One of the drawbacks to having experienced horses in your lesson program is that their years of being a horse eventually catch up with them.

Our hearts are heavy today, because Picasso’s many years of being a horse finally caught up.

Picasso was a registered Paint horse, officially known as Way Cool Willy.

He was a giant physically, intellectually, and in his understanding of the rider on his back.

Picasso would be gentle to the littlest tiny tots while he did his patented super slow jog trot, and he was thrilled to play games more enthusiastically than the other horses. In fact, he was such a ‘steal the crop’ enthusiast that he frequently took his rider onto the playing field even when it wasn’t their turn.

He taught countless riders to canter with his slow smooth lope, and he taught many kids how to be demanding when Picasso declared ‘steering optional’ days.

He was so smart that instructors had to avoid using words with a long ‘O’ in them, or Picasso would “whoa’ immediately. In his later years, he even took to stopping quickly when the instructor would start a sentence with ‘Let’s.’

Our giant would do anything for a mint, and took many a rider into his stall looking for food.

 

Most of all, Picasso loved being a horse, and did it well his whole life with us. He came as a three year old and worked at Knollwood for over 20 years.

Picasso was the rare lesson horse who could do almost anything. He loved the weight of Tiny Tots, had the slow jog to teach posting as well as bareback, and cantered as smoothly as any 1800 pound creature could.

He’ll be sorely missed.

Peace to you, Picasso.

You were well loved, and gave your riders so much to remember you by.

 

Since they do so much of the work, it’s only fair to give the lesson horses the chance to share their thoughts about Knollwood Summer 2023.

Here, in no particular order are summer musings from the best lesson horses in the world.

 

Fred:

My favorite part of summer is Wednesday afternoons. While the campers are having fun with the Soul Fire artists, I get to nap. I like to call it my Wednesday siesta.

 

Sparky:

My favorite thing about summer is all the grooming. I’ve never looked so good.

 

 

Bilbo:

I like the relaxed bathroom rules in the little outdoor ring. I’m not allowed to pee in the indoor arena, but the little outdoor is my personal urinal.

We decided no picture was needed. We know you can visualize yourselves.

 

Picasso:

The grass in center ring is delicious!

 

 

Jelly:

I LOVE pattern camps. They give me a chance to develop my latest pattern comedy routines.

 

Leon:

I love summers, but sometimes I have no idea what's going on. 

 

Hooper:

I love the Friday horse shows. I’m perfecting my ‘faraway look’ pose for the camera.

 

Hugo:

I’ve almost perfected the world’s slowest trot. Almost. I’m still practicing.

 

Poppy:

Camp is fantastic. I could do it in my sleep, and I sometimes do.

 

 

Pony Frank:

This is the best.

 

Pumpkin

Endless children. It’s perfection.

 

 

Mac:

I don’t like straight lines, and I really hope the kids don’t either.

 

 

Bee:

I often wonder exactly how many helpers there are.

 

 

Thomas:

Is there camp going on?

 

 

Duke:

Games are the best part of lessons. Can we play more?

 

 

The horses are having a great summer, and much thanks to everyone who has joined us for Knollwood Summer 2023, so far!

 

What's Coming Up?

 

IASPHA Summer Show

It's this weekend! Join us at Beyond Stable Farm in Woodstock for a sold-out show IASPHA style. We're looking forward to a great show with HUGE academy classes. Please come join us!

 

 

Mid America Signature Show

It's next Friday and Saturday, and we're back in Woodstock. We'll be there with 10 academy riders, and we hope you can join us.

 

 

ASAW Summer Showcase Show

Join us at the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds for an academy weekend on August 12 and 13.

We're looking for two volunteers on Saturday, and two on Sunday who would like to hand out subs at 11:00 AM each day. You can earn your Knockout service hours, and watch a show!

 

 

Knollwood Summer Show

August 18-20

It's the big one! Shirt packets will be ready for pick up shortly, and the complete schedule is on the school barn wall.

Please be sure to sign up for volunteer time, and/or gift baskets. It takes a big team to pull off a three day show, and we appreciate Team Knollwood's assistance.

 

 

 

 

The World's Championship Horse Show

Louisville, KY

August 19-26

It's Louisville time!

Team Knollwood will be in Freedom Hall competing with the best. 

 

 

 

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

 

 

There’s only one ASAW Summerfun Horse Show.

