Team Knollwood is back from a fantastic Oshkosh Charity Horse Show, and is ready to hit the road for the Lexington Junior League Horse Show.

Oshkosh had everything.

Beautiful sunny days, big storms rolling through, strong management that responds and fixes problems, and deep, deep competition in the show ring.

Our favorite stories of the show

 

Three Generations of the Schuh Family

New grandma Kim showed Jaydee in the single bit division, daughter (and new mom) Allison returned to the show ring after the birth of son Hayden. She showed Shane in the 5 gaited show pleasure division, and reported that it was great to be back in the show ring.

 

Kerry’s weekend

Kerry had a fantastic show with her horses. She put on a show with Jade in the amateur 5 gaited division, winning the grand championship on Saturday night.  She also teamed up with her 3 gaited show pleasure horse Henry to win the Wisconsin owned show pleasure class.

Tancy and Mickey had a great weekend, as did Jane and Fergie.

 Yay for the grownups!

 

The Dallen Family Getaway Weekend

Tori is back from her first year at UW-River Falls, and is making the most of show season.

She and her beautiful Country Pleasure horse Stella made the trip to Oshkosh, and won both their qualifier and championship.

Brother Richie came for fun, showing Doc his equitation partner in the three gaited jackpot, and 5 gaited Tyler in the 5 gaited jackpot. Both were terrific rides, and Richie and Tyler won the gaited class.

 

 

 

Academy Rocked

The academy classes were the biggest of the show, with some classes split due to the gigantic entry numbers.

Team Knollwood turned in strong rides, and learned plenty of lessons with the best lesson horses in the world.

 

Some highlights?

13-year-old Dilly riding so well that she and Nacho came out champs against much older riders

Maddie driving in from vacation to make the show, and winning the 10 and under championship. Her split had 15 wonderful riders in it.

Morgan teaming with Murphy to win a big horsemanship class.

Kylie using her lessons learned to finish reserve in the 11 and over WT championship.

Kali and Rags making professional use of the arena in their huge classes.

Cece helping Mariah learn the academy ropes and looking great doing it.

Charlotte learning all about Sport.

 

The best personal assistants around. Great thanks to Leighton, Margit, Natalie, and Sofia for taking such good care of our horses and riders.

We just love Oshkosh!

 

 

Off to Lexington!

Carol drove back and forth to Oshkosh all week to make sure the Lexington horses were well prepped for the big show that starts on Monday.

The best performance horses and equitation riders will meet in Rolex Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park for the 87^th Annual Lexington Junior League Horse Show.

Team Knollwood will be well represented with 12 horses and their talented riders.

The event is webcast for a fee, and we’ll publish that information shortly.

 

 

Meanwhile at the home office …

The Knockouts held their annual car wash and brat sale at the Hartland Piggly Wiggly. The hard working Knollwood Kids earned over $1000 to help defray banquet costs, and had a ton of fun doing it.

Great thanks to all the parents who helped with grilling, car washing, and managing the cash box at the brat shack. We couldn't do it without you.

 

Our sold out summer camps are rolling on.

Next week features a big pattern camp and a Tiny Tot camp from Monday to Wednesday.

The rest of July features classic Summer Riding School and a Knollwood Show Prep camp.

Great thanks to all of our dedicated helpers and counselors who are making it a great summer for our horse crazy campers.

 

July 4

We’re not holding lessons in observance of Independence Day.

Your instructor is scheduling a make up.

 

Lexington Junior League Horse Show

July 8-13

Rolex Arena, Kentucky Horse Park

 

 

 

Parents’ Night Out

July 13

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

All Knollwood Kids are invited to spend a couple of hours at the farm with the Knockout Officers and board members. For only $25, participants will enjoy dinner, a craft session decorating each rider’s ribbon bag for the Knollwood Summer show, and if the weather permits, we’ll finish the night with a water fight in the big outdoor ring.

You can sign up and pay in the lounge. Please pay with cash, as it’s a Knockout event.

