HT Member of the Month - September 2008

roberts617 · 09-01-2008, 10:12 AM

Seerfarm and I would like to introduce our September Member of the Month, Equine Alberta!

•First name? Karen

•Age Range [18-24; 25-40; 40] (optional)? 35

•What state or province were you born in? Alberta

•Do you have any siblings and if so, how many? 3; I have two older sisters and 1 older brother.

•Do you have any other pets? If so, what kind? We have two cats, two dogs, and a duck.
.
•What do you do for a living? If you're a student, what do you hope to do after you graduate? I used to do software testing and support, as well as bookkeeping, but now I am 100% focused on managing our barn/arena, including teaching lessons and training horses.

•What got you into horses and what keeps you in them? I liked horses for as long a I can remember! Luckily there is a stable right in Edmonton, about 7 minutes from where I grew up so my parents enrolled me in lessons at age 10.

•How long have horses been a part of your life? I started riding in lessons 25 years ago and bought my first horse when I was 13, but horses in some form or another (mainly Breyer horses when I was young!) have always been in my life.

•How old were you when first started riding? I think my first trail ride was when I was 6, but lessons were not available to me until I turned 10.

•What is your favorite breed of horse? I don't have a favourite breed. We have all types and I can appreaciate something in each of them.

•What type of riding do you do? I ride english; hunter/jumper and dressage.

•English or Western? English. I get nervous riding western...too much between me and the horse.

•Describe one of your favorite horses. Rocket: 14.3 hand 7/8 Morgan...not hard to tell the other 1/8 is Appaloosa! He has less mane, tail and forelock than a foal and is a varnish roan with mottled skin and white eyes. My first impression of him was "Yikes", but he was smart and went straight to hubby and started to nuzzle him...so home he came! He was only lightly backed, and to be honest I had no idea what to do with him as he obviously was not a jumper or dressage horse, but I am so glad we brought him home! He was easy to train and is extremetly smooth and gaited. Rocket has been a wonderful lesson horse for us for the last 4 years, teaching many people to canter and to jump. Being as smooth as he is, it is easy for even a complete beginner to trot and canter on him! His favourite place in the arena is either in a corner or immediately behind me...something that challenges riders that haven't learned how to communicate with him. He isn't an easy ride by any means, but even with his contrary nature he puts even the most nervous rider at ease. When I first trained Rocket he was a new experience; I had never trained a gaited horse. His different way of going and smoothness allowed and encouraged me to feel a horse's movement and openned my eyes to a more precise way of riding than I had even been taught.
.
•What advice do you have for someone who is just getting into horses? Surround yourself with people you trust for advice and feedback (Horsetopia's forum is great for that!)

•What other hobbies do you have besides horses? I enjoy writing...about horses though so not sure if that counts! One day if we have time to get off the farm I would like to do some canoing.

•How did you find HT? My husband found it when it was first starting up.

•If you could meet any member on Horsetopia that you haven't yet met, who would you choose and why? I would like to meet GreyDot/Sarah as we have spoken a few times on the phone and via email and we seem to share many of the same ideals. I would
also like to meet Orchid just because...and Iwasbornonahorse as she needs a hug!Actually there are a lot of people on Horsetopia I would like to meet!

Thank you for telling us more about yourself!

**seerfarm** · 09-01-2008, 10:20 AM

Yes, another great story about one of our Horsetopia members!

Thank you for sharing EquineAlberta, it is always nice to learn a bit more behind the person.

Wishing you and yours many more Happy Trails in the future.

ahlihaff · 09-01-2008, 11:12 AM

Congratulations, EA!! You have shared much great advice on HT.

corporate cowgirl · 09-01-2008, 11:52 AM

Thanks for starting this thread back up. EquineAlberta--sounds like you have a pretty nice life! Thanks for sharing--

horselady · 09-01-2008, 12:27 PM

Hello and nice to meet you and know a little more about you

breburtch · 09-01-2008, 03:01 PM

hey I didn't know there was a HT'er of the month thing....how do you vote for people?

Congrats Karen

Pony express · 09-01-2008, 03:04 PM

It was great learning more about you!

mymaxx · 09-01-2008, 03:08 PM

Hello Karen, It is always nice to learn a little more about another HT'er.

Carri · 09-01-2008, 05:48 PM

Hi Karen! It is nice to get to know you better!

cameo05 · 09-01-2008, 05:53 PM

Congrats, it is definatly nice to hear about such good people.

country-mare · 09-01-2008, 07:29 PM

Hi, Karen
It's great to learn a little more about the
great people here.

