Valentine's Day means many different things to different people. Here at Knollwood, it’s a chance for our delightful animal friends to tell us who their favorite person or thing might be.

Here, in no particular order, are some things we discovered in our chats with friends…

 

Richmond’s heart belongs to Karina.

The purring starts as soon as he hears her voice, or sees her come into the barn. He’s been known to spend an entire group lesson on her shoulder, and has tried to follow her to the car on several occasions.

 

Mulligan’s heart belongs to Brooklyn.

This pair forged a bond as soon as they met, and they’ve been spending time together ever since. You can find them in the Tuesday group, and working together during Brooklyn’s Friday helper rides.

Brooklyn has helped him settle into his new home, and is bringing his confidence back.

 

 

 

Poppy’s heart belongs to her 10 and under walk trot riders.

She loves her little short legged kids,  and remains patient while she teaches them circles and serpentines. They put her in her happy place like no other age group does.

 

 

 

Sparky’s heart belongs to his grooming staff.

Our grand beginner horse LOVES being groomed, especially in his current shedding phase. At this time of year, you’ll know who groomed Sparky, as they’re covered in white hair.

No one appreciates a good curry more than sweet Sparky.

 

 

 

Izzy’s heart belongs to Hazel.

Superstar Hazel is Izzy’s mentor, and is helping her learn the way of a Matton dog. While Hazel corrects Izzy firmly at times, the puppy knows it’s for her own good. Izzy’s dream is to be like Hazel.

 

 

 

Hazel’s heart belongs to Carol and Scott.

Hazel has forgiven them for bringing Izzy into the household, and has taken on her new mentor role on like a champ.

She loves spending time with Scott and Carol, and especially loves going to parks with Carol, and spending hotel nights at horse shows.

Plus, they let her spend time at summer riding school with all her small friends!

 

 

 

Leon’s heart belongs to all of his cantering club members.

Being one of the best cantering teachers in the world, Leon has taught countless Knollwood Kids the joy of riding the ‘cloud.’  He’s agreeable, forgiving, and smoother than you could imagine.

Leon is a favorite of everyone who spends time with him, is never short of visitors, and loves every minute of it.

Plus, he's sooooo handsome!

 

 

Emma the cat’s heart belongs to whoever fed her last.

That speaks for itself.

 

 

 

Fred’s heart belongs to his ‘double wide’ stall.

It allows him to achieve his perfect napping position, and to soak up the sun when the back door is open.

 

 

Murphy’s heart belongs to Scott.

Scott understands Murphy’s brain better than most, and has become his trusted confidante, and therapist.

 

Bee’s heart belongs to her cantering school graduates.

The Hackney pony with unlimited energy has taught many, many kids how to sit a canter, and she just keeps going. Her kids shower her with attention and treats in return.

 

 

What’s coming Up?

Continuing through February 29 ...

 

 

Summer Riding School sign up

Currently enrolled students can select their week(s) of summer riding school before we open it up to the public on March 1.

We offer camps for Tiny Tot riders, riders new to our program, and riders prepping for our summer show.

Please talk to your instructor if you haven’t already selected your week for Knollwood summer 2024!

 

Jelly Bean Jod Orders

We’re ordering our signature Jelly Bean Jods through February 29.

These cool jods are navy with tan knee patches, and has our name embroidered on the back of one leg.

They’re perfect for everyday wear and for in-barn shows. Plus, you can modify length, waist size, and pocket selection for a slight charge.

 

 

Parent and Knockout Meeting

Sunday, March 18

3:00 PM

Parents, join us for a gathering where you’ll learn about opportunities to help the Knollwood Knockouts. This great group of kids is looking for ideas, and assistance with shows and special events. The meeting will be in the show barn lounge.

Knockouts, your meeting will be a fun one to plan some upcoming events, and to do some crafting.

Please RSVP here if you can join us.

 

Knockout Banquet

Saturday, February 24

6:30 PM

The Legend at Merrill Hills

The party of the season is almost here, and it’s going to be a big one!

Our biggest banquet in history will kick off with social time before dinner, awards, speeches, the annual slide show, and a DJ to end the night.

Please remember to celebrate our champions in style, which means no denim, and men wearing tucked in shirts with collars.

We have many, many things to celebrate!

 

 

Academy Kick Off

Saturday, March 16

6:00 PM

Show Barn Lounge

All academy riders and parents are invited to join us in the show barn lounge for a fun event with the experts.

Scott will share his proven technique of tying the perfect knot for small riders, and Karina will share her knowledge of the ‘Knollwood bun’ for the show ring as well as some cosmetic tips for young riders.

 

Parents Night Out

Saturday, April 6

5:00 PM

Knockouts, enjoy a few hours of barn fun with the Knockout officers and board members. Signups will begin in March.

