About Dr. Karin Bump – Equine Educator, Consultant, Speaker, and Industry Leader

Karin and her husband and business partner Tim, live in Cazenovia, NY, with a pack of 5 dogs (mostly rescues, all named after candy bars – #thecandybarpups). Their two oldest kids are in the land of professionals living in the southern states of Alabama and Tennessee. Their youngest is a senior attending Northeastern University in Boston.

Their commitment to helping individuals and families navigate the landscape of equine education tracks and career fields dates to their years in higher education as teaching professors, academic-career advisors, intercollegiate coaches and recruitment, financial assistance and admission professionals. Together, they have over 75 years of experience and knowledge.

Today, Tim and Karin provide talks, webinars, workshops, seminars, and one-on-one sessions focused on understanding the various educational opportunities and choices involved with planning for successful careers in the equine industry. This includes help navigating the Equine Education Network (EEN), a free, searchable resource for finding those college and university opportunities. Karin developed the original EEN data set during her doctoral research, and Tim updates and manages it in cooperation with The EQUUS Foundation, which hosts the resource.

Their understanding of equine industry career field needs and opportunities is unmatched with their ties and connections to a broad cross section of the industry. Knowledge, networking, and a deep passion for helping others are foundational in their work. Recently, Karin has embarked on a book project profiling careers in the equine industry with a tentative scheduled release for Fall 2026.

Professionally, Tim and Karin are involved with an eclectic mix of businesses, organizations, and ventures. In addition to their work in equine education and careers, they operate Carter’s Pond Jewelry, an early hobby that turned into a full blown business; cofounded/led the National Association of Equine Affiliated Academics (NAEAA), an international 501C3 non-profit organization for equine academic professionals; built several consulting, informational and education businesses, including Equine Academics, Right Program 4 U, and the Equine Education Network (in partnership with the EQUUS Foundation); and launched SaddleUpNY! to promote and advance the equine industry in NY. Both serve in professional and advisory capacities on various equine related boards, organizations and committees including EQUUS Foundation, Lead NY, eXtension Foundation, eXtension Horses, New York Farm Bureau, SaddleUpNY Industry Partners, Post University equine advisory board, New Bolton Semi-Feral Herd Project Advisory Board.

Karin has an undergraduate degree in Animal Science/Companion Animal Biology and a Master of Science degree in Non-Ruminant Nutrition/Equine Nutrition and Exercise Science, both from the University of Illinois. Her PhD is in Higher Education/Policy Study with research around legitimacy determinants. Tim has an undergraduate degree in political and general science from the University of Dubuque and an MBA in marketing from The Sage Colleges. Both collaborate on research and policy projects to assist the equine industry.