Well, well, well ...

Didn't Scott and Carol pick the perfect time to head to Florida?

Hope you’re all enjoying the Wisconsin heat wave when 15 degrees feels downright balmy!

We’re excited that spring is on the way, as evidenced by the start of shedding season. Be sure to ask the helper in your house about the joys of the season!

We have a lot coming up in the next couple of months, so let’s make sure everyone’s up to date.

As you can tell, Knollwood is a pretty busy place these days. Please be sure to arrive 15 minutes early for your lesson so the helpers can assist you in getting to the arena so your lesson can start on time. If you get your own horse ready, please be in the arena at least 5 minutes before the start of your lesson.

 

 

If you’re going to watch the Knockouts Virtual banquet from home, be sure to order your swag bag by this Saturday, February 20 at 1:00 PM.

 

 

And, if you’d like to help the Knockouts and watch the events in person, be sure to enter the seat auction going on in the school barn lounge.  For a minimum $50 donation to the youth group, you can join the Knockout officers in the arena and help with the festivities if you’d like!

Act soon, as we only have 20 seats to auction!

 

 

 

The Patchwork Pony Road Show is this Saturday from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM at the Comfort Suites Johnson Creek Conference Center. Sue, mom of our 2018 Triple Crown winner Haley will be there from 8:30 - 10:30 AM to help you shop, and she'd love to meet you!

 

 

If you’d like to know why we love academy showing so much, be sure to join us for the Academy Show demo night on Saturday, March 6. We’ll meet in the arena to watch demos by experienced Knollwood academy stars, and you can ask questions of riders and parents, as well as learn our 2021 schedule.

It’s a really kid friendly event, and not as fact dense as the first meeting.  Please bring the interested rider(s) in your house!

You can sign up in the school barn.

We’ll schedule individual meetings in March as well.

 

 

 

Our first academy show for 2021 is the IASPHA Spring Show on April 17 and 18 at Beyond Stable Farm in Woodstock, Illinois. One of our favorite shows, it features academy classes for all levels, including a ‘Green’ division for riders participating in their first calendar year of showing.

We can hardly wait for the season to begin!

 

 

 

Our first Knollwood show of 2021 is coming up outdoors on May 22-23. We’ll start taking entries on March 22, and entries will close on  April 19 to make sure our show shirts are ready in time.

 

 

 

Summer camps are selling fast, and we already have three sessions sold out.  Please make your purchases quickly to avoid disappointment.  Of course, please give us a call at 262-367-2391 with questions!

Knollwood Summer 2021 is coming fast, and we hope you’ll join us!

 

And don't forget to drop any and all questions in the tin. We have some great submissions so far, and would love to hear all your questions, and answer them in future blogs.

 

 

See you at the barn!

Valentines Day is coming up this weekend, so we thought we’d talk to the lesson horses about their views.  We asked them who their Valentines were, but being the lady and gentlemen that they are, most declined to name an individual person.  Rather, most of the best lesson horses in the world named groups of people, or inanimate objects.

Here, in mostly alphabetical order, are the lesson horses’ Valentines for 2021.

 

Big Frank, occupant of the first stall on the right, is in love with his stall location.  It allows him to see all the comings and goings of the barn, and allows him to become personally invested in said events.

Duke loves playing games. While he’s usually, well, slow beyond belief in lessons, he becomes a different horse as soon as games start. He has been known to score all of a team’s points in games of ‘Steal the Crop,’ which is more than amazing if you’ve ever seen him in a lesson.

Fred loves round bales, especially for napping when the sun is out.

 

Hugo loves his new role as a walk trot star. Our gentle giant loves his slow trots and small children best of all.

Jelly loves Laser Sheen, his favorite hair polish which keeps his long flowing locks free of dreaded tangles.

 

Leon couldn’t name a single thing that he loves the most. Our ‘dear, sweet Leon’ loves all his people, loves giving lessons, and loves being a Knollwood lesson horse.

 

Little Frank loves warm weather, when the frightening arena heater isn’t making all that noise. (All the other lesson horses wish that the pony would just get over it.’)

Mac loves his farrier Scott, who makes sure he always has ‘happy feet’ for his lessons.

