Last week, we came to you with news about the School Horse of the Year election for 2020, and ballots are pouring in.  Thanks to all the Knockout members who have renewed their memberships and voted already.

For those of you undecided voters out there, we're providing a little more information about the club members who are running for offices.

Each candidate supplied a brief statement, and then we added some inside information about each Knockout to of course, help you make an informed decision.

 

 

Your Knockout Co-Presidents for 2021 

Emma and Heather  

(pictured with their friend, Margit)

You just can't separate Tuesday night helpers!

Collectively Heather and I have been riding at Knollwood for over 10 years, we have also been a part of the Knockouts for the majority of our time here.  We are both looking forward to an amazing year with the Knockouts and can’t wait to see what 2021 has in store for us.  Please make sure to vote and find us at the barn to give us any of your new ideas!

 

Did you know:

Emma and Heather have been Tuesday helpers forever.

Heather loves Pony Frank, and once rode him in the park tiny tot saddle just to experience it.

Emma shows off her great sense of humor by wearing fruit print jods while counseling at camp.

 

 

Running For Knockout Secretary:

 

 

Maya  

My name is Maya and I have been riding for about 8 years, 5 of which with Knollwood Farms.  I’m hoping to become your secretary for the year 2021 for many reasons, one of which being I never shy from hard work, and I love being put to the test.  Riding and working for this amazing barn has been my passion for quite some time now, when I become secretary I would push to make the knockouts the best team we could be doing fun activities and building up the community as a whole.  Please consider me for secretary of the Knollwood Knockouts.  

 

Did you know:

Maya had the first scheduled lesson after quarantine ended.

Maya fits in the laundry shopping cart, so she rides in it. A lot.

 

Addison  

My name is Addison and I would absolutely love to be the secretary for the year 2021.  I was on the board this past year and it was a blast.  I think we should do as many outdoorsy activities so we can to keep social distancing.  One of those activities would be a painting project where we could get a ton of stencils of horses and Knollwood Knockout logos and we could paint them on wood.  Another outdoor activity we could do would be a scavenger hunt or an obstacle course just like the Helper Olympics.  I also think it would be a lot of fun to create a buddy system within the Knockouts so that older kids could “adopt” a group of younger kids during the show.  I think I should have the role of the secretary because I have a lot of new ideas and I really like being involved in the Knollwood Knockouts.   

 

Did you know: 

Addison is the life of the party. All the time. 

Addison is a neat freak, and cleans the arena bench every Saturday. 

 

 

Running For The Board 

Jules

 

Hi, my name is Jules, and last year was my first year on the Knockouts board.  I was really nervous at first but then learned that I have so many friends and people to help me along the way.  I started riding when I was three and it was a big part of my life.  I love not only the horses but all the people here too.  They have helped me so much and have made me feel good about myself.  Joining the board was a very good decision because I learned about other people and I got new friends along with it! The Knockouts are also a big part of this place, it’s our family.  I have been a part of the Knockouts for about 5 years now and it has been really fun each year.  This past year we continued our car wash and brat shack, our street clean up, even our parent’s night out! There is so much more we look forward to doing with all of you! Thank you for being a Knollwood Knockout!

 

Did you know:

Jules has been riding forever, and moved to the WTC division this year at the age of 10.

Jules has never met a horse she didn’t love.

 

 

 Mia

 

My name is Mia , I have been riding for 8 years, and have been a Knollwood Knockout for around 6 years.  I want to be on the board because I think it would be a great goal to achieve, I will contribute my time and effort into making 2021 a great year for the Knockouts.  I would be sure to come up with more fun activities for the Knockouts to get involved in.  Please consider me for the board of the Knollwood Knockouts!

 

Did you know:

With her long legs, Mia has been knocking cones over from the backs of horses since 2018. 

Mia has won both Knollwood Challenge Finals, and is now retired from future competition. And she’s only 11.

 

 

 

Sofia  

I have been riding for about 8 years and I’ve been a part of the Knockouts for 4 years, and a board member this past year.  This year I was able to help with most activities and contribute new ideas as much as I could especially with the restrictions of covid and everything going on this year.  This year I plan to help carry out and think of new ideas to make the Knockouts even more fun, supportive, and inclusive for every member like maybe trivia or WTC kids giving motivational cards to WT kids like a mentor system.  

