Agathen

Duke would like padding installed on the arena walls so he’s more comfortable as he leans into them. If Scott nixes the arena padding idea, he’d appreciate some game days this year so he can show his competitive nature. 

Really. Just ask Hanna.

 

 

Eddie loves being a horse every day, even though we all know he’s so much more. He would like more pattern camps, especially in the big outdoor ring where he can power down the rail showing off for the broodmares. Match.com might not be a bad idea either for this fantastic ladies man.

 

Photo credit Hanna Agathen

Happy Jack is just thrilled to be a Knollwood Kid. He’d like to receive more credit for his great moves in the arena, especially his stopping ability. Oh, and he’d prefer if we removed all the crops from the farm and slow life down a little bit. You know, we should all enjoy his slow pace.

 

Hooper would like the entire world to convert to front clothing items for everyone. Yes, everyone.  That way, there can be NO confusion about him getting a dreaded ‘over the head’ article of clothing in his wardrobe.

 

Hugo would like Ken to change the width of the bars on the walls between stalls. He’d like to spend less time aiming at Picasso’s feed bin, and this would make it so much easier.

If Ken is too busy, Hugo would settle for an extra week of vacation.

 

 

Jelly would like all of his friends to stop grooming his mane. Even he realizes that he’s starting to look like a mullet man, and it’s getting a little embarrassing. If they won’t lay off, he’ll have to beg Carol for hair extensions, and he’s afraid to ask.

 

Klem would like world peace.

Realizing that may be a big ask, he’d settle for daily spa treatments, invitations to lunch with the pattern campers every day, and an unlimited supply of baby carrots.

 

 

Photo credit Hanna Agathen

Leon is upset that Klem asked for world peace before he had the chance.

Always thinking of others, dear sweet Leon wishes that in 2022, next door neighbor Thomas figures out the location of his stall. At a minimum, he’d like Thomas to get that first left turn down.

 

Photo credit Hanna Agathen

Lil Frank wishes to squash the stereotype that all ponies are evil. Heck, Little Frank is a winner with tiny tots, beginning bareback riders, beginner canterers, and enjoys time with the more advanced riders knocking over cones and playing games.

 

Photo credit Hanna Agathen

Mac would like guard rails installed in the arena so he’s not constantly tempted to go to the middle.  Realizing that Scott may not be a big fan of school horse ‘bumpers,’ Mac would settle for a date with Bee.

 

Murphy would like mirrors on the walls of his stall so he could admire himself all the time. If Ken isn’t up to mirror installation for a horse, Murphy would settle for a small, lighted make up mirror mounted near his door. But Ken, this WOULD require an electrical update...

 

 

Photo credit Hanna Agathen

Nigel enjoys Knollwood shows, and would really like to feel that thrilled about life every day.

 

Picasso would like a new neighbor, or at least a solid wall on the side facing Hugo. Also, he’d like more game days!!

 

Sparky has reached full Zen enlightenment and wouldn’t change a thing.

 

Sport reports that he’s happy as can be, and is most thankful for his vet work that makes him feel like Superman. He wants to go to all the shows he can in 2022, and to learn all he can from his retired brother Callaways Don’t Panic as they reminisce about their Dad, Callaway's Blue Norther.

 

Thomas would like to enter therapy and work through his fear of towels on the ground. It’s holding him back from enjoying games of ‘Musical Towels' and it's officially called apollophobia, He looked it up.

 

Vaughn would like to outlaw scary white lights during the holiday season. Although, he does admit that he enjoys messing with his students while pretending to be afraid of the lights. If the lights are removed, he promises to find something else to overreact to.

 

These two insisted on adding their wishes…

Hazel wishes that everyone is happy every day of 2022.  If you’re having a problem with this, she’s always available for therapy.

 

Richmond wishes for lots of bird hunting time, and he will try his best not to puke the remnants on instructors’ belongings in the lounge.

He’d also like to earn his yoga instructor certification, and to spend more time in the arena with Hazel, and with all the Knollwood Kids in the barn.

He shared two words, ‘BLANKET TOSSING!’

 

 

It’s been a challenging year in the world, and everyone at Knollwood is grateful for many things.

Our customers are the best, offering us friendships, support, and countless laughs. Thank you for trusting us with your riding educations, and with your beautiful horses.

We wish everyone a healthy, happy 2022 full of adventures, and of course, horses.

 

 

Photo credit Hanna Agathen

See you soon at the barn!