Knollwood Fall Show Entries

August 1-15

Our fall show is coming up October 16-18, so we’re taking entries at the start of August. The grand finale features the Knollwood Challenge finals, and so much more.

Be sure to get your entry in!

 

 

Tiny Tot Mini-Camp

August 4

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Perfect for kids new to horses, our youngest riders will enjoy a couple of hours learning all about our favorite animals with the help of a personal assistant. Riders will enjoy a lesson in the shady indoor arena at 2:30 PM.

The cost is only $99, and can be purchased on our website, or by giving us a call.

 

 

 

 Knollwood Summer Show

August 16 - 18

We can  hardly wait!

Patterns start at 6:00 PM inside on Friday, Walk, Trot and Canter classes start at 10:00 AM on Saturday in the big outdoor, and Walk Trot Sunday starts at 9:00 AM in the little outdoor.

 

 

Knollwood Knockout Street Clean Up

September 14

1:00 PM

The Knockouts will gather to clean up Oakwood and Nagawicka Roads for fall, and then gather in the lounge for a club meeting.

 

 

Clothing Reminder:

After three months of enrollment, all riders are required to come to lessons in proper riding attire to ensure safety and progress.

Required clothing is:

Helmet

Gloves

Riding boots

Jods or riding leggings with tie downs

 

We have links on our website for some of our favorite products. As always, your instructor is willing to help you find the prefect choices for you!

 

 

 

 

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

 

We've been wonderfully busy this summer. 

Let's catch up on all the happenings so far.

Knollwood Olympics, 2024 Edition

Knollwood Kids of all ages gathered on a beautiful evening to celebrate another successful food drive for the Food Pantry of Waukesha County. We’ve been running this event since 2012, and really enjoy helping our neighbors in need.

We were proud to donate over 150 food kits and financial donations to the pantry at a time of the year when food stock runs low.

Did we have fun celebrating?

We sure did.

Thank you to everyone who donated, supported, and attended the event.

 

Midwest Charity Horse Show

What a show! The 79^th annual Midwest did not disappoint with the numbers or quality of the entries. Competition was fierce, and Knollwood was in the thick of it.

All of our riders were strong competitors, and here are a few of our biggest stories

 

Tancy and Mickey

Lifelong saddlebred exhibitor Tancy recently purchased The Mouse King for the show pleasure division.

Tancy and ‘Mickey’  won their first class together, and at Midwest no less!

It looks like a great team to watch!

 

Brooklyn and Gamora

Brooklyn and Gamora are a match made in heaven. Gamora is a big, strong willed mare, and Brooklyn was a horse in a former life.

These two made quite an impression at Midwest, winning the 13 and under Pleasure Equitation qualifier, and then went on to win the championship as well.

Teams don’t get much stronger than this one.

 

 

Leighton and Prince

Leighton and Pure Royalty showed in equitation for the first time at Madison Classic over Memorial Day.

These two entered the arena at Midwest ready to show off all their hard work. Leighton and Prince used the arenas like pros, and shone throughout the class.

Leighton the rookie won the class unanimously with Prince loving every minute. Then they rode into their second class and won that one unanimously as well.

Prince and Leighton are on a mission, and it’s going to be a treat to watch them.

 

 

Richie and Payton

Richie and Payton were superstars in the tough Midwest equitation division this week. Their experience and hard work showed in the beautiful arena.

Payton even showed an inexperienced horse in some of her classes, and made it look easy.

Richie won the Medal qualifier, and finished second in his age group and in his championship.

Payton was second in the Medal qualifier and third in her age group and championship.

What a duo they are.

 

 

 

 

Richie and Tyler

Richie is a true student of the sport.

He watches, listens, cleans stalls, and rides anything he can.

All of his studies and hard work paid off at Midwest this week.

Richie and Showdown were a vision in the Junior Exhibitor 5 Gaited Division, winning the qualifier unanimously in a field of grand horses, and finished reserve grand champion.

They were a sight.

