Our fall celebration of all things Knollwood academy was an absolute blast.  As usual, we have some great stories to tell, so read on…

We’re SO Glad They Always Come Back.

Knollwood Kid Kelsey Nicole Farnham returned to preside over both days of the show.  She learned to ride in the same arena, and accomplished feats most of us can only dream about.  Winner of the Worlds Grand Championship of Saddle Seat Equitation in addition to many, many, equitation finals including the prestigious USEF Medal, Kelsey enjoyed watching the newest generation.  Having judged the show a few years ago, Kelsey said she enjoyed watching the riders' progress, and felt like she was part of their growing up.

Always a good sport, Kelsey filled in for Wendy in the Mother Daughter class when the concession stand called Wendy away. And following in the tradition started by Shelby, Kelsey joined the gaming portion of the show, hopping aboard Hugo for the slowest canter event.

 

Knollwood Kids Always Find A Way.

Knollwood Kid Emilie finances her academy shows through her creative decorating business.  She creates cups, cosmetic bags, and just about anything else you can imagine.  Her creativity has allowed her to attend pattern camps and horse shows.

For the fall show, we were happy to present her unique Knollwood ornaments as trophies to all of our class winners.

 

We Know How To Play.

Knollwood Kids know how to have fun, and our gaming division was a great example.  Richie started it off by winning the first ever Open Bareback Equitation class, and he ended up in the ride off in Musical Towels event.  Super helper, Knollwood Co-President, and horse show organizer extraordinaire Erika handed Richie his first ever defeat in musical towels.

Actually, Pony Frank is just faster than Duke, but the effort in the ride-off was pretty amazing.  And we’re very impressed with the bravery of our front row spectators who believed those two would stop before they reached the crowd.

 

The Circle Continues.

Honestly, the best part of these shows is watching the progress of riders as they grow up.  Our leadline division had to be split, and both classes were pretty great.  The eight and under walk trot classes were fierce, and included riders as young as 6 managing the arena like pros.

Our walk trot and canter division for riders 10 and under was a spectacle.  While many of these riders are showing as 10 year olds and will move up the the WTC divisions out of barn next year, we have a rocking group of 8 year olds knocking on the door of the in-barn WTC division.

 

Team Knollwood!

An event of this size takes a small army to pull off, and we’re fortunate to have an incredibly supportive one. The weekend included volunteer hair stylists, ringmasters, announcer Jeni, concession stand masters Lisa and Wendy and all of their Knockout volunteers, and griller Anne.

Knollwood helpers put together the gift baskets, and they took fabulous care of the lesson horses and their riders all weekend. These ladies (and Richie) make every rider feel comfortable at the show, and offer advice and support, run with leadline riders, and take great care of the best lesson horses in the world.

A special shout out is needed for Erika and Maya.  These two worked ALL day both Saturday and Sunday, and kept the whole show running smoothly while making sure horses and riders were comfortable.  They are amazing and are getting great experience.

 

The Grand Finale of the Season.

The Fall show finishes each session with a Knollwood Challenge Final. 

Based on the National finals, riders have to qualify during the season by competing and finishing first or second in a qualifier.  The top two places in each of the three qualifiers meet up at the end of the show for rail work and pattern work.  The patterns for the final are more difficult than the qualifier, and are quite challenging.  Riders see the pattern for the first time in the morning, and have time to walk it in the arena.  They have never ridden it before.

On Saturday afternoon, six riders performed a pattern that included circles, diagonal changes, and a diagonal line that included a dropdown from a canter to a trot.

At the end of the highly competitive class, Lauren was named the champion and Emma was reserve.

 

On Sunday afternoon, the walk and trot finalists rode a pattern that included diagonal changes, a circle and a serpentine.  After a hotly contested final, last year’s winner Mia presented the trophy to Maiya with the reserve award going to Jule.

We love the Challenge Final, because it allows riders to perform under pressure. They get to ride a pattern in competition that they haven’t performed before.  It’s one thing to ride on the rail in a group, but it takes another set of horsemanship skills to work through a new pattern.

