New Book Highlights Johnston County Women In Horse Community

BENSON — Five Johnston County equestrians are among 57 women whose stories are being preserved in a new book celebrating the experiences, lessons and relationships found in the horse community.

“Unbridled Voices – the Today’s Horsewoman Podcast Book,” created by author and publisher Rose Cushing, will officially launch Friday, Oct. 16 at Mule City Specialty Feeds in Benson.

Johnston County residents Kristin Yde, Casey Hiser, Loretta Byrd, Lorin Stroud and Amanda Miller are among the women featured in the book.

Cushing, who lives in the Middlesex area, said the project grew from interviews conducted for her “Today’s Horsewoman” podcast.

As those conversations accumulated, Cushing said she realized they represented stories worth preserving beyond the individual podcast episodes.

“These women have stories worth preserving,” Cushing said. “They have built businesses, raised families, competed, taught, cared for horses, overcome challenges and quietly helped shape the horse community. I wanted to create something lasting that said: your voice matters, your story matters and your legacy matters.”

The 8-by-10-inch, full-color book profiles women from different backgrounds and areas of the horse industry.

Rather than concentrating only on competition records or major accomplishments, the book focuses on personal experiences, lessons learned and the influence horses have had on their lives.

“Not every remarkable woman has a trophy case or a famous name,” Cushing said.

“Sometimes the woman mucking stalls before daylight, mentoring a child, building a small business or caring for an old horse has something extraordinary to teach us. Those are voices I want people to hear.”

Local Ties To Horse Community
Cushing has worked with several Johnston County businesses and individuals through her media and publishing company.

Cushing Media has worked with Mule City Specialty Feeds and recently filmed episodes of a new agricultural program, “Time to Feed Up with Paul Dunn,” at several Johnston County locations.

Those recordings included programs at the Benson feed mill, Dustin Denning Bucking Bulls and with veterinarian Dr. Matt Frazier.

Cushing Media also featured Mission Mules during Benson Mule Days and served as a sponsor during the event.

Cushing Publishing previously published “Orville Goes to the Fair,” a children’s book by Tracy McKinley.

“Today’s Horsewoman” was launched by Cushing Media in 2022 as a platform for women involved with horses to share their experiences in their own words.

Book Launch In Benson
The Oct. 16 launch at Mule City Specialty Feeds will coincide with Cushing’s birthday.
A limited number of signed and individually numbered copies are planned for the initial release.

Following the Benson launch, Cushing plans appearances at several events across eastern North Carolina, including the Fall Festival in Aurora, Celebration of the Horse & Human at Lake Waccamaw Equestrian Center, Cavvietta Quarter Horse Christmas in Elm City and LitFest in New Bern.

“Unbridled Voices” is published by Cushing Publishing, a division of Cushing Media, an independent North Carolina company founded in 2008.