UK grad carries on family legacy in the equine industry

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 30, 2025) — As an equine enthusiast, Jaida Alee is continuing the family business.  

Growing up in Louisville, Alee saw both her mother and grandmother involved in the equine industry. Her mom, Marjorie Keele, rode saddle seat, while her grandmother, Linda Alicea, used to train racehorses.  

“I just kind of caught the bug for it, and I fell in love with horses,” Alee said. 

Alee started riding hunter jumpers in the sixth grade and continued competing through high school. When it was time to choose a college, she knew she wanted to study equine.

“During my college search, I was having trouble finding anywhere else with such an extensive program as UK,” Alee said.

UK seemed the most supportive for equine students, she said, with the ability to provide the most tools, resources, research opportunities and more.

‘Fostering a sense of belonging'

At UK, Alee found opportunities for connection — and where she didn’t find opportunities, she created them.

Since her freshman year, she’s been part of the Wildcat Wranglers, an equine ambassador program for Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE).

She’s also held leadership roles with the UK MANRRS chapter, an agricultural professional development organization. This year, as the public relations chair, she runs the Instagram account and makes the chapter’s graphics.

MANRRS has given Alee opportunities for scholarships, jobs and internships, and friendships. Attending the MANRRS National Conference each year is a highlight of her college career.

“I've just gained so much from that organization, and I'm just really proud to be a part of it,” she said.

Alee has also been passionate about cars since watching the “really fun” “Fast and Furious” movies. This fascination led her to create the UK Car Club, an unofficial and low-key club for UK’s car community.

Kendriana Price, assistant dean for community relations and engagement in the Martin-Gatton CAFE, said fostering a sense of belonging is crucial for students, particularly at large universities, and Alee has excelled at that for herself and others.

“Jaida’s quiet yet impactful presence makes her an exemplary leader and role model. Though she may not be the loudest in the room, she excels at creating spaces where voices can be heard and work can be accomplished,” Price said. “She leads by example, inspiring others to engage and get involved. Jaida is a great example of coming to a large university and both finding and creating the spaces that interest her and help her fit in.”

Alee has always had a strong work ethic, encouraged by her mom, and her academics and involvement with UK organizations have only stoked her drive to achieve.

“Those organizations have just been a big part of fostering that work ethic that I have, and just giving me the room to grow, and giving me a safe space to just be a college student and do everything that I need to do,” she said.

'An exemplary choice'

In Fall 2024, Alee was the recipient of Martin-Gatton CAFE’s Lyman T. Johnson Torch Bearer Award, which celebrates Johnson’s legacy and is given to one student per UK college for academic excellence and impact on others.

“Lyman T. Johnson paved the way for desegregation at the University of Kentucky, and Jaida continues his legacy by creating inclusive spaces for students both within and outside the college,” said Price, who nominated Alee for the award. “Jaida consistently demonstrates leadership with humility, compassion and an infectious-spirited energy, making her an exemplary choice.”

Alee said it was an honor to have been nominated by Price and to receive the award.

“It made me feel really special and that my work is being recognized, which always feels good,” Alee said.

‘The way I want to go’  

When Alee’s grandmother started in the equine industry, there weren’t many other women, so her grandmother’s work had an impact.

Even today, it’s still a traditional and male-dominated industry, Alee said, but she looks forward to adding to the number of women professionals.

“The impact of getting more women into the industry is definitely a big deal,” she said. “Sometimes you just need a woman’s opinion, so I think that’ll be really good.”

Within the equine industry, Alee wants to work in Thoroughbred bloodstock sales.

“I’ve definitely got a little bit of a knack for it, and I feel like that’s the way I want to go,” Alee said.

Though she knew many of her passions and goals before she came to college, Alee said being at UK in Lexington “opened me to this world of opportunity.”

“Being in Lexington is a whole new world when you think about the horse industry,” Alee said. “This is the horse industry.”

Alee will graduate next Saturday with a bachelor’s degree in equine science and management, with a double minor in business and international business.

To learn more about UK Ag Equine Programs, visit https://equine.ca.uky.edu/.

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The 2025 May Commencement Ceremonies will take place Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10, at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. More information is available at https://commencement.uky.edu/.