 

 

Bridlespur Society Horse Show

April 11 - 13

National Equestrian Center

St. Louis, MO

The first show of 2024 for our show horses.

 

 

IASPHA Spring Show

April 13 - 14

Beyond Stable Farm

Join us for our first academy show of the season!

We’re looking forward to several riders making their debut at this show, and we’d love a big audience.

 

 

Knollwood Spring Show

May 10 - 12

Our first in-barn show of 2024!

Entries will start in March.

 

 

 

 See you at the barn!

It may only be February 1, but it’s already time to start planning for Knollwood Summer 2024.

 

Riders currently enrolled in our lesson program are invited to select their week(s) of summer riding school starting on February 1. Open spots will be offered to the public starting on March 1.

We offer a selection of camps for all ages and riding levels so that all Knollwood Kids can enjoy sunny camp days at the farm.

 

 

Classic Summer Riding School

This is the one that started it all.

Designed for our newest riders aged 7-17, this camp teaches Knollwood Kids the basics of how to behave safely around horses, and how to care for them and their equipment.

Daily lessons will further riding skills, and help campers understand how horses see the world and how they act.

 Soul Fire Art Studio comes to Knollwood each Wednesday afternoon to help riders create a camp memory to take home.

Riders will come away from their week with new riding skills, new understanding of horses, and new friends made during the session.

 

Knollwood Show Prep

If the rider in your family has already attended our classic camp, and they’re showing at our summer show August  16-18, it’s time for a week of show prep camp.

Riders at this camp should already know how to groom and tack their own horse, but may need a little assistance. At show prep camp, riders experience bareback riding, and learn important skills and strategies to use in the show ring.

Knollwood Kids will learn about preparing horses for a show, will enjoy some Q and A time with Scott, and will spend some time learning about American Saddlebred show horses.

In addition, there’s plenty of time for games, fun, and crafts with Soulfire.

All riders at these weeks are required to participate in the Knollwood summer show.

If your rider is looking forward to learning more, this is the perfect week for them.

 

Pattern Camps

Offered for our academy riders, we offer four weeks of pattern camp. These are immersive weeks with nothing but horses, riding, and lots of sun and fun.

Our academy riders should already know their weeks, but if we’ve missed anyone with dates, please talk to Ann.

 

Tiny Tot Camps

For our youngest riders, we offer a kid sized version of summer riding school.

We welcome Knollwood Kids ages 4-6 to enjoy a three day camp from 9 AM to noon each day. Campers each have their own personal assistant with them all day as they learn to groom and get their horse ready to ride.

The assistants are with riders in the arena as the campers ride every day. On the last day, campers put on a demonstration to show their friends and family how much they’ve learned.

Tiny Tot campers enjoy plenty of games and horse time with the best lesson horses in the world.

 

The fine print:

All camp fees are nonrefundable.

Riders in show prep camps will be billed for the show at the time of camp billing.

 

 

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

Banquet Reservations Due

All Knockouts should have received their invitation for the banquet on February 24.  Please be sure to return your RSVP by February 8. You won’t want to miss this.

 

Consignment Sale

Our academy consignment sale is coming up fast on Saturday, February 10. Donations are due to the barn by February 3, and should be tagged with name, cell number, price, and approximate size.

Shoppers, you’ll be assisted by experienced academy moms, and Jodi will be there with all of her wonderful accessories.

 

 

Jelly Bean Jods for 2024

Ordering February 12-29

We’re ordering our classic Knollwood jods for 2024. These stretchy, lightweight jods are perfect for daily wear, and for in-barn shows.

They’re navy with tan knee patches, and have the farm name embroidered on them, too.

We’ll have size samples available in the school barn. Best of all, they’re customizable in length, number of pockets, and waist size. They are just perfect for growing riders.

 

 

Parent Meeting

Sunday, February 18 at 3:00 PM

Knollwood Parents, we’re looking for your help.

The Knockouts are looking for parents to help them with events throughout the year. Please join us in the show barn lounge to hear how you can help a great group of horse kids with their barn shows and special events.

 

 

Academy Tailor Visit

Saturday, February 24

Trish will be at the barn for appointments starting at 9:30 AM. Most of the time spots are taken, so talk to Ann if you’d like to get in to see her.

Trish is coming back on June 8 to measure our riders who are starting their show season later in the summer. Please let Ann know if you’d like an appointment that day.

 

 

Knockout Banquet

Saturday, February 24 at 6:30 PM

It’s the event of the season!

Please join us at Merrill Hills as we celebrate 2023 and look forward to 2024.

We’ll chat, enjoy a delicious dinner, honor academy champs, hear Scott’s ‘State of the Farm’ address, enjoy the slide show, and dance the night away.

Please help us celebrate in style and follow the country club dress code: No denim, and men’s shirts must have collars, and be tucked in.

