The Knollwood Knockouts have a storied past.

  Now celebrating their 25^th year, the youth group was one of the originals in the American Saddlebred Horse Association’s youth outreach program.

 

More than just a group of horse crazy kids, the Knockouts have benefited from strong leadership and a large enthusiastic membership. Sure, they go to horse shows, sponsor classes at shows and live and breathe horse shows like all Saddlebred kids do, but this group has a side that is often unseen by the general public.

The group’s mission statement is:

‘To support and promote equitation, horsemanship, and friendships through service to others.’

In the past this group has:

* Raised enough funds to send three veterans to Washington, DC on Honor Flights

* Supported the Food Pantry of Waukesha County for 10 years with an annual food drive, donating more than 1000 pounds of food each year

* Held a walk-a-thon benefitting the American Heart Association

* Been honored with the Youth to the Rescue award twice from Saddlebred Rescue

* Become the first youth group to sponsor a stake class at the World’s Championship Horse Show

* Raised funds for breast cancer research through the sale of pink roses at horse shows

 

Rest assured, the Knockouts have tons of fun raising funds for those in need.  One of the highlights of last summer was a car wash/brat sale at our local Piggly Wiggly.  The club ran a very busy car wash, grilled and sold a LOT of brats, and had a grand time in the process.

This year we all find ourselves in a unique situation with the global pandemic around us. The Knockout group has developed great horse people and leaders with some of the best lesson horses in the world as teachers. These hard-working horses find themselves out of work while humans stay ‘safer at home.’

 

Even though the Knockouts cannot be at the barn with their equine mentors, they have worked remotely, and donated $5000 to help with lesson horse care during this unprecedented event.

The best lesson horses in the world are all looking fabulous even in their unemployment. They would rather be giving lessons right now, though. We think they are getting a little sick and tired of only seeing grownups and would prefer returning to providing riding lessons for humans instead of a certain yellow kitten.

Words seem insufficient to express our gratitude to the Knockouts, and to all our fantastic customers and friends who have donated to the school horse unemployment fund, but please know that all the contributions are truly appreciated.

 

 

 

Tradition.

Honor.

Passion.

 

 

#Knollwoodstrong

Hello Knollwood families and students,

 

You have absolutely outdone yourselves with your continued donations to Merton feed and to us directly, all in the name of caring for the school horses we all know and love.  In return, we here at Knollwood would like to extend our thanks with more than just words!  Here is what each donor will receive in appreciation of their kindness:

$25 - A Woodwear T-Shirt

$50 - A Private Lesson

$100 - 1 Day long clinic session including two rides and demonstrations from the show team

$300 - 1 two-day long clinic session including four rides and demonstrations from the show team

$500 - 1 two-day long clinic session including four rides and demonstrations from the show team as well as an additional 4 follow up lessons from Scott or Carol

$1000 - 1 two-day long clinic session including four rides and demonstrations from the show team as well as a three-day private intensive, tailored to that rider's specific needs and goals that include four rides/day ranging from lunge lesson to regular privates with Scott and Carol/the show team and an additional four follow-up lessons.  Each private intensive will not necessarily just be a riding experience!  It will be uniquely put together to include activities that are of interest to this rider including things like horse care, show readiness clinics, high level equipment care, tail set lessons and more!

We hope that some of these gifts in return for your generous donations during this time of need will give each of you something to look forward to as the world opens up once more.

We are far more grateful for your support than we can say. We're truly grateful for the community, love and friendship we are experiencing in these times, and we are counting down the days until it's safe to be together once again!

Tradition.

Honor.

Passion.

#KnollwoodStrong

Hey Fam,

This upcoming circuit should really get your heart rate up and your core on fire.  These reps will be timed, like last week!  So this circuit is best performed one rep/exercise and then do the whole circuit 3-5 times.  If you're combining with previous circuits, just do 3 rounds.  If a stand alone workout, do closer to 5. For a real challenge, start your times out higher and lower them as you go through the circuit, for example: 60 seconds work, 30 rest, 40 seconds work, 20 rest, 30 seconds work, 10 rest. Make sure to focus on form over speed, but push yourself to the limit on reps, while maintaining that good form.

 

Exercise 1 - Squat Jump Switches - 30 seconds, 10 rest

Much like the traditional squat jump we've seen in our previous circuits, squat down into your hips and power up into a jump with your hands over head.  This time however, you're going to swap directions to face the other way each time you jump.  Focus on turning with your obliques as you jump!

 

Exercise 2 - Switch Kicks - 30 seconds, 10 rest

Laying on your back, with your arms by your sides, raise your head, upper back and arms off the ground and begin to kick your legs as if you were swimming.  Focus on pressing your lower back into the ground as you contract your lower ribs.

Exercise 3 - Ski Jumps - 30 seconds, 10 rest

Similar to a squat jump, this is a side to side jump so rather than having your legs hips width apart, your feet should be relatively close as if you were speeding down the luxurious ski hills of Aspen. Make sure you land softly and stay on the balls of your feet.

Exercise 4 - Plank shoulder raises - 30 Seconds, 10 rest

In a high plank position begin alternation arm raises working exclusively from your shoulder.  Be sure to focus on keeping your hips steady as you lift one hand off of the ground, and really squeezing those shoulder muscles at the top of their movement.  If you need extra stability you can widen the stance of your feet!

Exercise 5 - Flat Out Burpee - 30 seconds, 10 rest

The only difference between this burpee and a regular one is that instead of just doing a pushup, you will lower your body entirely onto the ground (chest to the floor, belly on the ground) and push up from there before jumping your feet to meet your hands, and jumping up into the air.  It's a real doozy guys!

