John McCashin, a well-known horseman who served as a National Steeplechase Association race official in North Carolina and South Carolina, died Aug. 1 after suffering a stroke two days earlier at his farm in Mocksville, N.C. He was 74.
McCashin founded Thoroughbred Training Center in 1973 on a former cattle farm and built a training and teaching operation that now includes a tack shop, horse boarding, and facilities for riding lessons and horse shows.
In addition to serving as an NSA official for more than 40 years, he co-founded the N.C. Hunter Jumper Association in 1973 and was the president of the National Horse Carrier’s Association for many years. His father was an Olympic equestrian, and McCashin served in the U.S. Army with the Modern Pentathlon Unit.
He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Beth, and children Sean and Mary.
Sean McCashin, who is the farm manager, told the Winston-Salem Journal that his father’s greatest passion was teaching. “He really got a huge sense of accomplishment and gratification out of seeing a horse and its rider progress together.”