 

Did you know:

Sofia writes inspirational cards for our walk and trot academy riders.

Sofia loves the dance floor at the banquet!

 

 

Hanna   

 

Hello, my name is Hanna  and I am 15 years old.  I have been riding at Knollwood for 8 years and have been a Knockout member for about 6 years. During this time as a member of the youth group, I have attended many events and fundraisers, including my most recent photoshoots that had an incredibly successful turnout.  This youth group has taught me so much about what it means to give back to the community and has created so many lasting friendships.  I have served on the board twice before in 2017 and 2018 and am so grateful to have grown up as a member of the Knollwood Knockouts.  I hope you will consider me to be on the Knollwood Knockout board of 2021.  Thank you, Hanna

 

Did you know: 

Hanna can ride any horse any time because she grew up with a pony in her backyard.  This provided endless entertainment for her Mom. 

A born entrepreneur, Hanna runs her own saddle cleaning business as well as a photography studio.

 

 

Margit  

I’m Margit and I have been riding for 6 years.  I’ve been a member of the Knockouts for 5 ½ years. I’ve worked concession stands, helped with parents’ night out, done car washes, and helped with the street clean up.  My ideas for 2021 are to do more donations for people who were hit hard with COVID-19, more fundraisers for the Knockouts, and to do more barn clean up days.  Please consider me for a Knollwood Knockout board member!

 

Did you know:

Margit has the best vocabulary. Ever.

And she’s hilarious.

Oh, and she can rack her way down the rail with the best of them.

 

 

Adrienne  

 

I have been riding at Knollwood for almost four and a half years.  Over the years, I’ve met so many friends and learned quite a few life lessons.  Working with the horses has taught me so much, in and out of the arena.  Through being a board member, I want to share what I’ve learned with others.  I want to be a board member to not only share what I know, but to also continue learning.  I want to continue teaching kids about these amazing horses we have at Knollwood Farm.  I believe that being on the board is an amazing opportunity for me to learn and help others learn as well. 

 

Did you know:

Adrienne is the youngest of 10 children. 

Not one for the limelight, it's really hard to find pictures of Adrienne by herself. She's always doing something!!

 

Coming Up

 

Don’t forget to pick up your membership envelope in the school barn lounge. Just put in your dues, and be sure to vote for both school horse of the year and for Knockout officers/board members.

Polls close on December 31, even if poll watcher Richmond is sleeping on the job.

 

 

Coming Up?

 

We’re expecting our Woodwear for the holidays to arrive any minute, and we’ll let you know as soon as it’s ready.

 

Our cool new enrollment system will be 100% in place on January 1, and our annual sale goes through December 31, 2020.

 

You can purchase gift certificates and receive 10% off through New Year’s Eve.  You can pay enrollment fees or purchase a horse show or camp.

Your instructor is happy to help, or

you can call the school barn at 262-367-2391.

 

 

Show season 2021 is coming up fast, and Midwest Saddleseat Consignment is coming to help. They've set up a private shopping time on Friday, January 8 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at the Hilton Garden Inn in Brookfield.

Come shop with us before the sale goes public on Saturday!

 

 

While we can’t gather in person for the banquet, we’re planning a virtual banquet on a Saturday night in February.

We’ll announce School Horse of the Year, High Point Award Winners, and enjoy some speeches about the year in review.

We hope to finalize a date soon!

 

We’re also planning our academy kickoff meeting in February or early March. This will be perfect for new academy riders and their parents, as we’ll enjoy demonstrations and discussions with current riders and parents.

 

Stay tuned for updates!

 

 

 

 

See you soon at the polls, and at the barn!

 

Hello Knollwood Families and Students!

 

Winter is encroaching, albiet slowly and with the most pleasant sunny days.  This means closed doors, closed windows, and fans being off in the lounges and barns.  COVID cases are also on the rise and have been in the state of Wisconsin and all over the US for sometime now.  All of that being at the forefront of our minds and keeping our staff, riders and families safe and healthy so we can all keep riding, we have updated some of our COVID requirements and would just like to remind you of a few others:

 

MASKING

We have always required masking in the building, and while we previously said that they could be pulled down when in a stall alone with a horse, we are now asking that everyone is in a mask at all times in any shared space.  Even if you are alone in a stall, the barn is a shared space and it is all too easy to just run over to double check the chart, or grab a different sized girth without remembering to put your mask up.  As it is a state mandate and also recommended by the CDC, we want to eliminate any of those moments where people might forget to pull up their masks by just requiring that they're on at all times.

