My name is Big Frank, and it’s my turn to speak.

From what I can tell, Knollwood is a Saddlebred barn. Even I know that much.

And yet, none of the school horses of the year have been Saddlebreds. Better not let the Saddlebred Association hear about that!

 

I’m speaking up for my fellow members of the ASHBA!

Yes, believe it or not, I’m registered as ‘It’s My Kinda Town, and my membership # is 117994G.

 

My picks for horse of the year are:

 

Hula Hooper

Membership # 112238G

Hooper is THE pattern master and  wonderful cantering teacher to the up and coming Knollwood Kids. He pretty much wrote the UPHA Pattern book, and is proud of it. I’ve heard a rumor that he makes the box stall horses practice patterns during their outdoor recess periods.

He IS a little quirky, though. He refuses to wear clothes that go on over his head.

 

 

 

Captain Kaos

Membership # 111766G

Cashew is just grand, like a fancy peanut. He LOVES going to shows, and he loves teaching riders about rhythm at the canter.

He also enjoys his hay wet, and will do almost anything for a mint.

 

 

Duke’s Winged Medallion

Membership # 104637G

What is there to recommend Duke?

He’s fluffy, he’s never in a hurry, and he sweats. A lot.

His slow, lofty trot encourages the smallest Knollwood Kid to learn posting quickly.

He’s very photogenic.

He loves small children. They don’t weigh much!

 

 

Fort Chiswell’s Aristocrat

Membership # 119103G

Thomas is relatively new to Knollwood, and has become a fast favorite.

He’s big and handsome, and has lots of energy, kind of like myself. He does, however, remember how many lessons he’s done in a day.

Thomas loves going to shows with the ‘A’ riders for his vacations when he gives a few lessons and gets to enjoy a big show horse box stall for a week.

To this day, Thomas has no idea which stall is his, or even which way to turn when he comes in from the pasture. He never sweats the small stuff. And it’s all small stuff.

 

 

A Champagne Toast

Membership # 108324G

You’re probably tired of hearing it, but Baxter is the best.

He’s the only academy horse who went to every single show in 2021.

He makes riders look wonderful, and enjoys every minute in the ring.

Heck, he’s so good that even I can recognize his greatness. And I’m not the brightest bulb.

Don't forget to pay your 2022 Knockout dues, and to cast your ballot!

 

 

A Wonderful Weekend

  

Last week, Team Knollwood members traveled to New Orleans for the first ever United States Saddle Seat Association’s International Experience Clinic.

Held at beautiful Cascade Stables, the event included more than 160 people. Riders were selected through a lottery, so there were all different levels of participants.  In addition to the riders, all the trainers donated their time and paid their expenses for the event which also included parent mentors and rider mentors who served as assistant coaches.

Knollwood Kids participating in the clinic were Finn, Heather, Laney, Payton and Richie while Ainsley and Haley served as mentors. Sue and Tina were parent mentors, and of course Scott and Carol were coaches.

Everyone enjoyed the warm New Orleans weather and hospitality while learning a lot. The experience included clinics, forums, and a day of team competition simulating the World Cup experience.

Great thanks to everyone who worked so hard to put this magnificent event together.

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

As Big Frank reminded everyone, don’t forget to pay your 2022 Knockout dues and vote for School Horse of the Year!

 

 

 

The.Best.Gift.Ever.

Gift certificates can be purchased at 10% off through December 31 when you use promo code Holiday2022. All gift certificates will be applied to enrolled students’ accounts.

Of course, anytime you’d like to purchase 6 months or more of enrollment, you’ll receive 10% off your purchase.

 

 

 

Saddle Rentals

If you’re renting a saddle, please remember to pay your $250 rental fee by December 31. 

 

 

The Holidays are Here

We’re taking a few days off, and won’t be holding lessons on December 24, 25, 31, or January 1.

All holiday lessons will be credited.

 

 

 

 

 

See you soon at the barn!

Hello Knollwoodians!

Sparky here.

 

As the current School Horse of the Year, and the wisest of the best lesson horses in the world, it’s my turn to share my opinions for this year’s election.

DON'T VOTE FOR ME!

Yes, you read that right.

Unlike my coworker Klem, I don’t want your vote. A vote for me is a vote wasted, because one can only be honored with this coveted title once in a lifetime. So, if you vote for me, it’s like not voting at all.