 

It’s close to home, the stabling and arenas are wonderful to use, and the management is so user friendly.

Team Knollwood was there in a big way, with 28 show horses before five more academy horses joined the crowd on Friday.

We had everything from the young horses that Lin has started  and showed for the first time to seasoned show stars like Bella’s horse Tyler who won the amateur 5 gaited amateur championship and Margit’s friend Charlie who won the 5 gaited show pleasure championship.

Our equitation riders were in great form, with Richie and Payton finishing 1-2 in the Saddle Seat Equitation final and Knollwood riders Maiya, Brooklyn, and Natalie finishing 1-2-3 in the pleasure equitation championship.

We sure have stories to share…

 

 

 

 

Nacho

Officially known as Trust Fund Blues, Nacho started out as well, a brat. He’s now officially a recovering juvenile delinquent, and boy is he a great guy.

To begin his recovery, Nacho did lessons for the show barn kids. A LOT of lessons.

Since realizing he could, in fact, control his behavior, and that life is a lot easier, he’s become a great asset to team Knollwood.

This adorable horse is a star in the single bit division, and he and Kim won their championship at Summerfun. Previously, they won a big championship class at FASH.

In addition to being a star in the single bit division, Nacho is an expressive academy star as well.

 

Lin’s Young Horses

Lin’s been working hard with Scott and Carol's young horses at the farm.

Robin has been a bit of a project, as she enjoys sharing her opinions with others. Lin had a fantastic ride with her in the Junior/Novice Park Pleasure class. They may not have ribboned, but Robin exhibited great behavior and looked cute as a button.

Ruby, officially registered as Blue Trust, was a beautiful star in her class. This talented young mare won her Junior/Novice Park class at Summerfun.

 

Frito has been a work in progress, and is really coming into his own. Hanna showed him, and earned a second place ribbon in the Wisconsin owned show pleasure class. He’s turned into a big, handsome pleasure horse with a bright future ahead of him.

 

 

Tori and Stella

This perfectly matched team added two more victories last weekend as they continue their march to Louisville.  Registered as Stella’s Stillettos, the beautiful, powerful mare loves Tori, who makes her very confident and comfortable in the ring.

They’re a pleasure to watch!

 

 

Photo by Hanna Agathen Photography

Academy Show Stars

The academy division was super competitive at Summerfun, as usual. Team Knollwood was there to compete.

Maddie and Sport won all three of their classes last weekend. It was Maddie’s last show before she heads off to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay to play soccer, as she has done her whole life.

She and Sport are a perfect duo with competitive Maddie matching enthusiastic Sport step for step.

 

Kali and Leighton, our two walk and trot riders had spent the previous week at pattern camp. All of their extra saddle time paid off as these two small, but mighty riders competed like giants.

They met their goals, had a blast in the big arena, and had some nice ribbons to show for their efforts.

Congratulations to all of our academy riders who made us so proud.

 

 

Mentors to Academy Stars

Great thanks to Knollwood’s experienced show riders who volunteered their time to help the academy riders compete at the show.

These ladies took care of the best lesson horses ever, offered advice, triple checked clothing, headed walk trot riders, and encouraged riders to be their best.

We are grateful for their help.

 

 

Photo by Hanna Agathen Photography

 

Scholarship Sweep

Three of our riders who are heading off to college this fall received scholarships from the American Saddlebred Association of Wisconsin.

In a ceremony on Saturday night, these awards were presented to Tori, Sofia, and Emma.

These scholars grew up as Knollwood Kids, have spent hundreds of hours helping young riders at the barn, been active Knockout members, and have loved the best lesson horses in the world. (When they weren’t studying, of course,)

Congratulations, and we know we can't wait to catch up on all your college adventures when you return to Knollwood at Thanksgiving.

 

The Horsemanship Challenge

What an event!

Eighteen riders entered the UPHA Horsemanshp Chalenge, the final event of Friday night, including Knollwood riders Margit, Mia, and Natalie. The class is a true test of horsemanship, with 18 horses competing for spots, and all the teams are new to each other.

Each rider was assigned a donated horse (randomly, of course) and rode into the arena on that horse new to them. Knollwood donated Nacho, Sport, and Thomas for the event.

Eighteen riders were judged on railwork before Judge Parker made her initial cut to 10 riders.

