Peter and Kim Cowart were both horse-crazy youngsters who later joined forces personally and professionally to establish and grow West Wind Stables into one of the American Saddlebred industry's most successful training and show stables. Raising, training and showing the breed is what the Cowarts live and breathe.
Peter Cowart grew up at his family’s Heathermoor Farm in Alabama, learning from his dad, the late John Cowart. He eventually ventured out and worked for Charlie Smith, Mitch Clark and Carter Cox. Kim Bavin Cowart is product of the New England horse scene, having grown up riding and showing in Connecticut and worked with Donald Holmes and Bill Beckley. She later studied under Marty Mueller, Donna Moore and Bob Vesel. Kim and Peter married in 1989, the year they started West Wind Stables. They have a daughter, Camille, who took advantage of her parents' expertise to become a multi-time world champion as a junior exhibitor. Now, after graduating from High Point University, she follows in their footsteps as a professional horse trainer learning the ropes of the business.
The Cowarts love being in the Carolinas for several reasons. “It’s been great here,” said Kim. “The weather is good, the people are nice. It was good horse country when we got here. Everybody wants to be in Kentucky and we had both worked there, but there are so many big fish in Kentucky, why fight that? And besides, we could afford what we wanted down here and shape it up how we wanted it.”
“It has been great,” echoed Peter. “It’s pretty country and the climate is great. There were a lot of horses in this area when we moved here and over time everybody has had to step up their game. I like that there are a lot of horses here but we’re spread out enough. Everyone’s not on top of each other, nor are they in each other’s business like it is in some areas. There are lots of shows here so you get to see how you stack up with good competition. We can judge our work in the ring.”