The 2026 Alex Mooney Memorial Scholarship Recipients Announced

Kathryn “Kate” Healy’s equestrian story began with her first summer horse camp at West Coast Morgans at the age of 8 and has blossomed into a passion for Morgans. Kate has competed in multiple disciplines and currently competes in English and Hunter Pleasure, boards and trains, with Swanson’s Training Stable. She recently graduated from North Carolina State University with an Animal Science degree and will be starting Vet School at NC State in the Fall as an Equine Scholar. To gain hands-on experience in her upcoming field, Kate works as a veterinary assistant in the Large Animal Hospital at NC State and appreciates every available opportunity to shadow and learn from the veterinarians. She credits her mare, Stella (Sunny Acres Constellation), with being “the best listener” and helping her decompress from the stress of her busy life. Kate shared, “Equine experience has been seamlessly woven into my life, reflecting both my passion and joy for these incredible animals. I’m excited to turn my passion for horses into a fulfilling career.” She is most appreciative of this scholarship to help achieve her goals. 

Photo courtesy of Leslie Healy

Allison “Allie” Peek took her first riding lesson at age three and has been infatuated and involved with Morgans ever since. Some twenty years later, she works with horses at Suncatcher Stables and Trafalgar and assists local show committees. Whether it be helping at the barns, working ringside or behind the scenes, or judging local FFA competitions, Allie finds it meaningful and fulfilling to give back to her equine community. She is one semester away from completing her Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Systems at Walla Walla Community College. And she is doing all of this while working full time as a crop insurance agent. Allie is passionate about her career in crop insurance and agriculture because she knows the importance of supporting family farms and small producers, “they are the backbone of rural America.” Having always worked hard to support herself and striving to become more financially independent, Allie, too, is appreciative to receive this scholarship saying, “The friendships, opportunities and experiences the Morgan breed has given me are something for which I’ll always be grateful.”

Photo courtesy of Sibbea Browning