 

Mark loves small children. In case you don’t know, Mark is less than brilliant. We wonder if he even knows he’s carrying a rider, or if he thinks he’s just getting his steps in.

 

Picasso is in love with early afternoon naps. What’s better than a nap after lunch?

 

Sparky loves staying in at night. It keeps his energy up in the arena, and gives him quality discussion time with senior greats Willy and Brinkley.

Sundance may be retired from lessons, but he loves spending time in the pasture with his crew. He still holds the title of ‘Master of the Pasture.’

Thomas loves the Knollwood lesson horse medical plan. As an employment benefit, he feels super comfy after spring joint injections. He’s looking forward to show season 2021!

Tony seconds Thomas’ choice. After a tendon injury this winter, Tony is enjoying stall rest in the stall that everyone must pass on their way into the barn. He’s happy to nicker at EVERYONE who passes, hoping for some quality time with his peeps, or a snack, or another spa treatment.

Vaughn is still a growing boy, and really loves naps. He also loves teaching some of our smaller, up and coming riders.

Willy loves winter recess in the arena with his retired friend Brinkley.

 

Brinkley loves spending his retirement with best friend Willy.

 

Baxter loves his corner office, and loves greeting everyone who gets a tour of Knollwood.

Cashew loves stall visitors, especially those who arrive to give him a spa treatment.

Dexter is in love with introducing fierce small riders to Saddlebreds. He gives them their first ride on a high headed horse that aims to please.

Eddie loves recess time outside with wise men Willy and Brinkley. He also loves pattern camps where he shows off his second to none pattern teaching skills.

Heist loves Laura.

 

Hooper loves his personal assistants who understand his fear of ‘over-the-head’ blankets.

 

Klem loves showing small new academy stars the ways of a savvy, highly intelligent Morgan who keeps them safe and challenged. A little.

Murphy loves Nancy because she always tells him that he’s beautiful.

Panic loves Holly. He also loves the Knollwood Kids who have developed a need for speed. The looks on their faces after hitting Panic’s second trotting gear is fantastic.

Alex responded by asking for a definition of Valentine.

Sadie loves being the only mare among the grand geldings of the Knollwood lesson horses.

Sport loves Carol and her advanced riders who are teaching him the ways of a Knollwood academy star.

Willis loves Richie for helping him win a Monarch National Championship.

 

 

 

 

Upcoming events

Used Academy Clothing Sale

Saturday, March 13

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Join us in the show barn lounge to shop our selection of used academy clothing!

 

 

Patchwork Pony Road Show

Saturday, March 20

8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Comfort Suites Johnson Creek Conference Center

Shop Patchwork Pony's expansive collection of academy clothing, and enjoy personal shopping help as well. Knollwood's own Sue Berget, mom of our 2018 Triple Crown winner, and clothing expert will be at the sale from 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM to help Knollwood Kids with selection and fit.

Please let Ann know if you'd like to meet Sue at the sale.

 

 

Knockout's 25th Award Banquet, Virtually!

Saturday, February 27

7:00 PM

Facebook Live

Tune in to Facebook Live to experience our unique 2021 awards banquet. 

We'll announce award winners, including counting down the Top 10 vote getters in the School Horse of the Year election.

We'll premiere the slide show, and enjoy Scott's annual 'State of the Farm' address as well.

 

Banquet News

The seat auction is going strong!

For a minimum of $50 donation to the Knockouts, you can win one of the 20 seats available to watch the banquet in person. Attendees will be eligible to help with the horse countdown, and with the reading of the award winners.

Place your bids in the school barn lounge until 6:00 PM on February 20.

 

Banquet swag bags!

For only $10, Kids can purchase a swag bag which includes a choice of drink, popcorn, a school horse of the year magnet, and a noisemaker.

For only $15, Knockout parents can purchase theirs which includes wine, cheese and chocolate, as well as the coveted magnet and noisemaker.

Orders are available in the school barn lounge, and are due at 1:00 PM on February 21.

 

 

 

Academy Meeting

Saturday, March 6

7:00 PM

Possibly interested in academy showing? Join us in the arena for an evening of demonstrations, information, and clarification. We'll  have parents of academy show riders as well as riders themselves to answer all your questions.

We'll schedule individual meetings after this event to work out individual plans for each rider.

