News
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Finishing in Style
Team Knollwood finished up the 2021 academy season last weekend, and we made some great memories. Here are some of our favorite stories from the UPHA Turkey Trotters Show.
Tess and the UPHA Shows Have a Thing
You may (or may not) remember that Tess was the star of the UPHA Academypalooza show last spring. She won all of her classes, and won many, many journals as prizes over the weekend.
Well, she returned to the fall show last weekend, and won all of her classes, including two championships. She and Baxter were unstoppable, and have plenty of journals in which to write their memoirs.
Congrats Tess!
Moving On Up!
Dilly is known for her sense of adventure. Our wild child finished up her 8 and under career by showing Sport, officially known as Callaway’s Never Wanted More. There’s nothing better than a strong experienced former show horse enjoying a show with a hard riding Knollwood Kid.
Heck, they even finished second in the all ages pattern class!
Operation Pants
So, it’s the end of the season, and riders have grown since April.
We had a small fashion emergency when the zipper on Cecilia’s show pants gave out. While a quick electrical tape and sewing kit repair in the warm-up ring did the trick for her next class, we had to find a better fix for the remainder of the performance.
Luckily, Knockout Co-President Emma was at the show to support our riders, and it was actually her mom Pam who used her sewing skills to temporarily fix the zipper. Emma offered to switch pants for the performance, and no one was the wiser.
Great thanks to Emma and her mom for making sure Cecilia finished the show season in style.
Oh, Cecilia and the pants won the pattern class!
Other Shout Outs?
Emilie and Eddie turned in great rides in the novice WTC division, and earned great ribbons in the big championship.
Our four green riders finished their season in a big way. Congrats to Leighton, Molly, Olivia, and Sophia on a fantastic first show season!
What’s Coming Up?
Thursday
Team Knollwood is grateful for every member of our Knollwood family. We will be enjoying a day off on Thanksgiving. We hope you enjoy a wonderful day of family, friends, and food.
Friday Thru December 31
Our annual sale starts! You can purchase any dollar amount of lessons to be put on your rider’s account, and get 10% off through December 31. Just use promo code holiday2022 at checkout. Your instructor is happy to help!
Sunday, November 28
Last chance for Knockout benefit holiday photo shoots with Hanna.
You can sign up here.
December
Show meetings for our academy stars.
Let’s get together and make a preliminary game plan for the number of shows you’d like to attend in 2022. We’ll talk early goals and clothing as well. Please talk to your instructor for more info.
December 1 - 31
School Horse of the Year Election
All Knockouts are invited to renew their membership for 2022 during the month of December.
Just pay your 2022 dues, and receive your ballot for school horse of the year. The winner will be announced at the banquet on February 19.
Through December 3
Knockouts Gift Donations
The Knockouts have adopted four families in need this holiday season. Please check out the sign-up sheets on the tackroom door and donate an item or two if you’re able. We hope to make the holidays a little brighter for some families in our area.
Please have donations to the barn by December 3, as Parents Night Out on the 4th will be a wrapping party!
Saturday, December 4
5-8 PM
Parents Night Out
We have a few spots left for Parents Night Out. Please sign up in the school barn to join an evening of food and fun with the Knockout officers.
Saturday, December 11
6:00 PM
Knockout Holiday Party
All Knockouts are invited to join in their holiday party and election of officers for 2022!
Please sign up in the school barn lounge so we know how much food to order.
Not yet a member? Everyone is welcome, just ask your instructor or the office admin to help you join!
December 24, 25, 31, and January 1
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
All lessons will be credited for these days.
January 7
Midwest Saddleseat Consignment
Hilton Garden Inn, Oconomowoc
Show season 2022 is coming, and Jen will be in town with her great selection of consignment show clothes. We’ll update with hours soon!
See you soon at the barn!
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Stories From The Royal
Team Knollwood returned Sunday from the UPHA National Championship American Royal Horse Show, and it was a heck of a show. Actually, the whole season was pretty spectacular.
The Royal featured some milestones for Team Knollwood, and lots of adventures. We had some riders age out of divisions, some riders were horse shopping, and most of all, they all turned in wonderful rides.
Our favorite stories?
Laney Ages Out.
Laney competed in as a junior exhibitor for the last time at the Royal.
