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!

Team Knollwood is set up at Madison’s New Holland Pavillion prepping to start the Madison Classic Horse show tomorrow at 10:00 AM.

There are 31 Knollwood horses on the grounds, and it’s going to be quite a show. Horses from as far away as Kentucky and Ohio have made the trip to enjoy this spectacular horse show.

The facility is new and airy, the competition is fierce, and the vibe is super friendly. Plus, the show is using a three judge panel, which all exhibitors love.

We’ll post schedules shortly, and it’s definitely worth a trip to Madison to see the show.

Some highlights to watch?

Knollwood Kid for life Kerry will make her debut with her new 5 gaited partner, Jade who's leased from the Cooper family!

Knollwood Kid Mia will be showing a gaited horse for the first time!

Knollwood Kid Adrienne will show in a suit for the first time when she shows Frito, her lease horse!

Knollwood Kid Natalie will make her debut on Garfield in the hot 14-17 Pleasure equitation division!

Knollwood Kid Tess will ride her first classes on Eli in Country Pleasure.

Knollwood Kid Leighton will make her equitation debut with Prince in the 10 and Under division.

Newest Knollwood Kid Alivia will show beautiful Harley in Junior Exhibitor 3 Gaited.

 

 

Did someone say academy?

Knollwood will have 7 academy riders at the show, and 5 of them are showing in the 14-17 equitation division.

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

We’re closing on Monday, May 27 to commemorate Memorial Day.

Your instructor has scheduled a make up.

 

 

Food Kits are due May 31.

Be sure to have your food kits or cash equivalent donation ($15 for each kit) in by the 31^st.  You really don’t want to miss the Olympics!

Tank orders are also due May 31.

 

 

May 31-June 2

Prairie State Classic Horse Show

Beyond Stable Farm

Our academy team is off to Woodstock for a big show.  Classes look big, and we’re looking forward to showing in the spacious covered outdoor arena!

 

 

June 1 - 15

Knollwood Summer entry time!

Join us for the summer show coming up on August 16-18.

We’re having a beach party themed show, and riders will be wearing HOT pink.

 

 

June 8

6:00 PM

Knollwood Olympics

All Olympians will gather in the big outdoor ring to compete in silly games of skill.

Should the weather not cooperate, we’ll move the games to the indoor arena.

 

 

 

83rd Annual Midwest Charity Horse Show

Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL

The show barn is off to an important early show where the best meets the best.

Held in arguably the most beautiful horse show arena in the country, the show hosts horses from all over. It showcases the best equiatation riders and beautiful show horses.

 

 

June 23

11:00AM – 3:00PM

Knollwood Knockout Car Wash

Hartland Piggly Wiggly

It the best fundraiser of the year! We ask all Knockout members to take a shift to wash cars and man the brat shack. This fundraiser helps us defray costs of the banquet, which we all enjoy.

 

 

Oshkosh Charity Horse Show

Sunnyview Expo Center

June 26-29

We love Oshkosh! The grounds are park-like, the arena is huge, and hospitality is the best.

We'll be there with show horses and academy riders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

If perfection is even possible, we experienced it last weekend at our spring in-barn show.

For three days, we celebrated our academy program and the all the wonderful people and horses who contribute to its success. Of, don’t worry, there were contributions from dogs and cats as well. It IS Knollwood, after all.

We’re grateful to so many for so much, and we’ll try to explain.

 

Volunteers

It takes many, many hands to put on a horse show for 90 plus riders who compete in a minimum of three classes each. Knollwood families pitch in to make this a grand weekend for our riders.

We had kids and parents working in concession, grilling delicious food, creating gift baskets, and putting up and tearing down the tents.

Lisa oversees the ‘Knockout Village’ of concession stand and other fundraising. Because the show fell on Mothers Day weekend, the Knockouts served lemonade and cupcakes to moms, grandmas, and honorary moms of all types.

Thanks to our generous sponsors of OKTA and TRIP-LICITY, THE Knockouts cleared over $1500 this weekend, which will help the club defray award banquet expenses.

If you’re interested in sponsorship, or know of someone who might be, we have 2 more shows coming up this season. We’d love to get the name of your company out there!

We are grateful for all the families who donated some of their Mothers Day weekend to make the show a memorable event for so many.

 

 Ainsley

Knollwood Kid for life Ainsley judged each and every class like it was the first of the show. She evaluated each class with great thought, and rewarded riders who improved class to class, which is fantastic. 

She also offered words of encouragement to riders, and explained some of the placings.

 

 

 

Show Staff

Wendy announced both Saturday and Sunday, offering explanations, and keeping everyone up to date on upcoming events. She didn’t break into song once!