 

 

IASPHA Spring Show

April 17-18

Beyond Stable Farm in Woodstock, Illinois

Join us at our first academy show of 2021, and one of our favorites as well. Walk trot and canter riders will show Saturday afternoon, while walk and trot stars, including riders making their show ring debuts will show on Sunday afternoon.

We can hardly wait!

 

Fill the Question Box!

What have you always wanted to know about horses or Knollwood? Put your question in the tin in the show barn lounge, and we'll answer it in an upcoming blog.

 

 

We hope you can join us for all the fun we have planned.

See you soon at the barn!

 

 

Never content to let winter slow us down, Team Knollwood has planned an action-packed February for everyone!

 

We’re hosting a used clothing sale on Saturday, February 13 for our academy riders. Join us in the show barn lounge from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM and shop our collection formerly worn by fellow Knollwood riders.

Riders with donations, don’t forget to get your items to the Knockout office by the end of the day on Saturday, February 6.

AND, we’re looking for some academy mom or dad volunteers to help our up and coming academy stars put outfits together.  Please consider being a personal shopper, and sign up in the school barn lounge.

 

Patchwork Pony is coming to Wisconsin the following Saturday, February 13 and will be setting up at the Comfort Suites Conference Center in Johnson Creek. The sale will run from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM, and our own Sue Berget will be there from 8:30 AM until 10:30 AM to help Knollwood Kids shop. Mom to Haley, our 2018 Triple Crown winner, Sue is an expert in fit and putting the perfect outfit together.

Please let Ann know if you’d like to meet Sue at the sale!      

Great thanks to Sue for helping our riders look great.

 

 

Our first, and hopefully last, ever virtual banquet is coming up fast at 7:00 PM on Saturday, February 27.

Awards are arriving, party bags are being created, and the Knockout officers are planning a big party to celebrate the club’s 25^th banquet.

New for 2021?

 

Party Bags!

We know everyone is missing being together, so kids can purchase a bag of goodies for only $10. Each bag will include a beverage of your choice, popcorn, a noisemaker, (sorry, parents!) and  jewels for the occasion.  Best of all, you’ll receive your magnet honoring our 2020 school horse of the year!

Parents can get party bags, too!  For only $15, you’ll get white or red wine, salami, crackers, chocolate, the coveted magnet, and a NOISEMAKER!

Orders are due by 1:00 PM on February 21.

All proceeds will benefit the Knockouts, and you can get your order form in the school barn lounge.

 

Seat Auction!

We decided that the arena would be a little too quiet for the virtual banquet, so the Knockouts are auctioning off 20 socially distanced seats.

For a minimum $50 donation per seat to the Knockouts, you’ll enjoy VIP seating, a party bag, the chance to read off some of the winners, and to help with the parade of the top 10 lesson horses of the year.

Perhaps most importantly, you’ll be expected to participate in events, with cheering winners, and, of course, heckling Scott during his ‘State of the Farm’ address.

Open to Knollwood Kids of all ages, let's make the 25^th banquet one to remember!

The auction starts Thursday, February 4, and runs through 6:00 PM on February 20.

All proceeds will benefit the Knollwood Knockouts.

 

 Other News!

Don’t forget to put your questions about all things Knollwood in the question tin! Ask us about the lesson horses, show horses, equipment, why we do things that seem crazy, anything you can think of. We’ll answer all your questions in upcoming blogs!

 

 

 

Riders looking forward to showing academy in 2021, don’t forget to join us at 7:00 PM on Saturday, March 6 for demonstrations. We’ll meet in the arena and review the official show schedule, and enjoy demos from some of our academy stars.  

It’s a fun evening for riders and parents to learn about why we love academy showing. We know you will too!

 

 

 

 

Summer camps are selling FAST!

Our first session of Tiny Tot camp is sold out, and the first week of Summer Riding School only has two spots left.

Knollwood Prep camp July 12-16 is more than half sold as well.

Be sure to sign up for the week of your choice soon!

 

 

 

See you soon at the barn!

We’re thrilled to announce that Richard and Tracy have purchased the charismatic pleasure mare ‘Nuttin But a Lady for daughter Tori to show this season. Previously owned and loved by the Cooper family, Frankie’s former person Finn is beyond happy that the beautiful black mare will be staying at Knollwood. Think of all the helpful hints Finn can pass along to Tori!

