As an equine enthusiast, Jaida Alee is continuing the family business.  

Growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, 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.  

Alee graduates in May 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in equine science and management, with a double minor in business and international business.

'An exemplary choice’ for the Lyman T. Johnson Torch Bearer Award 

In fall 2024, Alee was the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment recipient of the 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.  

One alumnus per college is also awarded the Torch of Excellence Award; Mya Price was honored for Martin-Gatton CAFE in 2024. 

Kendriana Price, assistant dean for community relations and engagement, nominated Alee for the award.  

“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,” Price said. “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.

‘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 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 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 the car community at UK.  

Price 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 grown her drive.  

“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.

‘The way I want to go’  

When Alee’s grandmother started in the equine industry, there weren’t many other women, so her working 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.”  

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

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Writer: Bailey Vandiver, bailey.vandiver@uky.edu   

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services to individuals and institutions that provide equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.