She comes from a family of horsewomen, and started her show career in the Arabian divisions. Laney arrived at Knollwood about four years ago, and has been working tirelessly since.
Laney showed Robert, Rosewood’s Homecoming Dance, for her first season in the pleasure equitation. After a successful first season, Laney’s family purchased Aaron, officially known as Seven Oaks Heir Man. Laney and Aaron rose to the challenge and competed at the top of the division, and finished this season by finishing in the top 10 of the USEF National Medal Final.
Laney has also been fortunate to show Far Away Garfield, owned by the Kingsbury family, at several shows this fall. His owner, Bella, is concentrating on her college studies, and loaned Garfield to Laney while she’s busy with school.
Other highlights of this season include winning the Saddle and Bridle Senior Pleasure Equitation Medallion Final, winning the Senior Pleasure Equitation Championship at Midwest, being named the reserve champion of the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup National Final, finishing third in the ASHBA National Championship of Pleasure Equitation, and taking home the bronze medal in the Pleasure Equitation Olympics.
Laney finished her high school studies online to spend more time riding, and is on her way to Colorado State University in January. Horses are in Laney’s DNA, so we’ll be seeing her showing when time allows.
Finn Finishes her Equitation Career
Finn has been showing horses since 2008 when she made her leadline debut at Arizona Futurity in the academy leadline division. She’s been making trips to Knollwood from her home in Colorado since 2017.
Known for her cool, confident demeanor, Finn has been a fixture in the equitation division for the last 13 years. She’s been successful since she started showing her first horse, Callaway’s Sportscaster, and has continued throughout her career, culminating in her partnership with CH-EQ Brookhill’s Passion Punch.
In 2021, Finn won the Saddle Seat Equitation championship at Midwest, and was named the Reserve World Champion in 17 year old riders at Louisville, and earned the Reserve World’s Grand Champion Equitation Rider title as well.
In the previous 4 years, Finn has earned an unbelievable 9 top 10 awards in the ‘Big Three’ equitation finals.
In 2021, Finn rode to 8th in the Good Hands Final, 4th in the UPHA Senior Challenge Cup Final, and 3rd in the USEF Medal Final.
In her spare time at the show, Finn also showed Admiral Able, known to all as ‘Shane,’ to great ribbons in the Junior Exhibitor 5 gaited division.
Finn is currently studying at the University of Michigan, and we expect to see her showing horses for many years to come.
Richie ‘Graduates’ in Style
Richie finished his Junior Equitation career with a bang at the Royal.
Since the beginning of his show career, Kansas City has been friendly to Richie. He won his first national title there in 2017 when he and Miss Mheirry Mac were crowned Reserve National Champion in the UPHA Walk Trot Challenge Cup.
Richie has enjoyed an exciting 13 and under career with both Tink and now with CH-EQ Royal Tryst.
Last year at the Royal, Sophie and Richie won the UPHA Junior Challenge Cup National Final, so when he returned to KC this year, the dynamic duo rode up to the Senior Challenge Cup, as you can only win a final one time. Richie and Sophie made the initial cut in the final among much more experienced riders.
This time around, Richie had the opportunity to show another horse as well as Sophie so he could show in more classes. Jessie Richardson who owns Evermore Farm in Kentucky grew up a Knollwood Kid and is now a successful trainer, offered the use of equitation star Amanyara to allow Richie to compete in the Junior National Championship.
Richie showed the beautiful and talented mare in the qualifier for riders aged 13 and under, and won it unanimously, and then went on to unanimously win the national championship.
In addition to his equitation expertise, Richie has also show a road pony for Rick Wallen Stables, and has been showing Fergie, officially known as Impressive Asset, in the competitive show pleasure division.
Payton Becomes a Senior
Since starting her showing career at the Colorado Fall Charity Show’s academy division, Payton has been a horse girl. In fact, she rides like she may have been born on a horse.
Payton enjoyed great success in her first year in the senior equitation division as she and her boys Eli and Riddle certainly made their mark in 2021.
Payton won the 14-17 pleasure equitation qualifier at Lexington, and were named Reserve Champions of Senior Pleasure Eq, she and Eli were the Reserve World Champion 14 year old equitation team at Louisville, she was the Silver Medalist in the Pleasure Equitation Olympics, and finished third in the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup National Final. At St Louis, Payton finished third in the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion Final, and was the Reserve National Champion in the ASHBA Pleasure Equitation Final.
