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.

Photo by Collective Grace

Team Knollwood is excited to announce another new team for the 2025 show season.

 

In 2024, Brooklyn finished her junior equitation career aboard her big brassy mare Gamora.

Together, these two ladies won the 13 and Under Pleasure Equitation championships at both Midwest and Lexington.

They continued to win all three Junior Pleasure Equitation finals, the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup, the Pleasure Equitation Olympics, and the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion Final.

To finish out 2024. Brooklyn and Gamora were reserve National Champs in the UPHA Junior Challenge Cup final at the Royal.

As we announced earlier, beautiful Gamora was sold in the barn to new show rider Sophie who also grew up at the barn.

The Whitmore/Bonness family have leased the beautiful Isn’t She Something from the Duerr family. Known to all as Gigi, she is a sight.

Gigi is beautiful, full of energy and ambition, and is smart as a whip.

She enjoyed great success with the supremely talented Payton, who aged out last season.

Brooklyn grew up a Knollwood Kid, having enjoyed a highly successful academy career with the best lesson horses in the world.

She still manages the school barn every Friday, and enjoys her time in the Tuesday group where she serves as a mentor. You can find her helping at the Knollwood shows, and with our newest academy riders in Cedarburg.

Photo by Collective Grace

We can hardly wait to see these two talented ladies in the ring.

Good luck to all!

We Wisconsinites know about the 2 seasons in our state being winter and construction.

Well, Knollwood's time has come from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

Beginning on April 14 and continuing until approximately October 31, three miles of highway 83 will be under construction. The area is between Vettelson Road and Nagawicka Road.

In addition to surface replacement and updating, traffic signals at Golf Road, Oakwood Road, and Cardinal Lane will be improved. Turn lanes at Cardinal Lane will also be updated.

The completion date is, of course, subject to change. Just think of Wisconsin weather.

We have new routes for you to make it to lessons on time.

If you’re coming from the north, take Highway 16 to CTH  KE. Turn left on KE, which becomes North Shore Road. At highway 83, North Shore Road becomes Oakwood Road where you’ll continue straight until you get to the farm.

Construction will begin at Highway 16, making access from the south relatively unchanged in the early stages of construction. Please know    that there will be barricades and workers to be aware of.

At some point you won’t be able to exit 94 at highway 83, and you’ll have to head up to Highway 16 and exit at KE. See above.

Please direct all questions to Carol or Ann who will direct them to a person who will answer them.

What else is happening at Knollwood?

Parents Night Out

This Friday at 6:00

Lots of Knollwood Kids are coming to spend time with the Knockout officers and board members. Pizza and barn fun makes for the best evening for Knollwood Kids!

 

Knollwood Spring Show Entry Deadline

April 10

It’s the last day to join the fun at Spring Show weekend May 16-18.

You really don’t want to miss this!

 

 

IASPHA Spring Show

April 12-13

Our first academy show of the season is coming up fast.

We’re heading to Beyond Stable Farm with 21 riders including 2 riders who are making their show ring debuts.  Come join us!

 

 

Easter Sunday

April 20

Happy Easter to everyone!

We’re not holding lessons on Easter Sunday. Your instructor has probably already scheduled a makeup lesson. If not, she will soon.

 

Spring Street Clean Up

Saturday, April 26

1:00

Knollwood Kids, please join us for our first community service project of 2025. We’ll clean up Oakwood and Nagawicka Roads for the spring and hopefully enjoy some wonderful spring weather. It’s a fun way to earn your Knockout service hours and meet new barn friends.

Stay for the club meeting immediately after the clean up, too!

Not yet a Knockout member? We’d love to have you. You can sign up with your instructor or with an admin.

 

UPHA Spring Show

May 3-4

Our academy team if off to Beyond Stable Farm for another exciting competition. Weather permitting, we’ll be showing outside. Please come join us!

Mom’s Day Ride

Saturday, May 10

6:00

Calling Knollwood Moms who want to learn why their Knollwood Kids love riding so much.

For only $50, you can enjoy a group lesson with your rider acting as your helper. Telling their mom what to do is every kid’s dream.

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

We’ll start signups on April 15.

Photo by Hannah Agathen Photography

Knollwood Spring Show

May 16-18

We’ve been waiting since last October!

Team Knollwood is coming together for a celebration of all the Knollwood Kids.

Pattern classes are on Friday night, walk trot canter and walk trot riders over 11 will show on Saturday, and our leadliners, maiden riders, and 10 and under walk and trot riders will show on Sunday.

An event of this size works because of our dedicated parent volunteers. We’ll be signing up soon for assistance for the event.

 

Horse’s Day Off

Monday, May 19

The horses sleep in the day after the show. Lessons will be credited.

 

Madison Classic Horse Show

May 22-25

New Holland Pavillions

It’s going to be a biggie.

Knollwood will be well represented with lots of beautiful show horses, equitation stars, and accomplished academy riders.

The academy team will show on Saturday, May 24.

You can also catch the World’s Largest Brat Festival on the same grounds. It makes for some interesting moments.

 

Memorial Day

May 26

Knollwood is closed on Memorial Day. Your instructor will be in touch for a makeup lesson if she hasn’t already.

 

Prairie State Classic Horse Show

May 30 – June 1

Beyond Stable Farm

The academy team hits the road again for a show with our Morgan horse friends.

 

See you soon at the barn!

Photo by Collective Grace

Knollwood is pleased to announce a new team for show season 2025.

Shaye had a year for the record books last season. 

She and Teddy won the Senior Pleasure Equitation Championship at Lexington, were gold medalists in the Senior Pleasure Equitation Olympics, won both the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Senior Medallion final, and the ASHBA National Championship of Pleasure Equitation, both at St Louis.  Shaye is also the Reserve National Champion of  Pleasure Equitation for riders aged 14-17, a title earned at the Royal.

Whew!

During the offseason, the Jensen family sold perfect Teddy in the barn to the Werner family. Leighton will be aboard this immensely talented gelding in the 13 and under equitation division.

Meanwhile, the Jensens purchased the beautiful mare Far Too Fancy for daughter Shaye to show in the 2025 season.

Known to all as Lady, this big beautiful mare makes a perfect partner for charismatic Shaye.

Lady is learning the ways of a equitation horse, and is learning her lessons with ease.

We can hardly wait to see these two ladies enjoy new challenges and successes.

Best of luck, Shaye and Lady!

Photo by Collective Grace