Hi Team Knollwood!

School horse of the year 2025 Fred here to bring you up to speed on the spring Knollwood show.

It’s coming up May 16-18 right here at Knollwood, and we lesson horses can hardly wait to show off our riders and ourselves.

I’ve been overhearing many, many questions from Knollwood families, and I’ll do my best to answer them. I may need to call on my co-workers for the ones about speed and efficiency.

What do I wear for the show?

Competitors should look their best.

This means black or navy jods, and riding boots.

DO NOT FORGET YOUR TIEDOWNS!

Nothing looks worse to a judge than a rider with their jods riding up towards their knees.

You’ll receive a bright blue show shirt when you receive your show packet. Your show kit will also include your back number and your personalized schedule for the weekend.

Riders should also wear their helmet if worn in lessons, and gloves.

If your horse doesn’t recognize you when you’re all dressed to show, please reintroduce yourself!

 

What Should I do With My Long Hair?

Many of us lesson horses have the same issue.

Please keep your hair off your back number so the judge knows who you are. Braids work great, or any other creative ‘do’ that keeps your number clear will do.

Bilbo knows some great stylists, if you need a referral.

How Do I Keep My Number on My Back?

Be sure to purchase some number magnets.  Knollwood customer and Murphy’s owner Jodi, has a business selling show accessories. You can reach her here.

She’ll also have some magnets for sale at the farm the week before the show.

 

 

 

What’s the Difference Between Horsemanship and Equitation?

Simply put, horsemanship classes are all about us, the best lesson horses in the world.

We take riders into the ring for their first class of their show weekend, and the class is judged on how the rider uses the ring, how they keep spacing and appropriate spacing, and how well they stay alone and show to the judge.

In equitation classes, the rider is the center of attention. They are judged on their body position because proper position is the most efficient way to ride a horse.

Rider should be sitting deep in the back of the saddle, have snug knees and thighs, and heels down in the stirrups. They should be sitting tall with their shoulders down and back with hands raised from the elbow. Finally, they should be looking over their horse’s head, and look like they’re enjoying every minute of the ride.

Who wouldn’t be?

Of course, riders should be trotting on the correct diagonal. This means that as the shoulder next to the wall is going forward, the rider should be rising out of the saddle. This helps the horse balance and maintain even back muscles.

In cantering classes, the rider must also be on the correct lead, which means that the inside front leg is going farther forward than the outside front.

Do you see why we lesson horses all laugh when someone says that riding isn’t a sport, and that the horse does all the work?

 

What’s a Championship?

In the equitation championship, riders will show on the rail like in their qualifier. Then each rider is asked to perform some individual work for the judge.

Championship ribbons are a bit fancier, with 3 colors being used instead of one.

In the walk and trot classes, it may be as simple as showing a two point position in the lineup.

In the walk, tot, and canter classes, riders will be asked to go back to the rail and to show trotting and cantering individually.

 

Where is the Show Held?

Each day of the show takes place in a different venue.

The Friday night pattern extravaganza takes place inside starting at 6:00 PM.

I actually have Friday night off, but I’ll be cheering for my co-workers.

Saturday is for our more experienced riders, and will take place in the big outdoor ring. This beautiful arena is perfect for showcasing us lesson horses.

The day starts at 10:00 AM with five splits of walk, trot, and canter for riders 11-17 years of age. The 10 and under riders will take over next, and we’ll finish with the ‘grownups.’

Following the walk, trot, and canter portion of the show, our walk and trot riders aged 11 and over will show.

New this year, we’re finishing the day with a charity class to benefit the Food Pantry of Waukesha County, the judge’s charity of choice.

Riders will compete bareback at the walk, trot, and canter with their hard earned $20 bill under each knee. The last rider with money left will take home half of the pot, and the other half will go to the food pantry.

Judge Shelby will call the class.

Instructors must approve riders to participate.

Show barn riders are allowed if they are a helper in the school barn.

You can sign up starting on Friday by bringing your 2 twenty dollar bills.

Walk Trot Sunday takes place in the small outdoor arena, and starts at 10:00 AM with our leadline stars. Leadline is my first class of the weekend!

