Karol Flynn

Long-time Little Bit rider

Karol Flynn is remembered by some as a bit of a legend at Little Bit. As her family recalls, Karol was always into horses, starting from a young age. A strong-willed spirit, her drive to be with horses was so strong that she once “borrowed” a horse from a neighbor without asking permission. After that, her family decided to move to a five-acre property where she could have her own horse. Karol participated in 4H, and bred her own horse, Blaze, who gave birth in the wee hours of the night to a foal named Ginger. Karol took riding lessons and eventually did rodeo barrel racing, even becoming a rodeo princess, her sister Kay said.

Karol came to Little Bit in the early 1980s after a medical event resulted in a brain injury. Little Bit was “a lifesaver” for Karol, according to her mom, Doris. Riding helped her overcome challenges with both walking and driving. In the beginning, Doris would drive Karol to Little Bit. Since she was there waiting while her daughter rode, Doris decided to train to volunteer as a side walker, walking alongside riders during their class. Later, Karol would drive herself to her lessons. She enjoyed spending time at Little Bit on days when she wasn’t riding, finding enjoyment in the social life she found there as well as the horse-related activities.

Not every rider has horse experience before coming to Little Bit. But for Karol, Little Bit was a way to gain strength in activities of daily living such as driving, and also to continue to do something she already loved—riding. She loved participating in Little Bit horse shows, including dressing up for the big day. Her sister remembers Karol bringing home ribbons from the shows, “finding a place in the crowded wall of ribbons” where she could hang up the new ones. In her earlier years at Little Bit, Karol and her friends traveled for horse shows, including events in Canada and on the east coast, winning awards there too.

Karol gave back to Little Bit by allowing her leased horses to be part of Little Bit’s programs, including the handsome Skip, who in December 2025 continues to be in the Little Bit herd and is beloved.

Karol’s family says she found encouragement, and recognition of her abilities, at Little Bit. They see it as a place that is accommodating, welcoming, accepting, and it also challenges riders to pursue their goals. Her sister, Kay, said that Little Bit is like a water drop sending “ripples out into the community, where there’s a lot more benefits you don’t see…but people feel it.” Karol was a big part of Little Bit, and her ripples are still being felt in her absence.

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