Knollwood lost one of it’s grandest members when CH CH-EQ Brookhill’s Passion Punch was laid to rest yesterday.

A legend in the show ring, Leila has a long history at Knollwood with many, many accomplishments.

Bred by the O’Brien Family Trust, Leila entered the world on May 17, 2004, and was destined for the spotlight. Always big, physically gifted and an intellectual in her own right, she and Scott were a match made in heaven.

One of her earliest trainers used to work her in a western saddle because Leila was so good at bucking her off.  This same trainer would come to the ring to watch Leila complete patterns at shows because she had a hard time believing it was the same horse who liked to dump her in the past.

Kerry purchased the firey mare in 2013, and had a colorful and successful show career in the amateur park division. Leila loved to do things her way, and she and Scott had many, many discussions about just how things would be done.

She was gifted and beautiful, and started her habit of ‘talking’ the entire time she was in the lineup.

Did we say she was big and powerful? Carol said she was the only horse she’d ever seen buck Scott off. She did it in the warm up ring at Midwest, with Scott landing on his feet facing the queen. Carol said it was such a physical feat on Leila’s part that she couldn’t stop watching.

While Kerry was out on maternity leave, Scott started to equitate Leila, and the rest is history. Many of Leila’s former trainers didn’t think it could be done, but Scott worked his ‘mare magic’ on Leila, and put Haley on her to see where it would go.

In 2018, Haley and Leila won:

  The UPHA Senior Challenge Cup Final

  The ASHA National Championship of Pleasure Equitation

  The Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion Final

  The Good Hands National Final

  The UPHA Senior Challenge Cup Final

  The USEF Medal Final.

 

The Cooper Family purchased Leila for Finn to show in equitation, and they became a historic team. During their time together, the beautiful tall blonde rider matched Leila step for step and enjoyed great success.

Finn and Leila were third in the Senior Challenge Cup National Final in 2020, and in the Good Hands Final the same year.

In 2021, this polished duo were Reserve World Champions in 17 year old equitation, and were Reserve World’s Grand Champions in the Equitation World Championship.

They were also 3^rd in the USEF Medal National Final, and 4^th in the UPHA Challenge Cup Senior Final.

Finn owned Leila until her last days, and loved her dearly.

 

 

 

The Dallens leased Leila for Richie when he entered the senior equitation division in 2022. They hit it off immediately, and really came into their own at Lexington with a 3^rd place finish in their age group, and 5^th in the equitation grand championship.

At Louisville, the duo were named Reserve World’s Champions of 14 year old equitation, and finished 4^th of 22 riders in the senior World’s Grand Championship of equitation. 

At the Royal, Richie and Leila were 3^rd in the UPHA Senior Challenge Cup Final, in his first year of competition in the senior division.

 

In 2023, Knollwood Kid Amelia leased Leila, and had the privilege of showing her at FASH to two great red ribbons.

Amelia is grateful to the Coopers for giving her the chance to show Leila, one of the greatest equitation partners ever. 

 

Leila was not an easy horse, but was so very smart and talented. Scott spent countless hours and days working with her to bring her around, and she became a legendary equitation partner for a number of Knollwood Kids.

Peace to you, Queen Leila, and to everyone who loved you, appreciated you, and learned from you.

You were royalty through and through.

OK, so we took a blog break last week to settle into our new summer schedule. We had two camps going on, and the show horses were at the Midwest Charity Horse Show. The summer adventures have begun!

 

Camps?

Last week we welcomed seven Tiny Tot campers who learned all about horses with the help of their personal assistants. These riders dove right in, and were posting after only three rides. The best news? Three of them that have enrolled in lessons are new Knollwood Kids.

We also hosted some of our most advanced academy stars for a week of non-stop horses.  We introduced our newest faculty member, Fiona, to some simple patterns, we furthered the always energetic Bee’s education, and found that Poppy is willing to try, well, almost anything.

In addition to learning to show and ride some tough patterns, we had some fantastic fun game sessions, and a killer ‘pattern challenge’ session.

This week, we’re hosting 12 brand new riders, and having a blast.

 

Midwest?

Knollwood’s horses and riders were on fire in Springfield last week.  The show featured deep competition, with riders from all over the country.

Our performance horses held their own at the top, with good ribbons all the way around, and the equitation riders were at the top of their games.

 

The story of the show?

Rescue Riddle

Riddle was rescued as a very young horse by the Duerr family, who have several horses at Knollwood. He needed some surgery, which they took care of near their home in Colorado. After working with him at home, Nicole sent him to Knollwood to see what he could learn.

After working with him for a bit, Riddle has become a wonderful show horse.

Payton showed him for a year or so, and this rescue guy looked like he belonged everywhere he went.

For the past two years, the Duerrs have leased him out to Maiya who has learned many, many things from him. At Midwest, the team won the Good Hands qualifier.

Riddle wasn’t done.

He filled in for a horse that couldn’t make it to the show, and won the 13 and under UPHA Challenge Cup, and the 13 and under Saddle Seat Equitation Championship for Amelia.

