The Christmas Spirit is alive and well with the Knockouts of Knollwood Farm in Hartland, Wisconsin. Members started the season right after Thanksgiving with the lottery for Secret Santa for the school horses. Each of the lesson horses has his or her stall decorated, receives a treat a week from a secret admirer, and gets a larger gift the week of Christmas, when the secret Santa reveals their identity to the lucky horse. There was such a demand for this game that several show and retired show horses were added to the game.

On December 5, the Knockouts held their annual election of officers for the upcoming year, followed by their Christmas party. Officers for 2009 are: President, Emily Wiersma, Vice President, Andra Mudlitz, and Secretary Sydney Budzinski.

The Christmas party started out with a scavenger hunt, which took teams of Knockouts all thru the barns, into the arena, and even across the pastures, following clues to their next destination. The water trough in the lower pasture was a particularly tough find.

After the game, the hunters returned to the warm lounge for pizza and treats. The evening concluded with a very competitive game of Red Rover in the arena.

The next day, the Knockout started their service project for the holiday season when they went shopping for their adopted family. They took their family’s Christmas lists and shopped for them to make their holiday a little brighter.

It was time for Christmas caroling on Saturday the 13th. Wedgie and Forest were decorated with bells, bows, and lights while carolers donned Santa hats and warm clothes, then grabbed their flashlights and went out into the neighborhood for some old fashioned fun. They sang at about 10 houses before they returned to the lounge to warm up.

The Knockouts would like to wish everyone a happy holiday season, and a terrific 2009!