Dear Knollwood Farm Families and Students,

Given the global coronavirus epidemic, we want to share with you the latest on how Knollwood Farm will be operating over the coming weeks and months.

Based on the guidelines provided from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Wisconsin Department of Health Service (WDHS), we will remain open, and continue to offer lessons.

 

In an effort to keep your children and families safe, Knollwood Farm staff will be adhering to the following regimen of precautions:

1. regular sanitization of all lounge surfaces and doorknobs in and out of our facility

2. sanitizing equipment between lessons (including brushes, reins, saddles and school owned helmets)

3. instructors will be limiting any unnecessary close proximity contact with students and will be sanitizing before and after each lesson.  

4. We will be providing readily available sanitization options in the lounges, tack rooms, and bathrooms, for customers to sanitize spaces as they see fit for their comfort level.

And we are asking that any of our clients who are feeling unwell remain home and avoid coming to lessons or the upcoming Knollwood show. Our 24 hour cancelation policy is flexible.

We are planning on proceeding with the upcoming Knollwood Show

Per state guidance on events and nonessential gatherings, the Knollwood Show will continue on as it will be well below the size of event that is being advised to cancel.  However, out of abundance of caution, we recommend that attendance be limited to just athletes and one or two supporters. We strongly recommend that at-risk family members, and anyone who has been traveling where there is a known outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, remain home. In lieu of attending, we will be providing a live stream of the horse show on our Facebook page. We will also be changing the format of the concessions stand to exclusively pre-packaged snacks and meals.

If any students do not feel comfortable attending the upcoming Knollwood Show or their lessons, please rest assured, your lessons do NOT expire and your Knollwood Show entry fees can be utilized for the June show, though you will still receive your spring t-shirt and will therefore be required to just pay for the summer shirt.

Knollwood Staff are keeping a close eye on the rapidly changing recommendations via the CDC and WDHS with daily checks ins for updates and intend to keep you all informed, safe, and maintain as much of a sense of normalcy as possible.

Stay well, and happy riding!

We’re so excited to welcome the start of show season 2020 with the Spring In-Barn Knollwood Show coming up on March 21 and 22.

Our home shows are incredibly important in the education of our riders, and they’re a lot of fun, too. We’re thrilled to report that we have a whopping 13 riders making their show ring debuts in the maiden division, we have lots of ‘promotions’ into the walk trot and canter division, and our 10 and under walk trot and canter division has almost a totally new cast of characters.

Why are these shows so popular among our riders? They offer the perfect environment to become confident in the show ring.  Riders show in their ‘home ‘ arena, ride the best lesson horses in the world, and do this all under the watchful eye of our instructors and ring assistants.

The shows benefit the Knollwood Knockouts, and they’re the group’s biggest fundraisers of the year. These shows provide funds for the annual awards banquet, the club’s holiday party, outings for the members, and donations to the group’s favorite charities.

How do we produce events of this size that are so much fun for so many? 

2 words:  PARENT VOLUNTEERS.

 

We are beyond fortunate that we have a fantastic group of parents who are always there to support our riders. They represent all ages and levels of our kids, and come from both our lesson program and our show horse world. We can safely say that everyone will want to hang out with these peeps once you meet them, you'll be hooked.

What exactly do they do?

Our parents shop for the concession stand, set up the concession stand, run the concession stand with youth members of the Knockouts. These kids learn all about customer service, making change, and salesmanship all while working with their barn friends.

Parents set up chairs in the arena, set up center ring, and get the PA ready to rock.

Prior to the show, parents donate to gift baskets, sign up to work in the concession stand, and ask friends and family to donate silent auction items. Just before show day, crafty parents get together to put the gift baskets together so everyone will want to take them home.

So basically, parents make horse show magic happen! We’re looking for your help for this upcoming show, and we’d really love for some new parents to join the fun we all have.

Please consider taking a shift at the concession stand. You can sign up here.

If you can’t so that, please donate to a gift basket or two. Lists of themes and items needed are posted on the tackroom door in the school barn.

We’re looking forward to a wonderful weekend of horse showing, and we hope you can help support the kids in their efforts.

 

 

Tradition.

Honor.

Passion.

And a whole lot of fun.

Knollwood Summer 2020 is just around the corner, and we can’t wait. 

Longer sunny days, barn doors wide open, the arena filled with sunlight, riding outside, and SUMMER CAMP!

Our camp program offers something for horse lovers of all ages and abilities. 

From the Tiny Tot camps to the invitational camps for our experienced show riders, there’s room for you to learn about horses, enjoy the Wisconsin summer, and develop a real love of the sport.

 

Tiny Tot Camps

For our youngest horse lovers aged 4-6, we offer three day, three hour camps to introduce the littles to horses. From 9 AM until noon, the riders enjoy time with our fabulous beginner horses. Our campers each have a ‘personal assistant’ with them during the day to help them learn to groom and get their horses ready to ride. (And to reach all the tall parts of the horse!)

The campers ride each day, play lots of games, and enjoy snack time, too. On the last day of camp, the riders ride a demonstration for their parents and friends to show all they’ve learned.