 

QUARANTINING

The CDC has recently changed their quarantine requirement after a close contact COVID encounter.  Close contact is defind by the CDC as being within 6 feet for 15 minutes.  They are now recommending a 10 day quarantine instead of a 14 day quarantine, OR a 7 day quarantine with a negative COVID test taken at the 5 day mark of your quarantine. It is recommended that you continue to monitor symptoms from there and if any occur, you resume your quarantine.  These recommendations, as always, are the ones we are adopting for our policy.  If you have symptoms or have been made aware of an exposure, please quarantine along these quidelines!

VISITORS

When thinking about your rider's or your lessons, keep in mind that with doors and outdoor arenas now being closed for winter weather, hanging out outside won't be as convenient as it once was and space will be limited in the lounge and in the arena's to allow for social distancing.  Consider remaining in the car and not bringing extra members of the family or friends along.  While we know that is a disappointment, as time at the barn is fun for all involved, keeping our lounge capacity down is a challenge.  Especially consider leaving any high risk family or friends at home.  We are asking that you limit your guests to no more than two people per rider in the lounge or arena at a time. 

CANCELLATIONS AND MAKEUPS/MINOR SYMPTOMS

If you are cancelling due to a COVID quarantine or symptoms relating to COVID, you will absolutely NOT be penalized for this of course.  We will do our best to offer you make up days/times when your quarantine is up and if there isn't a mutually beneficial makeup time, your account will be credited for those missed lessons.  We absolutely do not want anyone to feel obligated to come to their lessons when they are not well and we do not want anyone to come to their lessons if their family members in the household are not well, even if they are. It is critical that we keep our human staff healthy as our equine staff require a lot of assistance.  If someone has any symptoms of COVID, or anything that could present like COVID, we ask that you please see the quarantine section above for how we would ask that you proceed.

With all of that out of the way, be sure to take advantage of our annual holiday discount!  If you're buying online, just type in HOLIDAY2021 for your 10% discount.  While we know the holidays have been and will be different for us all this year, we hope to see what we assume are your smiling faces (behind masks of course) at the barn and in the saddle.

Be well!

As we take stock of the crazy year of 2020,

Team Knollwood is already looking ahead to 2021.

 

The polls open tomorrow for the election of Knockout officers AND for the coveted Lesson Horse of the Year award for 2020. Once again, Richmond will be our poll watcher.

All Knockout members are welcome to vote after they pay their club dues for 2021, which are a bargain $5 for kids and $10 for adults.

Each current member has an envelope waiting at the barn. Please update the contact information on the front, and fill out both ballots, enclose your dues, and seal the envelope before placing it in the ballot.

Not yet a member?

We'd love to have you!  Please talk to Lisa or DeeDee up front, or to your instructor to join.

 

 

Remember, Richmond is watching.

 

 

Here are some of the front runners for the lesson horse award:

 

Baxter

Officially known as A Champagne Toast, this charismatic fellow loves his Knollwood Kids, loves spa treatments, and LOVES horse shows.

He’s given countless riders confidence in the ring, and has helped them developed a need for speed as he enjoys passing other contestants in the show ring.

When it’s pattern time, Baxter is the master of precision, and always works with his perfectly hooked ears in the ‘forward’ position.

 

Sparky

Officially known as Sparky, this grand soul is unflappable. Unless you tie him up in his stall.

He loves small riders, mints, taffy, and loonnggg sessions of grooming. Friendly to everyone, he’ll jog trot all day no matter what’s going on around him. He gets a little bossy at Knollwood shows, and likes to tell the judge when to reverse, but we think he’s entitled to a little attitude.

 

 

Pony Frank

Yes, he’s a pony, but he’s our pony. He’s equitated, and has a firm grasp of the definition of the word ‘no.’

The perfect size for tiny totters, he’s also a favorite for kids bareback and saddle no stirrup rides as well as games. Frank LIVES for steal the crop when he runs tiny circles around the big horses.

