by Kimberly Rinker

Chicago, IL — Kara Oldford, 20, of Croswell, Mich., captured the Amateur Showmanship Class at the World Quarter Horse Show in Oklahoma City, Ola. on Nov. 11. You could say that horses run in the family, or more appropriately, trot, pace and canter, on occasion.

Photo courtesy of Steve Oldford

The love of horses runs in the family for Kara and Steve Oldford.

Miss Oldford is the daughter of Michigan based amateur driver and USTA District 2 Director Steve Oldford. Her grandfather is Harness Horsemen International’s president Gene Oldford.

Miss Oldford began showing quarter horses at 9-years-old and is a multiple Quarter Horse Congress Champion. She currently attends Stetson University in Deland, Fla., where she is studying business. In 2008 she captured the American Quarter Horse Association All-Around Award, the same year her father, Steve, was the 2008 CKG Billings combined points champion and was named Michigan’s Amateur Driver of the Year.

Steve and his father Gene operate Oldford and Associates, a Port Huron, Mich.-based organization that provides sales and engineering for automotive manufacturing companies. The Oldford family is notable for having owned such Standardbred standouts as Godiva Hall, Matts Waller, The Budster, Feeling Frazzled and Ballroom Delight.

Miss Oldford is a finalist in both Hunt Seat Equitation and Western Riding at the World Quarter Horse Show, while her father is among the national point leaders in the Billings Series, which has its championship slated for Dec. 6.