Prominent horse breeder gives 3 fillies to WC’s equestrian program
Pictured with the three horses, from the left, are WC equestrians Isabella Bruss, Braylee Burkitt and Scout Meyer, the filly Tipsy, equestrians Lauren Murphy and Hadassah Oliver, Daren Wright (equine program director), the filly Mabel, equestrian Maegan Pearson, President Corey Cockerill, the filly Tito, equestrian Hattie Hobbs, Pam McCoy (Board of Trustees member) and Tammy Shadley (vice president for advancement). (Submitted photo)
Cathy Linderman always wished she had attended a college with an equestrian program. Perhaps her gift of a trio of horses to Wilmington College for its equine program now gives her a semblance of that unique collegial connection. Linderman is a prominent horse breeder whose stables once featured as many as 187 horses.
“I was a Westerner (from Idaho), so I went to a school in the West,” she said, noting that most collegiate horse programs are east of the Mississippi. “I have always regretted not picking a college with a horse program.”
Enter Linderman’s friend, Pam McCoy, who met her when they both lived in Seattle. Upon retiring, McCoy returned to Clinton County, Ohio, where her parents, Robert and Helga McCoy, served on the Wilmington College staff and faculty, respectively, for decades. McCoy is a member of WC’s Board of Trustees.
McCoy mentioned the College’s thriving Equine Management Program and its nationally recognized Equestrian Team to Linderman, igniting a serendipitous dialogue that ultimately resulted in Linderman donating three fillies to the College.
Originally a breeder exclusively of Arabians, her interest grew to include a Quarter Horse stallion and some mares, and eventually owning as many as 187 horses. “I am a breeder of nice horses, so I am always happy when trainers come my way for nice horses,” she said. Linderman has downsized her stable to a nearly even split between 35 Arabians and Quarter Horses.
“I know that Wilmington has a fantastic equine program, and I had heard of Daren Wright (WC’s program director and an internationally renowned equestrian judge), but I did not put it all together until all this happened (the gift to WC) — which made me very happy.”
Wright said the addition of these “three exceptional horses brings a new level of depth and opportunity” to the College’s equine program. “The value they provide to our students’ education and experience is truly immeasurable. We’re so thankful for donors like Cathy Linderman who believe in what we do — such support is what keeps our program thriving.”
Tammy Shadley, vice president and chief advancement and alumni officer, noted that Linderman’s gift of the fillies is a “perfect example” of the impact of gifts-in-kind to Wilmington College. “Cathy learned about our equine program from our dear friend and WC trustee, Pam McCoy, and as a result of their conversation, we have three new beautiful horses that will prove to be a tremendous asset to our Equine Program.”
The College offers a major in equine business management and a minor in equine studies, as well as hosting what is believed to be the nation’s largest equestrian team with more than 50 members. WC’s Equestrian Team placed 11th in the nation last spring at the International Horse Show Association National Championships. Also, the team won the IHSA Regional competition and Meagan Pearson was the Overall High-Point Rider at both the Regional and National Semi-Final levels.
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