Sunday will also showcase 2 splits of Maiden Equitation, riders showing for the first time.

Following maiden, we’ll show off our riders in the 9-10 year old and 8 and under divisions. We’ll finish Sunday with the pattern class for walk and trot riders who are 8 and under. This will take place inside at 2:30.

 

Who’s Judging the Show?

We’re thrilled that ‘Knollwood Kid for Life’ Shelby Hader is joining us for the weekend. A graduate of Lawrence University, Shelby grew up at Knollwood, and was quite an equitation rider.

She fills in teaching at the farm, and is a mentor to lots of current Knollwood Kids.

When not riding or teaching, Shelby is a researcher at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

She appears to be a friend of Richmond, so she's a friend of mine.

 

What’s the Most Important Thing to Learn From Show Weekend?

 I think all of us lesson horses agree that it’s sportsmanship.

 Everyone who rides in the show deserves applause. Showing horses is hard work both physically and mentally. It takes a lot of courage to ride into the ring to be judged.

So, please:

 Appreciate how much you’ve learned from us.

 Clap for everyone.

 Hug your horse.

Congratulate your fellow riders.

Thank your parents.

Tell you horse how great he or she is.

What’s Coming Up?

Mom’s Rides

Saturday, May 10

We have a few openings at the 7:00 session of Mom’s rides. If you’d like your Knollwood Kid to teach you why they love riding so much, please give us a call. It’s only $50, and we guarantee you won’t forget it.

 

Knollwood Spring Show

May 16-18

It’s not just a horse show, it’s a celebration.

We’re still looking for parent and rider help at the concession stand.

Please sign up here.

 

Woodwear Orders Due

Sunday, May 18

Be sure to get your order in for summer Woodwear and for our classic navy jacket.

Forms and size samples are available in the school barn lounge.

 

Horses’ Day Off

Monday, May 19

The school horses will enjoy a day off after show weekend. Lessons have been credited.

 

Madison Classic Horse Show

May 22-25

New Holland Pavillion

This is going to be quite a show.

Knollwood will be well represented with show horses and academy riders.

It’s worth the trip to cheer!

Academy riders show at 10:00 on Saturday morning.

 

Memorial Day

May 26

We will not be holding lessons on Monday, May 26.

Your instructor has arranged a makeup.

Prairie State Classic Horse Show

May 30 – June 1

Our academy team is heading to Beyond Stable Farm  for a show put on by some of our Morgan friends. Please come watcn!

 

Annual Food Drive

June 1 – June 14

We’ve moved the food drive and Olympics by a couple of weeks due to our busy show schedule.

The food collection to benefit the Food Pantry of Waukesha County starts on June 1, and will run until June 14. Any rider who collects a minimum of 5 food kits earns the right to compete in the Knollwood Olympics on Saturday, June 21.

 

Midwest Charity Horse Show

June 10-14

Springfield Illinois

The show horses are heading to the beautiful show arena at the Illinois State Fairgrounds to meet the best competition around.

We’ll provide more info and livestream links when available.

 

Dad's Rides!

June 14

It’s Dad’s time! Knollwood Kids will give their Dad’s a lesson and get to tell him what to do.

For only $50, this memorable experience is yours. Please pay sign up in the school barn lounge starting on Saturday, May 10.

 

 

Knollwood Olympics

June 21

Yes, it’s time to celebrate a successful food drive and have some fun. Riders who collected a minimum of 5 food kits or a minimum of $75 in donations to the Food Pantry of Waukesha get to compete in ‘games of skill.’

You won’t want to miss it!

 

Oshkosh Charity Horse Show

June 25-28

Sunnyview Expo Center

Show and academy horses are headed to the Fox Valley for one of the most enjoyable shows of the year.

Held in a giant covered arena that’s set in a park-like setting, it’s just the best.

Come up and cheer us on!

 

Photo by Hanna Agathen Photography

See you soon at the barn, or at the in-gate.

Team Knollwood has been on the road to 2 shows this season, and they’ve both been memorable.

