Karen Blythe and Stryker K with Rosemary Heagney and Sonic K at the 2026 Sydney CDI. Image by Amy-Sue Alston Photography.
From Pony Club beginnings to Champion of Champions glory, Karen Blythe’s lifetime with horses is reflected in Stryker K, whose talent and rideability carried them to a 2026 Dressage and Jumping with the Stars victory.
Neither of Karen Blythe’s parents had any interest in horses, nor did her two brothers. Her grandfather, however, had been a jockey, and Karen believes her own love of horses and passion for riding is a throwback to him. He encouraged her to ride from a young age, and she attended Pony Club at Keilor.
Karen Blyth was born in Footscray, a suburb of Melbourne. Karen’s journey with horses began in earnest at just seven years old. Riding a hired horse from down the road, she quickly became immersed in Pony Club life. Eventually, her grandfather bought her a horse of her own — a moment that meant everything to her. From there, her commitment only deepened. As a young teenager, she began teaching at a local riding school in exchange for help covering her agistment costs.
At just 14, Karen left home to work full-time with horses, a decision that set the foundation for everything that followed. Between the ages of 14 and 18, she focused on showing, before moving into eventing and show jumping. She competed in eventing to one-star level and show jumping to C grade, under the guidance of Raymond Thomas. It was a time she remembers fondly, particularly her love of jumping and the thrill of cross-country.
After taking time away from riding to raise her children, Karen returned to the sport, but found that her confidence and desire for jumping had shifted. Instead, she turned her focus to dressage — a decision that would ultimately define her career. Once she made the switch, she never looked back.
Stryker K and Karen Blythe, winners of the Australian Young Dressage Horse Champion of Champions title at Dressage and Jumping with the Stars this year. Image by Equisoul Photography.
Based for many years on a property in Exford, Victoria, and now in Bacchus Marsh, Karen has built a lifelong career in teaching. She has been coaching since she was 14 and has never stopped. Alongside her equestrian life, she spent 20 years working full-time in the police force, all while continuing to coach. After leaving the police, she moved into investigation for the Veterinary Board of Victoria, working in the field for another 11 years until being made redundant during the Covid pandemic. Since then, she has dedicated herself fully to coaching.
One of Karen’s most significant early dressage horses was LPL Bachelorette, a remarkable partner who progressed through the levels to Medium Tour and was on the verge of starting Grand Prix. Tragically, LPL Bachelorette died suddenly from an aneurysm — a devastating loss that Karen still feels deeply, even 10 years on.
During this time, Karen was supported and mentored by Maree Tomkinson, who guided her through her development before relocating to Germany. Following that transition, Karen began training with Justine Greer, a partnership that continues to this day.
Since returning to the sport with renewed focus, Karen has successfully produced five FEI horses, selling three along the way. She currently has several exciting horses in work, including Sonic K (by Stedinger x Weltmeyer) and MP Romane (by For Romancier x Samarant), now seven years old and competing successfully at Advanced level. Also coming through the ranks is the standout young horse Stryker K, a four-year-old (by Secret x Carbine).
“Karen has successfully
produced five FEI horses…”
Karen Blythe and Sonic K. Image Equisoul Photography.
STRYKER K CATCHES THE EYE
Stryker K’s story is one Karen recounts with particular fondness. She first saw him as a young colt at Nirrelle Somerville’s property while searching for a horse for a student. Even then, tied up in the stable as a youngster, he caught her eye. Two weeks later, she returned and purchased him at just 10 months of age.
He was gelded and allowed time to grow out in the paddock, developing into a striking, athletic young horse. By Secret out of the mare Lets Intrigue (Carbine x Thoroughbred), who had competed successfully with Lizzie Wilson-Fellows, Stryker K comes from a proven dam line that has produced several outstanding offspring. Lets Intrigue herself was quite successful at DJWTS as a young horse.
Stryker K’s competition career has already been impressive. He debuted in a young horse class at Boneo Park in October 2025, before going on to win at the Victorian Dressage Festival in December, where he claimed the Victorian Four-Year-Old Championship. Leading into Dressage with the Stars, he returned to Boneo for an outing and produced a standout performance, winning with an exceptional score of 87%.
Karen Blythe and Stryker K winning the Victorian Four-Year-Old Championship at the 2025 Victorian Dressage Festival. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.
Karen always believed Stryker K was an exceptional horse. From the very beginning, even during the breaking-in process, he showed a strong work ethic. He was sharp, attentive, and eager — qualities that immediately set him apart.
