Dr. David McCarroll, an Oklahoma veterinarian, researcher and educator, died in 2012, but today, a gift in his memory continues to give back to the equine industry he loved.
At the 2018 Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show, two youth each received $1,000 scholarships from the Dr. David McCarroll Memorial Fund.
The scholarships were awarded to the world champions in working hunter, Mackenzie Njoo of Jones, Oklahoma, and 14-18 trail, which was won by Emma Brown of Zanesville, Ohio. Another $8,000 is being added by the McCarroll Memorial to the 2-year-old western pleasure class at the 2018 Lucas Oil AQHA World Championship Show.
“I really appreciate the scholarship to help me further my education,” Njoo said of the scholarship.
Emma plans to put the scholarship money toward her education at Auburn University, where she will be riding on the school’s equestrian team.
Dr. Josh Blyden, who took over Interstate Equine Hospital, which Dr. McCarroll founded, started the memorial fund.
“If you knew Dr. McCarroll, then you have an appreciation for his tremendous contribution to the equine industry as a whole and the show-horse world in particular,” Dr. Blyden said. “The purpose of this fund is to honor Dr. McCarroll and his lifetime of service to the horse and the horseman, and to increase participation at the AQHA World Show and AQHA Youth World Show, thereby greatly benefiting the horseman and the equine industry as a whole.”
“He was truly concerned with promoting health and advancements in the equine industry, by caring for his patients in the most comprehensive and careful manner,” Dr. Blyden added. “Committed to furthering the field of equine medicine, he garnered more than 50 hours of continuing education each year. His clients received the same trustworthy equine medical expertise for their horses whose careers ranged from prestigious horse show athletes to the beloved backyard pet.”
Dr. McCarroll, a board member and officer of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association, embraced every opportunity to contribute to the horse community he loved, Dr. Blyden said.
“He was a member of the AQHA Equine Research Committee, he participated in many research studies, and heshared his wealth of information freely with others in the equine health field,” Dr. Blyden said.
Dr. McCarroll, an active breeder of AQHA show horses, was an enthusiastic spectator while his wife, Trina, and daughter, Jesilynn, competed. Dr. McCarroll was also the official veterinarian for the AQHA World Show from 2005 to 2011.
The Dr. David McCarroll Memorial Fund will provide added money and scholarships annually at the Lucas Oil AQHA and Ford Youth world championship shows.
“Initially, the fund will provide for $8,000 added money to the 2-year-old western pleasure class at the World Show and a $1,000 scholarship each to the winners of working hunter and trail at the Youth World,” Dr. Blyden said.
The Dr. G David McCarroll Memorial Fund has been set up through the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that provides for the administration and endowment of charitable funds. Credit card gifts can be made by going to https://occf.org/online giving/_ and entering the G. David McCarroll Fund. Donors can mail checks to The Oklahoma City Community Foundation, fbo, G. David McCarroll Fund, 1000 N. Broadway, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.