 

 

Fred

Officially known as Mr. Rogers, Fred is the definition of an ‘easy keeper.’

He’s content to eat AND sleep in the round bale at the same time, is master of trotting patterns for the tiniest of riders, and can do multiple lessons a day with ease.

He may not be beautiful on the outside,

but he sure is on the inside!

 

Hugo

Born on the farm, and officially registered as The Hawaiian Cat, this ‘son of Hula’ is the renaissance man of lesson horses.

He’s usually the first saddlebred that students ride, and is happy starting beginners and helping advanced beginners become a little more insistent. Hugo knows all his patterns, and is thrilled with advanced riders at pattern camp and at in-barn shows as well. He’s particularly fond of the gaming division.

He’s also a champion napper.

 

The polls close on December 31, so be sure to place your votes this month.

 

Coming up?

 

Our annual sale has begun.

As we embark on our exciting new enrollment system, you can now pay your enrollment fees in advance and receive 10% off. Please contact your instructor for assistance, they’d love to help.

 

 

Unsure about gifts for your Knollwood Kid? Here’s the blog of items we suggest for the rider in your house.

 

 

 

 

 

Woodwear will be delivered soon, and we’ll let you know as soon as it arrives!

We have ordered some extra masks, so if you'd like the perfect $10 stocking stuffer for 2020, please see your instructor.

 

 

 

 

Saddle rentals are due this month for 2021.  Please talk to your instructor if you’re interested.

 

 

 

 Last chance to place your stirrup orders with Ann.

Please contact her by December 10 if you’d like holiday delivery. Some iron sizes are short in stock around the country due to COVID, but we’ll try to source what your rider needs!

Please note that in the picture above, Knollwood rock star Finn has no stirrups. On big trotting Leila. 

 

 

2021 calendar planning is in full swing, and we’ll have dates for camps and shows as soon as horse show dates have been finalized around the country.

 

 

See you soon at the barn,

and we're looking to the in-gate in 2021!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

grat·i·tude

/ˈɡradəˌt(y)o͞od/

noun

Sure, in many ways, 2020 has been a year we’d all like to forget.  Even in these most unusual times, Team Knollwood has found itself surrounded by some of the most amazing people and animals imaginable. We are grateful for many things, and would like to share items on the top of our long list.

 

 

The best lesson horses in the world.

We are beyond fortunate to have this amazing group of horses working with us. The boys were pretty depressed during quarantine until their kids started showing up for bridle path visits. Some of them turned into scene stealers while we were trying to hold Facebook live broadcasts. (You know who you are, Vaughn!)

 

Can anyone forget the day we tried to blow bubbles with them?

 

The boys were quite happy when lessons started again.

We have a couple of individual thanks from some of the boys:

 

Sundance and Brinkley are grateful for their retirement plans. They enjoy great care, daily spa treatments, the chance to hang with their friends, and to bask in the company of Knollwood Kids.

Willy would like to thank everyone for not forcing him into retirement, and allowing him to work his own schedule at his own pace while enjoying lots of off time in the senior paddock.

 

Fred is grateful for round bales, good for both eating AND sleeping.

 

The academy stars give thanks for private lessons and teaching Knollwood Kids the ins and outs of patterns. They are thrilled that some horse shows were held, as they adore their trips away from home. Best of all, they enjoyed pattern camps almost as usual this summer when they get more attention than anyone would think possible.

 

The one and only Panic is grateful for the Van Hecke-Kellner clan for making him a lifetime member of their family, and allowing him to give lessons to Knollwood kids. He LOVES the chance to ‘panic’ kids, and was happy to make his walk and trot academy debut this fall.

 

 

The humans of Team Knollwood are grateful for:

Technology

Technology kept us in touch with the world even while we were closed. We had the chance to showcase horses working, to broadcast from the school horse pasture, to host ‘school horse olympics’ featuring KF staff, and even had an hour of ‘Ask Scott Anything.’  We LOVED everyone's online comments, too!

 

Industry Friends 

We have fantastic friends throughout the industry.

Special thanks to Vicky for fighting with beaurocracy to carry off a horse show in July. Summerfun was the first big show of the summer, and it was fantastic.

