Karen Spangler Spotlight
Even before she took her first breath on this earth Karen Spangler was riding horses—with a little help from her mother Kathleen Kilduffe. Since that time her horse life has continued to be a source of learning, joy and accomplishment.
“I did lead line on my mother’s Fox Trotter before learning to ride ponies,” Spangler explained. “My first love was my 13.3 hand pony Shorty. We did everything including trail riding and showing English and Western. Since then I have shown Quarter Horses although on occasion I do drive and ride a Clydesdale and a draft mule.”
Now a successful TQHA Amateur and Open exhibitor, Spangler first showed at open shows before joining 4-H. While in middle school she exhibited at her first AQHA show, the Dogwood Classic at Chilhowee Park in Knoxville. Her family became actively involved with TQHA including sister Pam Ryan who also competed, her mother who was “the dedicated horse show mom”, and her late father Robert Kilduffe who in addition to being horse show dad began showing halter horses. Kathleen and Bob also held TQHA officer positions over the years. Following in their footsteps, Karen currently serves as Region II and III Vice President, represents the state TQHA board and is on the audit committee.
When asked about her favorite horse the answer was easy—her current show mare Promisemeasurprise (“Olivia”). Spangler and her 2005 homebred mare have formed a successful team garnering many awards along the way including Open and Amateur ROMS, 2009 Regional Experience Reserve Champion in Jr. Trail, 2010 Open and Amateur Championships in Performance Halter Mares and Champion in Jr. Trail, TQHA Amateur All Around, and the 2010 World Show where the pair barely missed making the finals. The duo has qualified for and will be competing in the 2011 World Show.
“None of this would have been possible without my mother’s help,” said Spangler. “Being able to show, let alone at the world, would not have happened without her.”
Spangler plans to continue showing Olivia, enjoy more trail riding, and hopes to raise an Olivia foal. She’s married and is employed at Clinton Highway Veterinary Hospital. She enjoys reading, hanging out with horse friends, hiking, traveling and her pets.