Karen O'Neal Eventing

About Karen

Coach. Competitor.
Champion.

As an active 4-Star eventing competitor with well over 100 first-place victories in national and international Eventing and Show Jumping competitions, Karen O'Neal is a widely recognized competitor and USEA ICP Level‑IV Certified equestrian instructor and coach.

Karen began her riding career at the age of 3 in Orange County, California, under the influence of her grandparents, Pete and Peggy Peterson — active members of the Los Altos Hunt Club and the Pebble Beach Dressage Community — who provided her first pony and ignited a lifelong fascination with the sport.

At 12, Karen won the Onandarka Equitation Medal. At 14, she earned the United States Pony Club B-Level Rating at the earliest permitted age, won the USEA Area 10 Preliminary Championships, and qualified for the USEF McClay Medal — all in the same year. She launched her professional training business at 18 and hasn't slowed since.

With an emphasis on horsemanship fundamentals, responsibility, and respect for the sport, Karen teaches with tremendous purpose. Her sold-out clinics throughout the Western United States continue to draw riders at every level seeking to reach their highest potential.

Train with Karen View Competition Results

Competition Record

First Place Finishes

Date	Event	Division	Horse	Score
6/13/2024	Aspen Farm HT	CCI4-S	Clooney 14	35.6
9/28/2023	Spokane Sport Horse Fall HT	ON	MNF North Forks Summit	27.9
9/15/2023	Aspen Farms HT	A	Clooney 14	38.1
9/1/2023	Equestrians' Institute HT	OI	Clooney 14	34.8
9/1/2023	Equestrians' Institute HT	OT	Hooligan	24.5
9/29/2022	Spokane Sport Horse Fall HT	CCI3-S	Clooney 14	25.2
9/29/2022	Spokane Sport Horse Fall HT	OP	Cooley Sligo	27.4
9/16/2022	Aspen Farm HT	I-CH	Clooney 14	38.7
9/16/2022	Aspen Farm HT	OP A	Cooley Sligo	29.2
8/19/2022	Caber Farm HT	OT A	Cooley Sligo	28.8
6/24/2022	Inavale Farm HT	OBN	Clarkes Monbeg Ambition	24.1
6/24/2022	Inavale Farm HT	OI	Clooney 14	29.2
6/24/2022	Inavale Farm HT	OP	Ebenholtz	25.5
6/9/2022	Aspen Farm HT	BNH	Escapade	21.4
6/9/2022	Aspen Farm HT	CCI2-S	Clooney 14	30.4
5/27/2022	Equestrians' Institute HT	OP	Clooney 14	21.6
9/30/2021	Spokane Sport Horse Fall HT	OP	Clooney 14	28.5
9/3/2021	Equestrians' Institute HT	OT	Balladeer Kilbrickens Lad	26.5
8/20/2021	Caber Farm HT	OT A	Dune	27.7
5/28/2021	Equestrians' Institute HT	OBN	Raphael	23.3
5/13/2021	Spokane Sport Horse Spring HT	OP	Clooney 14	22.4
10/28/2020	Galway Downs International	MT	Cafe Noir	22.1
10/1/2020	Spokane Sport Horse Fall HT	OM	Clooney 14	30.9
10/1/2020	Spokane Sport Horse Fall HT	ON	CF Fortune	19.8
9/4/2020	Caber Farm September HT	SON	Reddy To Play	25.0
8/21/2020	Caber Farm HT	SOT	Clooney 14	25.2
7/24/2020	Event at Rebecca Farm	ON	Reddy To Play	23.1
10/3/2019	Spokane Sport Horse Fall HT	OM	Clooney 14	28.2
9/20/2019	Equestrians' Institute HT	OI	Ebenholtz	25.0
9/20/2019	Equestrians' Institute HT	OT	Clooney 14	28.0
9/6/2019	Aspen Farms HT	OT	Clooney 14	23.0
8/23/2019	Caber Farm HT	OP	Hey Marseilles	27.2
8/23/2019	Caber Farm HT	OP	Ebenholtz	27.2
6/28/2019	Inavale Farm HT	OP	Ebenholtz	24.4
5/31/2019	Equestrians' Institute HT	OP	Ebenholtz	28.3
10/4/2018	Spokane Sport Horse Farm HT	ON	Clooney 14	27.9
7/6/2018	42nd Annual Whidbey Island HT	OT	Danciana	29.5
7/6/2018	42nd Annual Whidbey Island HT	OBN	Clooney 14	28.1
8/25/2017	Caber Farm HT	SOT A	Shanroe Santos	21.4
8/11/2017	Area VII Young Rider Benefit HT	OT	Shanroe Santos	26.4
8/11/2017	Area VII Young Rider Benefit HT	OT	Hooligan	21.4
7/19/2017	Event at Rebecca Farm	SON	Danciana	21.0
6/9/2017	Aspen Farms HT	OT	Hooligan	31.9
5/11/2017	Spokane Sport Horse Spring HT	OBN	Danciana	25.5
9/9/2016	Aspen Farms HT	I-CH	My Lucky Day	34.2
7/8/2016	40th Annual Whidbey Island HT	OT	Hey Marseilles	26.0

Services

How We Can Work Together

Clinics

Attending a Karen O'Neal Eventing Clinic is one of the fastest ways to level-up your riding skills. Clinics offer all the challenges of a competitive event without the pressure of competition. Karen's teaching adapts to each horse and rider, identifying gaps and creating tailored exercises. Students leave each clinic with homework to perform between clinics and competition.

Inquire About Clinics →

Competition Services

Being part of "Team KO" at a competition means more than community. Karen's personalized coaching — from detailed horse management to tailored course walks, rules-reviews, and dressage turnout-coaching — instills confidence. Punctuality, consistency, and reliability are the hallmark of Karen's competition coaching style.

Join Team KO →

Virtual Training

If you're unable to attend a clinic or private lessons, virtual training may be an option. Karen has provided numerous students with real-time coaching over the Internet with little more than a cell phone and Bluetooth headset — making quality instruction accessible from anywhere.

Learn More →

Testimonials

What Karen's
Students Say

Most top riders do not make great teachers, but Karen O'Neal has the very unique distinction of being both! As a 12 year student, I have risen from an unsuccessful novice rider to a successful preliminary competitor. Karen O'Neal is fully invested in her student's success and this passionate care comes through in her teaching style.

Natalie

I started riding with Karen 6 years ago and the transformation in my riding, horsemanship, education and success in the sport have been nothing short of amazing; my only wish is that I had picked up the phone and called Karen sooner! Karen is tough, fair and so rewarding when you get it right. She really has a way of bringing out the best in her students, both human and equine.

Amy

I've ridden with Karen for years, and throughout that time she has given me and my horses a wealth of experience, that I definitely would not have had without her. She is hard, but very fair and caters to all experiences as well as what that particular horse and rider needs to grow. She has always been in my corner to make me a better horse person and competitor which I am forever thankful for.

Annika

My bucket list has always been to do an FEI Prelim competition. Now it's considered a 2*! Not only did I do my first 2* but I placed 3rd! I'm now looking at Intermediate. It may not happen but if I attempt it I know I'll be ready because of Karen.

Liza

I don't have many coaching and training resources in my area, so attending Karen's clinics have provided a valuable way to "level-up" my skills a few times per year and keep me competitive throughout the season.

Keelyn