We’re so proud of all these finals riders who competed under pressure and did a tremendous job.

 

Thoughts From The Weekend:

Barn friends are the best.  Riders interact with friends of all different ages and levels, because they have one thing in common, being horse kids. They support each other, love on all the horses, and stay away from their phones.

 

These lesson horses are truly the best in the world.  All weekend, they performed with patience and good senses of humor. (Although by Sunday afternoon, Sparky WAS trying to tell Kelsey when he thought the classes should reverse.)

 

From Willis learning his new job to Dudley enjoying the change in his routine, they seemed to enjoy the weekend as much as their people friends did.

 

We have an unbelievable group of friends and customers. Horse moms were helping kids other than their own,  kids who don’t even ride were helping in the concession stand, show riders worked their whole weekend when they probably should have been doing school work before heading to Kansas City for the finals, and everyone cheered for each other.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to make the show a memory for a lifetime for so many.

 

What's Coming Next?

Our show horses and riders are in Kansas City competing at the UPHA National Championship American Royal Horse Show.  With National Championships and the last big two equitation finals in the balance, Team Knollwood will be in the thick of the competition.  We'll keep you posted on social media!

Harvest Day

This Saturday you can join our fall celebration from 3-6 PM.  For the admission price of two food kits for the Food Pantry of Waukesha County, you can participate in fun games like sack racing and bobbing for apples. Please bring an extra food kit and sign up soon if you'd like to compete in the big relay race at 6:00 PM in the arena.

Please sign up here if you'll be joining the fun!

Soul Fire Craft Day

Join us in the show barn lounge on Saturday, December 7 from 11 AM to 3 PM when our friends from Soul Fire Art Studio will be on hand to help you make holiday ornaments.  Just drop in, and the helpful staff will assist you in making a unique ornament.

 

Parents Night Out

Join us from 5 PM to 8 PM on Saturday, December 7.  Parents can enjoy dinner out, or get some shopping done while kids make posters for the School Horse of the Year Election starting on December 1, play games in the barn and enjoy dinner with the Knockout officers and board.  It's only $10, and you can sign up in the school barn.

 

Knockout Holiday Party

Join us at 6:00 PM on Saturday, December 14 for our annual extravaganza.  It includes a scavenger hunt, pizza, an optional gift exchange, and the election of our 2020 club officers.  If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Knockout officer or board member, please talk to Erika or Korinne.

The event is free to all Knockout members, and parents are welcome to BYOB.

If you're not yet a member, your instructor would be happy to help you join.

 

Knockout Banquet

We hope to see everyone at the Legend at Bristlecone Pines on Saturday, February 8 for our annual celebration of all things Knollwood.  It sounds like a long way away, but be sure to keep the date open for an event you won't want to miss!

 

 

See you at the barn!

 

My name is Frank the Pony, and I have stage fright.

Because of my fears, I’m unable to participate in the Knollwood Fall Show.  As part of my therapy regimen, I’ve been collecting information about the show in an attempt to de-sensitize myself.  Please bear with me as I work my way through explanations that I know very little about. I hope my co-workers aren’t leading me on …

 

 

The show runs two afternoons, with walk trot and canter classes on Saturday, November 9 starting at 1:00 pm, and the walk and trot performance follows on Sunday, November 10 at noon. The riders you’ll see on Saturday are the ones who enjoy riding me bareback, love playing games with me because of my zero turning radius, and who make me behave and not act like a pony.

The Sunday riders are the ones I teach on a daily basis how to follow through to get what they want from me. They may be small, but I’ve made them mighty.

 

 

 

Show shirt and back number packets will be ready for pickup in the school barn lounge starting at noon on Thursday. 

New for this show? You’ll receive a program with your packet!  Great thanks to Wild Impact Marketing for the fun show shirts.

