Faces of the NRCHA Taylor Meek

FACES OF THE NRCHA

Taylor Meek followed her passion to Texas and into the NRCHA’s data and entry results assistant position.

Growing up in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Taylor Meek tried her hand in different events within the horse industry. But by the time she went to college at Middle Tennessee State University, she was hooked to the versatility of stock horses. Today, she’s followed that feeling to a career with the National Reined Cow Horse Association as data and entry results assistant.

“I started riding horses when I was 7, taking lessons at a hunterjumper barn,” said 22-year-old Meek. “I did that for four years before transitioning to Western pleasure all-around. I rode on equestrian teams all through middle and high school, then through college where I was on the equestrian team and stock horse team at Middle Tennessee State University.”

Prior to graduating with an equine science degree and minors in chemistry and biology, Meek spent a summer internship in Whitesboro, Texas, with reining and ranch riding trainer, and past NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Intermediate Open Finalist, Bud Lyon. It showed her that being in the heart of Texas horse country was where she wanted to be.

“NRCHA’s homebase was nearby and I liked the area, so I scouted out the website and saw a position available; I applied and was hoping to come back out this way once I graduated,” explained Meek.

Soon, she was a fixture in the NRCHA’s Pilot Point office and interfacing with members. As a data and entry results assistant, Meek not only works to record results and assist in show application approval, but she also works to keep all the memberships in order.

“My first premier event on staff was the [2022] Eastern Derby after working here about a month,” she recalled. “It was fun and working in the office [at the show] allowed me to see how our database and system works at shows. Seeing all the work that goes into putting on a show like that, from the show office standpoint, was interesting and a lot of fun.”

Interview by Kate Bradley Byars Photograph by Cait Russell Photography

Reined Cow Horse News: How did you learn about cow horse and

the NRCHA?

Taylor Meek: I first discovered cow horse in high school as it was getting bigger in the Eastern region, and really heard about it through the stock horse association. In college, on the Stock Horse Team, we showed in four events: stock horse pleasure, trail, reining and working cow horse. I showed in that aspect, and we also attended the World’s Greatest Horseman in 2020 as a team. That was the first premier event I attended and got to see that level of horsepower up close. It was a really great experience, and we really enjoyed it; it opened our eyes to the NRCHA as a whole and got us all involved!

RCHN: What excites you working for the association? TM: Really, I interface with the members, answering the phones, assisting with renewing memberships and answering questions. Finding solutions for member questions is one thing that I enjoy doing daily. I also work with Tina [McCleary] to process shows in a timely manner and check for accuracy. Show secretaries call and I enjoy helping answer their questions. I also work closely with Emily [Konkel] and she runs all the premier events, so I help her with that data entry and other items that I can take off her plate to help her focus on other tasks. I do travel to our premier event shows, but mainly stay in the home office. Familiarizing myself with the association and the rules allows me to assist in answering questions and provide members with the correct information is a big priority.

RCHN: What are you most looking forward to in 2023? TM: I’m looking forward to the growth for our association. I love where it is going and the popularity it is gaining amongst people—I see the new memberships coming in all the time! It broadens our horizons as we invite more people into the association, become involved and started in the cow horse. Cow horse is fun, but it is a big family! I love that about the association and how willing everyone is at the shows to talk to each other, help each other out, and you can feel the camaraderie and that it is not just competition for them.