 

A big group that included both show and academy horses attended the IASPHA Spring Show, and performed above expectations. We introduced several new show teams in the friendly confines of Beyond Stable Farm, and enjoyed all that IASPHA shows have to offer.

Our academy team was amazing as well.

Last weekend, Scott and Richie headed to Columbus, Ohio to start ‘everyone’s favorite red headed boy equitation rider’s’ season.

Richie was a rockstar, executing the championship pattern with patience and horsemanship before being named the winner.

His rides on Tyler in the 5 gaited junior exhibitor classes were electrifying pass after pass. The Tyler/Richie team won both their qualifier and championship at River Ridge.

All of Team Knollwood is ready to start the season full speed ahead.

Our academy team is heading to Woodstock this weekend for the UPHA Spring Show.  Fourteen riders will gain experience in the comfy indoor arena in a big academy schedule.

 

We don’t travel for the Knollwood show, but it’s coming up May 16-18. With around 90 riders competing, we’re looking forward to a full weekend of learning through showing.

All, and we really mean all, of Knollwood will be attending the Madison Classic Horse Show from May 22-25. Academy riders will show Saturday morning at 10:00 AM.

If you have a chance to come to the show, we promise it’s worth the trip. Beautiful show horses from all over the country will be competing, and the academy division is pretty deep as well.

The following weekend, our academy team is heading to the Prairie State Classic, a show organized by the Morgan horse community.

We’ll show outdoors for the first time this season against some of our Morgan friends as well as saddlebred barns.

 

The show horses will head to their first BIG show of the season, Midwest Charity in Springfield, Illinois on June 10-14. The coliseum at the Illinois State Fairgrounds is probably the most beautiful horse show arena in the country, and the competition is fabulous.

Show horses will come home from Midwest, complete their laundry, take a nap, and head to the Fox Valley for the Oshkosh Charity Horse Show June 25-28. Our academy horses will head to the show later in the week so they can teach lessons and the academy camp leading up to the show.

This is just the show schedule through June.

Can you tell that we believe in the value of competition?

We love showing horses and teaching Knollwood Kids of all ages that there’s nothing better.

 

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

 

Woodwear For Summer

We’re currently ordering a wide assortment of Knollwood apparel. Size samples of tee shirts, hoodies and  tank tops are available in the school barn lounge.

Orders close on May 18, the final day of the Knollwood show.

Mom’s Rides

Saturday, May 10

Our first 2 time slots are full, but we have a few spots left in our 7:00 PM spot. For only $50, your Knollwood Kid can teach you why they love riding horses.

Riders must be 10 or over, or be an academy rider.

Knollwood Show

May 16-18

Did someone say Knollwood show?

We’re still looking for volunteers to take a shift at the concession stand.

Please sign up here.

Annual Food Drive

June 1 – 14

Once again, Team Knollwood is gathering food for The Food Pantry of Waukesha County at a time of the year when their supplies run low.

Every Knollwood Kid who donates a minimum of 5 food kits of the cash equivalent of $75 earns the chance to compete on an Olympic Team.

Checks can be made out to The Food Pantry of Waukesha County.

Knollwood Olympics

June 21

6:00

It’s a tradition.

Knollwood Kids who have gathered a minimum of 5 food kits will gather to compete in ‘games of skill’ while the audience enjoys their feats.

Trust us, you won’t want to miss this.

 

 

US Saddle Seat Association

Invitational Event

New Orleans, Louisiana

June 25-28

Knollwood's own Nataliue has been named to the 5 gaited team for this prestigious event. Congratulations, Natalie!

 

 

See you soon at the barn, or at the in-gate.

With our spring show coming up May 16-18, Team Knollwood is gearing up for the weekend celebration.

Here’s some information to help you get prepared for the big event.

Horses have been assigned for all three days.

Once again, a number of factors and a lot of fuzzy logic were applied to make the horse assignment puzzle add up across and down.

Some horses are the favorites of many riders, and we pay close attention to each horse’s workload for the weekend. All of our lesson horses are fabulous, and will provide a safe horse show.

