Drew University Athletics

Karen Sykes enters her 18th year as head coach of the Riding Rangers after taking over the reins in the spring of 2001. She served as the program’s assistant coach for eight years, and brings riding experience as well as a working knowledge of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association to the Drew equestrian program. Under her leadership the Rangers equestrian program has achieved unprecedented success.

Sykes, who graduated from Drew in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology, captained the Rangers for three years and  was honored with Drew’s MVP award for the 1990-91 seasons. She competed in the IHSA Hunt Seat and Western Alumni Division for five years prior to turning her efforts toward coaching. Sykes has been honored by her peers in 1991, 2003 and 2005 with the IHSA Zone 2 Region 1 Regina Kear Coach of the Year award. She is an active member of the USEF and USHJA, and sits on the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Board of Directors in the capacity of Alumni Director and Insurance Chairperson. 

Since 2008 she has had three riders win Regional Championships including James Fairclough, who was the IHSA National Cacchione Cup Champion. She had four-straight Tournament of Champion teams in the Top 20 from 2006 to 2009.

The Bedminster, N.J. native works full time as Senior Director of Global Channel & Alliances Operations and Programs at Veritas Technologies. She trains at Dapple Hill Farm with Sara Goetz and is on the Briarwood Derby Day in honor of Jack Benson Horse Show Planning Committee.

Equine Journal Feature on Coach Sykes from August 2012