(An update on survivors and memorial arrangements is at the end of this obituary)
Legendary steward, stable manager and equine caregiver Karen Golding died Friday morning after a long illness.
Karen, 72, had been hospitalized recently after her condition took a turn for the worse.
Many knew her as the groom of the famous Jet Run, who was ridden to much glory by Michael Matz. But there was far more to Karen than that.
David Distler, who had urged her to get her steward’s license, recalled her generous nature.
“She would go out of her way to help anybody with anything,” he said about his friend of 52 years.
“She was such a good teacher. She took great joy in helping people and teaching them.”
Her focus “was always all about the horse, all about the animals.”
He added that she believed in taking care of horses in a natural way, without many of the gimmicks so popular today.
“It wasn’t about what would get them back to the ring; it was about keeping a horse around for a long time,” he emphasized.
Michael Matz called her “a consummate professional. People knew her around the world for it.” He said her horses were so well turned-out, noting “they looked different.” He added she took some courses in acupressure and used it when it would benefit the horses.
Karen Golding. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Michael met the native of England in the early 1970s when she worked for Bernie Traurig. Then she moved to Winter Place Farm before coming to Erdenheim Farm in Pennsylvania, where Michael rode for F. Eugene Dixon Jr. He then went on to found his own Vintage Farm.
“She did everything the right way with the horses,” he commented.
“She was good for the sport. Grooms who had a problem with something would go to Karen. I think that says a lot.”
Jimmy Herring recruited Karen for Erdenheim. He had been friends with her since he was 19; he is now 68.
“We were very close most of those years. It was just one of those friendships; sometimes we’d talk every week. But many times we’d go months without talking, and then just pick up where we left off,” he said.
Jimmy used to call her “Mama,” noting “she looked after the whole crew. There were many times we would not have made it to work if Karen hadn’t gotten us out of bed. So many people, she influenced their lives and left a mark.”
“I’ve had so many text messages from everybody who worked at Erdenheim and Vintage Farm, saying what an influence she was, not only in their horse experience, but in their human experience about her kindness and her love of people and horses and animals.”
Sydnie Eustace Goodrich, who was grooming Melanie Smith’s horses, remembers Karen as a team player. When the U.S. competed at the 1979 Pan American Games in Puerto Rico, the horses were bedded on straw. But that did not work for Melanie’s horse, Val de Loire, because he would gorge on it.
Although it was replaced with pellets, Syd said Karen noted they were non-absorbent. No good. Next was shredded newspapers, so dusty that they were a health hazard. Even though Val wasn’t Karen’s horse, she kept on the case, trying to find a solution.
Karen “stuck to it and kept saying `No,'” Syd recounted. Finally, shavings emerged from somewhere and became the answer.
Citing Karen’s fortitude, Syd said, “She had a sense of how important all the pieces were. She always made sure it worked. She was always part of the team.” And this team got the gold medal, with Jet Run taking individual gold.
Melanie observed that “Karen was a wonderful role model and influence on all the other grooms of her time. She was helpful to everyone and there was a tremendous camaraderie among them. Karen and her fellow grooms all loved their horses and enjoyed their work.
“They were fun to be around. It was a special era in the horse world,” Melanie added.
Joe Fargis and Karen Golding on their induction into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. (Photo © 2008 by Nancy Jaffer)
Several decades ago, Karen, a member of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, fell and broke her ankle, starting a series of health problems that spiraled.
Even though her issues included diabetes and heart concerns, she was able to control them and continue working. Then three years ago, she broke her other ankle in a car accident. Despite that, she was still able to get around in her wheelchair and work. However, things got out of control in March 2022.
After being hospitalized in the autumn when she fell out of her wheelchair, she eventually wound up in a rehab facility, where she didn’t get the kind of care she needed.
Earlier this year, she was able to come back to her home in Wellington, Florida, as friends contributed to the cost of her care.
She was very grateful for the help she received. At the time, she told me, “There are quite a few people who have stepped up. I feel so lucky with the people that I have.”
Karen is survived by her partner, Tracey Edge, and her nephew, Steven Golding (Lauren). A memorial gathering will be held June 1 from 2:30-4 p.m. in the Hospitality Room beneath the stands at the Devon Horse Show. Everyone who knew and loved Karen is welcome to attend. Those who wish to make a donation in Karen’s memory may do so to the Equestrian Aid Foundation (https://www.equestrianaidfoundation.org.), which was integral to her care.