Riders may have different horses for their rail classes and their pattern class. This is because we have some horses that enjoy doing patterns, and some that aren’t quite there in their education.

Because riders compete one at a time in pattern classes, a trusted pattern horse can be used by more than one rider in a class.

Just a reminder that the horses will enjoy a day off the Monday after show weekend. All lessons will be credited.

 

The Show Schedule is Set.

We’ll start the show with Friday pattern night. Events start at 6:00 PM with the Walk and Trot Knollwood Challenge Qualifier.

The Knollwood Challenge is offered in both walk trot and the walk trot and canter divisions each year. Riders compete on the rail before each rider is asked to perform a trotting figure 8 for their individual work.

The walk trot riders perform an exverted figure 8 while the walk trot and canter competitors perform an inverted 8.

If it sounds like a foreign language to new riders, just ask an academy kid who will explain it in great detail, possibly even more detail than you’d like to know!

Friday night features pattern classes for our walk trot riders first, and then our walk trot and canter riders finish the performance. (They can stay up later…)

Patterns are an important part of a Knollwood education. They teach riders about speed, steering, communication, and control. They also teach resilience, problem solving, horse psychology, and sportsmanship.

We LOVE patterns.

Big Saturday!

The Saturday show starts at 10:00 AM in the big outdoor arena.

The performance starts with five splits of walk trot and canter classes for our riders between the ages of 11 and 17. It’s a large group of riders, and we’ve named it ‘the Covid Curve,’ in honor of all our riders who started riding during the pandemic.

After several years of showing in the little outdoor ring, these Knollwood Kids are ready for prime time and cantering in the great outdoor arena.

We’ll finish up the WTC section with our 10 and under riders, and finish up with the ‘grownups.’

Getting ready to show at the canter in the big ring, we’ll feature our 11 and over walk and trot riders at the end of the performance. The audience will see some of our fantastic walk and trot horse stars in these classes.

Walk Trot Sunday!

Starting at 10:00 AM Sunday morning, the leadline stars will take over the little outdoor ring.

Following leadline, our maiden riders will enter the show ring for the very first time. These 10 riders have been split into two groups for safety and ease of navigation in the ring.

These new riders have never been in a horse show, and will be mounted on our superstar beginner horses. We’re so proud of them for taking the leap!

After the maiden riders finish in the arena, we’ll showcase our more experienced 10 and under walk and trot stars. We have three splits of riders aged 9-10, and three splits of riders 8 and under.

At the end of the performance, our walk trot pattern riders aged 8 and under will head inside to complete their patterns. This class won’t start before 2:30 pm.

Frequent Questions:

How Do You Split Classes?

Very carefully! Splits are a way for us to level the playing field.

We split by riders’ experience level first, and then we massage the results by horse.

The first splits of most age divisions are the most experienced, and the last split is the least experienced.

The system isn’t perfect, but it’s pretty close. Our goal is to make it possible for everyone to succeed with their horse.

How Can I Get More Involved?

We’re always looking for parents to assist the Knollwood community. We are currently in need of help at the concession stand, and help with donations to the stand. You can sign up for available shifts and items here.

We also need some items for gift baskets and some help assembling the works of art. You can sign up for items on the tackroom door, and for creating the baskets on the link above.

Also, you can put in a good word with Mother Nature for nice weather on show weekend. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll move the show inside, but it won’t start until early afternoon. We’ll keep you posted as we get closer.

Finally

This is a big event for about 90 of our hard working riders.

We are fortunate to be surrounded by dedicated parents, hard working riders, and the best lesson horses in the world.

Please come and cheer on all the riders and horses. Showing horses takes bravery, patience, mental organization, and resilience.

We’re so proud of our riders and their accomplishments.

We love what we do.

Coming Up?

River Ridge Horse Show

April 23-26

Columbus, Ohio

Richie and Scott made the trip to Ohio with Doc and Tyler.

You can watch the show for free on Seehorse Video.

Street Clean Up

This Saturday, April 26 at 1:00 PM

We could still use some volunteers to help the Knockouts clean up Oakwood and Nagawicka Roads.

