Karen O'Connor
Family History
Karen Lende O'Connor was born February 17, 1958, the second child of Joanne and
Phillip Lende. She grew up in Bolton, Massachusetts, with her two brothers,
Steven and Chip. Karen married David in 1993, and the couple settled in The
Plains, Virginia.
Karen got her first horse for her 11th birthday, a big black horse named
Midnight, whom she rode all around the family's property and neighboring apple
orchards. It was Pony Club that sparked Karen's interest in eventing. After
reading an article about Princess Anne winning the European Championships in
1971, Karen became forever hooked on
the sport.