Payton made the initial cut in the Good Hands Final and the USEF Medal Final, and finished third in the Senior National Championship of Saddle Seat Equitation.
We can hardly wait to see what the future holds for P!
Other highlights?
Heather and Sammy finished a brilliant 4th in the USEF Medal Final, with a first place vote.
Margit showed both Charlie and Robert to good ribbons in some crazy good classes.
Tori and Frankie keep progressing, and made some wonderful rides in the deepest of competition.
Haley and Allen, officially known as Americana’s Standing Ovation, showed in the highly competitive amateur gaited division, and finished 4th in their qualifier and 6th in their championship!
Congratulations to everyone on a terrific show!
What’s coming next?
This weekend, the academy team is heading to their last show of the 2021 season when they travel to the UPHA Fall Academy Show. Join us Friday night and Saturday morning at Beyond Stable Farm!
Photo Shoots!
There’s still time to sign up for holiday photo shoots to benefit the Knockouts. Knollwood Kid Hanna will lend her expertise on Sunday, November 21 and 28. You can sign up here for the 21st or here for the 28th.
Knockouts Holiday Service Project
This year, the Knockouts are adopting four families for the holiday season. Officers are finalizing wish lists for each family, and will have them posted by Sunday. They’ve assembled teams for each family based on the day of week you ride.
Please consider helping our neighbors who are struggling this season with a donation. The Knockouts will then wrap the gifts at Parents’ Night Out on December 4.
Parents’ Night Out
Saturday, December 4
5:00
Join the Knockout officers for a night of fun at the barn.Games, dinner, and a gift wrapping party will complete the evening. It’s only $25 per member, and you can sign up in the school barn lounge.
Knockout’s Holiday Party
Saturday, December 11
6:00 PM
It’s back! All members and their families are invited to enjoy the scavenger hunt. Pizza, and the election of club officers for 2022.
Please sign up in the school barn lounge so we can be sure to have enough food for everyone!
Not yet a member? Your instructor would love to help you sign up.
Stirrups for Christmas?
Please talk to Ann by December 7 if you’d like her to order stirrups for the rider in your house.
Show Meetings
Instructors will be setting up meetings in December to review enrollments and to start planning show season 2022!
Holiday Closures
We’ll be closed December 24 and 25, as well as December 31 and January 1. All lessons will be credited to your account.
See you soon at the barn or at the in-gate!
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Tis The Season!
The holidays are getting closer and closer. With the supply chain being as it is, we thought we’d publish our gift list a little early this year. Here are the gifts that Knollwood Kids of all ages would love to receive!
Fun Gifts?
Saddlebred Glitter Sweatshirt
The perfect layering piece while you’re getting your horse ready for your lesson, this sweatshirt says it all about Saddlebreds. This unisex sized sweatshirt is available in a number of different colors, and you can order here.
Saddlebred Jar Candle
The American Saddlebred Museum sells pretty jar candles in a number of horsey scents. Our favorite? The scent of a tack room.
You can purchase here, and support the museum in their preservation of Saddlebred history, too.
Practical Gifts?
Warm Gloves
Even with heated barns and arenas, Wisconsin winters can be tough on hands. These warm gloves from Dover saddlery will take you to the barn to the arena in comfort. And, they won’t slip on the reins!
For our younger Knollwood Kids, these winter gloves from HorseLoverz.com will keep smaller hands warm.
Helmets
This is our favorite helmet for our academy riders, and it’s available from Smart Pak. It’s safety certified, and offers a great profile and venting. It’s ready for the show ring!
ASHBA Membership
You can purchase a membership for your favorite Knollwood Kid! Membership will enroll your academy rider in the association’s academy award program, and support the breed as well.
Saddle Rental
For the academy rider in your home, we recommend renting a saddle for the year. Our rental saddles all have adjustable stirrup bars for the perfect fit, and are available in a number of sizes and brands to fit all riders. Rental is a great idea to accommodate growing riders, too. The cost for the year is only $250.
Please talk to Ann or Nancy if you’re interested in rental for 2022.