Be sure to stay for the Knockout meeting immediately following the clean up.

UPHA Spring Show

May 3-4

Our academy team is heading to Beyond Stable Farm in Woodstock for another great competition.

Please join us!

Mom’s Rides

May 10

Classes are filling up fast!

Mom’s can enjoy an introductory group lesson with their Knollwood Kid as their helper. Please check with your admin or instructor for availability.

Helpers must be at least 10, or be an academy rider.

Knollwood Spring Show

May 16-18

Our first in-barn show of 2025, and it’s going to be a great one!

 

Horses’ Day Off

Monday, May 19

All lessons will be credited while the horses get a day to rest.

 

Madison Classic Horse Show

May 22-25

New Holland Pavilion, Alliant Energy Center

Show horses are coming from all over the country, and Saturday’s academy classes promise to be deep, deep, deep.

Team Knollwood will be in Madison with numbers. Please join us.

Memorial Day

May 26

We’re closed to remember.

All lessons will be made up.

 

Prairie State Classic Show

May 31 – June 1

Beyond Stable Farm

Join us for another fun academy show in Woodstock.

See you soon at the barn, or at the in-gate.

Team Knollwood just returned home from our first outing of 2025, the IASPHA Spring Show.

We traveled with 24 riders, 8 academy horses and 4 show horses. We sure do have stoies to share.

Photo by Collective Grace

First Time Show Stars

Mya and Vienna made their academy show debuts this weekend, and they rocked the green division. Mya and Baxter lit up the ring with their sheer enjoyment, and Vienna jockeyed Leon around the arena like she owned it.

They both executed their championship pattern like pros, and were rewarded with Mya winning the championship and Vienna being named the reserve champion.

The future is bright for both of these Knollwood Kids.

Photo by Collective Grace

Averie’s On Her Way

Averie will be showing her horse Pure Royalty this season in 10 and under walk and trot equitation, and decided to participate in her first and only academy show before her debut on Prince.

Averie and Oscar skipped the green division and headed right into the deep 9 and 10 year old walk and trot classes.

Averie lit up the ring with her skills and presence. She and Oscar learned a little more each time they entered the ring before they finished as reserve champions.

Next up, showing Prince this season!

 

Photo by Collective Grace

Kali’s World

We’re just lucky to be in it.

IASPHA was Kali’s first academy show riding in the walk, trot, and canter division. She has enjoyed success walk trot classes in previous years, and was looking forward to the new challenge.

She and Murphy showed up ready to compete, and won her horsemanship, equitation, and championship classes.

To top off the day, Kali won the pattern class of 9 riders.

Kali didn’t go home to celebrate. Instead, she changed into work clothes and started prepping horses and tack for Sunday’s walk and trot academy performance.

11 year old Kali learned the ways of a show tech from Adrienne the pro on Sunday, and did a great job with horses and riders.

This Knollwood Kid is going places.

 

Equitation Debuts

Leighton and Shaye made the trip to IASPHA to show their new horses in the friendly confines of Beyond Stable Farm.

The open equitation qualifier was on Friday night, so both ladies donned their tuxes and top hats for the performance. Both riders looked fabulous on their new horses in a really nice class of 7 riders.

Shaye and Lady won the class, and 11 year old Leighton in her first ever cantering class finished a strong 5^th on Teddy.

In the equitation championship Saturday night, Leighton finished as the reserve champ, while Shaye won the UPHA Challenge Cup Qualifier class earlier in the day.

They’re both ready to take on the challenges of 2025.

 

 

Zach shows for the first time.

Maddie's new horse, Zach Attack, made the trip to IASPHA to further his education. Mom Courtney showed him in the Open English Pleasure qualifier on Friday night. They had a wonderful ride and finished second his first time showing under the Knollwood banner.

Maddie rode a lesson on him in the show arena before she headed off to a soccer tournament. 

Knollwood trainer Lin took over the reins for the championship on Saturday night where Zach showed like a pro for the pro.

Maddie will have a blast with Zach in the 10 and Under walk trot equitation division this season.

