Karly has been immersed in the horse industry for her entire life, beginning her riding
career at just five years old. She grew up showing American Saddlebreds with
Mercer Springs Farm under the direction of the renowned Lilly family.
In the show ring, Karly partnered with Three-Gaited World's Grand Champion CH Yes It's True,
World's Champions WC CH Kentucky Proud, WCC Desert Supreme Kid, WC CH Perfect Offering,
and WCC Deputy's Heir, as well as Lexington Junior League Grand Champion Vamoose.
Her experience extends beyond Saddlebreds to include Morgans, Hackneys, Friesians,
Arabians, Dutch Harness Horses, Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds,
reining, dressage, hunters, jumpers, and cross country,
giving her a well-rounded, practical understanding of the equestrian industry.
Today, Karly rides with High Caliber Stables in Greensboro, North Carolina,
with her five-gaited American Saddlebred mare, Ventti, owned by Saddlethreads.
They train under the guidance of Mary & Evan Orr, multiple-time World's Champion
trainers celebrated for their philanthropy and innovation.
Karly graduated with honors from Wake Forest University, earning dual degrees
in Studio Art and Communications. Her academic work combined
creative and technical disciplines, including graphic design, photography,
filmmaking, marketing, advertising, rhetorical theory, and both qualitative
and quantitative research. She also pursued coursework in computer science,
focusing on coding, website design, and user experience, building a foundation
that bridges creativity with modern digital strategy.
Karly trained at EP+Co., a nationally awarded advertising agency, where she worked
on the national marketing accounts for major brands including
Chick-fil-A, Disney, Voya, and Denny's. Her work included
strategic development and creative execution, from market reserarch
and capaign development to copywriting and design.
Karly earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law,
where she received the CALI Award for Excellence in Litigation Strategy & Planning,
as well as the Gismondi Fellowship and the Equal Justice America Fellowship.
She futher concentrated her studies in Intellectual Property Law, including
advanced coursework in copyright and trademark - expertise that directly informs
her work in branding, design, and business strategy. She remains a licensed attorney.
In 2019, Karly founded Saddlethreads, building on years of experience in equestrain design.
Under her leadership, Saddlethreads developed as a trusted creative partner
for top equestrian professionals across the country, offering brand development,
merchandising, website design, digital and print media, photography, and fine art.
Karly's work is grounded in a simple philosophy:
bringing the highest level of creative and strategic thinking
to the horse industry she knows first hand.
Her background - spanning elite equestrian expertise, top-tier education,
national advertising, and legal experience - allows her to approach
equestrian businesses and their objectives with creativity and precision.
She understands not only how the industry looks, but how it
operates, communicates, and grows.
Karly works with trainers, farms, associations, shows,
and equestrian-focused businesses who want to
present themselves at the highest level.
