Scholarship and Plaque Dedicated to Equestrian Trailblazer
For those who knew Margaret “Maggie” Ruth Cowgill, the barn was more than just a place to ride—it was a sanctuary, a space where challenges were met with determination and where the powerful bond between horse and rider was nurtured. Now, in a fitting tribute to her unwavering spirit, Stephens College has dedicated a plaque in her honor and established the Margaret Ruth Cowgill ’71 Endowed Scholarship, ensuring that her legacy of resilience and passion will continue to inspire generations of equestrians.
Born into a life of horses, Maggie carried the legacy of her mother, Annie Lawson Cowgill, a pioneering equestrian and the first female program chair of the Stephens College Stables. From the moment Maggie first sat in the saddle, her destiny was intertwined with the sport of equestrianism. But her journey was not without hardship. Stricken with polio as a child, she was told she would never walk again. Yet, in defiance of every medical prediction, she not only walked—she rode.
A Life Defined by Resilience and Passion
To Maggie, riding was more than a skill; it was her sanctuary. The horse became her partner in defying limitations, a symbol of strength that carried her through the toughest battles. After earning an associates degree from Stephens and a bachelors from the University of Missouri, Maggie started her career in teaching equitation at one of the premier show barns in the nation. For 45 years, she built a career as a beloved trainer and mentor, operating and owning her own training facility. She nurtured young riders, transformed difficult horses into champions, and became a highly respected judge, earning countless accolades in national competitions.
But Maggie’s true impact wasn’t measured in trophies. It was in the confidence she instilled in her students, in the way she could take an untrainable horse and turn it into a willing, eager partner.
Preserving a Legacy of Strength and Inspiration
Maggie passed away on April 8, 2008, in Kansas City, Mo., but her spirit remains woven into the fabric of the equestrian world she helped shape. To honor her memory, her classmates from the Stephens College class of 1971—Joyce Shepherd French, Judith Blackburn Vokac, Zola Ballauer Frank, and Linda Hummelstein Newport—have ensured that her passion and perseverance will continue to inspire generations to come.
The establishment of the Margaret Ruth Cowgill ’71 Endowed Scholarship will provide aspiring equestrians with opportunities to pursue their dreams, just as Maggie did. Furthermore, the historical stable structures at Stephens College will be preserved, ensuring that the barn—Maggie’s sanctuary—remains a place of learning, camaraderie, and growth for future riders.
“This is a powerful tribute to the deep love for Margaret and the stables,” said Sara Linde Patel ’02, Equestrian Studies Associate Professor and Program Coordinator. “Being an equestrian is more than just riding—it’s about resilience and the extraordinary bond between horse and rider. Maggie embodied that spirit.”
For those who knew Maggie, and for those who will come to know her through her legacy, she serves as a reminder that resilience is born in the face of adversity and that the bond between horse and rider is one of the most profound relationships a person can experience.
As her friend Zola Frank poignantly put it, “The ‘S’ in Stephens stands for Susie and Spirit.” And for those who continue to ride in Maggie’s memory, it also stands for strength—the kind that carries you through life’s toughest hurdles and leads you to triumph.