 

Shooter at Monarch in 2024 with Lin in the irons

Margit’s New Challenge

College girl and Knollwood Kid for life Margit has taken on a new challenge for 2025. She’s be showing the wonderful young pleasure horse Shoot First in the grown up show pleasure classes.

Shooter and Margit enjoyed a promising debut this weekend at IASPHA, finishing second in the qualifier, and winning their championship.

If you ever get the chance to watch Margit show a horse, take it. Few riders are cooler, more collected, or show with more joy than Margit.

Oscar Makes His Debut

The newest member of the Knollwood equine faculty, Oscar Nominee, traveled to his first show with us.

Oscar is learning the ways of a Knollwood academy star, and was a standout this weekend.

Tall graceful Rielle and Oscar have formed a mutual admiration society, and it showed this weekend.

 

Big Takeaways?

Showing horses is full of life lessons.

It’s a long process, and learning about showing is rarely revealed in a straight line.

Most learning takes place in the middle.

 It’s where you know enough to get around the ring and where you learn from new situations, and sometimes from missteps. It’s where students realize that horses are alive and react to things they didn’t expect. It’s where riders miss a diagonal, do a transition in a silly place for your horse’s mind, or get boxed in by other riders.

The middle is where rider’s experience frustration.

 Errors are an important part of learning. How can you progress without them?

 Learning more about your horse’s mind in different situations is part of learning. Horses are comfortable at home, and always know what to expect. In a new show situation, expect the unexpected. You learn to be ready for anything with experience.

And what a rewarding experience showing horses is.

Great thanks to our team of riders who display horsemanship, sportsmanship, and friendship in the middle.

We have thee most amazing parents who ‘get it,’ and support all the riders as if they were their own. Great thanks.

We will never be able to say enough about our academy horses. We owe them Caribbean vacations and so much more.

What’s Coming Up?

Show Volunteers Needed

Now

Please sign up for gift basket donations in the school barn lounge, or for concession stand help and/or donations here.

It takes an army of volunteers to carry off an event of this size. Please consider donating some of your time to make it a success for the Knollwood Kids.

Easter Closure

We’re not holding lessons this Sunday, April 20.

Makeups have been scheduled.

 

 

UPHA Spring Show

May 3-4

The academy team is off to Beyond Stable Farm for a weekend of showing. Please join us to cheer us on!

 

Mom’s Day Ride

May 10

We’re signing up for our Mom’s ride on May 10.

For only $50, you can enjoy an introductory lesson with your Knollwood Kid as your helper.

Helpers must be at least 10, or an academy show rider.

We are expecting a big demand, so we’ve slotted three groups. Time options are 5:30, 6:15, and 7:00.

Please sign up with your instructor or admin.

Payment is due at signup.

Knollwood Spring Show

May 16-18

Friday Night Patterns will start at 6:00 PM in the indoor arena.

WTC Saturday will begin at 10:00 AM in the big outdoor arena.

WT Sunday will begin at 10:00 AM in the little outdoor arena.

 

Day of Rest for the Lesson Horses

May 19

All lessons will be credited.

Madison Classic Horse Show

May 22-25 

New Holland Pavillion at the Alliant Energy Center

 It’s going to be a big, big show.

Academy riders show on Saturday morning.

 

Memorial Day

May 26

No lessons on Memorial Day as we remember.

Your instructor will reschedule if they haven’t already.

Prairie State Classic Show

May 30 - June 1

Beyond Stable Farm

Our academy team is at it again.

It’s well worth the trip to cheer us on!

 

 

See you soon at the barn, or at the in-gate.

Team Knollwood is starting our show season this weekend at the IASPHA Spring Show. We’re fortunate to be able do what we love in the horse community. We have some ideas to make the most of the opportunities of show season 2025.

 

Be organized and prepared.

Pack well ahead and double check your show equipment. Then recheck it.

We have laminated show sheets for our academy riders so you can check your packing list after each show. Use your dry erase marker after each show, repack, erase, and you’re ready for the next packing opportunity.

