Dorian is owned by Stephanie and goes by “Duke.” Dorian is a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood. The pair trains with Leah Curtiss at Oakside in College Station, TX.
Duke is a gorgeous chestnut with a big white blaze and four white stockings. He is by Lord ZDam and by Vicky Gold. He is a gentleman to the core and a total ladies’ man. One of Stephanie’s favorite memories of Duke is when she had a friend come to the barn and as Stephanie turned to grab his bridle after removing his halter and he walked over to her where she was enjoying a breakfast burrito. He stared her down until she shared her burrito and then quietly walked back to the crossties clearly pleased with himself.
Sarah says that she and Duke connect in a way she’s never found with any other horse. It’s beautiful and magical and so very special. It’s love. Duke never gets mad and is always willing to try again and again. He does everything he can to keep her safe and on his back because she is his partner. He loves jumping, and will always jump his very best whether it’s a ground pole or a meter. He is always happy which makes me happy too.
Sarah’s trainer found him and she had him for about 4 months at the time of Pin Oak. After they found him and tried him, Sarah and her trainer went back out to South Carolina and tried him again. He was perfect from the minute they met. He was so calm and patient, not caring about my nerves at all. They even went on a trail ride through the property after their lesson. He fell asleep when she groomed him for the first time, just totally content to be taken care of, when in fact it was her who was being taken care of by him. That’s when she knew he was her heart horse.
Sarah has loved horses her entire life. She’s the typical “horse girl” who just never grew out of that phase. In fact, she’s making a career out of it! She will graduate from veterinary school and start her job as an equine veterinarian at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky. Duke will of course be moving out to “Horse Country” with her. She has been riding since she was 3 and got her first horse when she was 10. Her mom had a horse growing up, so that’s how she first got into taking lessons. Her dad and her used to ride around our backyard together on our horses and that’s one of her most favorite memories. Her favorite thing about having a horse is the ability to be her true self with them and know they will love her and accept her for who she is no matter what. There are very few places where one can feel that in the world, but she can always find that with a horse.
Karinda K. is a Houston, TX based equine photographer that travels around the United States photographing equestrians and their horses. Karinda specializes in Outdoor Horse & Rider Portrait sessions that bring to life the magical relationship equestrians share with their horses, Senior Portraits, and Fine Art Black & White Background Portraits for those that want a piece of art featuring their very own animals. Karinda accepts a limited number of private clients each year, if you are interested in having her photograph you and your horse or an equestrian in your life, you can reach the studio by sending an email to equine@karinda(.)com or calling (832)598-8715.
Portraits for Charity was an idea Karinda dreamt up to help give back to families impacted by Childhood Cancer in memory of her husband’s sister Jessica. During the 2021 Pin Oak Charity Horse Show Karinda photographed around 140 Horses, Dogs, and even Goats, and was able to donate $10,000 to Candlelighter’s Houston. These are the stories of the Horses, Dogs, and Goats that were photographed at the show, these stories complement a photographic book that Karinda is printing and donating to Texas Children’s Hospital featuring Portraits of each and every animal she photographed.
The Waiting List for Pin Oak 2022 is now open, click here to join: https://equine.karindak.com/pin-oak-2022-wait-list
If you are interested in having Karinda attend your event and host a Portraits for Charity day, send an email to equine@karindak(.)com.