 

The concession stand will be up and running on both days of the show.  Be sure to stop by and enjoy some delicious food and terrific service, served up by the Knollwood Knockouts. They still have some opportunities to volunteer in the stand, and you can sign up here. (If someone could sign me up, I think I could make it there…)

 

 

The show also features the annual Helper Basket Challenge.  Judge Kelsey will pick her favorite basket, and the helpers from the winning night will receive a pizza party courtesy of the Knockouts.

These are major fundraisers for the Knollwood Knockouts, our award winning youth group.

 

Speaking of Judge Kelsey, everyone is excited to welcome celebrated Knollwood Kid Kelsey back to judge our final show of the year.  She grew up here, and went on to become a top rider, even winning the World’s Grand Championship of Saddle Seat Equitation.

Her expertise will be needed this weekend at the grand finale with full classes, hard riding stars, and the best lesson horses in the world. (Including me, even though I won’t be showing.)

 

 

Depth?

We have depth.

Our leadline division is so full that we split it into 2 classes. Many age divisions had to be split, the pattern classes are full, and the ‘grown-ups’ are out in number.

 

 

 

Quality?

This show features the finals of the Knollwood Challenge.

Based on the big equitation finals, the Knollwood Challenge offers riders the experience at an academy level. Riders compete in a qualifying class at each of our three shows where they ride both on the rail and perform a predetermined pattern.  In the walk and trot division, riders all trot a non-inverted figure eight, and in the walk, trot, and canter division, all riders trot an inverted figure eight.

The top two placings in each qualifier advance to compete in the final at the November show.

The Final class features railwork, and a more difficult pattern that the riders see for the first time the morning of the show.

The winner of each final receives a bronze traveling trophy for a year, and a custom show shirt from deRegnaucourt.

 

Fun?

We have that in spades.

In addition to the really competitive classes, we host a gaming division on Saturday before the WTC Challenge Final.

Show and academy riders are welcome to join the games of Slowest Canter, Musical Towels, and Ride a $5.

Even the judge joined in at the summer show!

There are a couple of spots left for gamers.  Contact Ann if you'd like to join in!

This is the first division I'd like to compete in after I've completed my therapy!

 

 

 

The Fine Print:

Parking is limited to our lot and the street.  No parking is permitted in the Kettle Moraine Curling Club lot, as they have a major event this weekend as well.  Please help us be good neighbors.

Knollwood Challenge Final riders will show in their academy show outfits.  If you're riding in a qualifier, please have your show clothes ready.

Future academy star Willis made his debut at the IASPHA Fall show, and ill continue his education on Saturday. Korinne will again be riding him during the show on Saturday to help him become more comfortable in groups.  

 

 

See you at the show!!

If anyone has any ideas to help me over my stage fright, I'll be taking advice in the pasture this weekend.  You'll find me at the round bale.

 

 

 

 

Tradition.

Honor.

Passion...

And a lot of fun.

 

 

Is there anything better than Fall in the midwest? 

The nights are cooler, the leaves are beautiful, and it’s still horse show season!

Our academy riders and horses enjoyed their last out of barn show last weekend in Gurnee, Illinois. The show, run by IASPHA, is always a favorite, and this fall was no exception.  We traveled with 13 horses, 20 academy riders, and 4 show horse riders.

The facility, Fields and Fences is wonderful, with the whole show under one roof.  While it rained all day Saturday, everyone stayed warm and toasty all day.

Klem really appreciated it!!

Our riders finished the show season strong with good rides and ribbons to boot.  The progress from the start of the season is amazing, and we’re so proud of all our riders.

A couple of stand outs?

Korinne showed Willis at his first academy show this weekend.  She did a fabulous job helping this future academy star navigate through BIG classes with lots of traffic. Willis gained confidence in every class thanks to Korinne's horsemanship skills.

Maddie finished her 13 and under career this weekend with personality-plus Panic.  This dynamic duo went on to the senior division with a bang, winning all of their classes.  Panic was so caught up in the day that he racked all of his victory passes.  Well.

 

Lily lives in Philadephia, and doesn’t get a chance to ride as much as she’d like.  She joined us at IASPHA for her first walk, trot, and canter classes and did a fabulous job.  She even won her pleasure class and her equitation class!