 

 

Academy Kickoff Night

Saturday, March 16 at 6:00 PM

All academy families are invited to join us in the show barn lounge to learn from the experts.

Scott will teach his much sought after tie knot, which is perfect for petite riders.

Karina will teach the ‘Carol approved’ bun for the show ring, and will offer tips for applying show ring makeup for young riders.

Of course, appetizers will be served.

 

IASPHA Spring Show

April 13-14

Beyond Stable Farm

Our first academy show of the year!

 

 

Knollwood Spring Show

May 10-12

The first Knollwood show of the season!

 

 

 

 

See you at the barn!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today we lost a bit of history when we helped barn cat legend Hunter cross the rainbow bridge.

Hunter was over 20 years old, and takes a lot of stories with him.

He was legendary Dean's older brother, and was definately the more serious of the two.

Hunter was kind, and helped raise many, many kittens. He loved them.

Hunter was never a fighter with other cats or people.

In his later years, he was a fixture in the lounge, and loved sleeping on his bed in front of the heater. He also loved to eat, and was never shy about asking for his personal can of food.

We'll miss his storied old face, and will remember his kind soul.

Peace to you, Hunter. We're sure you and Dean have plenty to catch up on.

We'll keep the heat on for you.

As you’re reading this, our fearless leaders are on their way to the UPHA convention in Lexington, Kentucky.

The convention brings the best show horse trainers in the country together to exchange ideas, socialize, find ways to grow the industry, plan for the future, and recognize excellence in the industry.

Excellence is where this blog is going.

Scott and Carol are being honored with the greatest award the show horse industry can bestow when they’re inducted into the UPHA Hall of Fame.

 

What's the UPHA?

The UPHA has given a united voice to the individual horse trainers and horse people that have developed the UPHA into the powerful lobby that it is today. In just a little over 40 years, this group has created many concrete programs to realize the common goal of improvement within the industry while still striving to recognize the unique capabilities and talents of each member.

From this small dedicated group, the UPHA has expanded to 21 regional chapters that comprise all 50 states and Canada.

 

 

Here’s the criteria for inclusion in this group of industry greats:

 

To be eligible for induction into the UPHA Hall of Fame, a person or persons (can be a couple/partner) must have derived his or her livelihood from the profession of training show horses or ponies. He or she must have reached their success not only through the champion horses and ponies they have developed and shown, but must possess the respect of their peers throughout the professional conduct they have maintained throughout their careers.

He or she must have willingly given of himself or herself the knowledge that they have acquired over the years, in an effort to help their fellow professionals and further the success of the show horse industry and the training profession. Induction into the UPHA Hall of Fame means this person has earned the highest esteem of their peers.

 

Scott and Carol certainly tick all the boxes for inclusion in this elite group. They both work tirelessly at home developing champion horses and riders, run a successful lesson program that feeds well educated riders to the show world, and maintain a historic farm.

That’s just at home.

 

Scott and Carol are leaders in the industry. Honestly, Scott has served on just about every committee the industry offers at both the regional and national level.  Breeding, horse shows, equitation, you name it, Scott’s imprint is there.

 

Carol has served the industry in countless ways as well. Equitation is her passion, and she is currently serving on the national equitation committee. She recently returned from a clinic where some of the lead instructors in the country mentored younger trainers. She shared experiences to let the younger instructors know that the current leaders are happy to lend a hand to those on the way up.

You may not see Carol in the limelight quite as much as showman Scott, but rest assured, she’s busy behind the scenes getting the work done by getting people to work together.

Both Scott and Carol value hard work. Knollwood Kids learn quickly that hard work is rewarded with success, and that there is no magic way to the top.

Because they value work ethic as the way to success, they’ve found ways for some riders to work their way into the show ring. These fortunate Knollwood Kids who have a passion for horses learn from some of the best mentors around.

All of Team Knollwood congratulates Scott and Carol on their induction into the UPHA Tom Moore Hall of Fame.

Thank you for sharing your passion with all of us.

 

We've welcomed a number of new riders to our lesson program recently, and we're thrilled to have a large number of riders joining our academy team this season.

With all this learning going on, we've been receiving many, many questions.

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked. Please reach out to your instructor with any questions.  The most common questions will be answered in a future blog.

 

 

When Can I Sign Up For Summer Riding School?

We’re really looking forward to Knollwood Summer 2024.

Our currently enrolled students can pick their sessions starting on February 1. We offer ‘classic’ summer riding school sessions for our newest enrolled riders, Knollwood Show Prep sessions for our students showing at the summer Knollwood show, and Pattern Camps for our riders showing away from home in the academy division.

We’ll open camps up to the public on March 1, so enrolled students, please make sure you select your week by February 25.

Camps will be billed on your March statement.

 

Why are Some Lesson Horses Difficult to Keep Trotting?

It’s by design.

