Team Knollwood cleans up well.

We all enjoyed gathering outside the barn last weekend, and what a time we had.

Thanks to party planner Susan and her team, this year’s banquet was the biggest yet, and I think we can safely say that a grand time was had by all.

Some highlights?

Richmond came.

After years of trying, Richmond finally gave in, and sent his doppelganger in his place. Stuffed Richmond spent social time in the bar, spent dinner and awards at a really fun table, and then hit the dance floor. 

Pumpkin!!!

Pumpkin was named the 2023 Horse of the Year!

Representing the ‘Master of All Trades Party,’ Pumpkin won by many, many votes.

This beautiful Morgan/Connemara cross is a true gentleman, loves everyone, and is brilliant enough to teach riders of all levels.

He is well loved.

If you couldn’t make it to the banquet, please be sure to pick up your Pumpkin magnet at the barn!

Social Time

Parents had a chance to connect, and riders got to catch up with Knollwood Kids who are at the barn on different days. One of the most fun things about this Team Knollwood is seeing how many parents are connected through things beyond the barn, like schools, churches, and their professional orbits.

And the kids? There were some highly competitive ‘horse shows’ going on with ‘horses’ of all ages competing against each other.

Speeches

Susan’s treasury report always manages to be informative, yet entertaining. The Knockout officers recapped 2023 and introduced 2024 plans for all of us. Finally, Scott presented the ‘State of the Farm Address’ to bring us all up to date on 2024 happenings.

You can safely say that the room was pumped.

The Awards

Team Knollwood was proud to present 20 Academy Award winners from the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association, Champion and Reserve Champion awards for both in-barn and out of barn academy riders, and overall high point awards to our top point winners.

Great thanks to the staff at The Legend at Merrill Hills for hosting our banquet. It takes a lot of work to manage an event of this size, and they did a wonderful job throughout the night.

Great thanks to Susan for all her planning and decorating to make sure everything was just right, and to Wendy for all her hours putting together the terrific slide show.

We are grateful to the entire team that surrounds Knollwood. 

We love what we do.

What’s Coming Up?

Linda Freseth Clinic

We're thrilled to welcome Hall of Fame trainer and instructor Linda Freseth to Knollwood this weekend where she'll conduct a clinic for our show barn riders.

Instructors have arranged makeups for lessons on Friday and Saturday. Sunday lessons will continue in their regular schedule.

 Camp Opens to the Public!

Summer Riding School goes on sale to the public at 9:00 AM on Friday, March 1. Lisa will be manning the phone Friday morning to welcome new riders to our program.

Please invite your horse loving friends to join us for summer camp!

Spring Show Entries Begin Monday, March 4

Our spring show is coming up on May 10-12, and you can enter starting on Monday.

We’ve simplified the process, with only one entry blank, no matter when you show.

Our overall schedule remains the same:

All pattern classes and the KF Challenge qualifiers will be inside on Friday night.

All WTC classes, walk at trot classes for riders 11 and up, and premier walk trot classes will be on Saturday in the big outdoor ring.

Maiden walk trot, 10 and under walk trot, and leadline classes will on Sunday in the little outdoor ring.

Entries will close on March 29.

We can hardly wait!

 Academy Kick Off Night

March 16

6:00 PM

All academy show families are welcome to join us for a get together.

Scott will teach everyone the perfect tie knot for small riders.

Karina will teach us how to make the ‘Carol approved’ bun for the show ring, and will offer tips on make up for our young show riders.

E-vites will go out soon!

Tiny Tot Mini Camp

March 24

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

We have a few spots open if you know a 4-6 year old who’d love an introduction to horses AND a lesson.  It’s only $99 and tons of fun.

 Bridlespur Society Horse Show

April 10-13

St. Louis, MO

The first show of the season for our show horses.

IASPHA Spring Show

April 13-14

Our first academy show of 2024 and always one of our favorites!

See you soon at the barn!