Stirrups
We also recommend that academy riders purchase their own stirrup leather and irons. We use good quality calfskin leathers which will not stretch over time, and stirrup irons with width based on the rider’s size. Students can keep their stirrups at the barn, and just pop them on a rental saddle for their lessons.
Stirrups and leathers range from $150 - $200 plus shipping, and we’re happy to order them for you. Please talk to Ann if you’re interested in ordering this wonderful gift!
Knollwood Gift Certificates
The best gift of all is a gift certificate for your Knollwood account. Friends or families can purchase gift certificates for any amount which will be added to your account, and will be used to pay your enrollment fees.
Between November 26 and December 31, all gift certificates will be 10% off.
Reminders:
The UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show is going on in Kansas City, and Team Knollwood is in the thick of it. You can purchase the webcast at www.RichfieldVideo.com if you’d like to watch in real time. We’ll update results as they come in.
This Saturday, we’re hosting our academy meeting for parents. Come join us at 7:00 on the arena when we’ll discuss academy showing and all it has to offer.
Our academy team is heading to Beyond Stable Farm for our final show of the year on November 19 and 20. Twelve riders will be participating in the Turkey Trotters show, and we’d love an audience. Please come join us!
The Knockouts are adopting a family for Christmas, and will be posting a list of the wish list provided to us. Please help the Knockouts support a family in need if you are able. Club members will wrap the gifts at Parents’ Night Out and the officers will deliver them.
We’ll be closed on Thursday, November 25 so everyone can enjoy a Thanksgiving celebration with their families and friends. All accounts will be credited for the missed lesson.
School Horse of the Year voting starts on December 1. Just pay your 2022 Knockout dues, and receive a ballot. The winner will be announced at the banquet.
Parents’ Night Out is coming up on Saturday, December 4 from 5-8. Knollwood Kids will enjoy 3 hours of fun with the club officers and board members. The event includes dinner, games, and a gift wrapping session for the donations for our adopted holiday family.
After a year off, the Knockout Holiday Party is back on Saturday, December 11. All members and their families are welcome to join us at 6:00 for a meeting, party, and election of officers for 2022. The event is free to members, and we ask that you sign up in the school barn lounge so we know how many guests to be ready for.
The party also offers an optional gift exchange. If you’d like to participate, please bring a wrapped gift of $25 value to the party.
If you’re not yet a Knockout member, we’d love to have you. Your instructor can help you join the fun!
We’ll be closed on December 24 and 25 as well as December 31 and January 1. All lessons will be credited for the holidays.
See you soon at the barn, or at the in-gate!
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Kansas City, Here We Come
What a show season it’s been.
Team Knollwood has travelled all over the Midwest competing against the best horses and riders in the country. We’re off to the last show of the season when the horses leave for the UPHA/American Royal National Championship Horse Show.
Starting on Monday morning at 11:00 AM, Hale Arena will be home to competition for National Championships and two big equitation finals. The show features beautiful facilities, wonderful management and hospitality, and a vibrant city in which to spend any off time.
Team Knollwood will be represented across many divisions. Here’s a quick peek of the Knollwood Kids competing at the Royal!
5 Gaited
College Girl Finn and Shane (Admiral Able) will be racking through the Junior Exhibitor 5 gaited classes at the Royal. Just off wins at Mane Event, these two will be a team to watch.
Haley and Allen (Americanas Standing Ovation) are headed to the tough amateur 5 gaited division in KC. These two have formed a mutual admiration society, and are always a blast to watch.
Show Pleasure
Tori and Frankie have had quite a first season together. These two get along like they’ve known each other forever, and they’ve had many excellent adventures. Look for this beautifully graceful team in the 3 gaited show pleasure classes for riders aged 14-17.
Margit and Robert will join Tori in the show pleasure division for riders 14-17. Robert loves being a horse every day, and Margit helps him look mighty every day. Watch for heir smiling faces in Hale Arena.
The dynamic duo of Margit and Charlie have had a most successful season. They’ve been in the top ribbons from Milwaukee to Louisville, and they’re ready to take on all junior exhibitor 5 gaited show pleasure challengers in KC.
Richie and master teacher Fergie will take on all competitors in 13 and under Show Pleasure. Fergie has an opinion about just about everything, and Richie has all the answers.
