The Spring Excitement is Building!

We may still be in January enjoying the rain, thunder, snow and some subzero conditions to keep it interesting, but Team Knollwood is already looking forward to spring.  Spring means horse show season to us, and we can hardly wait for the 2018 campaign to start. We have some great events coming up to both look back at 2017 and to get ready to jump into 2018.  We hope you can join us for all the excitement!

Academy Showing Seminar

We’re kicking off academy show season this Saturday at 6:00 PM with our show seminar. Riders new to showing as well as our current show riders are encouraged to attend this fun and entertaining event. We’ll offer an informative session about our schedule which includes 3 in-barn and 12 shows away from home this season.  With shows from small academy venues offering classes for the newest show ring stars to the ‘big time’ A shows at which academy riders compete in the same arena as the show horses, we have shows appropriate for all levels of showing.

We’ll also have a session with Mary Kay consultant  Dawn Emanuele who will help the riders with appropriate make up for the ring and their age group.  Knollwood instructor Laura will be on hand to teach the tricks of the perfect horse show bun, too!

Some of our academy stars from past and present will be riding demonstrations in the arena, too.  You’ll learn all about clothing and turn out for the show ring, including proper fit and accessories. The riders will also show what judges are looking for, and will be available for questions as well.

Please let us know if you’re attending so we can be sure to have enough information folders available.  You can talk to your instructor, or sign up in the school barn lounge. 

We can hardly wait!

Banquet RSVP’s Due February 3

Remember to get your banquet reservations and payment in to the school barn by February 3.  You can also pay your 2018 dues using a membership envelope. 

The annual banquet is always a sellout, so be sure to have your response in by the 3^rd.   

Knockouts Award Banquet February 17

We all love the event where we get together to celebrate the previous show season and look forward to the upcoming one. 2017 was a fabulous season with a record number of academy show riders at all different stages of their journey.  From our rookies who started out in the maiden division at Cedarburg to our academy riders who are moving to the “A’ division, we’re proud of all the progress 2017 offered. Our show barn riders made terrific impressions this season, too. Our equitation riders rocked in the finals, with Finn and Hanna dominating the 13 and under pleasure equitation division while our senior riders rode at the top of in incredibly strong field. Our performance riders and horses were always in top contention with a western national championship for Kerri and Sir Don Juan, and many other teams rising to the top of their divisions.

You’ll want to join us as we celebrate everyone’s accomplishments and offer awards to our academy riders for both in barn and out of barn competitions. We’ll also recognize riders who earned academy awards from the American Saddlebred Horse Association, and show barn riders who offered their assistance and support to our academy riders.

Of course, we’ll also enjoy Susan’s Treasurer report,  the annual slide show, and Scott’s ‘State of Knollwood’ speech.

Used Clothing Sale March 3

We’re holding our annual used academy clothing sale on Saturday, March 3 from 11-3. If you have clothes that you’ve outgrown, please bring them in for the sale by February 24 so we can offer them to our up and coming show stars. All proceeds from the used clothing sale will benefit our school horse retirement fund.

Jodi will have bling and ties on hand as well to accessorize your show ring look.  We’ll even have professional ‘horse show moms’ at the 'store' to help you get show ready!

Knollwood Spring Show March 24-25

Show season will kick off for real on Saturday, March 24 at 1:00 with the start of the Knollwood spring show. Our walk, trot, and canter riders, and all of our adult riders  will show on Saturday, while our walk trot and leadline stars will take over Sunday at noon.  We offer a maiden division for our first time show riders, and are looking forward to an impressive turnout of new riders ready to hit the ring.

All Knockout members are required to preform at least 2 hours of club service, and the show is a great chance to work in the concession stand. You can work a shift and then watch the show to cheer on your friends all in one day. Sign up sheets will be available soon.

IASPHA Show April 14-15

We’ll be traveling to Gurnee for our first out of barn show for 2018. The Illinois American Saddlebred Pleasure Association puts on a great event, all under one heated roof, with exhibitor parties every night, junior judging competitions, and a great show ring with plenty of deep competition.

Team Knollwood has plenty of spring adventures planned, and we hope you can join us!

Tradition.Honor. Passion.