Hanna took wonderful pictures of the show both Saturday and Sunday. Be sure to check out your proofs here.

Jane was our Sunday concierge and helped our 10 and under walk trot riders navigate the day.

 

 

 Personal Assistants

These Knollwood Kids are the best.

Our 15 Sunday assistants were each responsible for a horse for 10 and under walk trot day.  They’re knowledgeable, kind, efficient, and friendly. From prepping horses to making sure saddles and stirrups were correct to putting up their horse after the show, they were amazing.

Their contribution on Sunday freed up the instructors to watch their newest show stars in the ring and offer them advice before their championship classes.

They’re just amazing horse people.

 

 

 The Horses

 

We’ll say it again.

We have the best lesson horses in the world.

From our newest horse Mulligan who worked at the show with Brooklyn to Sparky who’s probably shown 14000 times, they were all on their best behavior as teachers.

Some highlights?

Earl thought the crowd was great, and wanted to visit with them.

Bee won her first equitation championship.

Poppy thought showing walk and trot in the big outdoor was the best.

Mulligan enjoyed everything about the weekend in both arenas.

 

 Knollwood’s Show Stars

We were thrilled to have over 90 riders participate in our spring show.

Entry level showing is a chance for riders to practice all the skills they acquire in their lessons in a different situation. These Knollwood Kids overcome their nerves each time they enter the ring, and every one of them should be congratulated for that.

So many lessons are learned at these shows.

Some horses, like Hugo are a lot easier to get going in a show situation while others, like Earl are actually distracted by the audience and move a little slower.

Riders learn that the show ring is unpredictable. Other riders can make interesting traffic decisions, diagonals can be more difficult to identify with the added stress,  and you can never predict when a certain yellow and white cat may enter the show ring.

 

Riders learn resilience. Everyone is learning, so there will be missed diagonals and leads, there will be forgotten pattern elements, and there will be disappointments. Riders quickly learn that mistakes are part of the process, and should be learned from. Move on, congratulate someone on a good ride, and move on.

 

What related things do they learn?

To congratulate everyone who was as brave as they were to show, and be judged.

To clap for everyone, even from the line up.

To appreciate, respect, and give credit to your horse.

That the most important thing is your ride. Did you meet your goals? Was your instructor happy with your ride?

It's not the ribbon, it's the ride.

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

 

The Food Drive is On!

We’re teaming with the Food Pantry of Waukesha County through May 31 to help them at a time of the year when stocks run low. It’s our 12^th annual drive, and we’d love all of Team Knollwood to help us help our neighbors in need.

Just bring in a minimum of 5 food kits, and  you’ll be eligible to compete in the Knollwood Olympics on June 8. Participants will be placed on teams by day of the week, and compete in ‘games of skill’ like blanket racing and helmet tossing.

 

 Summer Tee Shirts

We have some fun summer shirts in stock! Youth sizes are available in kiwi and purple for only $20. You can pick yours up from an admin or an instructor. We’re taking cash, credit card, or checks.

 

 

Madison Classic Horse Show

May 23-26

New Holland Pavillion, Madison WI

Most of the show horses, and some lesson horses will be at this big, big show. It will be worth a road trip to see all the grand show horses and accomplished academy stars.

 

 

Memorial Day

Monday, May 27

We’re not holding lessons in honor of Memorial Day. Your instructor will schedule a make up.

 

Prairie State Classic Horse Show

May 31 – June 2

Beyond Stable Farm, Woodstock, IL

Our academy horses and riders will compete against some great Saddlebred and Morgan lesson programs. We have 4 new riders making their academy debut at the show, too.

Please come down and cheer them on!

 

Knollwood Summer Show Entry Time

June 1-15

Yup, it’s time to enter our Summer show which is happening August 16-18.

Think the weather can be as perfect as last weekend?

 

 

Knockout Car Wash

June 23

Piggly Wiggly in Hartland

11AM – 3:00PM

It’s the most entertaining fundraiser of the year!

All Knockouts are asked to take a shift to wash cars and work the brat shack. We need parent volunteers as well to grill and man the cash boxes.

 

 

 

 

See you soon at the barn. 

 

 

 

Greetings from Pumpkin the Magnificent, Knollwood’s 2024 School Horse of the Year.

As the horse of the year, my responsibilities include educating Team Knollwood about the lesson horses and their activities.

Our spring recital is coming up this weekend. You may call it a horse show, but to those of us lucky enough to be lesson horses at Knollwood, it’s a chance to show off our brilliance.

