OCTC's Skaggs passion for education and horses

by Linda Taylor

Owensboro, KY (02/16/2021) — Owensboro Community & Technical College's (OCTC) Dr. Meredith Skaggs, communications professor, mentor, coordinator of OCTC's Cornerstone campus ministries, humanities department head, and wife to husband Nick Eskridge, is mother to three rescue dogs and a "Queen of Reining!" Plaques on the wall of her office denote "One Shoe Can Change Your Life" and "Do What You Love."

An only child, Skaggs grew up in Breckenridge County, Kentucky. At the ripe young age of four, her parents took her to the Kentucky Horse Park, where her love of horses began. As a fifth grader she chose to spend every day of spring break at the Horse Park where she later volunteered. She got to ride Teton, her favorite horse, cleaned stalls, and often dressed up like Annie Oakley to ride and talk to visitors.

Around age 13, Skaggs discovered the sport of "reining." There's a National Reining Horse Association as well as a KYRHA in which she chooses to compete. This competition is built out of the Wild Wild West Cowboys. For example, when riding at a rapid pace and you signal to stop…how far does the horse slide, or how well can the horse perform tight 360 degree circles? (All Yellowstone fans will be familar with this rodeo sport.) Early on, she had a trainer and traveled to Texas, Northern Illinois, Louisiana and other locations. Decked in full chaps, a button down shirt, hat, boots, and spurs, this cowgirl has won three American Ranch Horse World Titles and a Reserve World Title.

Like everything else she approaches in life, this "high idler" was going full guns. She then took a break from competition as she shifted toward her educational goals. Her dad was Dr. Skaggs and young Meredith had aspirations of sharing that same title. Graduating from high school with two years of college credits from Early (Discover) College, she went on on to earn a BA from Georgetown College, a MA from Western Kentucky University (WKU) in Organizational Communications, and finally reached her goal of obtaining a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership from WKU.

While at OCTC, she met that one person who would turn out to be an enormous help, motivator, and mentor and described her as an "intentional caregiver of souls." That person was Tammy Rice, a now retired communications professor at OCTC.

In 2014, Skaggs returned to the sport she loved adding, "It's where I go to find my center and get restored. Being on the back of a horse is the best therapy ever!" Her horse Jujuzz Talk N Trash, (barn name "Annie") resides with her companion, "Oakley." She and Jujuzz now compete in about 5 shows a year in Frankfort with the KYRHA with about 150-200 other horses and riders.

While chatting Skaggs relayed one of her life philosophies, comparing life to pieces in a quilt and how they fit together for a purpose. Relating that the way our lives are interwoven, the people we meet, the timing, and how they all connect is a precious gift.

Illustrating this, the 5th grader's favorite horse, Teton, is now retired at Dr. Skagg's home.

Skaggs continues to discover new connections that will continue her quilt of life and remains excited about all the endless possibilities.

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