Tori has grown up a Knollwood kid. She loves all animals, and in fact, Hazel Belle Boxer Matton has play dates at her home.

Tori is a dream of a helper in the barn, showering horses with attention, and always being patient and kind to all the new riders she assists. She gives a great spa treatment to our retired horses as well!

Tori has shown in the academy world for several years, and after riding some higher powered horses with Carol, has decided to fly into the show horse world.  We can’t wait to see this exciting new combination hit the in-gate!

 

 

 

After leasing CH-EQ Royal Tryst for two seasons for son Richie, the Dallens have purchased the equitation queen for Richie to ride in this final season in the junior equitation division.

Formerly owned by the Becker family, and by the Budzinski family before that, queen Sophie and Richie are looking forward to an exciting final year in the 13 and under division.

Having won the UPHA Junior Challenge Cup final in 2020, this year will be hard to top, but we know that Richie, the young man who rides in tee shirts when it’s 10 degrees outside, will find a way.

 

We wish the Dallen family great success in 2021!

Team Knollwood is thrilled to have welcomed many new riders and families to the barn over the last few months. We're so glad you've joined us!

We know horses are new to many of you, so we thought we'd answer some of the most asked questions from our new friends here.

We'll be putting a question box in the lounge as well, so you can drop any queries for the humans, horses, cats or dogs of Knollwood. We promise to answer all of them in upcoming blog posts!

 

Why are some of the lesson horses so slow?

Slow moving horses build confidence for the newest rider. Our perfect beginner horses react slowly to cues and give the rider time to adjust to what is happening. These horses are worth their weight in gold and then some as they slowly, kindly, and patiently teach new riders.

Once a rider has learned the basics of starting, stopping, steering, and trotting on our unicorns, they’re ready to move on to the next level of horses, those who teach ‘follow through.’

 

Why are some of the horses so hard to keep going?

These marvelous lesson horses teach newish riders the importance of providing information to their horse. All.The.Time.

Horses are living, breathing creatures, unlike the keyboards many kids are accustomed to spending time with elsewhere. Because there’s no ‘enter button,’ the rider must keep the communication flowing to the horse so he knows what’s needed.

When the information halts, often, so does the horse.

These horses also teach the importance of following through on directions. A gentle suggestion may not always work, so riders have to in increase the strength of their direction. They learn the progression of direction, and respect for the horse in the process.

By learning how the horse’s mind and body work together, a rider also learns more about themselves.

 

Why are all the lesson horses geldings?

Consistency. Geldings are the same every day, and the drama level in our group of ‘grand geldings’ is amazingly low. If we introduce a mare to the group, all the fellows want to claim her as their girlfriend, and things can get a little too unpredictable for our liking.

 

Do the horses go outside in the winter?

Absolutely.

Imagine a class of 15 year old boys who have been locked up inside and are expected to behave like polite, rational beings. There you have it.

Horses are built to be outside, and need the free play time to stay mentally well. When the temps fall below zero, all of our horses will wear winter coats outside.

While our horses who live in the back of the barn go out every night, our box stall horses enjoy daytime recess.

 

Who are the ‘Red Box Stall Horses,’ and who gets to ride them?

Horses living in the red box stalls are very special. They’re our academy horses who travel to shows with us and compete in the academy division. They’re mostly registered American Saddlebreds, and we’re also fortunate to have 2 registered Morgan Horses.

These horses also love their jobs, and love going to shows. They’re all well versed in the show world, and are experts at teaching our advancing riders patterns.  Some of these boys also participate in our summer invitational camps offered for our academy show riders.

These horses are more responsive than our beginner horses, and are faster and stronger. Our academy horses let our riders continue their education on a broad assortment of characters. From our entry level show horses like Dexter to our horses who also show on the ‘B’ circuit like Panic, these horses can take a rider wherever they’d like to go, all the way to the show horse world.

Because these horses are not for riders starting out, they’re reserved for riders showing at the academy level, or for those preparing to do so in the upcoming season.

If you think you might be interested in pursuing academy showing, please talk to your instructor!

 

What’s the benefit to riding bareback?

Strength. Riding bareback helps a rider gain core and leg strength while developing a great feel for what’s going on underneath them. When riding bareback becomes too easy, riders graduate to riding in a saddle without their stirrups.

