ABOUT THE OWNERS

Doug and Karen Bish purchased Hawkview Ranch in 1999, when they made the decision to move from San Jose, California, to a more rural life here in Central Oregon. Both are avid animal lovers, their personal "herd" consisting of three horses, three dogs, three cats and tropical fish. The ranch keeps them both busy taking care of the 40-acre property and 20 to 25 more boarded horses.

Doug pursues a career in the high tech industry and Karen manages the ranch on a day to day basis, working hard to see that every aspect of care and feeding is top quality. They have owned and cared for horses for the last 19 years. Both ride, but Karen is the real "horse nut."

Natural Horsemanship is a huge part of their lives with horses. Karen raised and trained her Shagya Arabian, Omega, with expert help from a trainer in Southern California. For the last several years she has also been studying the Parelli Natural Horse-man-ship and credits that program with greatly improving her understanding, timing, and feel with horses.

Karen enjoys trail and endurance riding with Omega. In 2006 (August) Karen and Omega completed the famous 100-mile endurance race in northern California - The Tevis Cup. Entrants must complete the grueling, mountainous, 100-mile course within 24 hours!

As support for Karen, her farrier and friend Randy Bickel, and several close friends (as well as her husband Doug) accompanied her to the race. They served as essential ground crew, providing she and Omega with everything they needed when they came in for rest and vet stops along the route. It was a powerful and rewarding experience for them... and as a tribute Randy composed this moving poem. Click on the title below to read the poem in its entirety!