Happy 50th Birthday to Carol Anne Parker!

Carol Anne Parker at the 2008 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Today is a very special day in the eventing community — Carol Anne Parker’s 50th birthday.

If you are involved with eventing in the U.S. in any way, chances are good you know Carol Anne. She is one of the hardest working super grooms in the business, an incredibly compassionate horsewoman, and one of the funniest people you will ever meet. She is often the last one to leave the competitors party and the first one to arrive in the barns the next morning. It is nearly impossible to spot her without a smile on her face.

We asked her friends to share their favorite memories of Carol Anne and send her happy birthday wishes on her special day.

Happy birthday, Carol Anne! 💕


Happy 50th Birthday, Carol Anne. Thank you for being you! Thank you for holding me up when I need it most but also being there to make the good times worth celebrating. Wishing you all the best for the next 50 years … hopefully I’ll be able to keep up for the ride! Love ya!

– Emma Ford


Cheers to my friend CA! The person who makes you smile when you see her; absolute infectious laugh; tells you what you do and don’t want to hear, but no one else is brave enough to do so; fantastic person to travel the world with (sleep walking Rio moments aside) – thank you for being you! Happy Happy birthday and cheers to many many more!

– Max Corcoran


My Dearest Carol Anne,

Whenever attempting to sing karaoke with the personal microphone you gave me, to the “Golden Girls” theme song, “Thank You For Being A Friend” I cannot help but smile and belt off key in your honor. Who would have thought nearly a decade ago when we first met it would be the start of an unparalleled friendship leading to some incredible adventures.

The list goes on and on but my personal favorites include hitting the dance floor at The Flora-Bama, getting locked inside the palace gates of Blenheim, serving as the unofficial morale officers to the USET belting “It’s A Grand Old Flag” and last year’s Kentucky Derby.

Through the good times and bad you are ALWAYS by my side. You have the biggest heart of ANYONE I know, the first to lend a helping hand, or turn someone’s frown upside down. You’re my life coach, number one cheerleader, dance partner and drinking buddy.

Cheers to you on this very special birthday, my dear friend. May the next decade be filled  with even more outrageous adventures, laughter and joy as we travel down the road and back again!!!

For all these reasons, “thank you for being a friend”!

With all my love,

James Daniel Conner


Happy Happy Birthday Carol Anne!

Bless your heart for dealing with people like me…and thank you for being a dear friend.  I don’t know anyone who is more selfless and more fun!!  I’m thankful to have you in my life.

P.S.  You can’t retire just yet 😉

– Lindsey Lanier


I am Lisa – Carol Anne’s best friend from childhood – this picture is her with my daughter Madelyn on Simba –  she is Madelyn’s coach, godmother, second mother who has helped her every step of the way and giving her a real love of eventing and encouraged her to join Pony Club and stick with it all of these years. She is the most loyal friend a person could have (40 plus years for us).

Carol Anne on Buttons at the Bit and Spur Riding Academy, Mobile, Alabama 1979 – she was the only one who could ride the wild beast.

This is Carol Anne with the love of her life Pete Parker – enjoying some together time after a wedding for some friends on her farm – he followed her around like a dog.


Carol Anne has been a very special friend for a very long time. She helped me both at home and on the road competing for quite a few years. She was always early and always had a smile on her face even when she had had a great night the night before. After long days of work and/or travel she would keep or bring everybody’s spirits up and continue that into the evening and throughout the competition. She was empathetic when it was called for, was the first to celebrate and say congratulations when we were successful, and she gave me the best kick in the ass whenever I needed to be brought down a rung or two! Believe it or not after all these years I honestly didn’t realize she is older than I am, which makes  me love her even more! She will always hold a very very special place in my heart.

Stephen Bradley


I’ve never met someone more ready to help in any situation. My favorite Carol Anne memory was in 2007 at the Pan American Games in Rio and outside the back gate was a devastatingly poor neighborhood. Carol Anne would go out there every day (much against the wishes of any and all security) and hand candy out to the kids. She would laugh with them even though she didn’t know a word of Portuguese and they didn’t know any English. But they loved her and looked forward not only to the candy but also to the company. She walked back in one day after navigating the security to declare that she felt like Mother Teresa with a hoof pick. For whatever reason this sent us in to hysterics.

– Joanie Morris


Carol Anne has been like a mother to me, and she made sure to represent only the best parts of that role. I met her when I was 15 taking on my first working student job far away from home. She made it way more fun and inspiring than it should have been. 14 years later she continues to be someone very special to me. I think anyone who has met CA for more than 5 minutes can agree that she is always up for anything, can make any situation fun and would give you the shirt off her back with a huge smile on her face. The eventing community is so incredibly lucky to have her and I’m so happy we are recognizing and celebrating her today.

– Emma O’Neal


I have known Carol Anne for almost 20 years, and if I see her every day, or once a year, it seems like no time has passed. Have a fantastic birthday, I wish we lived closer so we could celebrate with you!

– Peter Foley


Happy Birthday Carol Anne! The only person I know who can walk into the total chaos of packing for an event and whip everything into shape all while making everyone there think they’re at the best party in town! You’ve brought a smile to my face in the midst of chaos frequently, have a fantastic day it is very deserved!

– Kaitlin Clasing


Carol Anne is that true friend that you know you can always count on! She dropped everything to be there for me when my father passed and I know she’d do the same for any of her friends. But one thing is for sure be careful calling her for advice after 7 p.m. East Coast time! Happy 50th birthday, Carol Anne!

– Colby Bauserfeld


They broke the mold when Carol Anne came along. She is the greatest friend and professional with just the right amount of humor mixed in. Happy Birthday!

– Charlotte Harris


You always make sure we ‘celebrate the day’ so happiest of birthdays, Carol Anne. Now celebrate YOUR day – Love Ya!

– Amy Ruth Borun