 

 

Klem wore his zookeeper outfit with style in the costume class.  He was joined by a couple of elephants and a tiger.  We think he really liked his hat, as he never put his ears back all through the class. 

 

Denise dominated the ‘grown up’ walk, trot and canter division, winning all three of her classes on JD.  IASPHA is popular with adults, as it gives them their own championship class.

 

We’re always known for dominating pattern classes, and IASPHA was no exception.  On a fun note, our riders won both splits of the walk and trot pattern class.  Maiya on Cashew won the first split, and Maya on Baxter won the second.

 

Finally, we were joined by several of our newest show riders, some even showing at just their second show.  They rode like pros, using the arena like they’ve been doing it forever.  These newbies are destined for great success in the future.

 

 

Next Wednesday, November 6 is a Knockout fundraiser night at the Hartland Culvers. A percentage of all purchases made between 5 and 8 PM will be donated to our youth group.  What a great reason to meet some friends at Culvers!

 

 

 

The Knollwood Fall show is coming up on November 9 and 10.  Please sign up here to support the Knockouts at the concession stand.  We’re also looking for donations to the helper gift baskets, which you can assign up for in the school barn lounge.

Great thanks to our friends at Soul Fire Art Studio for sponsoring our concession stand for the Fall show!

They're moving to a new location at

636 Main Street in

Delafield

soon, so stay tuned!

 

 

Orders for fall Woodwear are due on Sunday, November 10 so we can have the styles in time for the holidays.  Size samples for tees, and quarter zips, and embroidered samples of the hat and tote as well as order blanks are available in the school barn lounge.

 

 

Show horses are off for Kansas City next weekend to show at the UPHA National Championship American Royal Horse Show.  We’ll update with schedules and webcast information as soon as they’re available. You won’t want to miss watching all the national championship classes and the last 2 equitation finals that make up the triple crown.  Knollwood riders are sure to be in the thick of the deep competition!

 

The Knockouts are hosting their first Harvest Day on Saturday, October 16.  From 3-6 that afternoon, you can come and bob for apples, paint pumpkins, carve pumpkins, and have your photo taken with a horse.  The admission is the donation of 2 food kits for the Food Pantry of Waukesha County.

To end the festivities, the Knockout officers have designed a killer relay race in the arena which will take place at 6 PM.  The entry fee is one extra food kit per racer, and you can sign up on the bulletin board in the school barn lounge.

 

Voting for the 2019 school horse of the year will start on December 1.  When you pay your 2020 Knockout dues, you’ll receive a ballot for the election.  The winner will be announced at the banquet!

 

Don’t forget that the Knockout Holiday party is coming up soon on December 14 at 6:00 PM.  We’ll be electing officers for 2020, and if you’re thinking of running, please talk to Erika or Korinne for more details.

 

Point totals are being tabulated, and high point awards will be announced at the Knollwood Knockouts awards banquet on Saturday, February 8.  Please plan to join us at Bristlecone for an evening of celebration. All Knockouts will receive an invitation in early January.  Not a member?  We’d love to have you.  Please see your instructor for more details.

 

 

 

Hope you can join us for all the fun we have planned at Knollwood.

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

Some people think we’re crazy, always traveling to horse shows and maintaining lessons and events at home. 

We may be a little crazy, but mostly we like to have fun and adventures. 

We’ve been really good at it lately!

 

 

 

Last weekend was a winner at home and at Mane Event.

Our show horses were competing at the Mane Event show in Springfield, and what a show they had.

Gabby and Charlie did it again, unanimously winning the gaited show pleasure qualifier and championship for junior exhibitors.  This team is such a blast to watch.

Richie and Tink along with Bella and Garfield were stars in the junior exhibitor country pleasure division, and even finished second and third in the championship.

Linda and Warheart were stars in the 5 gaited country pleasure division, finishing second in their qualifier and coming back to win the championship on Sunday.

