We’ve had an unbelievable year at Knollwood.

Both the show barn and the school barn enjoyed a year of great growth, success, and adventures. Oh, the adventures we've had...

Let’s look back on some stories of 2024, and look forward to adventures that await us in 2025.

 

 

Knollwood Shows

We hosted 3 day academy shows in May, August in October, and they were all blockbusters. We’re happy to say that the weather cooperated this year, even with the fall show!

The starting place for all of our riders, our in-barn shows offer friendly competition in a controlled situation.  Our advanced and show barn riders are a big part of these weekends. Acting as personal assistants to our priceless school horses, they support the competitors and give them lots of confidence. We couldn’t do it without them.

The smiles on the riders faces say it all.

 

The Knollwood Knockouts

The Knockouts are primarily a service organization, and they outdid themselves this year.

The club set food donation records with their annual drive to support the Food Pantry of Waukesha County.  Members enjoyed an Olympic celebration after the drive which was most entertaining.

Members washed cars and sold brats in June at the Piggly Wiggly in Hartland. Possibly the most enjoyable fund-raising event of the year, these kids washed lots of cars, got really wet doing it, and had a ball.

The Knockouts took to the streets around the farm twice this year to beautify the neighborhood. Their street cleanup days make Oakwood and Nagawicka Roads a lot more scenic.

The club also made charitable donations to hurricane relief in North Carolina, to 2 trainers in need, and to the US Saddleseat World Cup Team.

 

March Clinic

Hall of Fame trainer and instructor Lynda Freseth came to Knollwood in March for a preseason clinic. Lynda worked with show barn riders as well as some advanced academy students both in the arena and in a social setting.

She commented on how nice our lesson horses are, and how accomplished the academy riders were.

It was a priceless opportunity to learn from a legend in the Saddlebred world.

 

Academy Kick Off

This year, we enjoyed an academy kickoff night where the new show riders and their families came and got to know each other.

Scott showed everyone how to tie his favorite small tie knot, Hanna showed visitors how to make the perfect show bun, and Karina demo-ed make up for all ages of show riders.

We had a ball getting ready for the academy season!

 

Knollwood Summer Camps 2024

What a summer we had at Knollwood.

Between camps for Tiny Tots, new riders, enrolled riders, riders prepping for the Knollwood summer show, riders prepping for the Summer Showcase, and academy rider camps, we had a ton of adventures.

Our lesson horses were spectacular as usual, and they taught many new riders about riding and so much more. Campers learned grooming, tacking and safety while they learned responsibility and respect for horses.

 

Some highlights of the summer?

Bee realized that working slowly isn’t a bad thing.

Earl makes a perfect canvas for finger paint.

Pattern camp kids went ‘fishing’ in the pasture after some crazy rains.

 

 

Richie’s World Cup trip to South Africa

Knollwood Kid Richie traveled to Parys, South Africa with Team USA to compete in the Saddle Seat World Cup. As part of the three gaited team, Richie’s team competed against Canada and South Africa.

Team USA won the gold medal in the three gaited competition while South Africa won the 5 gaited event.

The South Africans were great hosts, making sure that team members and their families got to see the sights during their non-riding times.

The Dallen family stayed on for another week to adventure after the competition.

 

 

What a Show Season!

2024 was a spectacular show season for Team Knollwood.

According to some quick calculations, Knollwood’s equitation riders won a total of 17 World or National titles this year. (This includes reserves.)

That is one crazy number!

Titleholders include:

Amelia

 Reserve National Champion UPHA Junior Pleasure Challenge Cup FInal

 

Brooklyn

 National Champion 13 and Under UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup Final

 National Champion 13 and Under Pleasure Equitation Medallion Final

 Gold Medalist 13 and Under Pleasure Equitation Olympics

 Reserve National Champion 13 and Under UPHA Challenge Cup Final

 

Leighton

 Reserve National Champion UPHA 10 and Under WT Challenge Cup Final

 

Maddie

 Reserve National Champion 13 and Under UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup Final

 

Maiya

 World Champion 15 Year Old Equitation

 Silver Medalist 14-17 Pleasure Equitation Olympics

 

Natalie

Reserve National Champion 14-17 UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup FInal

 

Payton

 Reserve World Champion of Champions Senior Equitation

 Reserve National Champion Senior UPHA Challenge Cup FInal

 

Richie

 Reserve National Champion USEF Medal Final

 

Shaye

 Gold Medal Pleasure Olympic Final, Senior Division

 National Champion ASHBA Pleasure Equitation Championship

 Champion, Pleasure Equitation Medallion Final Senior division

 Reserve National Champion Saddle Seat Equitation Senior Division

 

 

 

In addition to the equitation championships, Tancy and Mickey are National Champions of the Veterans division of 3 gaited pleasure show horses,

 

Richie and Showdown 

Reserve World Champions in Jr Exhibitor 5 Gaited for riders aged 14-17

Reserve National Champions in Jr Exhibitor 5 Gaited for riders aged 14-17.

 

 

We couldn’t be more proud of the accomplishments of these riders and horses. Most of the riders started out in our academy program and grew up Knollwood Kids.

 

 

What’s in store for 2025?

The lesson program is still growing, and we welcomed a new academy horse named Oscar to the farm this week. We’re looking forward to getting to know him.

We’ll need his help with all of the up-and-coming academy stars this year!

 

 

The Knockouts have installed new officers for 2025, as Adrienne and Thea will he heading off to college in the fall.

 

The show barn has some exciting things in store

After a highly successful first year showing out of the academy division, Leighton will be hitting the 13 and under equitation division next season with Teddy, formerly owned by Shaye. This grand gelding teamed with Shaye for many wins, and we can hardly wait to see Leighton and Teddy take on new challenges.

 

The Jensen family has purchased No Rest For the Wicked for Shaye to show next season. Known as Lady, this beautiful mare is quickly catching on to the ways of on equitation horse. She and Shaye will have a blast together next season.

We’ll have some exciting new lease information coming soon, too!

 

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

Private Shopping Night

Friday, January 3

7:00 – 9:00 PM

Hilton Garden Inn, Oconomowoc

 

 

Concession Sale Items Due

January 15

Please bring your clean items tagged with your name and cell #, approximate size of the item(s), and price. We have tags available.

 

 

Parent Meeting

Saturday, January 18

2:00

Show Barn Lounge

We’re looking for more parent volunteers to help our Knockouts with their events. Please join us in the show barn lounge to learn more.

 

Knockout Banquet

Saturday, January 25

6:30

The Legend at Merrill Hills

We’ll be celebrating all things Knollwood, and we can’t wait to see everyone there.

Remember, country club dress code is in effect. No denim of any kind is allowed, and men’s shirts must have collars, and be tucked in.

Please help us celebrate in style.

 

Knollwood Consignment Sale

Saturday, February 1

10:00- 2:00

Show Barn Lounge

Looking to start an academy show outfit, or just update the one you have? Please join us in the show barn lounge.

Jodi will be on hand with her ties and accessories, and experienced academy moms will be there to help with clothing selection and fit.

 

 

 

See you soon at the barn!