Karen Evans Mundy and The Article focus on their course.

A rookie and a veteran teamed up for a world title November 9.

Karen Evans Mundy, an eight-time Sooner Trailer All-Around amateur, guided The Article to his first world championship.

“The most challenging part was just because he is still very green – this is his first year to show in over-fences classes – so just to have him come in here and be consistent and be right with me and do everything I told him?” Karen said. “He was just wonderful.”

“Dillon,” a 5-year-old bay stallion, stayed focused for Karen through the Mike Christian-designed working hunter course.

“It actually rode really well,” Karen said. “I was actually concerned with the turn, a narrow little spot going to that single oxer, but it ended up working out really fine. My horse is still fairly green, so I was a little concerned that he might be looking at something else, but he focused right where I was looking and then he was just great tonight.

“I really just tried to focus on me focusing on the fence, because a lot of times if you totally focus yourself, then the horse will feel that,” she added.

Though Karen has earned many titles herself, she was excited to win again.

“It is always special because it is so difficult to win here because everybody is so wonderful,” she said. “Everybody’s earned their place to be here, so it’s very competitive, very difficult, so every win means just as much as any other.”