Karen began riding at the age of 11. She worked at a local farm where she learned to ride western. At this young age , Karen was doing extensive trail riding and started Barrel racing.
After high school Karen went to work for a trainer at Suffolk Down Race track in Boston. Spending a year as a groom and occasional exercise rider to the thoroughbredd Karen went back home.
Wanting to work with different breeds and different trainers, Karen had the opportunity for a short time to work and live at Windrush farm in Morris CT. This was the home of Melanie Smith Taylor, olympic gold medalist. Although it was a short time at this farm it was a great chance to work with some amazing people and horses.
After a few years off from the horses, Karen went back to work with Riverside Arabian Farm. Working with a fantastic trainer Blair Allen, Karen traveled the United State and Canada for 5 years with the Arabian horses. Saddle seat , and western were the primary horses shown.
Back in 1997 Karen's home town farm that started her career and love of horses came up for sale. With the help of her husband Mark and father in law Claude that farm became a dream. Karen has continued her riding. Whether it be jumping, team penning cows, saddleseat or trail riding.
Now back in Bolton, her home town Karen is still teaching and training horses. Although she is teaching primarily hunters, she always looks forward to the occastional barrel racer.
