#58 Karin Hagios Belgrave

Hopewell, NJ

Karin has been around horses her entire life. From the Amwell Valley Hounds Pony Club, to Area II Young Riders, to International-level Eventing, to running around Rolex Kentucky - she’s done a whole lot. But she’ll tell you her most rewarding projects have been in retraining and rehoming Thoroughbred ex-racehorses. “My big-time Eventing horses were both Thoroughbred crosses that I brought along - and I’m grateful for their scope and stamina and patience, as I was fearless but also learning. I was handed a bunch of Thoroughbreds to re-train in the years after competing at the upper levels, and it really taught me all of the things I didn’t know.” Karin has since grown a successful photography business, supported her husband Rodney’s business (he is President, co-owner, and Internal Medicine Specialist at The Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center), survived a Cancer diagnosis/chemo/reconstruction, and is raising two ridiculously awesome kids - Natalie (12) and Luke (11). Karin found Tiyo (Gio Ponti-Yo Ali/Quiet American) via Mary Eppler and Margaret Schwartz, after proclaiming to them that after everything she’d been through she wanted a really nice Thoroughbred mare - but she had to be special. Well, she’s exactly that - and she’s been loads of fun. She was also 2018 RRP Makeover eligible - so they went to the Makeover and had a blast, placing very well in the Dressage competition. Karin is super excited to be representing several TB Aftercare proponents at The Real Rider Cup: Re-trainers, Veterinarians, and Industry Enthusiasts. Please consider supporting Thoroughbred Aftercare via “Team Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center”. Photo credit: Jenna O'Connor