Best of all, this camp is only $300, but it books up fast.  We’re offering four sessions this summer, and they’re half full already. You can sign up right on our website, or drop by for a visit.

Session dates for 2020 are:

June 22-24

July  6- 8

July 27 – 29

August 17-19

 

Classic Summer Riding School

For our riders aged 7 and up, we offer a 5 day camp that runs from 9 AM-3 PM each day. Perfect for beginner riders, these sessions introduce campers to horsemanship as well as riding. Kids will learn how to groom their horse, and get his equipment ready for riding. They’ll ride twice a day most days, and will learn plenty of new skills on the best lesson horses in the world.

Weather permitting, most of the riding will be in our small outdoor ring which is perfect for small groups. Of course, if the weather doesn’t cooperate, lessons will move to our beautiful indoor arena.

In addition to riding, campers will learn all about care of these gentle giants, how horses think, and how to take care of their equipment. Classroom is a ‘hands on’ event with many games involved to make learning fun.

We’re thrilled to partner once again with Soul Fire Art Studio for Wednesday afternoon craft sessions. Their expert staff comes to the farm and helps campers create camp memories to take home. Their new studio is open in Delafield, and they offer plenty of classes for different projects, and they welcome drop-ins, too!

Riders will finish their week of camp with a demonstration at 11 AM on Friday. They’ll show their parents how much they’ve learned, and have a photo op with their horses. We’ll enjoy some cookies and treats after the show, too.

Classic camp is only $550, and we offer 4 sessions which are booking up fast. You can sign up here on our website, or stop by.

June 15 – 19

June 29 – July 3

July 13  - 17  FULL

July 20- 24

 

Summer Show Prep Camp

June 8 - 12

It’s a special week for riders currently enrolled in our program and looking forward to showing at our summer show on June 13-14. Our show stars will learn all about horse showing, both in the ring and in the barn. Learn the ins and outs of showmanship, how to prepare your horse for a show, and what good sportsmanship is all about in the horse show world.

 

Invitational Camps

For our riders who are currently showing away from home at the academy level, or who are making their academy show debut this summer, we offer a series of invitational camps.

 

 

 

ASAW Showcase Prep Camp

Our riders who will be showing for the first time at the Summer Showcase Show in Cedarburg on August 9, are all invited to attend a week designed just for them. These future stars will prepare on their horses for the show, practice ring strategies, and pattern for the pattern class, and have a ton of fun. They’ll even travel to the showgrounds on Friday before the show and ride there before they prep their horses for the performance.  There will be lots of shampoo and saddle soap on Friday!

If you think your rider might be ready for the challenge, please contact Ann.

 

Advanced Invitational Camps

Riders currently showing at the academy level come to the barn for a week of intense instruction and a lot of fun. Lifelong friendships form at the barn as these riders are challenged to progress, cheer each other on, and immerse themselves in horses for a week. Did we mention water fights  and games on their horses to blow off steam?

 

We really do have a camp for every horse lover. 

Visitors are welcome at any time, but we feel the best way to see Knollwood as a first timer is with a tour. Please call Ann or Nancy at 262-367-2391 or email us at knollwoodfarmltd@gmail.com, and we’d be happy to set up a time that works with your schedule.

We’re looking forward to Knollwood Summer 2020, and hope you can join us!

 

What’s coming next?

Parents Meeting

Saturday, March 7 at 6:00 PM

Join us in the show barn lounge to learn how you can help a great bunch of horse kids with their Knockout activities. Of course, snacks and refreshments will be served.  Please RSVP here.

 

Knockout Meeting

Saturday, March 14 at 2:30 PM

Join us to learn what’s in the ultimate horse show kaboodle, and catch up with all the news.

 

Practice Rides

Friday, March 20 at 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM

Join us to learn all about the Knollwood show. It’s a perfect chance to practice everything you’ll do at the show, and it’s only $40.  Please see your instructor to sign up.

 

Knollwood Spring Show

March 21 and 22

Show season is here!

 

Academy Strategy Class

Friday April 3 at 6:30 PM

Want to get a leg up on the competition? Join us for a strategy class to improve your presentation in the show ring. As part of the Friday Passport series, the class is $45, or you can buy a passport for any 4 classes for $160.

 

 

The Food Drive Starts!

Wednesday, April 15

From April 15th until May 16, Knollwood Kids will be collecting food kits for the Food Pantry of Waukesha County. Anyone who collects a minimum of 5 kits is eligible to compete in the Knollwood Olympics at 6:00 PM on Saturday, May 16.

 

New this year? A special junior division for our youngest kit collectors, and some new fun events. Of course we'll finish the event with a cookout, so be sure to start planning your collection strategy!

 

 

We're looking forward to summer 2020, and all that comes before it. 

Hope you can join us for all we have planned.

Tradition.

Honor. 

Passion.

And a whole lot of fun.

 

The days are getting longer, the horses are shedding, (a lot) show season is coming, and there’s a ton of fun to be had to Knollwood. 

Here’s the latest:

Spring Clean Up

February 28 and 29 from 4-6 PM

Spring is in the air, and we’re getting together to give the lesson tack and school barn ready. You can sign up in the school barn or here to join us for some fun with warm water and soap.  Parents are welcome, too!