Mia and Natalie made the cut to 10.

All three of the Knollwood horses made the cut, too.

After more work for the 10, Judge Parker picked four riders including Natalie. These riders then switched to another new horse, and went back to the rail.

After additional work, Natalie was named the winner of the whole thing!

We could not be more proud of Natalie’s work in that arena.

She received the traveling trophy from last year’s winner and barn mate Richie.

 

 

 

When people wonder why we have many different lesson horses, and why we do group lessons and advanced camps, this is why.

Congrats to everyone who competed in the grand event.

 

What’s Coming Up?

Knockout Meeting

July 22

1:00 PM

Show Barn Lounge

Join your fellow Knockouts in the lounge to prepare for the Knollwood Show, and more fun events.

 

 

Knockout Car Wash

Sunday, July 23

11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Piggly Wiggly in Hartland

If you haven’t yet signed up, you can still join the fun. There’s no better way to earn your Knockout service hours!

 

 

IASPHA Summer Show

July 28-30

Beyond Stable Farm

Join us for another sold-out IASPHA show in Woodstock. It’s a fantastic show in a beautiful covered outdoor arena.

 

Mid America Signature Show

August 4-5

Beyond Stable Farm

We’re back at Beyond Stable Farm for a Friday and Saturday show. Please come cheer us on!

 

 

ASAW Summer Showcase

August 12-13

Ozaukee County Fairgrounds

It’s almost a home show! Come cheer on some new riders making their debuts in this park like setting at the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds.

 

 

Knollwood Summer Show

August 18-20

It IS a home show, and it’s going to be a great one.  Don’t forget to sign up to help with set-up, concessions, or donate to gift baskets.

We can hardly wait!

 

 

 

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

 

 

Knollwood Summer 2023 has been a ball, and it’s only July 5. Here are some of our favorite things about summer so far …

Summer Camps!

We’ve already had a pattern camp, 2 Tiny Tot camps, and 3 sessions of summer riding school, and we’re having a ball.

We’ve introduced new kids to horses, and hosted some of our current riders who wanted more ‘hands on’ time with the best lesson horses in the world.

We’ve enjoyed welcoming some out of state riders who come to camp every summer while they’re visiting family for the summer.

 

 

More Horse Time

With Knollwood Kids out of school for a bit, our horse kids are enjoying more time at the barn. They’re helping with camp and lessons, getting to spend time bathing and grooming after lessons, and hanging our with friends after lessons. Of course, there are always kittens to socialize, show horses to watch, and lessons to learn.

 

 

Summer Weather

The barn doors are open, the fans are moving the air, and we’re riding outside! Plus, bathing horses is much more enjoyable than blow drying!

 

 

Watching Animals ‘Enjoy’ the Heat

There’s nothing better than hanging out with melted kittens, and sitting with the kittens while they’re seeking shade in the lilac bushes.

 

 

 

The Arrival of Fiona

We recently welcomed a new faculty member to our staff, who we’re calling Fiona. Her original name was Hazel, but as you all know, we already have a Queen Hazel at Knollwood.

Horse Hazel became Fiona, and we love her already. She came from the same trainer that sold us the legendary Pumpkin, so we know great things lay ahead.

 

 

Watching Show Horses Work

It’s show season, and the show horses are in peak form after a long off season of conditioning and learning. There’s nothing better than watching Scott, Carol, and Lin work the beautiful show stars.

 

 

More Lessons

Summer is the perfect time to take extra lessons. With school out for a while, schedules are opened up, and it’s a great opportunity to intensify your riding education.

 

 

‘Melting’ Kittens

One of the joys of having kittens around is watching their sometimes dramatic behavior. We think that Emma and Margit have been educated by Richmond, as they’ve adopted his ‘melting’ pose which he perfected when a kitten.

 

Horse Shows!

We just returned from a fantastic weekend at the Oshkosh Charity Show where our show horses and academy riders had a successful outing. The academy classes were gigantic, and show horse competition was deep.

 

Next, everyone is off to Summerfun at Wisconsin State Fair Park for the ASAW Summerfun Horse Show. Most of the show horses are going, and we’ll have plenty of academy riders joining the fun as well.

The Knockouts are inviting members to come and watch the academy performance on Saturday morning  around 11:00 AM. Please join us for the show, and for the ice cream social immediately following. FYI, the Knockouts sponsor the social!