Our equitation riders rode fabulously, and Richie and Finn made the cut in the Good Hands national final.  Laney and Payton turned in fabulous rides in the Jackpot class with Laney finishing reserve champ and young Payton finishing a strong 5^th.

 

The best part of Mane Event was the fun. 

 

 

Knollwood Kids are always finding things to celebrate, and this weekend was no exception.

Laney turned 16, and a grand party was held, which only led to more jumping around and goofing off. We certainly know how to enjoy those special moments.

 

 

 

 

Did someone say party?

Halloween on Horseback was a hit last Friday night at Knollwood.  A dozen costumed horses and riders entered the ring for fun and games.  Some of our favorites were Tess and the Pony as Shrek and Donkey, Mark as a princess and Samara as a toad, and Duke as a knight with Brooklyn as a princess.  Klem enjoyed his first party, and thought he looked fabulous with Lyla, both sporting blinking pumpkin lights.

 

Believe it or not, he liked the games even better, and was especially fond of musical towels.

 

 

 IASPHA Fall, Here We Come!

This weekend, 13 horses are headed to Gurnee for the final academy show of the season.  We’re looking forward to a great show with our friends from IASPHA.  The show sold out before entries were due, and classes are HUGE.  All of the academy classes are 10 or bigger, and our riders can hardly wait to play in traffic, just like they do in their group lessons.

 

Some of our newest show riders are making the trip for the ‘green’ division, and some of our most seasoned stars will be rocking it as well.

 

Saturday night features class 1313, the costume class.  Great thanks to Jules’ Mom for organizing our entry, starring Klem as a zoo keeper.  And yes, he WILL be sporting a custom made costume.

Please come join us at the show. It’s a short drive, and it’s going to be a great weekend!

 

 Order Your Fall Woodwear! 

We’re now taking orders for our new line of Woodwear. We’re offering tees, quarter zips, helmet bags, and fun hats with pom poms.  Size samples are available in the school barn lounge, and pre-paid orders are due Sunday, November 10 to ensure holiday delivery.

 

 

 Knollwood Fall is Almost Here!

 

The grand finale is coming up fast! The Fall Knollwood Show will be held on November 9 and 10, and we can hardly wait.  It features the finals of the 2019 Knollwood Challenge, and it’s a big show.

We’re still looking for donations to our helper gift baskets, and for some help at the concession stand, especially on Sunday.  You can sign up here for the stand.

We’re excited to welcome Kelsey Nicole Farnham as our judge for the weekend. Kelsey grew up a Knollwood Kid, and achieved great success in the equitation world, winning numerous finals and the World’s Grand Championship of Saddle Seat Equitation.  

We can't wait  to celebrate the progress of all of our riders.

 

 Here Comes the Royal!

 

While we’re enjoying the in-barn show, our show barn crew will be prepping horses in Kansas City for the UPHA  American Royal National Championship Horse Show.   The last show of the 2019 campaign, the Royal features national championships in many divisions, as well as the last of the equitation finals.

Our horses and riders will be competing in many divisions for national titles.

Knollwood’s Equitation Kids will be competing in both the UPHA Challenge Cup National Finals and the USEF Medal Final.  Look for Finn, Heather, Laney, Payton, and Richie to be riding their hearts out at their last show of the season.  

             

The show will be webcast for a fee, and we’ll update with information as soon as it’s available.

 

 

 Fall Fest at Knollwood!

 

The Knockouts are holding their first ever Harvest Day celebration on Saturday, November 16.  All Knollwood riders and their friends and families are invited to join the celebration from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Admission is 2 food kits for the Food Pantry of Waukesha County, and visitors can enjoy pumpkin carving and painting, bobbing for apples, and pictures with horses.

 

The Knockout officers have designed a challenging relay race, and you can sign up a team before Harvest Day in the school barn lounge.  The entry fee for these 2 or 3 people teams is another food kit.  Join the fun in the arena at 6:00 PM for the race start.

 

We hope to see you at all of these events!  You won’t want to miss any of them!

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

 

          

Running a big lesson program,  we’re lucky to field a lot of questions from our customers. 

