Obituary of Malcolm Edmond McGuire

Malcolm Edmond McGuire, 69, passed away on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. The son of the late Mitchell Albert and Weltha Marie Hawley McGuire, Mal was born April 21, 1954, in Warren, Ohio and grew up in Windham, Ohio. In his youth, he showed and trained American Paint Horses. He won numerous state and national awards. Mal graduated from Windham High School and went on to Ohio State University and graduated with an Animal Science Degree in 1976. He was employed by Leo Barbera, American Auger Co.  He decided to go into training horses and began training at his family’s farm with Roger Landis, for a short time. He worked for Gene Palmer and stayed with him for about a year and a half. Then he went on to working with Bill Horn in Springfield, Ohio for 2 ½ yrs. He worked out of Paul Wilkes Farm for 7 years as McGuire Training Stables in Syndey, Ohio. After 3 years in various locations, he eventually landed in Kentucky, after much persuasion by his best friend, Rich Decker. He leased for 5 years and trained horses. In 2000, he purchased 30 acres with no buyers remorse. 

After moving to Kentucky, he married Jeanne Brindle and they were together for 14 years. He helped her go from a novice reiner to a non pro status. 

At 21 years, Mal became the youngest to obtain a judging card by the American Paint Horse Association. He judged horses for 30 years. He became a carded Judge for the NRHA. He judged American Paint Stock Horse shows and World Championship Shows.  

Mal originated the Kentucky Reining Association. He served as president numerous times. He helped institute their association with the NHRA.  

Showing horses and building his farm from scratch by building a house, arena, outbuildings, and landscaping, he prided himself on the appearance of his farm. He was a very accomplished horse trainer. 

Malcolm was a cowboy in most all senses of the word. His first love was horses and as attested by those who knew him well was a tight good hand. He could not only ride and train with the best, but he developed all the skills and talents to be his own man. He rode into life on his own terms, knew what he wanted, figured out how to get it, and shared his success with a new family of cowboys and cowgirls in his adopted and much loved state of Kentucky. As those of us left out here on the range will find when we ride into the sun, Malcolm will be atop his mount holding the gate open for all to join him on this journey.

Malcolm is survived by his sister, Tamara (John) Ross of Cornelius, North Carolina; brothers, Clifford (Betsy) McGuire of Windham, Ohio, Darryl (Dona) McGuire of Windham, Ohio, and Douglas (Kris) McGuire of Maiden, North Carolina; and his nieces and nephews, Megan Delinger, Ian McGuire, Travis McGuire, Colleen Thompson, Jonathan Ross, Jeffery Ross, Tabitha Cosma, and Kelli McGuire. 

The family will have a Celebration of Life, December 16, 2023 from 4:00pm-7:00pm at The Polo Barn at Saxony Farm, 469 Browns Mill, Rd., Lexington, KY.