Equitation Riders
5 Knollwood Kids are heading to the Royal to compete in the UPHA Challenge Cup National Finals, and in the USEF Medal Final. The final two jewels in the Triple Crown of Saddle Seat Equitation, these finals represent the highest achievement in the discipline.
Meet the Knollwood Kids:
13 year old Richie is finishing his junior equitation career at the Royal. He and his beautiful mare Sophie (officially known as CH-EQ Royal Tryst) have had quite an action packed year.
They’re the current World Champions of Equitation for riders 13 and under, and won the UPHA Junior Challenge Cup Final last year, so he cannot compete in that final again.
Richie is looking forward to competing in his age group and the junior national final, and in the biggie, the USEF Medal Final where he’ll compete against riders up to 17 years old.
In her first year of competition in the senior equitation division, Payton has finished at the top of competitions againt riders with years more experience than she has. In KC, Payton will compete with two different equitation horses.
Payton is qualified for all the finals, and will show her ‘heart horse’ Eli, officially known as ‘Undulata’s Crystal Illusionist,’ in the Challenge Cup final and in the Medal final.
Riddle, officially known as ‘Who’s on First’, is making the trip to Kansas City to compete with Payton in her age group and in the National Championship.
We can hardly wait for 14 year old P to show the older competitors that she’s wise beyond her years.
16 year old Heather is making the trip to KC with her legendary equitation horse Sammy, officially known as ‘Reedanns Why Not.’ Heather has won top ribbons at every show she’s been to, including a third place finish in the World’s Grand Championship and most recently a 3rd place finish in the Good Hands Final.
This charismatic team will be competing in both the Challenge Cup Final and the Medal Final. We can hardly wait to see them enter Hale Arena.
17 year old Laney will be finishing her successful junior exhibitor career at the Royal, and she’s fortunate to be competing on two horses.
Laney will be showing Garfield, officially known as ‘Far Away Garfield’ in the UPHA Final and in the Medal Final. Garfield is owned by the Kingsbury family who have loaned him to Laney for the finals while his usual partner, Bella, is concentrating on her college studies.
Laney’s horse Aaron is also making the trip to Kansas City to show in the age group qualifier and in the championship.
Laney has had a fantastic season in the with her 2 equitation rockstars. Laney won the Senior division of the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion, and was Reserve National Champion in the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup National Final. She is also the bronze medalist in the Pleasure Olympics, and finished third in the ASHA National Championship of pleasure equitation.
Finn is finishing her storied equitation career at the Royal. An equitation rockstar, Finn has been a competitor since her junior equitation days. Heck, she started showing leadline academy when she was only 6!
Currently studying at the University of Michigan, Finn is making the trip to compete with Leila, known to all as CH-EQ Brookhill’s Passion Punch. This firery mare and elegant Finn make a stunning combination in the ring.
Finn has had quite a year, including winning the Reserve World’s Grand Championship at Louisville, and she’s looking to cap a 9 year equitation career with an exciting show at the Royal.
We wish all the Knollwood Kids a fantastic show in Kansas City. We’ll be cheering from world headquarters, and watching the live feed here.
What’s Coming Up?
November 10
Woodwear Orders are Due!
They make great gifts for yourself or others.
November 13
Parents Meeting for Academy Season 2022
Please let us know if you’ll be joining us for an informational session about the 2022 academy season. This meeting is for parents only, and we’ll follow up with a kid friendly meeting in early spring which will include demos and kids on horses.
November 19 and 20
Turkey Trotters Academy Show
Beyond Stable Farm
Our academy team is off to Illinois for a final show of the season. Performances are Friday evening and Saturday morning. Please come cheer us on!
November 21 and 28
Holiday Photo Shoots with Hanna
Sign up here for the perfect photo shoot with beautiful holiday décor.
November 25
Thanksgiving
No Lessons
Accounts will be credited.
November 26 – Dec 3
Knockouts Holiday Family Adoption
The Knockouts will be ‘adopting’ a family for Christmas, and they’d love your help. We’ll post needs for the family in the school barn lounge, so you can sign up to donate items on the list.
Please help us make a family’s Christmas a little brighter.