 

Here are a few of the most frequently asked queries.

 

 

I saw on the calendar that Willy is on vacation this week.  What do horses do on vacation?

Our lesson horses are priceless, and we can’t possibly thank them enough for their cheerful work.  Even horses need breaks, so each of our hard working boys that worked summer camp has enjoyed a ‘spa week.’ For 7 days, they do NO lessons, enjoy a thorough grooming every day, receive plenty of treats, and extra attention from their fans.  Judging from Big Frank’s energy level this week after his vacation, those days off are greatly appreciated.

After the Knollwood show, the ‘box stall boys’ will start their vacation schedule, so start buying mints now!!!!!!

 

How do I get to ride the box stall horses?

We have a special group of horses that travel to academy shows where our students compete against  horses and riders from other lesson programs.  These very special  ‘academy horses’ are reserved for riders who have made the jump to private lessons and who have decided to compete in the academy division.

These horses are the best in the business, and teach important lessons to our show ring riders. With horses ranging from Klem to Sadie, these academy stars can take you anywhere you’d like to go.  Please let your instructor know if you’d like more information about our academy show program.

 

Why are some lessons done bareback?

Riding bareback is one of the most valuable tools we have for building leg and core strength in our riders. In addition to strengthening, bareback also enhances balance, communication between horse and rider, and boosts confidence.

When bareback becomes too easy, our riders enjoy lessons in their saddles with their stirrups removed.  The saddles are a little more slippery, and offer even a greater challenge.

We embrace the no stirrup lifestyle, and it shows.

 

Why does Bengal the cat talk so much?

We have no idea.  Do you?

 

The Knollwood shows offer classes for school horse and saddle seat pleasure. What’s the difference?

We group our riders into classes based on their levels of experience, and group horses according to their breed, age, and style.

Our beginner horses are mostly lower headed breeds and travel slowly with their newer riders. We assign them to school horse pleasure classes so they compete against similar horses. Some of our older Saddlebred lesson horses may also be in this division.

Saddle Seat pleasure classes are for the faster, higher headed Saddlebreds and Morgans.  The riders are more experienced, and have learned to help their horses balance and keep their heads up.

 

Why are some horses so difficult to keep going?

Learning to ride a horse is a process with many lessons learned along the way.  These slower horses allow riders to develop their balance first while they’re learning to post.  Once riders know how to post, and are independent of their ‘personal assistant,’ they learn how to ride the horse.  An important part of this process is learning to follow through to get what you want, and our horses are wonderful teachers.  They teach their students patience, follow through, and confidence.  These slower fellows build riders who are comfortable, and ready to step up to quicker mounts.

 

I see other riders wearing Knollwood clothing. Where can I get some?

We’re putting the finishing touches on our latest line of ‘Woodwear’ for the holiday giving season.  We’ll be offering tee shirts for kids and women, quarter zips in misses sizes, a personalized helmet bag for barn gear, and a fun knit orange hat with a pom pom.  All will feature the Knollwood logo, and the tees will have a fun saying on the back.  Stay tuned!!!

 

Please keep asking!!!

We’re always happy to answer any questions.

 

What’s coming up?

 

Mane Event Horse Show

The show horses are in Springfield, Illinois for the Mane Event Horse show, home to the first of the ‘big three’ national equitation finals of the season, the Good Hands. You can watch the show for free here.

 

IASPHA Fall Show

The academy and ‘B’ horses are heading to Gurnee for their last show of the 2019 season on October 26-27. Twenty academy riders and 12 horses for this show means it’s sure to be an adventure. 

Plus, Klem will be making his costume class debut thanks to Jule and her mom. Please come join us!!

 

 

Knollwood Fall Show

The grand finale to the academy show season is coming up November 9 and 10 at Knollwood. It’s a big show, and we’d love everyone’s help making it a great one.

You can sign up here to help in the concession stand, a major fundraiser for the Knollwood Knockouts. We’re also looking for donations to the helper’s gift baskets, and for the silent auction.

Please consider helping the hardest working youth group around!

 

 

 

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