For the next three years, Kari worked at Holstenhoeve in Meerhout, Belgium. There she was given total responsibility for the management of the breeding and riding stable. She rode the young horses and stallions in competition and sales auctions, as well as prepared them for state approvals. During this time she received riding instruction from top international riders Ulrich Kirkoff, Dirk Dimersman, and Jerry Smit. Kari also worked with the breeding stallions and the mares and foals.

In 1996, Kari returned to the Holsteiner Verband. Her job now included the preparation of young stallions for the Fall Approval in Neumunster, educating, training, and riding of young horses to prepare them for sale, handling stallions for breeding and collection at the stallion station, showing young horses at local competition, as well as breaking, training, and showing mares for approval. Additionally she was responsible for the training and conditioning of a stallion for international rider Franke Sloothak.

Two years later Kari returned to the states and her home in Coto De Caza, California. It was there she began her business European Equestrian Concepts which has grown to have over 30 horses in training, with riders and horses competing successfully at both the national and international level. Kari currently lives in Coto with her husband Kenneth, their dogs Chelsea and Gadget, and macaw Paco.

In 2007 she coached one Junior (Mackinzie Pooley) and one Young Rider (Emily Tears) to qualify and compete at the CDI** North American Young Rider/Junior Championships in Lexington, Virginia.

Assistant ~ Zoe Steele-Rand

Zoe Steele-Rand was born and raised in San Diego, California. She began dancing at the age of four and continued for 9 years. In middle school, she picked up the cello which influenced her decision to attend her high school, The San Diego School of the Creative and Performing Arts. Zoe started her riding education at Sweetwater Farms in Bonita, California at the age of 13. She competed for the better part of three years in Hunters and Jumpers on the Greater San Diego Hunter Jumper Association Circuit, where she won Reserve Champion honors at the Championship show in 2001 and 2004, as well as winning Reserve Champion - Year End, in the Low Children's Hunter division.

In 2005 Zoe started her college education at The University of Findlay, Ohio. There she was placed on both the IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association) and IDA (Intercollegiate Dressage Association) Varsity Team Rosters. Zoe competed with these teams for her three years with great success, culminating with her individual win at IHSA Nationals in 2007, and helping her team ride to a Reserve Championship in the same year. Zoe also had success at IHSA Nationals in 2008, coming home with Individual Reserve National Champion honors.

Zoe graduated in May 2008 with a double major in Equine Riding and Training and Equine Business Management. Since her graduation, Zoe has moved back to California to once again join the EEC Team.

Zoe is pictured aboard Lone Oak Cedar's Grace, a 6 yo Connemara Stallion.

Assistant ~ Solveig Sager

Solveig Sager was born and raised in Neustadt in Holstein, Germany. She began her riding career at the age of 6 taking lessons once a week. From there her desire to learn more made her pursue a more intense program and became serious about the sport at age 13. Solveig was able to lease a young pony, Pamela, and the two competed together at E Dressur through L Dressur during their time together. When she outgrew her pony, Solveig was able to lease a young horse, Tabisko, and again the two competed up to L Dressur.

Upon high school graduation, Solveig applied to become a working student for Karen Ball in California, USA. What she thought to be a summer of fun before University she quickly realized was the right career path for her. At EEC in 2009, Solveig was paired with Absolute- Zephyr, a 6 year old Zweibruecker gelding, and the two won numerous High Point and Championship honors together through First Level. Then in 2010 she showed both Cheyenne (7) and Louvre (9), two Holsteiner geldings at First and Second Level to excellent scores and High Point Honors.

Solveig spent the summer of 2010 at the Holsteiner Verband, working under Markus Suchalla. There she rode young stallions and helped prepare them for the 70 day test.

Solveig enjoys the laid back beach lifestyle of California and fun nights out with the girls.

Solveig is pictured aboard Absolute-Zephyr.

Emily Tears

*Born: September 29, 1986 *Residence: Coto de Caza, California
*Education: Junior at Cal Poly Pomona
*Hobbies: Reading, playing Piano, Lord of the Rings Fanatic
*Future Competitive Goals: To continue competing Lopaca in the I1 in 2010.

Emily Tears has been riding horses since before she could walk, learning basic horsemanship from her mother before she began training with Karen Ball of European Equestrian Concepts, Inc. at the age of 13. Emily has won multiple High Points and Awards on her Holsteiner gelding, Lopaca, a horse her family purchased as a 4 year old from the Holsteiner Verband in Germany. Some of their awards over the past two years include CHAMPION at Training/1st/2nd for Southern California JR/YR and JR/YR CHAMPION at 1st/2nd Level at 2006 USDF REG 7 Championships. She has also competed against professionals in the FEI 5 and 6 year old classes and had the opportunity to clinic in 2006 with young horse developing coach Scott Hassler. Although Emily will continue to compete her own horse and the Connemara stallion Cashel’s Rock of Ages this year, due to her passion for horses and dedication to this sport she will be given the chance to ride Luciano, a 13 year old Holsteiner gelding, in the 2007 YR Qualifying Competitions thanks to the generosity of Karen Ball and Jill Cordsen. With the support of her family, coach and sponsers, 2007 should be an incredible season for this young rider.

Emily is pictured aboard Luciano.