Upcoming shows include the IASPHA Summer and the Signature Show, both at Beyond Stable Farm.

 

 

 

Hazel’s Summer Schedule

During the winter, Hazel prefers to sleep in.

However, once camp season starts, she tries to get out of the house ASAP so she doesn’t miss a moment of time with the campers. She loves to spend the day at camp, even napping with the kids during lunch.

Can you tell, we LOVE Knollwood Summer!

 

What’s Coming Up?

ASAW Summer Fun Horse Show

July 13-16

Wisconsin State Fair Park

Join us for a big horse show. The Knockouts would love to see everyone there on Saturday at 11:00 to cheer on our academy stars. Stay for the Knockout sponsored ice cream social after the performance!

 

Knockout Car Wash and Brat Bash

July 23

Hartland Piggly Wiggly

Calling all Knockouts! We need many, many hands to make our fundraiser a success. Please sign up here to volunteer for a shift. You can also sign up in the school barn lounge.

 

IASPHA Summer Show

July 28-30

Beyond Stable Farm

Join us at this sold-out summer tradition. Great horses, great hospitality, AND we get to show in the beautiful covered outdoor ring!!

 

Mid America Signature Horse Show

August 3-5

Beyond Stable Farm

Another show in the beautiful outdoor arena! Academy classes are on Friday and Saturday morning. Please join us!

 

ASAW Summer Showcase Show

August 12-13

Ozaukee County Fairgrounds

Join us for our friendly, entry level show held in nearby Cedarburg! We’re introducing several riders to the show ring, so please come cheer them on! 

 

 

Knollwood Summer Show

August 18-20

3 days of horse showing!

Don’t miss the fun!

You can sign up to volunteer here. It takes everyone’s help to put on an event of this size.

 

World's Championship Horse Show

August 19-26

Louisville, Kentucky

Team Knollwood will be there with beautiful show horses and skilled equitation riders.

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

We’re all set up at Oshkosh, ready for a beautiful weekend of horse showing. Please come join us for a fun show in a park-like setting. There’s plenty of great competition from the academy division to the jackpot classes.

There are lots of events coming up on Knollwood’s summer schedule, so let’s catch up.

 

 

Our ‘home show,’ ASAW Summerfun is coming up at Wisconsin State Fair Park July 13-16. Most of our show horses will be attending, and we’ll be there with plenty of academy riders as well.

 

Saturday the 15^th is a big day at the show, with the academy riders competing late in the morning. The Knockouts are inviting all members to come and watch the performance with officers and board members.

The Knockouts sponsor the ice cream social that takes place right after the academy performance, so come enjoy the horse show and some ice cream!

 

 

The Knockouts are holding a meeting at the farm at 1:00 on Saturday, July 22. They’ll finalize plans for the Knollwood show and cover some other topics as well.

 

The Car Wash is coming!

We’re asking all Knockouts to volunteer for a 2 hour shift on Saturday, July 23 for our most enjoyable fund raiser of the year.

You can sign up from 11-1, or from 1-3 to wash cars and work selling brats at Piggly Wiggly in Hartland.

Please sign up here.

 

The IASPHA Summer show is coming up July 28 – 30 at Beyond Stable Farm. The show will be held in the beautiful outdoor arena, and the show is a sell out. It’s going to be a marvelous summer weekend!

 

 

The Mid America Signature Show is happening at Beyond Stable Farm August 3-5. We’ll be there with academy stars, again in the perfect covered outdoor arena.

 

 

The ASAW Summer Showcase is the following weekend, August 12 – 13 at the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds in Cedarburg. We’ll be introducing some new riders to the show ring at the event, which is always a pleasure to watch.

 

 

The Knollwood Summer Show is the following weekend, August 18-20. Pattern classes will be held indoors on Friday night.  The Saturday performance will be held in the big outdoor ring and will feature all of our walk trot and canter riders as well as our 11 and over walk and trot riders and our premier walk and trot riders who compete away from home.

The Sunday performance will take place in the little outdoor ring, and will feature lead line, maiden walk and trot, and our 10 and under walk trot stars.

This big summer celebration requires many hands to make it work, and you can sign up to volunteer here.

 

We hope you can join us for all the fun we have planned for Knollwood Summer 2023!

 

 

 

 

See you soon at the barn, or at the in-gate.