Knollwood is in the middle of our annual ‘reset week’ when Scott and Carol bring in their Louisville riders for an intensive week of prep for the World’s Championship Horse Show.

 Of course, this year is a little different with only Finn and Richie traveling to Freedom Hall, but many show riders are coming to the farm to prep for all the Fall shows and equitation finals.

It’s also a week when the school horses relax between camp sessions, and academy staff catches up on scheduling, horse shows, all the tasks that fall to the side when you’re teaching many lessons.

We’re fortunate to say that we’ve been busy. Really busy.

Camps have been full, private lessons are rocking, and our newly introduced Mini-Camps and ‘Welcome to Knollwood’ sessions have exceeded expectations. 

Team Knollwood staff members all love their jobs, but we certainly can’t take sole credit for the booming lesson program. In addition to having the best school horses in the world, we have a secret ingredient:

It’s the helpers who make it happen.

We are beyond grateful for the exceptional group of riders who serve as helpers at all levels in our lesson program.

After 12 weeks of shutdown, we reopened around June 1, and the helpers were some of the first Knollwood Kids back in the barn. They quickly learned how to sanitize reins, brushes, and all the door hardware.

They helped design a new system which involved each helper serving as a personal assistant to an instructor for their work day. Each helper brought horses to the arena for lessons, and returned them to the barn as the riders met their steeds in the arena and returned to their cars.

These riders delivered treats to horses from the kids who missed them, gave the kids updates on all their favorite horses, and kept up with the care of the best lesson horses in the world.

When we reopened for new customers on July 1, the helpers reached another level. They greeted our new riders, (and there are plenty of them!)  and embraced our new Sunday afternoon Mini-Camps, and Monday Welcome to Knollwood sessions. 

All of our camp sessions are full, so the helpers learned to show their friendliness even in masks. They spend the day in masks, and help the riders do the same.

All the while, our senior helpers are mentoring new helpers to learn the skills needed to advance, and taking care of our priceless lesson horses, including those in our senior living community.  Of course, they continue to further their education as well, serving as show techs when the academy horses hit the road for shows, and continue their show careers either on their own horses, or on the best lesson horses in the world.

Simply put, we can’t do this without this unbelievable group of riders. They make Knollwood what it is, a friendly, welcoming place full of horse loving people.  Our helpers share their passion for horses and Knollwood with everyone that walks in the door.

We are beyond grateful.

What’s coming up?

August 8-9

ASAW Summer Showcase Show

Ozaukee County Fairgrounds

Come watch the academy horses compete against other midwestern lesson programs on Saturday and Sunday afternoon!

August 15

Knockout Meeting 4:30 PM

Parent’s Night Out  5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Come for the meeting, stay for the fun. The Knockouts will meet at 4:30 PM, and then you can stay for dinner, fun and games, and a water fight if the weather cooperates. PNO is only $20, and is limited to the first 15 people who sign up so we can maintain social distancing.

August 22-23

Knollwood Show

Starts at 11 AM both days in the outdoor arenas

Our walk, trot, and canter riders and the walk trot riders aged 11 and up will show in the big outdoor ring. Please bring chairs or blankets and set up in the pasture to watch the show. Feel free to bring your coolers and picnics as well.

Our 10 and under riders, maiden riders, and leadline riders will show in the small outdoor ring on Sunday. Again, please bring your chairs and picnics.

We will have boxed lunches available for pre-order, and touchless pickup on show day.

September 16-19

Wisconsin Futurity Horse Festival

Wisconsin State Fair Park

Enjoy a wonderful horse show, and sleep in your own bed! The show features beautiful show horses, equitation riders, and a full schedule of academy classes.

We're expecting a huge academy turnout, so please get your entry forms in soon so we can plan for a big day.

New this year, the academy classes will close out the show on Saturday afternoon.

You won’t want to miss it!

September 26

Photo shoots at Knollwood with Emma Utoft

More details are coming soon, and we DO plan on an academy group shot, so please save the date!

We're looking forward to fun full steam ahead, and we hope you can join all the festivities.

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