Patchwork Pony Road Show

February 29 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Comfort Suites and Conference Center in Johnson Creek

All the way from West Virginia, the Patchwork Pony is bringing their deep selection of consignment show clothes to our neighborhood. Whether you need academy attire or suits, they have great customer service to help you look your best.

Culver's Fundraiser

Wednesday, March 4 from 5-8 PM

Get your friends and family together to enjoy some deliciousness at the Hartland Culver's, and support the Knockouts at the same time.  A percentage of ALL sales during these three hours are donated to our youth group, and the program has been wonderful for the Knockouts.  Plus, what in the world is better than frozen custard or a butter burger??

Mother Daughter Ride

Friday, March 6 at 6:30 PM

Friday Passport classes are in full swing, and it’s time for our horse girls to show their moms why they love riding so much.  Moms will enjoy a group lesson with their daughters acting as their personal assistants. For only $45, or a passport purchase of $160 which entitles you any ANY 4 passport classes, you can join the experience of having your daughter know more about something than you do.

 

Parent Meeting

Saturday, March 7 at 6:00 PM

Parents, have you wondered how you can become more involved with a great group of kids? Some of our supportive parents would love to meet you for a get together in the show barn lounge.  There are many, many ways to help this group, and no horse knowledge is required. Of course, snacks and refreshments will be provided.

 

Knockout Meeting

Saturday, March 14 at 2:30

Join the Knockouts for a meeting and learn all about what’s in the perfect show kaboodle. We’ll also get geared up for the food drive starting April 15 and Knollwood Olympics on May 16.

Practice Rides

Friday, March 20 at 5:30 and 6:30

Whether you’re a first time show rider, or an experienced star looking for a tune up, these practice rides are perfect for you. We’ll learn ALL about the Knollwood spring show, and get to practice all aspects of the show experience.

You can sign up with your instructor in the show barn lounge, and the class is only $40.

Knollwood Spring Show

March 21 at 1:00 PM and March 22 at noon

Show season starts at home with our Spring in-barn show. Walk trot and canter riders will compete on Saturday afternoon, while our walk trot and leadline stars will show on Sunday.

Entries are in, and horses will be assigned soon.  Watch the wall in the school barn for your horse and for opportunities to contribute to this important Knockout fundraiser!

Knockout Shirts!

Orders taken through March 22

The Knockouts have designed their own shirts for the summer. They’re only $20, and size samples are available in the school barn lounge. 

Light blue tees are available for youth sizes as well as unisex adult sizing. In misses sizes, we're offering a black tee in athletic fabric.  (Our 'grown ups' have requested black so no one will see them sweat ...)

All proceeds go to the Knockouts, so shirts can be paid for with cash or a check made out to the Knollwood Knockouts. They’re perfect for summer days at the barn!

Food Drive

April 15 through May 16

Team Knollwood’s annual food drive for the Food Pantry of Waukesha County kicks off on April 15.  We’re collecting food kits at a time of the year when the pantry runs low, and demand increases.

If you collect a minimum of 5 food kits or the cash equivalent, ($60) you can join a team to compete in the Knollwood Olympics on May 16 at 6:00 PM. Teams will be based on the day of the week you ride, and the day of the week that collects the most food kits over their goal of 5 kits per team member will get a special prize.

We’ll provide more details soon on this popular event, so be sure to save the date for lots of fun as we help our neighbors in need.

IASPHA Spring Show

April 17-19

Fields and Fences, Gurnee, IL

The first show of 2020!!  Both show and academy horses will be traveling to one of our favorite show series, and it’s close to home! Show horses will compete Friday to Sunday while our academy riders will show on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

With fabulous hospitality, deep competition, and a weather proof facility, it’s always a popular show.  Academy riders, please get your entries in soon so we can start preparing for show season 2020. 

 

We hope you can join us for all the events we have planned. 

Tradition.Honor.Passion.

And a whole lot of fun.

Team Knollwood is sad to announce the passing of legendary academy horse Andeker Light.  Born at Knollwood 30 years ago, Zeus enjoyed a brief, undistinguished show career as a gaited horse before he found his true calling.

 

This son of Andeker was beautiful from the neck up, but can only be described as pretty crooked in the leg department. Zeus never let that get in the way of his dreams, entering every academy class as if it was stake night at Freedom Hall.

 

What he lacked in classic confirmation, Zeus made up for in heart, ambition, and sense of humor. He never tired, even when his riders maybe wish he would have, never saw an in-gate that didn’t make him trot in place until they dropped it, and could act on ringmaster hand signals before the announcer could open his mouth.

 

Knollwood Kids of a certain age will remember ‘making it’ by being ‘Zeused’ in their academy classes. He always knew when it was time for the line up, and beat everyone in.

Our hearts are heavy, but we’re grateful for the 30 years Zeus spent with us. He made countless riders better, and made everyone who rode him want a Saddlebred just like him.

 

Peace to you. Zeus. May you find straight legs and pastures to rack through over the Rainbow Bridge. 

And please tell Cartman and Dean that we miss them and the other Knollwood alums up there.