Yet Karen is quick to emphasise that she doesn’t view him through rose-coloured glasses. “He’s a beautiful horse to look at,” she says, “but ultimately it comes down to trainability — that’s what determines how far they go.”
What makes Stryker K particularly special, in her view, is his remarkable consistency to the bridle. He works in a naturally correct frame, seeks the contact, and carries himself with an ease that is not often seen in young horses.
“He loves his work. He’s very good in the mouth, very steady, and he holds himself in a super balance all the time,” Karen explains. “He’s naturally uphill, and that gives him a fabulous frame. That will hold him in good stead for the future.”
GROUNDED IN EXPERIENCE
It’s a perspective grounded in experience. Karen is no stranger to producing young horses through the ranks, and she brings a measured, educated eye to each one she develops.
Her horse Sonic K is a case in point. A winner of the four-year-old class at Dressage with the Stars in 2019, he went on to win the four-year-old championship at Sydney CDI and consistently performed in prestigious young horse classes at ages four, five, six, and seven.
Recently competing successfully at Small Tour, Sonic K has been a rewarding horse for Karen, though she remains realistic about his future at Grand Prix. “He doesn’t have the natural talent for piaffe and passage,” she says. “I’ve loved training him all the way through, but I don’t want to pressure him into Grand Prix if he finds it uncomfortable.”
With Rosemary Heagney in the saddle, Sonic K is proving to be a solid CDI Junior horse. At the Sydney CDI, the partnership won the CDI-J Freestyle in a very strong field with a score of 73.235%. They were also second in the Team Test and third in the Individual Test with strong scores.
It’s a philosophy that reflects Karen’s approach across all her horses — developing each one to its strengths, rather than forcing a predetermined path. For her, success is not just about reaching the top level, but about producing confident, willing horses that can perform happily and consistently at their best.
Stryker K now heads to the Sydney CDI to contest the four-year-old class, and there is little doubt he will be warmly received. His rise has already been remarkable, highlighted by what Karen describes as both his biggest win — and her own — taking out the Champion of Champions title at Dressage and Jumping with the Stars in 2026.
It was a result she hadn’t necessarily expected. “I didn’t think as a four-year-old he would win Champion of Champions at DJWTS this year,” Karen admits. “The other horses were of very high quality, strong in their training and were ridden by exceptional riders.” Yet from the moment he entered the arena, Stryker K captured attention.
When asked what sets him apart, Karen Karen returns again to his three good clear paces, natural balance and rideability. “He’s exceptionally talented in the balance department,” she says. “He has a great connection to the bridle and doesn’t find lateral work difficult at all. He goes in with his ears pricked, enjoys his job, and overall he’s exceedingly easy to train. He’s like an old soul.”
His work routine reflects that ease. Typically trained three to four days a week — occasionally five in the lead-up to competition — he is also supported with work on the water walker. Pole work and cavaletti have not yet been introduced, but are planned as he strengthens into his five-year-old year.
Stryker K was named the Four-Year-Old Young Horse Champion at Sydney CDI, achieving a score of 90% in the final where her drew praise from New Zealand guest rider Kallista Field. Image by Amy-Sue Alston.
At DJWTS, the feedback from judges — and from respected international trainer Insa Hansen — reinforced Karen’s belief in the horse. He was praised for having three expressive, high-quality paces, combined with a consistently positive way of going.
What stood out most was his submission and overall harmony. He worked in a steady frame, showed a soft and reliable connection in the mouth, and maintained a consistent, confident presence throughout each performance. Judges described him as a happy horse in his work — a quality that is increasingly valued at the top level.
For a four-year-old to win Champion of Champions is no small feat, and the result confirmed what many had already begun to suspect — that Stryker K is something special.
Since DJWTS, Stryker K has also been named the Four-Year-Old Young Horse Champion at Sydney CDI, achieving a score of 90% in the final where New Zealand guest rider Kallista Field said she would “take him home at the drop of a hat.”
True to her nature, however, Karen takes the success in her stride. She is quick to credit those who have helped shape her journey, particularly Maree Tomkinson and Justine Greer, whose guidance continues to influence her approach to training.
Looking ahead, Karen is optimistic about the coming year with Stryker K. But as always, her focus remains grounded — on correct training, steady progression, and the welfare of the horse.
Beyond her own riding and production of horses, Karen is equally passionate about her role as a coach. After years balancing life in the police force and private investigation, she now dedicates herself fully to training riders within the sport of dressage — a career that reflects not only her experience, but her enduring commitment to developing both horses and people. EQ
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