Riders are taught from the beginning that horses are living, breathing creatures, and that we must provide information to them so they know what we need them to do.

Our beginner horses are geniuses at teaching a rider to follow through with their directions. A big part of riding is to follow through with your horse until he does what you’re asking, and changes what he’s doing.

Our patient, methodical beginner horses also keep new riders safe with their patience and wisdom.

 

 

What's With All the Bareback Pads?

Knollwood is known for producing riders with beautiful, functional leg positions. Much of that position comes from the strength that is developed through bareback riding.

Riding bareback teaches balance, as a rider stays in the middle of the bareback pad without stirrups. It also strengthens core and leg muscles as a rider works to stay back on the pad and posts the trot without moving forward.

It’s really a great workout. And it’s fun!

 

 

What’s the Difference Between the Horses that Live in the Slip Stalls, and the Ones Who Live in Box Stalls?

The horses who live in the slip stalls do our beginner lessons, and most of our advanced beginner lessons. They enjoy going outside at night, and get pretty restless inside if they have to stay in too long.

During the recent cold snap, we gave them extra hay to munch on while they stayed in for some long days.

If these horses didn’t go out for ‘recess’ at night, they’d have too much energy to teach beginners in the arena.

 

The horses that live in the box stalls are our horses for intermediate and advanced riders. Most of them travel to academy shows with us, and many of them have shoes on. Because they don’t teach beginners, they don’t need to blow off as much steam every day, as their experienced riders have learned to handle a little energy.                      

These horses don’t enjoy being outside at night. They don’t handle extreme weather well, and don’t tolerate flies in the summer either.

They go out for ‘recess’ during the day, and return to their stalls for dinner and sleep.

 

 

What are Those Carts in the Arena For?

Those are jog carts, and they’re used for training the show horses.

The horses in the show barn are worked every day except Mondays, and are trained in different ways throughout the week.

Using the jog carts is an important part of show horse training. The horse can will build endurance without weight on his back while jogging for miles on the soft arena footing. It also reinforces carriage and attention to the bridle and balance.

 

 

Who Won the Horse of the Year Election?

Oh, we know, but that’s classified information. Come to the banquet on February 24 to find out!

 

 

 

When Can I Be a Helper?

Helpers are often the first contact a new rider makes in the barn, so we’re very selective about who gets to become a helper.

First of all, you must be taking care of your own horse before and after your lessons.

Helpers must be kind to all riders, answer some questions from riders, run with beginners and help explain what the instructor is saying, must interact with the rider they’re helping, and must take great care of our lesson horses.

Being a helper is a BIG responsibility, and we invite the best Knollwood Kids to be mentors to the next group of riders.

 

 

When Are the 2024 Knollwood Shows?

Our spring show is on May 10-12, our summer show is on August 16-18, and our fall show is on October 18-20.

We’re planning the same format, with pattern classes inside on Friday night, walk trot canter, 11 and over walk trot, and premier walk trot classes on Saturday, and will finish up with leadline, maiden walk trot, and 10 and under walk and trot classes on Sunday.

 

 

Who’s the Leader of the School Horses in the Pasture?

Believe it or not, Hugo runs the herd. Maybe he’s slow in lessons because he’s saving up his energy for being the sheriff of the pasture at night.

 

Please keep asking questions, and we’ll answer them in future blogs.

 

What’s coming up?

 February 1

In-house enrollment for 2024 Summer Riding School begins for currently enrolled students. Preferred enrollment continues through February 25, and camps will become available to the public on March 1.

 

 

February 10

10:00 AM

In House Consignment Sale at Knollwood.

Please have donations to Knollwood by February 3.

All clothing should be marked with your name, cell number, approximate size, and price.

For shoppers, we’ll have experienced show moms to help you shop, and Jodi will be there with her fantastic ties and accessories to complete your look.

 

 

February 24

Our academy tailor will be at the barn in the morning until early afternoon. All of the time spots are full, so we’ll plan an additional day. Please talk to Ann is you’d like an appointment!

 

 

Also February 24

Knollwood Knockout Banquet

6:30

The Legend at Merrill Hills

Please join us for our annual celebration of all things Knollwood. All Knockouts will receive an invitation in the mail, and we hope to send them out next week.

Remember, help us celebrate our winners in style by following the venue’s dress code:

-No denim of any kind

-Men’s shirts must have collars and be tucked in

 

March 16

Academy Kick Off Night

6:00 PM

All academy parents and riders are invited to join us for a get together to learn how to create the perfect tie knot for your rider, and how to create a prefect show ring bun, and how to apply age appropriate make up for your rider.

 

 

April 13-14

IASPHA Spring Show

Beyond Stable Farm

Our first academy show of the year!

 

 

May 8-10

Knollwood Spring Show

Our first In-Barn show of the year!

 

 

 

See you at the barn!!