About Me - Karen Yeargain

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- - About Me

Karen Yeargain

I am a 48 year old Public Health Nurse who is addicted to the sport of mushing and to the dogs who share this life with me.

In 1987, my first Siberian came into my life. Neka was pet-bred, very pretty and out of control! In taking her to obedience class, I met the woman who would introduce the two of us to the sport of mushing. Lin Neumann invited me and my 10 month old pup out for a run "in harness". While Neka wasn't too sure about that first run, I was hooked. Lin surprised me with a smile and the words, "First ride's free." I thought she was going to charge me to go out again.

My next two dogs, Libby and Taska, were from rescue/rehoming situations. The three girls each gave me their honest efforts in harness and allowed me to explore and learn some mushing basics. This also gave me time to find knowledgeable Siberian mushers and become familiar with different running lines.

By the time I was ready for my fourth dog, I was looking for a sled-bred dog. My mentors, Judy & Phil Roger of Spindrift Kennel (no longer active) referred me to a top kennel in British Columbia who was retiring from mushing and placing their best young dogs. After visiting Chris & Jackie Marshall, I brought home Meomar's Faux Pas, a two-year old leader, who would become the foundation for my kennel. Two years later, Judy & Phil sold me my foundation bitch, Spindrift's Shulaces. The two breedings between Foxxy & Shulaces produced sound, willing athletes with strong lead tendencies. To that base, I have factored in other key running lines to produce a style of athlete and companion that is well suited to the tasks I ask of them.

In January of '95, Lin talked me into traveling to a race in Canada with her; I left behind the heavy toboggan and stepped on the runners of a sprint sled FOR THE FIRST TIME behind a 4-dog team at Falkland. I had never gone that fast! I came in with trembling knees, white knuckles....and a grin wrapped twice around my ears! And we have run sprint ever since…..until the winter of ’05, when I began fielding a 6-dog mid-distance team in addition to our usual sprint venue (see race results).

As my team has evolved, so have my ideas on training and expectations for my dogs. I want dogs who are good companions, well behaved socially (in and out of the kennel), trained to the house and to the Invisible Fence, eager to learn.....and dynamic in harness. And I have found that I CAN have all of this. I focus my training styles on getting each of these factors; contrary to popular "rumors", I have found that "cross-training" my dogs gets increased responsiveness in harness, not decreased.

I have attended Oregon’s “Mushing Boot Camp”, (taught by Jamie Nelson and Ann Stead of Minnesota and held at Crystalwood Lodge in Fort Klamath, OR) a total of five times so far. Ann & Jamie’s teaching has advanced my skills as a trainer by leaps and bounds and it shows in my dogs’ performance. I am a Mushing Boot Camp addict!

So, at present count (Aug ’06) 29 dogs, three sleds, one cart, one 4-wheeler, Ford crew cab w/ 16 dog box and a “stock trailer” that hold 8 dogs and the quad.”….and I understand what Lin meant when she said, “First ride’s free”.