Trust us, it’s no fun to show up at a show with no jods!

 

Cheer for Everyone. 

That Means Everyone.

Showing horses is hard work.

Be sure to welcome everyone to the ring.

It doesn’t matter what barn they represent, or who teaches them. Everyone at a show is a fellow horse kid. That’s it.

Give Grace.

Not everyone you meet is at their best.

They might be having a tough show, have a sick horse, be having trouble at home, or not be feeling well.

They may say something they’ll later regret or not be very welcoming.

Chalk it up to a bad day and move on.

 

Thank Your Parents.

If you’re a junior exhibitor, remember that your parents make this possible. They sacrifice some things to support your horse habit and make changes around your lesson and show schedules.

Treat them with respect all the time. They want you to learn and succeed more than you realize right now.

 

Take Care of Yourself.

Get a good night’s sleep to be alert and ready to show.

Eat!  You can’t show well with no fuel in your body and mind.

Chill out. Take time to sit down and relax your mind before you show.

Keep your water bottle nearby, especially when it’s warm outside. We’ll be sure your water bottle is on the academy cart so it’s in the warm up ring ready between classes.

 

Watch, Listen, and Learn.

If you have some down time at the show, take the time to watch some classes and listen to other trainers and instructors. You’ll learn different terms that you can discuss with your instructor.

Appreciate Your Instructor and Barn Staff.

Your instructor wants you to learn and succeed in your riding life. They spend hours working on lesson plans and horse assignments. They choose show horses to keep you safe and challenge your skills at the same time.

Whether it’s our professional caretakers in the show barn or our show techs traveling to academy events, your barn staff works hard. They’re the reason your horse looks show ready and is wearing their tack comfortably. They work long hours cleaning tack and taking care of horses, and a kind word can go a long way.

 

Ditch Your Phone.

Really. Phones are distractions to all the good that's happening around you.

Be present in the moment, and enjoy your time with your friends and the whole horse show experience.

Love Your Horse.

We at Knollwood are fortunate to have some of the best academy horses out there. While they love their jobs, they sure appreciate some quiet time with their people.

Give them a hug, a carrot or two, a good spa treatment, or just some quiet time together. You’ll get to know them better and be even closer to them.

 

Let’s Have Fun!

There’s nothing better than showing horses.

Spend time with your barn friends, help each other with show prep, take time to goof off with each other.

It's not the ribbons you'll remember. It's the friends and memories you make along the way that will stay with you.

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

Last Day for Knollwood Entries

April 10

You don’t want to miss this!

 

IASPHA Spring Show

April 12-14

Beyond Stable Farm

Come join us at the first show of the season!

 

 

Highway 83 Construction

Starts April 14

Please allow some extra time to get to Knollwood.

 

 

Easter Sunday

April 20

We’re closed to celebrate the day.

Your instructor will schedule a makeup.

Street Clean Up

April 26

Join the Knockouts at their first community service event of the year. We’ll be cleaning up Oakwood and Nagawicka Road at 1:00 PM.  Stay after the event for a club meeting in the lounge.

Permission slips are required from the City of Delafield, and are available in the school barn lounge.

Parent supervisors are welcome and needed.

 

UPHA Chapter 10 Spring Show

May 3-4

Beyond Stable Farm

Our academy team is returning to one of our favorite venues for a weekend of showing.

Please join us!

Mom’s Day Ride

May 10

6:00 PM

Mom’s, learn why your Knollwood Kid loves riding so much.

For only $50, you can ride one of our priceless lesson horses with your rider as your helper.

We’ll start signups on April 15.

Helpers must be at least 10 years old, or an academy show rider.

Knollwood Spring Show

May 16-18

It’s coming fast!

Parents, we need a lot of help putting on an event of this size. Please consider donating your time and talent, or some items needed at the concession stand. See the list here.

School Horse Day Off

Monday, May 19

The best lesson horses in the world will enjoy a day off, and all lessons will be credited.

Memorial Day

Monday, May 26

We’re closed to remember.

Your instructor will schedule a makeup lesson.

 

See you soon at the barn, or at the in-gate.