NFAHC
Karen Fry Memorial Horse Show
The Spring North Florida Arabian Horse Club horse show is always dedicated to the memory of Karen Fry. Karen lost her young life 20 years ago. There is always a Karen Fry Sportsmanship Award handed out by Karen's parents, Laurine & Lonnie Fry. The story below was written by her mother Laurine so that the children and young adults coming to the show will better understand the reason for this "very special award". The person receiving this award must not only show love and compassion for their horse that they are riding but be willing to help others who are at the show in any way that they can. They may or may not have won a ribbon in this show, but they are each winners in their own way. Please take the time to read "Karen's Story", her poem about her"Best Friend" and view some of her photos doing what she loved best, riding and being with her friends.


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KAREN'S STORY

Written by: Laurine Fry

    This is a short story of a young girl who loved horses and all animals.
    Karen started riding when she was 12 years old. She learned to ride at Diamond D. This place became our 2nd home. Every weekend we would pack a lunch and get there early in the morning so we could get the rental horses we wanted.
    Well it wasn't long before we had our first horse and before you know it we had two. That's when Karen met her best friend Nuggett. Karen and her friends played in the pastures and rode and knew every trail there was. They had such fun making corrals in the woods out of hay string. They played in the ponds and learned so much responsibility and caring for people and the horses. It was a good place to grow up.
    As she grew she helped the younger kids at 4H Shows. She decided to learn English and Dressage. We bought a little thoroughbred name Tee who she learned a lot on but she never forgot her best friend "Nuggett".
    As she grew she learned the importance of being a good sport. That is why we have the Sportsmanship Award for her every year. This will be the 10th year of her passing. We are celebrating her life through this very special Sportsmanship Award.
    We hope all the young people will come for many years and participate in the show.

                            Thank you,
                    Laurine & Lonnie Fry







MY BEST FRIEND
By Karen Fry
My best friend is special
He doesn't talk -
But listens with a very
intent ear.
He's always there
Day and Night
To love me in his special way.

Some people say
I'm strange for being
Friend with him.
By why do we have
Friends I ask!
To talk to, to confide in,
To hang around with . . .
I have these things
With my best friend.

And no matter what
They go my way
We never argue
Never fuss
My best friend is
My loving horse.

I see myself in an open field
Under a big oak tree -
I'm sitting here with my best friend
Telling all my secrets.
It's fun this is to sit and talk,
And have somebody listen.
I get so tired of listening
To everyone else's problems.
I have problems to ya see,
I tell my best friend, Nugget.
He just stands and listens to me
That makes me feel much better.



Sometimes I'd like to hear what he
has to say,
But he can't speak.
My best friend can't.
He just eats grass and listens.
My best friend is not a man,
But an animal of sorts, he's
A horse- Nugget is the best
Friend I ever had!






Karen called this photo
her "cloud" picture
(click on photo to see it larger)


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