Great thanks to the Duerr family for rescuing this gem, and for sharing him with Team Knollwood.

 

 

What’s Coming Up?

June 29

Summer Knollwood entries are due!

 

July 1

Noon

Academy classes at the Oshkosh Charity Horse Show

 

 

July 4

Happy 4^th of July!

No lessons on the 4th, your instructor will be in touch to arrange a makeup.

 

 

July 13-16

ASAW Summerfun Horse Show

Wisconsin State Fair Park

Come join Team Knollwood for our ‘home show.’

Academy classes are on Saturday morning at 11:00 AM.

 

 

July 15

11:00 AM

Join the Knockouts at the Summerfun Show!

Sit with the officers and board members and cheer on our academy riders.

 

July 22

1:00 PM

Knockout Meeting in the show barn lounge

 

July 23

11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Car Wash and Brat Bash at Hartland Piggly Wiggly

Calling all Knockouts to wash cars and sell brats to raise funds for the club.

Please sign up for a shift in the school barn lounge.

 

 

 

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

Team Knollwood lost one of it’s most valuable members today when we had to put Klem down after a pasture accident.

The legend came to us from Hollow Haven Farm where he was known as Tony. Because we already had a lesson horse named Tony at the time, the fat little Morgan needed a new name.

He was shaped like a sausage, so he became Klem as in the Klement Sausage Company, and the rest is history.

He traveled to countless academy shows teaching a generation of Knollwood Kids the fun of showing horses.

He held his own in a ring full of bigger Saddlebred lesson horses because he thought so highly of himself.

(We often joked that we should have named him ‘Napoleon’ instead of Klem.)

His sweet nicker of greeting made him friends everywhere he went.

 

Always on the hunt for treats, he could get a mint or a carrot from anyone with his big brown eyes and his talking.

If humans didn't give him treats, he sourced his own.

We’ll miss his teaching littles how to canter, his opinions at pattern camps, and his drama about flies.

Mostly, we’ll miss his nicker greeting you when you entered his stall, and his patience with every small person he ever met.

Peace to you, Klem.

You were well loved by many, many fans who will never forget all that you gave them.

Last weekend, the academy team and ‘B’ horses traveled to the sold-out Prairie State show at Beyond Stable Farm.

This relaxed show creates the perfect atmosphere for our riders learning the ways of the show ring.  Each of our academy stars entered the arena five times in the afternoon, which presented opportunities for learning lessons and applying them in the next class(es).

We were excited to see riders progress before our very eyes, and are looking forward to watching these riders continue to lean more and more.

 

 

This Saturday is a BIG day for Knollwood Kids.

In addition to our regular lesson schedule, Knollwood Kids are gathering at 1:00 PM to clean up Oakwood and Nagawicka Roads for the summer.

Street Clean Up is a really fun way to earn your Knockout service hours, and you can meet new barn friends while you’re making the neighborhood more beautiful for the farm and our neighbors.

 

The Knollwood Olympics, the culmination of our food drive, starts at 6:00 PM on Saturday.

Weather permitting, the games will be held in the big outdoor ring. If the weather laughs at us, we’ll move to the arena.

Knollwood Kids who donated a minimum of five food kits are competing in ‘games of skill’ which are a perfect spectator event.

Join us at 6:00 PM to cheer on your favorite Olympian.

Donations to the Food Pantry of Waukesha County are still welcome on game night. Checks should be made out directly to them.

 

The Midwest Charity Show kicks off on Tuesday in Springfield, Illinois.

Around 20 horses will be competing for Team Knollwood at this prestigious event, which is held in the beautiful coliseum at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

It’s the first really big show of the season, and some of the very best horses and riders from around the country will be competing.

We’ll update social media when we can, or you can watch with a subscription on Richfield Video.

 

 

Coming Up?

 

Photo be Hanna Agathen Photography

Knollwood Summer Show

Entries for the Knollwood Summer Show August 18-20 are currently being accepted. We have classes for everyone, and you can talk to your instructor to see which division is right for you.

Want to honor your favorite rider, horse, instructor, or ??? Please consider sponsoring a class for only $25.

 

Oshkosh Charity Horse Show

June 28-July 1

Join us in Oshkosh for a beauty of a horse show. The setting is beautiful, the covered outdoor show arena is larger than life, and the horses are beautiful. Academy riders start at noon on Saturday.

 

Knockouts Car Wash and Brat Bash

Sunday, July 23 at Piggly Wiggly in Hartland

Calling all Knockouts!

We need your help for the most entertaining fundraiser of the year. The Knockouts will be washing cars and selling brats to raise banquet and charitable donation funds.

Join us for fun in the sun, to fulfill your club service hour requirement, and meet many other horse kids and their parents.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Team Knollwood enjoyed a classic horse show weekend in Madison. The show featured beautiful weather, great hospitality, and terrific deep competition. With horses from near and as far away as Kentucky, it was a great show to watch from start to finish.