 

 

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

Knockouts Car Wash

Join us this Sunday at the Hartland Piggly Wiggly for the Knockout Car Wash.

The event runs from 10 AM to 2 PM, and the club will also be selling brats and other goodies at the brat shack.

All proceeds will go to the banquet fund, to help keep tickets as reasonable as we can.

 

Oshkosh Charity Horse Show

June 26-29

Join us at this perfect summer show. Held at the Sunnyview Expo center, it features wonderful hospitality and plenty of beautiful horses and skilled riders.

Team Knollwood will be there with show horses and 14 academy riders showing at noon on Saturday.

 

July 4^th

We’re not holding lessons on Thursday, July 4.

Your instructor will schedule a make-up lesson.

 

Lexington Junior League Horse Show

July 8-13

The best of the best meet at Lexington each summer, so Team Knollwood will be there.

It’s held at the beautiful arena at the Kentucky Horse Park, and is quite a spectacle.

 

Parents Night Out

July 13

6-8 PM

Knollwood Kids are invited to the farm for a fun night with the Knockout officers.

They’ll decorate ribbon bags for the Knollwood summer show, enjoy dinner, and hold a water fight in the big outdoor arena if the weather permits.

The event is only $25, and must be paid at time of sign up.

 

 

IASPHA Summer Show

July 26-28

Beyond Stable Farm

We can’t wait for one of our favorite shows of the year!

Knollwood will be there with show horses and many, many academy riders.

Come join us in the beautiful, shady, covered outdoor arena!

 

Knollwood Summer Show

August 16-18

Thanks to everyone for getting entries in so promptly.

It’s going to be a big show again, and we’ve given the weekend a beach party theme.

 

 

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

Photo by Andrea Sitzman photography

 

Every so often, a horse show day really stands out.

Not because everything was perfect, or even that everything went as planned.

Things never go as planned.

 

This was a glorious day because of our the sportsmanship and teamwork shown by our academy team.

 

At Prairie State last weekend, we were set for four riders to ride in their very first horse show. They’s worked at home for months to get ready. They worked on using the ring, on their pattern for the pattern class, and bonded with their horse for the show.

When we got to the show, Leon came out of his stall lame, and clearly wasn’t going to show. Being our unicorn, he was scheduled to show Olivia the ropes of the academy division.

Plan ‘B’ was started …

We asked Madison, another new show rider if she’d move up and show  Sport, who she’d ridden at home a few times. She immediately said ‘yes’ to the challenge.

Olivia visiting Leon

Part 2 of plan ‘B’ was to ask Olivia if she’d like up accept the challenge of showing perfect Baxter, who she’d never ridden before. Her first words were, ‘ I feel so bad for Leon.’

Challenge accepted, and she rode Baxter before the show for 10 minutes, and practiced the pattern.

Meanwhile, all of our more experienced walk and trot academy riders were encouraging these riders, and show techs Adrienne, Jilly, and Thea assisted with updated tack schedules and confidence building.

All the riders cheered, hugged, and egged each other on.

Our rookies on horses new to them? They rocked.

 

Photo by Andrea Sitzman Photography

 

Olivia and Baxter rode like pros, using the ring in ways well beyond their experience. They even placed 4th in a highly competitive pattern class.

 

Photo by Andrea Sitzman Photography

 

Madison and Sport looked like they’d prepped for this day, and were even reserve the Novice Rider Championship.

We couldn’t be more proud of how all of our walk trot riders came together, and supported each other in their first of many days when things don’t work as originally planned.

 

Photo by Andrea Sitzman Photography

 

What’s Coming Up?

 

 

 Knollwood Show Entries

Entries for the Knollwood Summer Show continue through June 15.

 

Knollwood Olympics

This Saturday!

4:45 Pizza Party

6:00 Opening Ceremonies

We’re still accepting donations by check made out to The Food Pantry of Waukesha County.

 

Midwest Charity Horse Show

June 11-16

The show horses are off to Springfield for the first huge show of 2024.

We’ll update with webcast info and schedules soon!