 

Thanks to Sammy Jo of Rosetree Farm for loaning us one of her lesson horses while we search for some more horses to support our growing program.

 

Thanks to Ginger and Keen for not giving up when the Oshkosh Show was cancelled, and reviving the outdoor Glen Valley show. These determined ladies performed the feat in just a couple weeks!

 

Knollwood Parents

 

Wow. These parents amaze us in many, many ways.

When we made the call to hold our in-barn shows in the great outdoors, these miracle workers redesigned the concession stand to touch free service, created a tent city for raffles and concessions, and created the first ever “Knollwood suite’ fundraiser.

 

They have become ‘front desk concierges’ as we embark on our exciting new enrollment system, and have even taken over most of the special events for the Knockouts. Just this week, the Knockouts delivered 645 pounds of food to the Food Pantry of Waukesha County, and held a sold out holiday photo session day.

They are magical!

 

Super Helpers

After lockdown, we had to develop new systems for the lesson program, and our super helpers rose to the challenge.

Our most experienced Knollwood Kids learned to be personal assistants to a specific instructor each day. They brought horses to and from the different arenas while the barn was only open to staff, they sanitized reins and brushes and surfaces, prepped and put up horses AND still managed to keep up with barn chores.

AND, they met every customer with a smile, and an update about their favorite horse.

 

Richmond

We are grateful for Richmond who kept us all entertained during lockdown. The wild yellow and white kitten was a perfect distraction during those lonely days, and his #dailydoseofrichmond posts kept everyone up to date on his latest adventures.  We’re still a little shocked that he made it to his first birthday.

Great thanks to Dr Rachel for intervening when the going got, well, interesting.

 

Hazel

We are grateful for Hazel Belle Boxer Matton for serving as an emotional support dog at home, and as Wonder Woman at horse shows. She’s always ready to lean into you, to show you her tricks, to play with her buddy Richmond, or to just enjoy the party in the arena, even when it appears she’s sleeping on the bench.

 

Our Academy Team

We’re grateful for our enthusiastic team of academy stars. Their season may have been shortened by a virus, but they put their hearts and souls into their time with the best lesson horses in the world.  The smiles on their faces could easily be seen through the masks at Summerfun as they returned to the show grounds.

Pattern camps may have felt a little different, but the enthusiasm was the same. We invented pattern challenges, new games, and enjoyed just being outside with horses, even if it meant inviting Klem into the socially distanced lunch circle.

These kids are just the best.

 

Big Knollwood Kids Always Come Back

They may go off to college, but they’re always there when you need them!  Haley and Ainsley each judged a Knollwood show, Abby, Haley, Jordan, Shelby and Whit filled in for lessons, Kellyn helped us at Glen Valley, and Syd and Ainsley played games against each other after the October show.

 

We can’t wait to see who comes back to the middle of the arena over the holidays. Masked, of course.

 

 

 Customers

 

We frequently say that we have the best customers around, and they really proved it in this crazy year.

During the shutdown, many of our customers offered to pay their bills ahead, and many others send funds to Merton Feed to defray costs.  Some of our lesson customers even organized a car parade past the farm.

 

While we tried to send videos of show horses owners, and to FB live some more, we know it was really hard to not see your wonderful horses.

Some show customers had new horses to show, and had nowhere to go! Great appreciation to Margit and Charlie, Laney and Aaron, and to Heather and Sami for their patience in showing your grand new horses!

 

 

 

 

Special gratitude to the Duerr family for saving Riddle and sending him to Knollwood to see what he wanted to be.

A rock star.

It appears he'd like to be a rock star.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We could not have a more special group of customers from our new academy friends to show customers who have been with us for 20+ years. 

Grateful doesn’t begin to describe our fellings, but it’s a start.

 

 

We wish you all a healthy Thanksgiving, and we’re looking forward to an even brighter future together.

 

 

Tradition.

Honor.

Passion.

And a Whole Lot of Fun.

 

Team Knollwood is back at home after a highly successful week at the UPHA National Championship American Royal Horse Show. 

The home team prepared riders for the future, running the 2020 finals of the Knollwood Challenge, while the show horse team was in KC, competing at the national championships.

Hard work paid off for Knollwood Kids, and we’d like to share their stories and successes of 2020.