It currently looks like the weather will be beautiful for humans. We sturdy lesson horses don’t really mind rain, but those mamby pamby box stall horses get crabby when they get wet. Keep your fingers crossed for sunshine and light.

Should the weather not cooperate, we’ll move the Saturday show inside and start at 1:00 PM, and move the Sunday show inside starting at 2:00 PM.

Our co-workers, the riding instructors, will make contact with everyone should the weather rain on our recital. We wouldn’t want pouty fancy horses, would we?

We could only imagine how Hooper would dress for the rain.

 I'm ready for anything!

 

On Saturday, spectators should bring chairs and set up either in the west pasture behind the path the horses have worn next to the arena, or in any shady spot they’d like. Please don’t set up in Scott and Carol’s yard, and please don’t hang on the rail. Some of you look scary that close up.

 

On Sunday, please bring chairs and set up on the north side of the small arena. The maple trees provide great shade. If you prefer sun, you can set up on the east side of the arena.

Please be sure to leave plenty of space for us to come in and out of the ring. The instructors are always looking out  for us, and will move you if you’re in the way of our stage entry.

 

Please visit the concession stand area which includes gift baskets and other fun things besides food. Is there anything better than food? Really?

Plus, you'll meet lots of my friends who have volunteered to make sure everyone is fed. Tell them Pumpkin sent you!

All the funds raised benefit the Knollwood Knockouts.

 

 

Ann wrote the next part:

We’re pleased to welcome Okta as our concession stand sponsor. They’re an international company that provides online security all around the world. They keep us all safe online.

 

 

 

TRIP-LICITY is our coffee bar sponsor for the show.  Come enjoy a coffee and learn more about Kelly’s company that provides fantastic experiences.

 

 

I’m back. The fine print is over.

 

Knollwood’s annual food drive starts on Saturday. We horses are fortunate that we always have the best food available to keep us healthy. We’ve been told that some of our human neighbors aren’t as fortunate as we are, so the humans are gathering food to help their friends in need.

Just collect  food kits and put them in the bins from the Food Pantry of Waukesha County. Be sure to put your name on the bags so you get credit for the donation.  If people don’t like to shop, they can give you a check as well, made out to the Food Pantry of Waukesha County. Each food kit is equivalent to $15.

My friends Eliana and Marin are super organized and already have their kits in. These two will be great competitors in the Olympics, so get your donations in to join them!

 

 

If you gather a minimum of five kits or donations of the same, you’ll be put on an Olympic Team to compete with friends on Saturday, June 8 at 6:00 PM. We school horses have the best seats on the farm to watch the games in the big outdoor arena.

If we had thumbs, we’d eat popcorn  and watch the blind buggy race and the blanket race too!

 

 

Let me introduce the supporting cast for the weekend. We horses are the stars, of course.

Ainsley Budzinski is judging all three days. While I’m pretty new here and didn’t teach her, she’s legendary to our long serving lesson horses.

A fantastic rider, she won countless championships in both equitation and performance classes, captained the gold medal winning Team USA World Cup team, and has a deep appreciation for horses and riders. I can’t wait to meet her.

 

 

Wendy will be announcing Saturday and Sunday. A rider as well as an accomplished vocalist, don’t be shocked if she bursts into song.

 

 

Jane will be our concierge (Ann spelled that one) on Sunday. A life long rider and lover of horses, Jane will help our walk and trot riders with back numbers, tie downs, and anything else that comes up at a horse show.  I love Jane.

 

 

All of us lesson horses have Monday off after the show. We’ll come in and get to nap or practice yoga while the instructors finalize plans for Knollwood Summer 2024.

All lessons will be credited on June bills.

 

We’re looking forward to our recital this weekend, and can’t wait to help our riders learn the ways of horse showing. We have a few tips for all of our riders and their friends here to see them.

The whole weekend is about learning. Even though we’re the best lesson horses in the world, showing horses is stressful for riders. They want to do their best, and are all trying really hard.

Showing horses can be unpredictable. That diagonal that seems so easy in lessons is sometimes harder to see under pressure, or a rider may be thinking so hard that they don’t hear that they’re supposed to come to a walk.

While everyone is learning, let’s all remember why we're here. It’s to see us, the school horses do our jobs fantastically.

 

 

Ann here

Actually, we’re here to enjoy the best lesson horses in the world as they help our riders learn the ins and outs of horse showing.

Let’s live by our Knollwood horse show mantras:

 

It’s not the ribbon, it’s the ride.

Love and appreciate your horse.

Clap for everyone.  

 

 

Pumpkin back.

I agree.

Let’s have a great show weekend!

 

 

See you in the show ring!