Here are my picks:

 

 

 

Hugo

Hugo, legally known as Hawaiian Cat, is my next door neighbor. You may not know that he usually runs into my stall when he comes in to steal some of my food.  I forgive him.

He’s great at trotting really slowly, napping, and taking great care of small riders who are learning their lessons well. He loves low key lessons, stopping in corners while going the first way, and introducing Knollwood kids to riding a horse with a neck in front of them. He introduces many of our kids to  Saddlebred friendliness, smoothness,  attitude and intelligence.

And, he poops in Picasso’s stall - every.single.day.

 

 

 

 

Honey Bee

I’d like you to vote for Honey Bee, but she really hasn’t met the residency requirements. She IS working her way into the hearts of the hard riding Knollwood Kids who are enjoying teaching her patterns and the fun of group lessons. She’s an up and comer. And she’s a girl.

 

 

 

Dexter

Officially known as Dekscalibur, Dexter is a classic. He’s SO handsome, knows all his patterns, and loves going to academy shows.

Dexter introduces new academy stars to a cooperative show ring partner who has been there and done that. Actually, he’s been helping riders reach for the big time for years.

Oh, and he likes to act crabby in his stall until you open the door, when his ears immediately come up as he welcomes you.

 

 

 

Fred

Known in the show ring as Mr. Rogers, Fred is a mainstay of our lesson program, and my right hand man.

He’s big, he’s brown, and he’s the perfect energy conserver. Unless he’s playing games at pattern camp when he refuses to abide by the trot-only rule.

Seriously, he’s a grand gentleman, trots a mean serpentine, and will do anything for a mint. As long as it’s not a poofy mint. It must crunch in his mouth.

 

 

 

Leon

Known in the Saddlebred registry as Keep the Change, Sir, Leon has quickly made himself a favorite in the barn.

Not content to be just beautiful on the outside, he’s also beautiful on the inside. Leon likes his small riders, and his specialties are teaching them to be convincing about steering, and introducing rookie canterers to the smoothest canter ever.

Plus, he has the biggest, brownest eyes in the barn. Except for mine.

 

 

 

Baxter

You know he’s officially known as A Champagne Toast, and that both of his parents were world champions. But did you know that he lives in the corner office, can sniff out a peppermint from a million miles away, and that his first nickname was ‘Hellion?’

It seems that when he was a yearling, he learned how to open the latches on his pasture gate, and would let himself and ALL his friends out of the pasture and into the world.

He’s still pretty good at loosening tongue ties and licking hands that might perhaps contain mints.

He’s one in a million, and if I could vote, I’d cast mine for him.

 

 

Great thanks to all our friends who donated to the Knockout holiday adoption project.  Thanks to your kindness, four local families are enjoying a more festive season.

And thanks to the Knollwood Kids who came to wrap presents last Saturday night!

 

 

Knollwood Kid Gifts

Don’t forget to check out our Gift Blog for the perfect gifts for the Knollwood Kid in your house.

If you want to order stirrups, please contact Ann ASAP.

Gift Certificates are 10% off through December 31 using the promo code Holiday2022.  All purchases will go towards your enrollment fees, including shows and camps.  It’s a great way to stock up on everyone’s favorite gift.

Remember, if you’d like to purchase 6 months or more of lessons at a time, you’ll receive 10% off at any time.

 

 

 

We’re closed for the holidays on December 24, 25 and 31, and January 1.  All lessons will be credited to your account.

 

 

 

 

 

See you at the barn!

 

Editor's Note:

Here's the first in a series of voter education articles written by some of the most literate lesson horses in the barn, and in the world, for that matter. Look for future articles during the election which runs through December.

Hi Everyone, Klem here.

 

The polls opened this morning for the big 2021 School Horse of the Year election, and I’d like to weigh in with my opinions about the race.

Here are my top 5 choices for the election:

 

Big Frank

I know many of you are thinking, Big Frank? What makes him so special?

Lessons, people, lessons.  Large Frank gives a lot of lessons, and does it really matter if he remembers any of them? At least he can remember where his stall is every day, unlike a horse to be named later in this editorial.

