Kay Warner finds peace and joy with horses
by Carol Mowdy Bond
Photos courtesy of Kay Warner
Kay Warner has a lot of irons in the fire. She’s a medical technologist for Mercy Hospital in Ardmore, and she also runs a PCR specialty lab for the Urology Clinic of Southern Oklahoma, located in Ardmore.
Born and raised in the Cornhusker State, Warner launched her medical career after earning degrees in medical technology and interdepartmental sciences from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
But medicine was only part of her story. She formed lifelong connections with horses early on, and when she relocated to Blanchard, Oklahoma, in 2012, she brought that equine savvy with her. She later settled in Ardmore in 2021.
“I’ve always loved horses,” Warner says. “As a little kid, I would ride at a cousin’s place in the summers. It wasn’t until my late 20s that I bought my first horse, Skip N Iron, and a young bay gelding by Iron Rebel. This is how I learned show horsemanship and reining.”
Warner’s horse ownership remained constant, including several quality studs she campaigned and bred. Unfortunately, she also suffered through — and survived — many extensive life trials and tribulations.
“My horses have been the one consistent thing in my life and where I found comfort and solace,” she says.
Much of Warner’s life satisfaction revolves around the equine world. Her two daughters, Taylor and Dallas, grew up loving horses and animals in general. On top of that, some of her closest friendships were forged through the connections she made because of horses.
Launching an Equine Career
Years ago, Warner worked for a rope horse trainer and started colts. As a result, she still handles most of the groundwork with her own colts before sending them off to be started.
“I have competed in many events including horsemanship, reining, working cowhorse, team penning, team sorting and cutting,” says Warner. “I was an American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) show manager for many years, and I produced special event shows in Nebraska. I was a Ranch Sorting National Championships (RSNC) and National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) producer and a team roping jackpot secretary for Nebraska Rope Horse Association and Straight Up Productions in Nebraska. I’ve enjoyed all aspects of horses from showing to running horses. I’ve not had the opportunity to be involved in show management since moving to Oklahoma, but I would love the chance to do that again one day.”
Buffalo Creek Ranch
These days, Warner owns Buffalo Creek Ranch on the southeast side of Ardmore. Her pastures are full with 14 cutting-bred horses, two in the show string, three broodmares, and the rest ranging in age from one to six and at various stages of training. She typically has several horses for sale.
“My pedigrees of my mares include daughters of Dual Pep, Im Countin Checks, Hydrive Cat and Little Lido,” says Warner. “My prospects are sired by Once In A Blu Boon, The Crow Bar (Gallo Del Cielo), Elans Tribute (Playboy Elan) and Justa Roan Cat (Metallic Cat).”
Warner is keeping a sharp eye on the show career of a mare she raised by Blindsided. The mare was shown last fall at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity in Fort Worth, and will be shown in several major cowhorse and cutting events in 2026 by new owners.
Pats on the Back
Along the way, Warner has roped in plenty of awards and accolades, including AQHA Show Qualifier (Amateur Cutting); NCHA Achievement Award; South Dakota Cutting Horse 2000 Limited Rider Reserve Champion 2001; 1A Breeders Non-Pro Futurity Champion 2005; Nebraska Cattlemen’s Year-End Champion 2008; RSNC State High Point Champion Team 2009; and Cooke County Cowboy Church 2025 Green Horse Non-Pro Champion in Gainesville, Texas.
But applause aside, Warner’s love of horses is extensive and extremely personal.
“There is truly a magical connection between horse and human,” she says. “They can sense everything about you from several feet away. Their quiet, soft eyes look right into your soul and give a kind of peace that no other animal does. They can be the most challenging and frustrating creatures at times, but once you become a true horseman, there is nothing I’ve found more rewarding than walking into a pasture and having one of your horses look up, nicker and trot over for a hug and some scratches!
“I have a 23-year-old mare that greets me with a nicker every time she sees me. It’s hard to explain, to anyone who doesn’t have these great creatures in their life, what kind of healing a simple nicker can do and how much love and joy it brings every day.”
