Beyond the Stars: Crystal Owens, Credit and Collections Manager

Crystal Owens starts her day at 4:45 a.m. That's when she gets up to feed the animals on her farm, clean the stalls, and other chores. After that work is done, she prepares for her job as the Credit and Collections Manager at Four Star Freightliner. 

Crystal grew up on her dad's farm just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. She had horses, cows, dogs, and random chickens here and there. She loved life on the farm. "When I got in trouble, I got grounded from the farm," she recalled.

In junior high school, she started working cows by doing cutting and breakaway roping. She later moved on to the working hunters, which according to the dictionary is "a horse in a competitive event judged according to the pace, manners, way of going, and jumping style without regard to conformation." Crystal was trained up to the 3rd level dressage.

When she became an adult, it was only natural that this equestrian would live on a farm. And on that 30-acre farm where she currently resides, she has a very special horse named Zeus. She's had him for almost 15 years. He does the all-around competition which is everything in the quarter horse world.

"He's scared of cows," Crystal said. "I have to keep him separated from the cows. He's just a big baby. He'll never be sold."

So far Zeus has won five world titles, the coveted NSBA world title in 2019, and 15 reserve world titles.

She says Zeus has fallen in love with her son Seth who happens to be the same age as Zeus. And Seth has taken over him now. Crystal loves seeing the two of them together.

"I love it," she said. "It keeps kids out of trouble and gives them responsibilities. There are no off days."

Still today, Crystal's dad loves watching her in competitions, knowing she got her start on his farm as a child.

"I'm the only kid in the family that does it," said Crystal. "My dad and I talk about it all the time. Sometimes he'll even fly out to the shows with us."

Crystal has a total of three horses now: Zeus, Rita, and Dallas who is pregnant. She travels across the country participating in competitions.