The Educated Equestrian: Mutual Benefits By: Kimberly O'Connor
William Woods University alumni, Kimberly O’Connor (EQS 02) and Carey Stewart Toole
(Equine MEd 2017) came together on Sep 16 th to host the Region 3 Coastal Carolina Gaited
Championship horse show to benefit both the Intercollegiate
Horse Show Association team at Martin Community Col-
lege (MCC) in Williamston, NC, as well as the NWHA. Unbe-
knownst to the alums, they had more in common than just
their passion for horses.
O’Connor has been involved with the National Walking Horse
Association for the past 7 years, most recently assuming the
role of Chief Administrative Officer for the non-profit organi-
zation. The NWHA promotes sound walking horse advoca-
cy throughout the country and is the only USEF recognized
organization of the Tennessee Walking Horse breed. The
NWHA was founded in NC back in the fall of 1998, the exact
same year O’Connor was awarded her Associate of Applied Science degree in Equine Science
from MCC. Martin Community College is the only 2 year Associate degree program in North
Carolina awarding the degree in Applied Science in Equine Science. The program first began in
1990 and has produced formally educated equestrians over the last 3 decades.
Due to the nature of the horse show industry and the increased demands imposed on an al-
ready fragile section of dispensable income, producing and attending horse shows is a financial
challenge. Kimberly, an adjunct business professor in Eastern NC had to formulate a financial
proposal that was not only feasible, but one that would not only benefit the NWHA and walk-
ing horse exhibitors, but a plan that could also give back to the local educational communities
while supporting horse activities.
This past Spring, Kimberly contacted the equine department and was connected with equine
program instructor, Carey Stewart - Toole, to pitch her ideas of hosting a horse show at the col-
lege’s equine facility. The facility boasts a large indoor arena with stadium seating, an outdoor
arena as well as permanent barns housing all the donated state owned horses. The two alums
having no prior interactions quickly discovered their common bond of horses also had an edu-
cational connection, their alma mater, William Woods University. Toole completed her Master
of Education in the WWU equestrian program, while O’Connor transferred her MCC credits to
finish out a Bachelor Degree of Science in Equestrian Studies in 2002.
NWHA National News 34