Big Frank, officially known in the saddlebred registry as It’s My Kinda Town, is always happy to teach lessons, especially if he’s the first one out of a stall. He’s always pleasant, unless it’s a blow dryer your’re talking about.

I think he deserves your consideration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little Frank

So you’re probably thinking I picked Pony Frank next because it makes logical sense after Large Frank. It does, but I didn’t.

I picked Pony Frank because he’s one of Knollwood’s only ponies. We actually have another, but Honey Bee hasn’t been here long enough to be considered for this coveted award.

‘Lil Frank enjoys teaching Tiny Tots, and challenging young advanced beginner riders.  He REALLY enjoys games with the more experienced Knollwood Kids, and pretending he doesn’t know where his stall is and running down to eat some of Fred’s food before he meanders to his real stall where there are a few handfuls of pony food.

And he’s still fat.

 

 

 

Thomas

OK, I admit I picked Thomas next because HE’S the one who cannot find his own stall.  Heck, some days he can’t even decide if he should turn left to the school barn or right to the arena. Just not interested in the details of everyday life.

However, this grand gelding can do it all. He’s been to way more academy shows this year than I have, and he even went to the UPHA National Championship American Royal Horse Show where he taught lessons to all the show riders.

Thomas can do any pattern you ask of him, even if he can’t find his way to his very own stall. He’s smooth, handsome, and has become a favorite of everyone who’s ridden him.  FYI, if you want to Google his background, his legal name is Fort Chiswell’s Aristocrat.

 

 

ME!

What about me? A vote for Klem is a vote for handsome, sausage shaped Morgans everywhere.

I love my job, and mostly I love all the trainable Knollwood Kids who bring me treats. I love going to shows, I love teaching kids how to canter (on my left lead) and I love challenging more advanced riders about my right lead.

And did I mention that I greet everyone who walks past my door? And that I roll everytime you take off my clothes? Or that I can park out further than possibly any other horse on the planet? Did I mention that I’m handsome? Oh wait, I did.

Vote for ME!

 

 

 

Baxter

Actually, I have to admit that Baxter is the front runner.

His Mama, Lady Luck, was a World Champion, as was his Daddy, Heir to Champagne.  He comes from a great family.

Legally known as A Champagne Toast, Baxter will be whatever you need him to be. Need a show horse for an 8 year old walk trot rider, he’s your man.  Need a horse to challenge a more advanced rider about patterns? He’s happy to do that as well.

Baxter confided to me that he often feels more like a human than a horse.  I think that’s why we get along so well.  We gravitate towards the people in center ring, especially our favorite ones who give us the treats we so greatly deserve.

Baxter has been a starting point for Knollwood’s last two Triple Crown winners, Nick Maupin, and Haley Berget. He’s educated many, many other star riders, including Ainsley, Margit, Heather, and Richie to name a few.

He’s beautiful, he's smart, and he's kind.

Vote for Baxter for me.

 

 

 

And remember, Richmond is on the job as poll watcher.  He sees all.

 

 

What’s coming up?

THE ELECTION

Through December 31

Just pay your 2022 Knockout dues to receive your ballot to vote for School Horse of the Year.  The winner will be announced at the banquet!

 

 

Gift Certificates are 10% Off!

Through December 31

It’s the perfect gift for the Knollwood Kid in your house. All purchases made through December 31 are eligible for 10% off using promo code ‘holiday2022.’

All purchases will be added to your rider’s account, and used for their Knollwood adventures.

As always, you receive a 10% discount off the regular price when you pay for six months of lessons at once, whether you do so now or any other time during the year.

 

 

 

Enrollment Update Meetings

For riders participating in our academy show program, your instructor will be meeting with you to plan your enrollment changes for 2022. The 2022 schedule is on our website, and it’s time to start planning our adventures!

New for 2022, we’re including shows in your monthly enrollments to make everyone’s lives easier!

 

 

Holiday Closures

Team Knollwood will enjoy some holiday days off, so we will not be holding lessons on December 24, 25, 31, or January 1.  All missed lessons will be credited to your account.

 

 

See you at the barn, and at the polls! 

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 4^th 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! 

 

 

 

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 8^th in the Good Hands Final, 4^th in the UPHA Senior Challenge Cup Final, and 3^rd 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 4^th 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 4^th in their qualifier and 6^th 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!