Touche · 09-01-2008, 08:30 PM

Wonderful to learn more about you EA.

I know I always appreciate your wisdom.

**gbarmranch** · 09-01-2008, 08:34 PM

What a wonderful person to spotlight.. I love hearing about what you do and how you became involved in horses.. Thank you for sharing your story..

CHL · 09-01-2008, 08:41 PM

It's great to learn some more about you, Karen!

Quote:

Originally Posted by breburtch

hey I didn't know there was a HT'er of the month thing....how do you vote for people?

I don't think that anyone votes - when member of the month was happening before it was random... you can see more info at: Meet Our Members

rm185western · 09-01-2008, 08:47 PM

Karen, it's really nice to get to know you better,

Awesome Paints · 09-01-2008, 09:49 PM

This is a great idea! I loved getting to know you better Karen!

pvf · 09-01-2008, 09:54 PM

Karen thanks for sharing more info about yourself. What a great way to get to know people better..

AlbertaGirl · 09-01-2008, 10:10 PM

Lots of stuff I didn't know about Karen, who is one my favorite people on HT! Bet you're all jealous (

) I've gotten to meet her in person and take some lessons from her as well

! She's a wonderful lady, and I have tonnes of respect for her, she's definetly given me lots of food for thought

DustyTrailsHorseRescue · 09-02-2008, 12:44 AM

That was interesting, thanks for sharing!

kanoo32 · 09-02-2008, 09:48 AM

That was good..........thanks for taking the time to share some of your memories with us!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
HT Member of the Month - March 2008	seerfarm	Welcome and Introductions	34	04-23-2008 02:00 PM
HT Member of the Month - April 2008	roberts617	Welcome and Introductions	16	04-08-2008 09:58 PM
HT Member of the Month #3 - thunderbaby703	paige5785	Welcome and Introductions	29	01-23-2008 09:50 PM

09-01-2008, 10:12 AM
roberts617 Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Central Oklahoma Posts: 5,147	HT Member of the Month - September 2008 Seerfarm and I would like to introduce our September Member of the Month, Equine Alberta! •First name? Karen •Age Range [18-24; 25-40; 40] (optional)? 35 •What state or province were you born in? Alberta •Do you have any siblings and if so, how many? 3; I have two older sisters and 1 older brother. •Do you have any other pets? If so, what kind? We have two cats, two dogs, and a duck. . •What do you do for a living? If you're a student, what do you hope to do after you graduate? I used to do software testing and support, as well as bookkeeping, but now I am 100% focused on managing our barn/arena, including teaching lessons and training horses. •What got you into horses and what keeps you in them? I liked horses for as long a I can remember! Luckily there is a stable right in Edmonton, about 7 minutes from where I grew up so my parents enrolled me in lessons at age 10. •How long have horses been a part of your life? I started riding in lessons 25 years ago and bought my first horse when I was 13, but horses in some form or another (mainly Breyer horses when I was young!) have always been in my life. •How old were you when first started riding? I think my first trail ride was when I was 6, but lessons were not available to me until I turned 10. •What is your favorite breed of horse? I don't have a favourite breed. We have all types and I can appreaciate something in each of them. •What type of riding do you do? I ride english; hunter/jumper and dressage. •English or Western? English. I get nervous riding western...too much between me and the horse. •Describe one of your favorite horses. Rocket: 14.3 hand 7/8 Morgan...not hard to tell the other 1/8 is Appaloosa! He has less mane, tail and forelock than a foal and is a varnish roan with mottled skin and white eyes. My first impression of him was "Yikes", but he was smart and went straight to hubby and started to nuzzle him...so home he came! He was only lightly backed, and to be honest I had no idea what to do with him as he obviously was not a jumper or dressage horse, but I am so glad we brought him home! He was easy to train and is extremetly smooth and gaited. Rocket has been a wonderful lesson horse for us for the last 4 years, teaching many people to canter and to jump. Being as smooth as he is, it is easy for even a complete beginner to trot and canter on him! His favourite place in the arena is either in a corner or immediately behind me...something that challenges riders that haven't learned how to communicate with him. He isn't an easy ride by any means, but even with his contrary nature he puts even the most nervous rider at ease. When I first trained Rocket he was a new experience; I had never trained a gaited horse. His different way of going and smoothness allowed and encouraged me to feel a horse's movement and openned my eyes to a more precise way of riding than I had even been taught. . •What advice do you have for someone who is just getting into horses? Surround yourself with people you trust for advice and feedback (Horsetopia's forum is great for that!) •What other hobbies do you have besides horses? I enjoy writing...about horses though so not sure if that counts! One day if we have time to get off the farm I would like to do some canoing. •How did you find HT? My husband found it when it was first starting up. •If you could meet any member on Horsetopia that you haven't yet met, who would you choose and why? I would like to meet GreyDot/Sarah as we have spoken a few times on the phone and via email and we seem to share many of the same ideals. I would also like to meet Orchid just because...and Iwasbornonahorse as she needs a hug!Actually there are a lot of people on Horsetopia I would like to meet! Thank you for telling us more about yourself! __________________ He who never made a mistake never made a discovery! Samuel Smiles

