Jenny McGaughey has built a career around horses. The administrative director of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association in Lexington, where she has worked for the past 15 years, she also serves on the Board of the Kentucky Hunter/Jumper Association, and holds the role of secretary/treasurer for CANTER Kentucky. Her involvement in Thoroughbred racing, however, extends far beyond her occupation. Sporting one of Thoroughbred racing’s most recognizable surnames, she is married to Chip McGaughey, son of Hall of Fame racehorse trainer Shug McGaughey.When not on the job, McGaughey devotes much of her time to riding retired racehorses, highlighted by her current partner in the ring, Are You Kidding Me. Affectionately called ‘Kid’, the son of Run Away and Hide was a star on the track. He raced for eight seasons, earned a pair of Sovereign Awards as Canada’s Champion Older Horse in 2015 and 2016, and retired with over $1.3 million in earnings. Trained by Hall of Famer Roger Attfield, he won nine graded stakes.
Now 14 years old, Kid is, according to McGaughey, “a complete puppy dog with little kids.” She believes it is that tractable temperament that has proven instrumental in giving him a leg-up in hos second career.
“Kid has only been competing in hunter/jumpers for less than two years,” she said. “But, he has been competitive from the local to the AA circuit in both hunters and jumpers.”
McGaughey started riding at the age of six and began competing at age nine. It was an off-the-track Thoroughbred who drew her into her enduring love affair with the horse.
“When I was 12, I got my first horse, who was a 6-year-old OTTB,” she recalled. “He was a spunky horse, but had a heart of gold. From the ground at times, he may have looked dangerous for a 12-year-old to be on, but anytime we were in a situation where I might have been hurt, he would stop his spunky spirit until I was back secure in the saddle.
“I’ll never forget one time when I was 14 or 15 years old, I lost my outside stirrup and fell off during a jump off. He did everything in his power to not step on me. He stood still as a statue and wouldn’t move until I got up to get him. He is what gave me the love of Thoroughbreds.”
So what does the future hold for the horsewoman?
“I plan to always be involved with the Thoroughbred industry and the hunter/jumper discipline in some type of way,” she affirmed. “They’re part of me.”
What Would Are You Kidding Me Say?
My favorite toy that I can’t live without is:
Duh, my pasture buddies. They are the best toys in the world!
Something I can’t get enough of:
TREATS!!!
What is most fun, a good roll or tearing across a field?
Why not both? I like a good roll followed by a good buck. I then tear across the field.
Jenny Says:
What is your proudest accomplishment in the show ring?
I’ve won many Kentucky Hunter/Jumper Association year-end awards in hunters, jumpers and equestrian since I was 12 and I’ve also won the KHJA Medal Finals classes a couple times,” she said. “But I think my highlight is how a naive 12-year-old took an inexperienced OTTB, didn’t get hurt and turning him into a 3’6″ AA jumper. Really amazing.
How would you compare Thoroughbreds to other sport horse breeds?Thoroughbreds have more heart and a better work ethic than any other breed.