Ep . 53 HYS -- Karen Leeming Finds Her Footing Among The Hoofprints

If you're mucking out stalls, muck it out the best you can. While that wasn't the only message from Karen Leeming in this episode of 'Hitting Your Stride', it serves as an effective encapsulation into the career and the life of the Footing First partner. Host Tracey Mitchell and Karen explore what led her to filling a niche in the equestrian industry, what came before that and how her equestrian world view was shaped, and where her next footsteps will take her. The laughs begin early, as Karen recalls her childhood in England and how she put her nose for business to use early -- swapping out her ride for another during a horse show (much to the surprise of her parents when she returned home with a completely different pony). The pair talk about devotion to the sport and how Karen's collective experiences took her from world traveller with her sister to working for some prominent names in the Canadian horse world. Karen's boldness helped earn her some impressive jobs, not the least of which was Canadian Olympic equestrian team manager at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and the 2002 at the World Equestrian Games. Having learned from her days as a groom, Karen talks about being a sponge and absorbing whatever she could whenever possible. In her worlds, you have to be highly dedicated but still able to step back and take in the big picture. When it comes to Footing First, Karen's zeal for her work shows both her passion for giving equestrians a leg up but also staying true to her beliefs that you reap what you sow. She describes the business as both a service for clients and an ongoing educational opportunity, one where Karen continues to acquire knowledge and passes it on to clients and coworkers alike. Karen Leeming can be reached via the company website at www.footingfirst.com or via email ([email protected]).