 

 

Knollwood Knockout Car Wash

June 23

Hartland Piggly Wiggly

It’s the most entertaining fundraiser of the year!

All Knockouts are asked to take a shift at this fun event. Proceeds go to the Knockouts to defray members’ cost of the awards banquet.

Not signed up yet? You can join the fun here.

 

Mid America Signature Show

 

Walk Trot Day

August 4

Unfortunately, we won’t be attending the ASAW Summerfun show this year, and we’re heading to Woodstock for the Signature show as a replacement. We have some openings in the walk and trot division. Please talk to Ann if you’d like to join the fun in the big outdoor ring at Beyond Stable Farm!

 

Knollwood Summer Show

Photo by Hanna Agathen Photography

 

August 16-18

This summer’s show features neon pink show shirts,and a beach theme.

Get your beach gear ready!

 

 

 

Photo by Andrea Sitzman photography

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

 

The 14^th annual Knollwood Olympics are coming up this Saturday at 6:00!

New this year is a pre-games meal at 5:00 for the competitors and supporters!

Food and donations have been gathered, and we’re pleased to announce that we have 25 Olympians competing this weekend!

The teams are below:

 

Photo by Andrea Sitzman Photography

 

Blue

Captain – Kylie

Addie

Isla

Niamh

Maddy S

 

 

Orange

Captain – Kali

Leighton

Hadley

Zoe

Olivia

 

 

Photo by Andrea Sitzman Photography

 

Red

Captain- Sophie

Kelsey

Marin

Joan

Eleni

 

 

Green

Captain – Jilly

Maddie R

Hailey

Molly

Rebecca

 

 

Purple

Captain – Charlotte

Eleanor

Eliana

Teagan

Zaya

 

Here are some insider tips to fully enjoy the event:

Pizza and snacks will be served at 5:00 so all the competitors are fueled for the competition.

Parents and friends are encouraged to attend to cheer. (and laugh)  We’ll be in the big outdoor ring, and the weather looks perfect. Please feel free to bring chairs.

The team with the most donations over their goal is the winner. Goal is number of team members times five.

 

The Events:

 

 Blind Buggy Race

3 team members are competing

2 members are blindfolded and the third can see.

Sighted team member must tell the blindfolded members where to pull the cart as they navigate though an obstacle course.

Timed event.

 

Helmet Toss

1 Team member competes

Competitor will throw a helmet as far as they can.

Farthest toss wins.

Audience, please be on the lookout for shanked tosses!

 

 

Blanket Race

3 team members compete

1 member will be in the front of the sheet, and the other two are under the sheet and cannot see.

Teams will ‘race’ the length of the big outdoor, trying to stay in the sheet.

Timed event.

 

Dance

Teams choose the number of competitors.

Teams choose a song and create a dance, and must use buckets as props.

Knollwood Kid for life Shelby will judge the competitors, based on originality, use of buckets, and all around silliness.

Her bribe of choice is cold, hard, fake money.

 

 

 

Relay

All teammates will compete.

Our course designers are hard at work designing a relay worthy of the Olympics.

It will surely include wheelbarrows, running, and who knows what else.

Timed event.

 

We’re looking forward to an entertaining evening in support of the Food Pantry of Waukesha County.

Great thanks to everyone who donated food kits and money to the pantry at a time of year when they need it most.

 

If you'd like to join a team, check donations are still welcome until Friday.  Heck, they’re welcome even if you don’t want to join the fun! Every little bit helps.

 

See you at the pizza party!

 

 

Dance Judge Shelby, and May Knollwood Show judge Ainsley in their Olympic days.

 

Team Knollwood is home after a memorable weekend at the Madison Classic Horse Show. The show welcomed talented horses and riders from all over the country, offered terrific hospitality, and even hosted a fundraiser for the young trainers association which featured a dunk tank. And yes, Scott was dunked. Repeatedly.

With 31 horses at the show, we have some great stories to share!

