Our 27^th annual banquet was a glorious evening for the 178 guests who joined the celebration.  Held at the beautiful Legend at Merrill Hills, the spectacular venue was the perfect place to celebrate Knollwood’s memorable 2024 and to look forward to the new year.

2024 was an outstanding year for Knollwood. The farm coached riders and horses to 17 world and national titles, while riders learned countless lessons and became better horse people and more understanding humans in general.

Our lesson program continued to welcome new riders to the enjoyment of horses and of Saddlebreds in particular. Who can’t fall in love with lesson horses like Hooper, Leon, and newcomer Oscar?

Our riding school’s strong academy program continues to produce strong riders with a great understanding and respect of the horses they ride. You only need to walk through the school barn to hear and see that process in action.

We’re thankful for the friendships we’ve made, and are looking forward to 2025 as we hope to build our Knollwood community.

Here are some highlights of banquet evening:

 

Knockout treasurer and party planner extraordinaire Susan gave us her annual treasurer report, and gave the Knockouts a stellar financial rating. The club’s fundraising efforts at Knollwood show concessions, the ASAW Showcase, and the annual car wash feed the coffers that allow the club to donate to worthy causes and subsidize the annual banquet.

She also reminded us of how far we've come, with memories of the first ever banquet that hosted 65 guests at a small venue.

 

We awarded 69 champion and reserve champion awards in the academy division. We recognize riders who are starting out by showing at our home shows, and the riders on our academy team who enjoy showing away from home.

 

We also announced 24 riders who earned Academy Awards from the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association by earning a minimum of 15 points during the 2024 season.

 

In addition, we awarded 4 riders with overall high point awards for both in-barn and out-of-barn competitions.

Congratulations to all who showed with us this season!

 

In a hotly contested battle, we were thrilled to announce Fred as the school horse of the year for 2024. Known around the farm as Mr. Rogers, Fred is a foundation of our lesson program.

This relaxed quarter horse isn’t bothered by anything. He enjoys sharing the arena with show horses, although he wants to know why they feel the need to go so fast.

He trots a mean circle and serpentines for the smallest of riders, and has been known to let his enthusiasm get the best of him when playing games with the advanced riders. Whan you hear riders laughing and saying ‘Whoop Fred,’ you know he’s decided to show his cantering skills. Of course, he never does this with little riders.

We celebrated with a Fred slideshow with the theme to ‘Mr Rogers’ as the soundtrack.

Fred is smart, and we’re  grateful he’s part of our faculty.

 

Scott took to the podium for his annual ‘State of the Farm’ address, and did not disappoint. He reviewed show barn successes, poked fun at some of the riders, and one of them answered him back.

Obviously proud of all that the Knollwood team has achieved, he praised Lin’s work, and the efforts of the lesson program which continues to send well prepared riders to the show barn and the horse show world.

The slide show was a fun visual review of the year, capturing all the success and some of the funny moments of the year.

The dance floor opened, and the party continued until it was time to  go.

Richmond’s doppelganger was washed and dried prior to his return to Merrill Hills. He enjoyed a busy night on the dance floor.

 

Our youngest riders gathered together and played horse show, hide and seek, and met some of their show barn heroes.

 

Many attendees were probably sore on Sunday from laughing so hard with Knollwood friends.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the event, attended the event, and who made it a memorable year. Team Knollwood continues to be a vibrant community, and we have plans in  to make it even better in 2025.

Great thanks to Wee Irish photography for covering our banquet. Kim and her team provided breathraking coverage. WIth the exception of Fred's photo which is by Hanna Agathen Photography, all other banquet shots are Kim's work.

Here's a link to her gallery of the evening.

What’s Coming Up?

 

Summer Riding School Selection for Enrolled Riders

Starting February 1

All riders currently enrolled in our lesson program are invited to choose their dates for summer riding school before the dates are released to the public on March 1.

Your instructor can help you choose the best camp for your level, and to fill out a form as well.

We offer weeks for newer students who have not yet participated in camp, and separate weeks for riders preparing for our summer show.

We’d love to help you find the best week tor you to learn  with the best lesson  horses ever.

 

Used Clothing Sale

This Saturday from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Join us in the show barn lounge to shop our wide assortment of academy clothes for the show ring. We also have a good selection of practice clothes for daily wear.

It’s a great chance to get everyday items to fulfill your clothing requirements after 3 months of enrollment.

Jodi will be set up with all of her show accessories, and we’ll have experienced moms on hand to help with sizing and selection.

 

 

Trish Academy Tailoring Appts

Saturday, February 8

Amazing Trish is coming to the farm to measure for new academy clothes, and to alter clothes from last season. We have a couple of spots left, so please talk to Ann if you’d like one.

 

 

Valentines Day

February 14

Be sure to fill out your heart for the bulletin board, and to wish your favorite horse(s) a Happy Valentines Day!

 

Academy Kick Off

March 15

6:00 PM

All new academy families are invited to join us for a n informative and fun evening. Experts will be on hand to demonstrate hair and makeup skills, tie tying skills from master Scott, and how to get that polished look in the show ring.

Of course, more experienced academy families are welcome to join the fun for a refresher course. You can never have too much practice for the perfect bun!

 

 

Entries Begin for the Knollwood Spring Show 

March 20

Entries will close on April 10.

 

 

Parent’s Night Out

April 5

All Knockouts are invited to participate in a night of barn fun with the new Knockout officers and board members.

Signups will begin in March.

 

IASPHA Spring Show

April 12-13

Our first academy show of 2025!

 

Spring Street Clean Up

April 26

1:00

Save the date to help the Knockouts clean up Oakwood and Nagawicka Road. It’s a great way to get your service hours in.

 

 

See you soon at the barn!