 

Why does my rider have to ride a horse he or she doesn’t like?

We’re fortunate to have around 25 lesson horses, from the most patient beginner teacher to the show barn lesson horses who test a rider’s skills.

We refer to our collection of horses as ‘the library.’ Each horse has a unique lesson to teach, and skills to master.

When a rider has a lesson to learn, they frequently get frustrated and think that they don’t like the horse that is being used to teach the skill. If a rider only rode the horses they found easy, they wouldn’t progress in their skills.

Usually, after the new skill is mastered, that horse that a rider ‘didn’t like’ becomes a favorite for being such a patient teacher.

 

When do riders learn to canter?

 

Because we want cantering to be a pleasure and not a scary experience, we wait until a rider is comfortable with a series of trotting skills. Mastering the sitting trot, dropping stirrups and picking them up while trotting, trotting without stirrups, and bareback work prepare our riders for a safe, fun experience.

There’s no timeline to when these goals are achieved, as everyone is on their own schedule. Riding as often as you can does, however, speed up the learning.

We have a special group of horses that excel at teaching riders of all ages and sizes how to canter. We are fortunate to have Hooper, Leon, and Picasso in our faculty list.

 

What breeds are the lesson horses?

Let’s face it, the back of the school barn looks like the United Nations of horses.

We have Quarter Horses, Saddlebreds, Morgans, a Pony of unknown origin, a Hafflinger, and the one thing they all have in common is great brains.

We purchase lesson horses for their minds, and we don’t mean their intelligence. We have some pretty simple lesson horses who have beautiful minds.

These horses are kind, forgiving, adaptable to different riders, and patient all day long.

They may not all be beautiful on the outside, but they are on the inside.

 

What do the retired lesson horses do?

Horses who have worked in our lesson program have a wonderful retirement plan.  Currently, Brinkley and Sundance are enjoying their retirement benefits. They stay at Knollwood to live out their days with their friends.

While they no longer give lessons, the retirees hang with their friends enjoying the cuisine and care they’ve grown used to, enjoy daily turnouts, lots of attention from Knollwood Kids, and are used at camps for classroom activities.

Who are 'The Helpers?'

Helpers are Knollwood Kids who have shown responsibility and a good work ethic. Riders who exhibit these traits and who have advanced in their riding skills are invited to be a helper on a trial basis.

Helpers come for a day each week and help prep horses for lessons, take care of them after lessons for the younger kids, perform barn chores, give spa treatments to the retired horses, and act as personal assistants to beginner riders. Helpers must be friendly, kind, patient, and responsible.

If you’re a new rider looking forward to being a helper some day, taking good care of your horse is a great way to start. Summer riding school will teach a lot about horse care, and helping the helpers when you’re at the barn is another great way to learn.

Knollwood Helpers are the best of the Knollwood Kids, and being a member of the group is an achievement in itself.

 

What’s coming up?

 

Saturday, February 6

Deadline for delivery of sale items for our used academy clothing sale the following weekend.

 

 

Saturday, February 13

11 AM – 2 PM

Team Knollwood used academy clothing sale

 

 

Saturday, February 20

Patchwork Pony Road Show

Comfort Suites Johnson Creek Conference Center

8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Knollwood’s stylist and mom of 2018 Triple Crown Winner Haley will be there from 8:30 to 10:30 to help with your selections. Please let Ann know if you’d like her to meet you there!

 

 

Saturday, February 27

Knollwood’s Virtual Award Banquet

Live from the arena

7:00 PM

Join us as we celebrate our 2020 adventures, and recognize high point award winners.

We have some brilliant ideas to make the virtual experience one to remember, including party boxes to make you feel like you're there.  Check out details in the school barn lounge.

Stay tuned, we're still coming up with creative ideas to make the evening feel like everyone is together. Got an idea? Talk to a Knockout officer or board member!

 

 

 

Saturday, March  6

Academy Kick Off Meeting

7:00 PM in the arena

We’ll go over the finalized academy schedule for 2021, and offer info about the process.

Join us to see demos from some accomplished academy riders, and to ask questions of the riders and their parents.

And, you can set up your personalized meeting with your instructor, too!

 

 

See you at the barn!!