The Knollwood Knockouts are a charter member of the American Saddlebred Horse Association’s Youth Foundation. Founded 27 years ago, our award winning youth group has evolved into a force for good in these crazy times.

Our mission statement is:

To support and promote equitation, horsemanship, and friendships through service to others.

The equitation and horsemanship part is in our blood.

Thanks to our hard working instructors and trainers, Knollwood is a leading training center for horsepeople and equitation stars. It starts with our academy program which focuses on the interaction between horses and riders. Even our youngest riders can tell you about how a horse sees and reacts to the world and the proper alignment of a horse which is a foundation for making our equine partners perform at their best.

The Knockouts promote equitation at all levels, from academy to the World Championships as the most effective way to help a horse perform to his best. If you don’t understand how your horse sees and reacts to the world, you’ll never be the best.

It’s all about relationships.

The Knockouts are inclusive. Everyone is included. Do you love horses and the Knollwood experience? You’re in.

 The Knollwood Knockouts promote friendships among horse kids. Whether you’re just starting out in our lesson program, or you’re one of our national or world champions, everyone is welcome here.

We have a saying, stolen from someone, that says, ‘The world champion in any event was once a beginner.’ Truer words have never been spoken.

Horse kids bond. If school isn’t so great, or things are crazy with sports, your barn friends are always there.  You can always talk to fellow horse kids about your favorite lesson horse, your riding challenges, or you can just talk to a horse and hug him.

Horse showing makes life long friendships.

The nights swimming at the hotel, the days at shows with Knockout leaders, watching shows with your barn besties, and showing with the support of Team Knollwood behind you are the best. These friendships last through high school, college and beyond. We love it when the college kids come ‘home’ at breaks, and when they return as career kids. They’re always Knollwood Kids to us.

The Knockouts are all about celebrating successes.

We host award banquets honoring high point winners in academy divisions, and we award out show barn mentors as well.

While Covid has curtailed these in person celebrations, we look forward to celebrating in our 2022 winners at Bristlecone Pines next February.

If you’re a member of the Knockouts before the May show, we’ll calculate points for the three in-barn Knollwood shows and award high point awards in each division.

In addition to academy awards, the banquet features social time, a delicious buffet dinner, awards from the American Saddlebred Horse Association, updates from Scott, a slideshow celebrating the year, and dancing!

Stay tuned, you won’t want to miss the celebration.

The Knockouts Holiday Party is a classic.

Members gather to celebrate holidays and elect officers for the next year. The party includes a scavenger hunt and pizza dinner before the group hears campaign speeches from members hoping to serve the following year as officers and board members.

Election results are announced after the optional gift exchange is completed.

Service to Others

 Adopted families

The Knockouts adopt families from our area at the holiday season.  Members donate requested items from the families, and meet to wrap the presents before the officers deliver gifts to the families.

  Food Drive

Each spring, the Knockouts hold a food drive for the Food Pantry of Waukesha County at a time when their stocks run low. This year, the club will be accepting donations of food kits from May 1-21.

We’ll celebrate the end of the food drive with the 12^th annual Knollwood Olympics. Member who have donated a minimum of 5 food kits are invited to join us for ‘games of skill’ while we complete the final tabulation of which team has collected the most food kits above their goal.

There’s nothing better than helping neighbors in need.

  Ice Cream Social

The Knockouts also donate funds to the American Saddlebred Association of Wisconsin  for an ice cream social at the ASAW Summerfun Show at State Fair Park in July.

  Walk for Lifestriders

New this year, the Knockouts are holding a walk in memory of former Knockout member Libby to benefit Lifestriders Therapeutic Riding Program.

Members are invited to solicit pledges to benefit this wonderful program, and we will walk the bridle paths around Knollwood in Libby’s memory. She is missed.

The Knockouts  Create Strong Leaders

  Elected officers and board members are mentored by marvelous supportive parents, former officers, and Knollwood leaders. These ladies learn organizational skills, follow through, and the importance of personal communication.

  The Knockouts promote strong female mentorship. Let’s face it, even though we love Scott and Richie to death, the horse world provides a space for women to learn leadership skills. Trainers and instructors teach young ladies to stand up for themselves, and those young ladies teach younger kids the same. It’s perfection.

 Parents are the glue.

Scott is fond of talking about horses needing good moms, and our Knollwood Kids need the same. We are so fortunate to have a fantastic group of parents who understand that they don’t need to ‘snowplow’ all discomforts out of the way, but to teach kids how to deal with imperfection, the unpredictable, and the unexpected setbacks. Great thanks.

The Knockouts Raise Money

Good deeds need funding.

The Knockouts are hosting a car wash at the Fox Brothers Piggly Wiggly in Hartland on July 19from 11-2. Please save the date for fun in the sun selling brats and washing cars. It’s a major fundraiser for the club, and it’s lots of fun for both member and parents.

Would you or your business like to support these fabulous kids with a concession stand sponsorship? Please talk to Ann if you'd like to help. It's a great way to reach families of involved kids.

The Olympics on  May 21 are a major food/fund raiser as well. We have a chance to restock the empty shelves at the Food Pantry of Waukesha County, and have a great time in the process.

Please consider donating a minimum of 5 food kits and joining the fun as we help neighbors in need. Knockouts of any age are welcome!

ASAW Summer Showcase Horse Show

The Knockouts and ASAW hold a horse show at the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds, and they split the show proceeds. Primarily an academy show showcasing new riders, the Knockouts and the American Saddlebred Association of Wisconsin’s Scholarship Fund split the proceeds of the show. Since many of the scholarship winners have been Knollwood Kids, we feel a special attachment to the fund.

We’re always looking for parent and Knollwood Kids to help us put un a marvelous show for all the kids who are starting their show careers.

What’s Coming Up?

April 1

Knollwood Spring entries and KF jod orders close.

Academy Show Meeting

Last chance this Saturday at 7:00 for parents who’d like to learn more about academy showing in 2022!

IASPHA Show

Join at Beyond Stable Farm in Woodstock, for the first academy and ‘A’ show of the season.

PNO

The Knockout officers and board members are looking forward to seeing members on Saturday, April 15 at 6:00 for a couple of hours of barn fun. You can sign up in the school barn lounge.

Academypalooza

Join us at Beyond Stable Farm for an all academy show featuring our up and coming stars. We have three riders showing for the first time, and we can hardly wait to watch them shine!

FASH

The show barn is attending their first show in St Paul, Minnesota. The State Fairgrounds are a perfect show venue, and the stars will be there!

Food Drive

Starting May 1, please bring your food kits to Knollwood. If you bring a minimum of 5 kits, you’re eligible to compete in the Olympics!

KF Spring Show

It’s finally here! 

KF’s show season starts Friday night with pattern and KF Challenge classes. The show runs through Sunday with fun for all.  Entries closed on April 1.

See you at the barn, or at the in-gate!