09-01-2008, 10:20 AM
seerfarm Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Out with the Herd! Posts: 8,231	Yes, another great story about one of our Horsetopia members! Thank you for sharing EquineAlberta, it is always nice to learn a bit more behind the person. Wishing you and yours many more Happy Trails in the future. __________________ "Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us". ~Hal Borland

09-01-2008, 11:12 AM
ahlihaff Greenbroke Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Western MA Posts: 3,870	Congratulations, EA!! You have shared much great advice on HT.

09-01-2008, 11:52 AM
corporate cowgirl Yearling Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 697	Thanks for starting this thread back up. EquineAlberta--sounds like you have a pretty nice life! Thanks for sharing--

09-01-2008, 12:27 PM
horselady Greenbroke Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: albany new york Posts: 3,594	Hello and nice to meet you and know a little more about you __________________ www.rainbow-horse-retirement.com We love and take care of your companion for the remainder of his lifetime

09-01-2008, 03:01 PM
breburtch Started Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ennismore, Ontario Posts: 2,096	hey I didn't know there was a HT'er of the month thing....how do you vote for people? Congrats Karen

09-01-2008, 03:04 PM
Pony express Started Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mid Michigan Posts: 2,576	It was great learning more about you! __________________ I don't regret the things I've done. I regret the things I didn't do when I had the chance.

09-01-2008, 03:08 PM
mymaxx Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hastings, FLA Posts: 2,490	Hello Karen, It is always nice to learn a little more about another HT'er. __________________ http://www.freewebs.com/rpmaxx/

09-01-2008, 05:48 PM
Carri Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 10,595	Hi Karen! It is nice to get to know you better! __________________

09-01-2008, 05:53 PM
cameo05 Bombproof Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 8,886	Congrats, it is definatly nice to hear about such good people. __________________

09-01-2008, 07:29 PM
country-mare Coming two Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Fred, Texas Posts: 1,517	Hi, Karen It's great to learn a little more about the great people here.

09-01-2008, 08:30 PM
Touche Coming two Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,902	Wonderful to learn more about you EA. I know I always appreciate your wisdom. __________________ Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. W.C.Fields

09-01-2008, 08:34 PM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mayberry Posts: 29,563	What a wonderful person to spotlight.. I love hearing about what you do and how you became involved in horses.. Thank you for sharing your story.. __________________ Quality Foundation Quarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.

09-01-2008, 08:47 PM
rm185western Greenbroke Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Saskatchewan,Canada Posts: 3,989	Karen, it's really nice to get to know you better, __________________ ________________________________ Okay, who put a stop payment on my reality check?

09-01-2008, 09:49 PM
Awesome Paints Long Yearling Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,403	This is a great idea! I loved getting to know you better Karen! __________________ Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That's why it is called the present.

09-01-2008, 09:54 PM
pvf Regional Forums Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 6,779	Karen thanks for sharing more info about yourself. What a great way to get to know people better.. __________________ www.prairieviewfarms.net Raising Reg. Paints and Quarter horses

09-01-2008, 10:10 PM
AlbertaGirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Alberta Posts: 3,427	Lots of stuff I didn't know about Karen, who is one my favorite people on HT! Bet you're all jealous () I've gotten to meet her in person and take some lessons from her as well ! She's a wonderful lady, and I have tonnes of respect for her, she's definetly given me lots of food for thought __________________ Some people say horses don't have a sense of humor... they obviously haven't met mine yet ;o) Last edited by AlbertaGirl : 09-02-2008 at 12:48 AM.

09-02-2008, 12:44 AM
DustyTrailsHorseRescue Coming two Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Montgomery, Alabama Posts: 1,570	That was interesting, thanks for sharing! __________________ www.dthr.org "All that is necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke

09-02-2008, 09:48 AM
kanoo32 Started Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 2,735	That was good..........thanks for taking the time to share some of your memories with us! __________________ Even if your on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there!