Please have donations to the barn by December 3 so we can wrap the gifts and deliver them in plenty of time for the holidays.
December 1
School Horse of the Year Election Begins
Starting on December 1, you’ll receive a ballot for School Horse of the Year when you pay your 2022 club dues. The election winner will be announced at the banquet on February 19.
December 4
Parent’s Night Out
5-8 PM
All Knockout Kids are welcome to hang out with club officers and board members from 5-8 on Saturday, December 4. You’ll enjoy dinner, fun with friends, and a gift wrapping session for the presents donated for our adopted family for Christmas.
It’s only $25, and you sign up in the school barn.
December 11
6:00
Knockouts Holiday Party and Officer Election
All Knockouts are welcome to join the fun of a scavenger hunt, pizza dinner, and election of club officers for 2022.
Sign ups will be starting soon.
Not yet a member? Please talk to your instructor to join the fun.
December 24 and 25
December 31 and January 1
No Lessons
Accounts will be credited.
See you soon at the barn or at the ingate!
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We Love Academy Showing
You’ve probably heard us saying it many times, but we love academy showing.
We just returned from the IASPHA Fall show, and what a show it was. Most of the academy classes had to be split because entries were bigger than the arena could accomodate in one class.
We’ve participated in 10 shows this season, and are off to our final academy show of 2021 on November 19 at Beyond Stable Farm in Woodstock. We’re already looking forward to 2022 when we hope to travel to 12 academy outings.
Here are just a few reasons why we’re big believers in the academy show experience:
Goal Setting and Confidence
Our academy outings range from shows for the least experienced riders to those that showcase our most experienced stars who have been competing for years. Each of our riders has their own goal for each show.
Whether it’s getting correct diagonals or perfecting a difficult pattern, riders build confidence through working towards and reaching their goals. You just can’t beat the feeling of reaching a personal goal through hard work and teamwork with your horse.
Communication and Problem Solving
Our academy riders learn early that much of riding is communication with their horse. Showing in a new environment continues the development of the bond between a rider and horse. Riders may find their horse is distracted by a certain part of the arena, a noise, or even a garbage can. As each rider figures out these circumstances and helps their horse deal with the distraction, the team gets stronger.
Resilience
Things don’t always go as planned. They just don’t.
Horses get ill, horses go lame, a loud noise may distract your horse just when you’re starting a pattern, another rider may cut you off - the list goes on and on.
Academy showing teaches riders to accept that we don’t control everything, and to do the best for your horse in any situation.
Sportsmanship
We value sportsmanship above all, and don’t tolerate those who do not.
Because our sport is a subjective one, and we ask someone to judge a class, we won’t always agree with the results.
We will, however, accept them and move on.
Team Building
Team Knollwood is a tight group.
More experienced riders cheer for our newest members, and serve as show mentors for our maiden riders.
We cheer for each other, take care of the best lesson horses in the world together, and lend a hand whenever it's needed.
Weekends at horse shows build strong friendships which frequently last for a lifetime. Just ask some of our adult stars!
If you think your Knollwood rider might be interested in joining our academy show team for 2022, please join us for an informational meeting on Saturday, November 13 at 7:00 PM. This initial meeting is for parents only, and we’ll discuss the fine print of showing, including schedules, types of shows we attend, and the costs involved with the process.
Snacks will be provided, of course.
Please sign up in the school barn, or let your rider's instructor know that you’d like to attend. We want to have enough materials ready for everyone.
What’s coming up?
November 10
Woodwear Orders Due
Be sure to get your order in for the latest Knollwood styles!
They make great presents for the Knollwood Kid in your house!
November 21 and 28
Holiday Photo Shoots with Hanna
Sign up here if you’d like to support the Knockouts and get a great holiday photo of your family, your pet, or whatever you’d like to celebrate.
The Knockouts are also selling ornaments for the event!
December 1
Voting Starts for School Horse of the Year
Pay your 2022 Knockout dues and receive a ballot for school horse of the year for 2021. The winner will be announced at the banquet!
December 11
Knockouts Holiday Party and Election
Join us at 6:00 PM for our annual scavenger hunt followed by pizza, an optional gift exchange, and election of Knockout officers for 2022. You won’t want to miss this!
See you soon at the barn or at the in-gate!