Spring may finally be on its way to Knollwood after last week’s snowstorm!

While many Knollwood have been out of town for spring break to such exciting places as Hawaii, Florida, and Italy, we’ve been gearing up for the 2023 show season and beyond. Here are a few things that have been on our radar.

We’re excited to be an official affiliate of Freedman Harness. Our favorite supplier of training equipment for horses and riders has provided a link to our website! Whether you’re buying stirrups, jods, or even a saddle, you can use this link.

Please be sure to talk to your instructor before buying saddles so you get the one that’s best for you. Luckily, we have lots of Freedman saddles in the barn, so you can test ride in several styles and sizes to assure the most perfect equipment for your situation.

The Knockouts have been busy, and are getting ready for some exciting events in the future. 

The group went curling across the street at the Kettle Moraine Curling Club last weekend, and a great time was had by all. Great thanks to the members of the curling club who made it a wonderful experience for the Knockouts.

Our annual food drive for the Food Pantry of Waukesha County will be here before you know it. Starting on May 10, you can bring your food kits to the show barn lounge where we’ll have collection bins set up.

To support the team of your choice, just purchase the items in a food kit, and place them in a bag with the Knockout member's name and day of the week team you’d like to support.

We’ll be collecting food through June 3. Knockout members who have a minimum of 5 food kits donated in their name will be put on an Olympic team to compete at the Knollwood Games on June 10. The event will start at 6:00, and all are welcome to attend.

The Knockouts are making a day of it on June 10, with their spring street clean up starting at 1:00 that afternoon. 

Apparel reminders:

After three months of enrollment, all riders older than 6 are required to come to their lessons wearing the correct riding apparel above.

 Make sure to have tie downs on your jods or riding leggings. We have clip and button tie downs available for sale if you forget yours. Proper attire is part of riding well, and it’s hard to have a good ride with your pants up around your knees.

Long hair should be pulled off your face before your lesson to ensure good vision, and to prevent helmet straps getting caught in your hair.

Let’s face it, the world is a little crazy right now.

We never know what another person is going through in their life, so please remember to be kind to everyone you meet, especially at the barn. We are fortunate to have horses in our lives, and Knollwood should be a sanctuary from daily struggles. As we all know, horses are wonderful bright spots in our lives.

So next time you’re at the barn or at a show, compliment someone on their ride, or on their shirt, or on their friendship. Congratulate someone on a new horse, a graduation, a new show outfit, or any of a million of other things.

Please, if you encounter someone being unkind, let your instructor or another adult know, and it will be addressed. We want to make sure everyone feels welcome and appreciated at the farm.

Coming Up?

Entries for the Spring Knollwood Show are due April 1.

Parents Night Out is coming up fast on Saturday, April 8 from 5:00 – 7:00. Please sign up and pay for the event in the school barn lounge.

Our first show of the season, the IASPHA Spring Show is coming up April 14-16  at Beyond Stable Farm. Please make the trip and cheer on Team Knollwood!

Academy Palooza will also be at Beyond Stable Farm on May 5-6. This Friday and Saturday show features lots of academy riders, and is really friendly to newer academy riders. Come and watch!

The Knockouts’ annual drive for the Food Pantry of Waukesha County starts on May 10. We’ll be accepting food kit donations through June 3.

The show horses will be headed to St Paul MN for the FASH Show May 11-14. Knollwood will be there with big numbers, and lots of new show teams.

The car wash date has been set! Join us at the Hartland Piggly Wiggly on Sunday, July 23 while the Knockouts wash cars and man the brat stand. You won’t want to miss this entertaining fundraiser.

See you at the barn.