IN MEMORY OF KAREN HOOD
The loss of Karen Hood to the Wills Park equestrian community is immeasurable. Wills Park was an integral part of her life. As an early teen she was able to pursue her passion for riding and Wills Park was her “go to” place.
Karen and her husband, Stanley Hood, were presidents of the Rolling Hills Saddle Club for many years and they raised their daughter, Amanda, to also be a part of the many shows and activities the Wills Park Equestrian Center had to offer. As a family they rode in everything from English to Western pleasure to barrels. The majority of their family memories were centered around Wills Park and the many long weekends showing. Amanda was also on an equestrian drill team for three years and practiced weekly at Wills Park and participated in the Alpharetta rodeo every year.
Karen went on to join the Georgia Hunter Jumper Association and successfully rode in the adult divisions before introducing her granddaughter, Baylee, to the sport at the age of five. Baylee is now a young teen and is following in her grandmother’s footsteps by competing every weekend at Wills Park.
To Karen and her family, Wills Park was always where they would meet friends to ride and “hang out”. Karen was very passionate about making sure that the lights were the brightest that they could be in the covered arena and that the speakers were as clear as possible. She was very excited for the renovations at Wills Park and thrilled that there was a plan to renovate the barns. Wills Park was her home and forever will be in the eyes of all who knew her.
Karen never met a stranger and her influence in the sport and her kindness to all will always be remembered. It is the request of the family that donations in Karen’s honor and memory be made to the Wills Park Equestrian Foundation so that she can remain a part of this wonderful memory maker.