 

Exercise 6 - Side Plank Crunches - 30 Seconds, 10 rest each side

In a side plank position, raise your top arm over your head and drive your top arm and leg together for a side crunch all the while maintaining your side plank with hips lifted to the sky!  Repeat this movement on the other side after a moment of rest.

 

As always make sure you cool down and stretch after any workout.  

 

Stay healthy everyone!

Greetings to all of you schooling at home.

Some of the lesson horses have been taking their studies very seriously.  For instance, Fred is determined to study the science and benefits of sleep. Here he is, sharing what he's learned with others.

The other horses haven’t shown as much progress in their selected fields of study, so we decided to start with some mandatory subjects that all the boys can take part in.

Personal Hygiene

 

It’s shedding season, and the boys all want to look their best when their riders return.  There has been MUCH currying and brushing around here the last month.  Spring coats are coming in sleek and shiny. Eddie is so shiny you almost need sunglasses to look at him!

 

Reading

We know that some of the horses can read.  Klem has posted a sign outside his door, and is asking all his horse friends to tell him what is says.  So far, no one but Klem has read it correctly. We’re working hard on our alphabet at the moment.

 

Playing Well With Others

Everyone needs to learn to play well with others, especially those who may be a little different than you. 

Enter instructor Richmond.

He enjoys riding horses, after he introduces himself to his mount for the session. So far, only Sadie has gotten tired of his act. Her trick? She grabs her coat, AKA Richmond’s saddle, and gives it a good shake.

 

Phy Ed

This unusual schedule is tough on all of us, even the best lesson horses in the world.  The boys have found that physical exercise is very important, even if they’re not teaching lessons to people. Somedays, the boys run in for their food, and others they play with each other in the pasture.

Please note that Mark is going so fast he's blurry!

 

Nap Time

Stress of this new temporary schedule is often relieved by naps. The horses have called on Professor Fred to help them get their Z’s in the pasture.  Thomas is apparently the teacher’s star pupil.

We hope you’re learning as much at home as the school horses are.  Please feel free to pass on any advice you think will help them get ahead.

 

Other Happenings:

Great thanks to everyone who has donated to the lesson horse unemployment fund. 

If you’d like to join the movement, you can send checks to:

Merton Feed

N71 S28312 Mill Street

Merton, WI 53056

 

You can also call them at 262 – 538- 1250 to make a donation with your credit card.

 

 Please be sure to tell them that you’d like to help the Knollwood lesson horses.

And besides, you never which Knollwood friend you'll meet there!

And, they have the best chicks.  Just ask Brenda who's picking up her 5 new family members on Friday.

 

 

Mary is auctioning one of her artworks for the school horses as well. The current high bid is $400, and if you’d like to up the ante, please contact her at her FB page.

 

 

 

Are you looking forward to riding again as much as we are looking forward to seeing you? 

 

Please consider purchasing one of our #Knollwoodstrong tees to wear to all the summer activities we have planned. We’d love for everyone to wear them to show your support for the best lesson horses in the world.

Plus, we’d like to look like a wall of orange at horse shows this summer and fall. They’re only $25, are made out of great athletic fabric, and are perfect for riding in the summer months.

You can buy your shirt here.

 

 

 

We’re going with the flow about scheduling. Some horse shows have cancelled, and some are looking to reschedule, so stay tuned for all our updates.  We’re open to moving the Knollwood Summer show further back in the summer so that we can all enjoy our annual tradition.

Most importantly, we can't wait to start lessons and camps as soon as it's safe to do so. As always, we follow the guidance of the CDC for everyone's safety.

 

It looks like Saturday is going to be a beautiful spring day, so we’re planning on doing some FB live broadcasting from the big outdoor arena, and from the pasture.  Plus, Parker is cooking up a LIVE version of her hit game, ‘Knollwood’s Separated at Birth.’ We’ll update with times, and please send us any questions you may have, or about suggested pairings for the game.

We miss you.

The horses miss you.

We can't wait to see you in person!

 

 

#Knollwoodstrong

 

 

 

Hello Knollwood Families and Students,

As we are all well aware, COVID-19 has changed so many aspects of our lives; delayed the starting of activities, limited gatherings, meant wearing masks to the store (if we even go to the store), and put us all in our homes for our own safety for at least 30 days.  It has touched most, if not all aspects of how we run our daily lives.  One aspect of an equestrian's life that hadn't really been thought of much as being effected by this global shut down, was exhibitor age groupings and how this shut down might effect those Junior Exhibitors on the cusp of aging out.  

We've all heard, seen, or even experienced our "last year" as a junior exhibitor.  It's a bittersweet time as it truly means that you're growing up, but it also means that you're growing up.  Perhaps growing up means riding won't be something you can do in the next phase of your life.  Perhaps it means you will continue on into the amateur division.  Perhaps it means you will have to take a very long break and come back to it, or perhaps you ride equitation, where aging out is truly a milestone no matter what your next step is.  Either way, our typical show season begins in March or April.  That has been pushed to, well who knows when, meaning many riders have the uncertainty of whether or not they will even GET their last year as a junior exhibitor.  

Having a milestone pass unexperienced is of course not the worst thing that can happen during a global pandemic, but a few equestrians have gathered together to petition the United States Equestrian Federation to reinstate Junior Exhibitor status to those that would be aging out this year.  The petition has already been signed a whopping 6,013 times and only needs 7,500 to be considered a victory. So many communities have truly come together during this time of social distancing to care for one another.  Signing this petition is just another way the equestrian community is coming together to protect the youth and to protect their equestrian experience.  Click the button below to add your name to the list of signers and hopefully we can allow for all the junior exhibitors spending their last year in quarantine, another shot at experiencing their milestone in the show ring.