In no particular order,

 

 

Heather

 

 Heather started riding at Knollwood as an 8 year old, and quickly became  a real Knollwood Kid.  She’s been a Tuesday night helper since we can remember, and  has been seriously involved in the Knockouts for years, currently serving as a board member.

A great example of the value of academy showing, Heather didn’t enjoy fantastic success at that level, mostly because she just kept growing and moving her center of gravity. Always gracious whether winning or losing, Heather has always been an example of true sportsmanship to those around her.

Heather made the move to the show horse world in her 13 year old year when her parents leased CH Fine By Me to show in the Pleasure Equitation division. Heather answered the challenge, finishing second and third in several finals that year.

After leasing again last season, Heather’s family purchased the accomplished Reedan’s Why Not to take her to the next level of competition. These two have quickly become a team, and Carol loves him so much that she told Scott she's going to marry him.

Heather and Samson have enjoyed a spectacular season, and finished with a Reserve National Championship in the Senior UPHA Challenge Cup Final, and a 4^th place finish in the USEF Medal Final.

 

 

 

Margit

Another true Knollwood Kid, and legendary Tuesday helper, Margit started riding at Knollwood around age 8 as well.  Owner of a fantastic vocabulary and a quirky sense of humor, Margit was quickly entertaining everyone as she rose through the ranks.

Margit finished her academy career showing Just As Unique (Sadie) for a season under the guidance of Scott and Carol. This year, her family leased Rosewood’s Homecoming Dance (Robert) to take Margit to the show horse world.

While learning the ways of the show horse, a legendary gaited pleasure horse became available, and Margit’s parents purchased CH Ken Follett (Charlie) for their daughter to show.  Margit and Charlie have become a team in short order, and headed to their first horse show shortly after joining forces.

 

Margit always possessed a need for speed, so trotting and racking down the rail are perfect for her. She’s excelling at it, with several successful shows under her belt in the first season. Team Charlie won its qualifier and championship at Futurity and Mane Event,  were second in both at St Louis, and were 4^th and 5^th in the National Championship at the Royal. 

What are they going to do next year?

 

 

 

Richie

After watching his sister Victoria ride, seven year old Richie decided he wanted to try a few lessons. It quickly became apparent that he had been a horse in a former life, and he quickly fell in love with the process.

Years later, you’ll frequently find Richie helping with lessons at the barn, spending time listening in the arena, or hanging out with Tink and Sophie.

Richie’s walk and trot academy career was fast as he wowed all of us with the horsemanship he displayed. As an 8 year old, Richie was showing Heist and Chip in deep, deep academy classes.

Richie’s parents presented him with the gift of a lifetime when they purchased legendary Miss Mheiry Mac to be Richie’s walk and trot equitation partner. This team lit up the ring as she taught him all about mares and show horses.

Richie and Tink were reserve in the 2017 Walk and Trot UPHA Challenge Cup National Final, and have notable success in the Country Pleasure division as well, after several of Richie’s famous growth spurts.

In 2020 alone, they enjoyed wins at Bridlespur and Summerfun after being Reserve National Champions at the Royal in 2019.

For the past 2 seasons, Richie’s parents have leased the beautiful CH-EQ Royal Tryst (Sophie) from the Becker family. Tink taught Richie well, and he has become a team with this talented mare.

In 2020, Richie made the initial cut in the Good Hands national final in a pool of riders 17 and under, and finished the season winning the Junior UPHA Challenge Cup National Final.

 

 In his spare time this summer, Richie also showed future lesson star Garden of Roses (Willis) to a Monarch national championship in the single bit division, and showed Impressive Asset (Fergie) to some strong ribbons in the Show Pleasure division!

 

 

 

 

Finn

Finn travels to Knollwood a couple of times a month from Denver to train with Scott and Carol.  She started riding near home, and her parents decided to sacrifice time to allow Finn to work with Knollwood.

Knollwood has become a second home for Finn, whether she’s in center ring, helping with academy riders at shows, or hanging out with other Knollwood Kids.

Always beautiful on a horse, Finn is fortunate to own the legendary equitation star, CH-EQ Brookhill’s Passion Punch. (Layla) Some of you may remember Haley and Layla winning the Triple Crown of equitation in 2018, right before Finn became her owner.

