We’re all back to work and school after the holidays, and sometimes January can seem like an endless month.

We have some great ideas to help you enjoy the snowy weeks of January!

 

 

Make a Riding Resolution for the New Year!

Our bulletin board in the school barn is filling up with some great plans for 2024. Some of our favorites are to ride new horses, to learn more about horse care, and to not let emotions get in the way of a good ride.

Put your resolution on the board the next time you’re at the barn!

 

The lesson horses HAVE made their resolutions for the new year!

Some of the most entertaining are:

Pumpkin has resolved to do something wrong. He never has, and is looking forward to seeing what it feels like.

Bee has resolved to learn to stop and stand quietly when asked.

Hooper has resolved to conquer his fear of ‘over the head’ clothing.

What will yours be?

 

 

Try On Your Show Clothes!

January is a great time to make sure you haven’t grown out of your clothes. You’ll have plenty of time to arrange alterations, or to get new clothing.

While you’re at it, January is a wonderful time to re-stock your caboodle! Make sure your hair bows or accessories match your clothes for 2024, and that you have plenty of supplies for whatever the season may bring.

 

 

Yup, that's the big outdoor ring doubling as an ice rink in 2017.

Be Grateful for Heat.

As you walk through the chute on the way to your lesson, be grateful for the toasty heat that keeps us all warm. The unheated chute is a very short journey between the heated school barn and the heated arena.

And there are NO FLIES!

 

 

Become Better Acquainted With the Newest Lesson Horses!

Big beautiful Earl came to Knollwood late last summer, and is a wonderful addition.  This big gray quarter horse is a bareback riding dream, and is already teaching beginner lessons. Did we mention that he’s beautiful?

Beautiful ‘Mr. Mulligan Knows Things’ is a Saddlebred who was being rehabbed after a rescue situation. Thanks to great detective work by Nicki Duerr, we know that his real name is An American Soldier, and that he’s 19.

He’s working with experienced riders, and is working on pattern skills with Scott and Carol’s riders.

Mulligan is happy as can be, and is going to be a great addition to the lesson horse library.

 

 

 

 

 

Our 2022 ASHBA Academy Aweard winners.

Photo credit: Hanna Agathen

 

Renew your association memberships!

Show season starts in April, so you can dream of spring while updating your memberships for 2024.

All academy team riders should join the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeder’s Association to be included in their ‘Academy Award’ program.

Every time you enter the ring, you earn 1 point. If you earn a ribbon for 2^nd place through 8^th, you receive an additional point. If you win a class, you receiver 2 additional points.

If you accumulate 15 points between September 1, 2023 and September 1, 2024, you’ll earn an academy award from the association.

And yes, Fall 2023 points from IASPHA and UPHA Fall are included in your 20241 point totals.

You can join the national organization online here.

 

 

 

 

The  Illinois American Saddlebred Pleasure Horse Association runs 3 shows we attend at Beyond Stable Farm. If you’re participating in any of the IASPHA shows, you can join, or renew your membership online.

 

 

 

 

The American Saddlebred Association of Wisconsin runs both the Summerfun show at State Fair Park in July, and the Summer Showcase event at the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds in August. If you plan on participating in either of these show, you can join the organization online.

Your instructor is happy to help you figure which organizations to join, and can help with the forms to be sure you're nominated to earn points towards end of the season awards.

And don't forget to renew your Knollwood Knockout membership!

 

 

 

Welcome a New Rider.

We’ve started 2 Welcome to Knollwood sessions this month, and our first mini camp of 2024 is coming up on Sunday, January 28.

Please reach out and welcome our newest riders. It means a lot to them and to their families to feel welcome. The barn can be a little overwhelming to new riders, and you can make them at ease with a word or two of welcome and encouragement.

Heck, you can volunteer to help at a mini camp, too!

 

What’s Coming Up?

 Camp Sign Up for Enrolled Riders

Begins February 1

Riders currently enrolled in our lesson program can sign up for summer riding school sessions starting on February 1. Our popular show prep weeks are back, as are Tiny Tot camps.

Be sure to talk to your instructor to see which camp is right for you!

Remember, camp fees are non-refundable.

 

 

Academy In-House Consignment Sale

Saturday, February 10

11:00 AM– 2:00 PM

All of our new academy riders are invited to shop the Knollwood show clothing collection. Our veteran academy team has an assortment of outgrown show outfits. Experienced show moms will be available for personal shopping, and Jodi will be in attendance with her ties and accessories. She’s the queen of show bling!

Veterans, if you have outgrown show clothes to sell, please have them to the barn by February 3, and label them with your name, cell phone #, approximate size, and the price.

 

 

Jelly Bean Jods Ordering for 2024!

February 12 – 29

It’s time to get your special Knollwood edition Jelly Bean Jods!

We’re offering the navy jods with tan knee patches and Knollwood embroidery along the bottom of the right leg.

Size samples will be available, and the great things about these jods are that they can be altered BEFORE you get them! You can lengthen or shorten, and take the waist in or out so they come to you ready to go.

The order will go in on March 1.

 

 

Academy Tailor Appointments

Saturday, February 24

9:30 AM – 1:00?

Trish is coming to measure for custom vests and shirts, and to fit alterations. Please talk to Ann is you’d like to book an appointment.

 

Knollwood Knockout Banquet

Merrill Hills Country Club

Saturday, February 24

6:00

It’s time for the event of the season.

All members and their families are invited to join our annual celebration of all things Knollwood.

This evening has it all:

Friends!!!

Social Time

Dinner

Awards

Horse of the Year reveal

State of the Farm address by Scott

Treasurer Report by the one and only Susan

Slide show

Dancing

Invitations will in the mail shortly, and we hope you can all join the fun.

 

Reminder:

Country Club dress code is in effect.

No denim of any kind.

Mens shirts must have collars, and be tucked in.

Thank you for helping us celebrate our champions in style!

 

Academy Kick Off Night

Saturday, March 16

6:00 PM

All of our academy showing families are invited to join us for an informative evening to start the season.

Scott will share his tricks for tying the perfect tie know for small riders.

Magician Katrina will teach the ‘Carol approved’ show bun, and will help everyone understand the art of age appropriate makeup for young riders in the show ring.

Of course, we’ll have snacks!

 

 

IASPHA Spring Show

April 13-14

Beyond Stable Farm

Our first academy show of the season!

 

 

 

Knollwood Spring Show

May 10-12

Our first in-barn academy show of 2024!

 

 

 

See you at the barn!