Of course, we were there in numbers, and we thank everyone who pitched in to take great care of the Knollwood horses. They always look fabulous, and we appreciate all of the hard work that goes into making the horses shine in the ring.

Naturally, we have stories to share!

 

New Riders Shine

Team Knollwood introduced three new riders to the show horse world for the 2023 season. These Knollwood Kids were stars in the academy division, and have used their strong foundations to make strong debuts.

Mia showed the always energized Thaylee for the first time in Madison. Mia and Choo Choo Dakota  made a splash in their debut, and finished with a strong 4^th in a BIG class. The wild women returned to the championship and moved up to third.

These two are going to be a blast to follow this season!

 

Maddie and Ava are making their mark in the equitation divisions. Last year’s academy champ is learning the ropes of the highly competitive pleasure equitation world in the Midwest and is really enjoying the process.

Maddie and Ava, officially known as Castle Booty, made their debut at FASH, and showed to good ribbons there and at Madison.

This team is going to be a blast to watch.

 

Tess and Lola made their debut at FASH, and continued their success in the tough pleasure division at Madison.

An academy star last season, Tess is using her cool, calm, and collected personality to navigate big classes and to help Lola, officially known as We’re All Nuts,  shine in the crowd.

These two have charisma!

 

Last Year’s Class Continues to Impress

Brooklyn and Gamora made their debut last season, and continue to move up in their second season. They’re already qualified for some of the Fall finals, and Brooklyn got to show a horse for Hollow Haven at Madison earning a good ribbon in the process.

Maiya and Riddle are in their second season together, and they returned stronger than before. These two won the Pleasure Equitation championship at Madison, and are shining bright.

Lily and Fergie, officially known as Impressive Asset made quite a show in their first appearance this season, earning top ribbons in the packed single bit division at Madison.

 

New Combinations Made Their Mark

Four new teams have started this season for Team Knollwood, and they’ve made quite an impression.

Shaye showed her new horse Teddy, officially known as Fox Grape’s Fort Defiance, at both FASH and Madison, and is making a splash. Shaye and Teddy look like they’ve known each other forever, and have already won some classes and qualified for some Fall finals.

Amelia has teamed up with the queen of Knollwood, CH-EQ Brookhill’s Passion Punch. Leila and Amelia have already become a team, and we can’t wait to watch them progress even more this season.

Emma made her debut with new partner Eli and Madison. Owned by the Duerr family, Undulata’s Crystal Illusionist is a character with a heart of gold. He and Emma make an athletic combination, and are so fun to watch!

Kerry is showing Uno and is enjoying it while Tatum recovers from a knee injury sustained in her nonhorse athletic adventures.  They’re making their mark in the amateur park division and judging from the smiles, are loving every minute of it.

 

Academy Stars Shone

Our academy team made us proud again in some great competition.

Our experienced walk trot and canter riders showed their horses like pros and nailed the pattern selected by Judge Melissa Moore.

Leighton represented us in the walk and trot division and made quite a performance with Baxter who loved every minute of their passes off the rail. Their workout was clean as can be, and was personality plus as Baxter showed the crowd how much he loves his job.

 

 

 

Continued Successes

College Girl Finn was back from the University of Michigan to show Jade in the amateur gaited classes, and hopped on Riddle to win the UPHA Adult Challenge Cup. Those equitation skills never go away!

 

Margit and Charlie, officially known as CH Ken Folett, are right back at the top of the 5 gaited show pleasure division, winning both their qualifier and championship. Margit and Charlie had great rides in the 3 gaited show pleasure division, too.

Richie and Payton competed at the top of the equitation classes, and were both a sight.

Richie also showed Allen in Junior exhibitor 5 gaited to two strong second place ribbons, and showed a pleasure horse for Rosewood Farms, winning both classes.

Tori and Stella were a beautiful pair again in the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure classes at both FASH and Madison.

Natalie and Mariah made their Knollwood debut with clean classes. They’re on their way!

 

What’s Coming Up?

Prairie State Classic

We’re off to Woodstock this weekend with 13 academy riders and two ‘B’ riders for the sold out Prairie State Classic show. We’ll post the schedule soon. Please come cheer us on!

 

Food Drive Ends!

Get your 5 food kits in by Saturday to support our neighbors in need through the Food Pantry of Waukesha County. Plus, you’ll be on an Olympic Team for the June 10 games!

 

Street Clean Up

Saturday, June 10 at 1:00 PM

Join the Knockouts to clean up Nagawicka and Oakwood Roads. It’s a great way to earn your service hours for the Knockouts, and to help keep the neighborhood beautiful.

 

 

Knollwood Olympics

Saturday, June 10 at 6:00 PM

Food Kit Donators, join us in the big outdoor ring for ‘games of skill’ to celebrate your help for the Food Pantry of Waukesha County.

 

Midwest Charity Horse Show

June 12-16

The show horses are off to one of the biggest shows of the early season. They’ll travel to the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield to meet some of the best competition in the country.

 

 

Knollwood Summer Show is Coming Up!

June 30

Entries close for the Knollwood Summer Show

 

 

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