Finn and this game, strong, and beautiful mare have enjoyed great success, and they were rock stars in this crazy 2020 season, finishing in the Top 10 of all three big finals.

Finn was third in both the Good Hands, and the UPHA Senior Challenge Cup, and was 10^th in the USEF Medal Final.

 

  

And as a bonus, Finn also gets to ride her firey, beautiful pleasure horse Nuttin’ But a Lady (Frankie). Only Finn could ride her in equitation at the Royal and win her age group qualifier!

 

Payton

We think that Payton may actually be a horse masquerading as a young lady.

Also a ‘long hauler,’ Payton travels from Colorado to Knollwood  a couple times a month to train with Carol and Scott.

Coming from generations of horsewomen, Payton also had a strong beginning back home.  Mom Nicole made the leap and sacrifice of time to help Payton reach the next level with Knollwood.

A well-rounded horse person, Payton shows Dos Equis in 13 and under equitation and had several great moments in 2020.  These two finished third in the ASHA Pleasure Equitation National Championship, which was a 17 and under final, and then they had to compete in the senior division of the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion Final because they had won the junior division last year. Team Payton rode against the older riders and finished third.

They finished their 2020 season with a great 6^th place finish in the Junior UPHA Challenge Cup National Final.

Payton also has the opportunity to show Undulata’s Crystal Illusionist (Eli)  in the Junior Exhibitor 3 Gaited division. These two are a personality match, and have enjoyed great success this year, with wins at Summerfun and Futurity, and finished with good ribbons in Kansas City.

The story of the year?

It’s Payton and Riddle.

Nicole rescued him from a kill pen, helped him at home, and then brought him to Knollwood thinking he might make a nice lesson horse.

Little did anyone know what Riddle had in store.

Payton showed him for the first time at Wisconsin Futurity, finishing second in his first ever show classes, and went to the Monarch National Championship show where he won his Open Pleasure qualifier and championship.

Riddle then made the trip to Kansas City and became an equitation horse.  Payton showed him in her age group, and in the Junior National Championship, where they came in 4^th.

Great thanks to the Duerrs and to everyone who had a part in preparing Riddle for the bright future waiting for him.

 

Laney

Another Knollwood Kid coming from generations of horsewomen, Laney started her career in the Arabian world. Laney travels a few times a week from northern Illinois for her ‘Knollwood time.’

When Laney decided to go all-in to the equitation world, she moved to Knollwood for the journey.  Last season, Laney leased Rosewood’s Homecoming Dance and competed in the tough midwestern Pleasure Equitation division with great success. In her first year of competition, Laney ribboned at Louisville, and finished in the Top 10 of the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup final.

In the off season, Laney’s family purchased Seven Oaks Heir Man (Aaron) for the 2020 campaign. They enjoyed a great season, making the cut in both the Good Hands and the Senior UPHA Challenge Cup Finals.

 

 

The Knollwood Challenge Final,

2020 Edition

Nothing in 2020 is going as usual, so we reinvented the Knollwood Challenge Final. Open only to riders and their parents, and held as an independent event instead of a finale at our fall show, the event was a success.

Academy riders have qualified at the Knollwood shows this season by finishing first or second for the chance to ride in the final. We even held one last qualifier on Friday night before the final.

Terri Anne Ullman of Winsome Farm judged all events, and was very impressed with the riders.

Winners of both finals received a custom deRegnaucourt show shirt, and the winner of the walk, trot, and canter final also received a 3 month subscription to RIchfield Video.

 

Topping the tough field of walk, trot, and canter riders was Mia on Vaughn, officially known as He Plays The Blues,  with Addison reserve on Cashew, offically known as Captain Kaos.

Mia guided 4-year-old Vaughn through a tricky pattern with patient horsemanship that everyone enjoyed watching.

 

In the walk and trot division, Brooklyn captured the title with a strong ride on Baxter, AKA A Champagne Toast. Riding right on her heels was Tessa on the one and only Klem.

 

Congratulations to all of our competitors who made the final a joy to watch. 

Who knows where these future stars will ride to???

 

 

 

Team Knollwood is beyond proud of all these accomplishments.

 

With one more show coming up this season, we'll see you at the barn, or at the in-gate!