Lexington, Ky – July 27, 2022 – The National Horse Show (NHS) is proud to announce the addition of Stephanie Lightner as the new manager of the NHS. Respected internationally as a horse show manager and official, Lightner has served in both roles at FEI show jumping events across the U.S. and abroad.
Since 1993, Lightner has worked with Robert Ridland to help build the Showpark of San Diego and Blenheim EquiSports into major horse show management companies. For over a decade, she has managed a full schedule of horse shows for Blenheim which currently produces about 20 hunter-jumper shows per year, including the acclaimed Las Vegas National Horse Show. Blenheim shows host an FEI Jumping World Cup™ Qualifier, the USHJA National Championships, the Markel Insurance 1.45m Jumper Series, and Year-end Finals for the North American League (NAL) and Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series.
“The National Horse Show’s Board of Directors and entire staff welcome Stephanie to our historic show,” comments Jennifer Burger, President of The National Horse Show. “Stephanie is joining us with years of success and dedication with some of our country’s most premier industry events. We are proud to add her to the NHS team!”
Lightner’s leadership accolades continue as she has managed the Live Oak International in Ocala Florida, host of an FEI Jumping World Cup™ Qualifier, multiple USEF Olympic and World Equestrian Games (WEG) selection trials, and organized numerous FEI Jumping World Cup™ Finals in Las Vegas. In 2015 she was appointed manager of the world class event in Las Vegas, and again in 2020 before cancellation due to the pandemic.
In addition to successful management roles, Lightner has served as an FEI steward at major U.S. events such as the NHS, the Winter Equestrian Festival and Traverse City Horse Shows, as well as major European shows including the Gothenburg Horse Show (SWE), Olympic Games in Rio (BRA) and Pan American Games in Guadalajara (MEX). She has served as Chairman of the USEF Competition Management Committee and is a member of the USHJA Competition Management and World Championship Hunter Rider Committees.