Karin Offield, sponsor of the 2005 World Cup Dressage Final in Las Vegas has been a lifelong horse lover. During her childhood in Aspen, Colorado, instead of skiing like her friends, she rode horses. From jumping to trail riding to dressage, horses have always been a part of the American’s life.
“I have always wanted to share that joy and love with others,” says Karin, “ and I had the opportunity to do that when I co-founded El Rojo Grande Ranch in 1992 in Sedona, Arizona. The ranch was a place where people could have the opportunity to ride and learn about horses. From riding lessons and trail rides to dressage demonstrations and art exhibits, El Rojo Grande Ranch offered something for everyone in our community. This was my way of not only helping people to enjoy horses, but to also help create fans for the horse sports. Once people are around horses they become fans for life.”
Karin herself has been concentrating on dressage for the past nine years, climbing up the stages with her coach Michael Etherley.”Until recently he has been with me every step of the way. We were a team and a good one too. He took me through the Introductory Level, Training Level, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Prix St. George, I-1 and Intermediaire 2. It was a climb!”
Along the way Karin won regional championships (including four USDF Regional Championships at the FEI level) and went to Europe six times. There she bought, among others, Tiamo Trocadero. Tiamo is a 1987 German licensed Hanoverian stallion by Trapper. He competed successfully at international level with Emile Faurie and
was the reserve horse for the British team in Sydney. “Tiamo Trocadero is an amazing horse. He has been an exemplary schoolmaster, teaching me the subtleties of riding the upper level
tests,” enthuses Karin. “ I would have to say he wasn’t the easiest animal to learn to ride correctly, but he certainly has been the most rewarding. When I have finally understood what I am asking, and how to ask for submission correctly while creating the impulsion and forwardness, he generously obeys and feels so correct, that I have come to understand the harmony that is possible between horse and rider.”
Tiamo is the third of four stallions Karin purchased over the years. “I enjoy riding stallions as long as they are well behaved, of course, and I have been very lucky so far.” But it wasn’t just stallions for the sake of it. Karin wanted to embrace a bigger picture. “In America and for me specifically, I have found that owning stallions as competition horses is part of a larger obligation. If, in our life time, we are fortunate enough to own stallions whose temperament, conformation, ability and bloodlines are rare enough
to brag about, that excite mare owners enough to seek you out for breeding each spring, it is a great honor. I want to participate in this business, making sure the great horses that we are showing today are the sires and dams of tomorrow’s champions.”
Hexagon’s Louisville is an example of what Karin is talking about. “He is an absolutely beautiful animal. He is majestic and in addition to his beauty he has a temperament that far exceeds any horse I have ever owned, and that’s many horses,” says Karin.

FOR THE LOVE OF HORSES
OFFIELD FARMS, SPONSOR OF THE 2005 WORLD CUP
DRESSAGE FINAL
Courtesy of  L'Annee Hippique 2005

“He displays a gentle and even disposition. He never gives up and when asked correctly and simply, he does his job. The mechanics of Grand Prix dressage are very easy for him. He is going to be a great breeding stallion. I can’t wait to get a lot of foals on the ground.”
Karin’s first dressage stallion, Alla’ Czar, by Zeus, has gone on to become a popular sire of American hunters, including the incomparable Osczar, the first horse to receive a perfect 100 in hunters. “An athletic horse is an athletic horse, regardless of the discipline or breed,” says Karin. “Our goal at Offield Farms is to produce athletic horses with great emperaments, not on a large scale, but one horse at a time.”

EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION Karin has been involved for years with dressage education projects, like The Dressage Foundation’s Advanced Young Rider Program and their book The View From C. She believes it is extremely important to get more people involved with the sport as well as educate those who already love it. Last winter in Florida Karin began training with Robert Dover on the finesse and details of Grand Prix. It was the Olympic medallist who alerted her to the publicity opportunities afforded by the World Cup Final in Las Vegas.
“The future of the sport includes television broadcasts in the United States. I felt that it was extremely important that the 2005 World Cup Finals be televised in the United States. When Robert mentioned that sponsorship was still available and would help ensure the TV broadcast of the event, I was very interested. After reviewing the business opportunity, it made good sense to me. The sponsorship was a way to help promote my business, Offield Farms, and help the sport reach a wider audience. I could not be more pleased with the result. The event was a smashing success. I have received tremendous feedback from people around the world and they have told me that they believe the Final has really increased the profile of the sport.”
Karin is committed to keeping the energy of what happened in Las Vegas going and is evaluating future promotions. “ I will always be involved in helping improve education and increasing awareness for the sport. As I learn how to become a better competitor, and ride down that centerline perfectly, I am happy to help where I can.”
For more information on Offield Farms and Karin’s stallions please visit the website: www.OffieldFarms.com.


Karin Reid Offield and Hexagon’s Louisville.

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