 

Knollwood Kid Leighton and adorable Prince made their debut in 10 and under walk and trot equitation. Leighton rode like a seasoned pro, and Prince, officially known as Pure Royalty, loved every minute of the walk and trot division. The new team won both their classes, and are headed next to Midwest.

New academy team graduate Adrienne made  her show horse debut with Frito at the show. Officially known as Go Fund Me, Frito showed Adrienne the ways of a show horse, and they both had a blast in their debut.

 

 

The newest addition to Team Knollwood, Alivia, continued her success with hew beautiful 3 gaited horse Harley.  Registered as  Newlines Captain Marvel, Harley and Alivia lit up the ring and finished reserve in both of their classes.

 

Natalie and Garfield showed together for the first time, and had great rides in their Challenge Cup qualifier and finished a great third in a stacked Pleasure Equitation championship. The future is bright for this charismatic team.

 

Mia showed a 5 gaited horse for the first time, and she got to show with Margit, which hasn't happened since their academy days.

Mia showed Shane while Margit showed the always enthusiastic Charlie in the junior exhibitor gaited pleasure division, and the 2 Knollwood Kids put on quite a show.

 

Maiya and Riddle picked up right where they left off last fall, winning the pleasure equitation championship with Shaye in reserve.

 

Payton and Richie were fighting it out in the trimmed equitation division. The championship was won by Payton with Richie a close second, It’s going to be quite a season watching these two battle.

 

It takes a village to pull off a big show like this one, and we’re grateful to everyone who helped with horses, refreshments, hair, and the million of other things that made the show run smoothly.

 

What’s coming up?

 

Food kits, and monetary donations are due May 31 to join an Olympic team. Remember, cash equivalent for a food kit is $15 per kit, and checks should be made out to The Food Pantry of Waukesha County.

 

 

 

Prairie State Classic Horse Show

June 1-3

Beyond Stable Farm

Woodstock, IL

The academy team is off the Beyond Stable for another sold out show.

We’re thrilled to be bringing 4 first time riders to the show. Please come down and cheer on Allison, Ava, Madison, and Olivia as well as the other Knollwood stars!

 

 

Knollwood Entry Time

June 1-15

It’s time to sign up for the Summer Show being held August 16-18.

Entry blanks and shirt size samples will be available in the school barn lounge.

It’s going to be a fun show with a beach party theme. You won’t want to miss it!

 

Knollwood Olympics

June 8

6:00 PM

Big Outdoor Ring (Hopefully)

Olympians will gather in the big outdoor arena for ‘games of skill.’ If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll move to the indoor arena.

Thank you in advance for your generosity to our neighbors in need.

 

 

Midwest Charity Horse Show

June 11-16

Illinois State Fairgrounds

Springfield, IL

The show horses are headed to the  prettiest horse show arena in the country to compete against some of the best horses and riders in the country.

We’ll post schedules and webcast info when they’re available.

 

 

Camp Season Starts!

June 10

The kids take over the farm from June through August.

We have a couple of openings left, but we’re almost totally sold out.

If you haven’t yet signed up, or have a friend who’s interested, ask your instructor or admin.

 

 

Knockout Car Wash and Brat Bash

June 23

Hartland Piggly Wiggly

It’s one of the Knockout’s biggest fundraisers, and proceeds will help defray the cost of the banquet. We’re asking all Knockouts to take a shift to help support the club.

You can sign up here.

 

 

Oshkosh Charity Horse Show

June 26-29

Sunnyview Expo, Oshkosh

Is it a horse show, or a trip to the park?

It’s a horse show in a beautiful setting, and Knollwood will be there with show horses and academy riders. Drive up and enjoy a day or two at the show!

 

 

 

Mini Camp For Riders 7 And Up

June 30

Noon – 3:00

Have a friend who’s interested in horses? They can enjoy 3 hours in the barn learning all about horses and riding. Molly and her helpers will teach safety, grooming, and tacking before a riding lesson at 2:30. This intro camp is only $99, and can be purchased online or in person.

 

 

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