Tag Archives: John Nicholson

Community/Charity

John Nicholson Named CEO of Virginia Horse Center

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Lexington, VA – April 8, 2015 – The Virginia Horse Center Foundation Board of Directors has ratified John Nicholson as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Virginia Horse Center.

Following his highly successful 17-year tenure as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park, Nicholson joined the Virginia Horse Center management team in May 2014, first as a consultant and most recently as the interim CEO, before officially assuming the CEO office.

For the past 10 months, Nicholson has been an active force in executing the Virginia Horse Center’s short-term and long-term business plans and in facilitating the launch of a new era for the Lexington, Virginia facility. Together with Virginia Horse Center Foundation President and Chairman, Ernie Oare, Nicholson has been instrumental in assembling a ‘dream team’ of staff to continue the recent turn-around efforts for the facility.

“It was clearly identified about a year ago that if the direction at the Horse Center was not changed, the ship would sink,” said Oare. “We now have a team of unbelievable people, including Leigh Anne Claywell as the Chief Operating Officer and John Nicholson as the Chief Executive Officer, to help steer the ship in the correct direction and into a bright future. Nicholson brings to the table incredible experience and expertise in this capacity that is completely unmatched.”

Nicholson added, “I’m honored to have been asked to increase my involvement and leadership of the Horse Center as the full-time CEO. Over the past year, the management team has made significant strides in reversing the challenges faced by the Horse Center, and this is just the beginning. I’m confident in a bright future.”

Prior to making the shift from Lexington, Kentucky to Lexington, Virginia, Nicholson led the Kentucky Horse Park during its rise to prominence on the global equestrian stage, which included hosting the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games and procuring the prestigious National Horse Show.

Hosting the World Equestrian Games was the culmination of a decade-long effort to plan and recruit the international event that had previously never been held outside of Europe. Ultimately, the events were televised internationally to 500 million viewers and created an economic impact of $202.5 million.

Under Nicholson’s leadership, the Horse Park steadily transformed into one of the finest equestrian competition facilities in the world. Nicholson oversaw its expansion that included approximately $80 million in capital improvement projects, including the 5,500-seat Alltech Arena, the 7,300-seat Rolex Stadium, new stabling barns, a new $10 million, 8,500-square-foot museum wing; and numerous new buildings within the park’s National Horse Center that are home to an impressive collection of national, regional and state equine organizations.

In addition to expanding the park, Nicholson concentrated on improving its public perception and increasing private sector support.

In 2008, under Nicholson’s leadership, the park received the Eclipse Award, the highest honor in the Thoroughbred industry. In 2010, he received the prestigious Equine Industry Vision Award from the American Horse Publications, an award that recognizes outstanding leadership, creativity and meritorious contributions in the equine industry, and he accepted the United State Equestrian Foundation’s Sallie B. Wheeler Trophy on behalf of the Horse Park for distinguished service in equestrian sport. In 2011, Nicholson was named one of the Chronicle of the Horse magazine’s “Overall Horsemen of the Year.”

“Similar to the incredible transformation that John headed at the Kentucky Horse Park, we strive to transform the Virginia Horse Center into a first-class venue capable of hosting events the likes of the World Equestrian Games,” Oare said. “John knows, perhaps better than anyone, what it takes to get that done, and we are thrilled to have him as part of our team.”

Find out more about the Virginia Horse Center at www.horsecenter.org.

The Virginia Horse Center is situated on a 573-acre site with eight barns to accommodate 750 horses in permanent stabling. Indoor stabling can be increased to 1,200 horses with the use of temporary stalls. The Virginia Horse Center hosts 19 show rings, including two large arenas and a five-mile Olympic cross-country course. Four of the Virginia Horse Center barns are winterized with close access to the 4,000 seat indoor coliseum. The Virginia Horse Center is recognized for the excellent footing of its show rings and the durable construction of the concrete stalls. The Virginia Horse Center also offers camping facilities and on-site food and beverage services. Find the Horse Center online at www.horsecenter.org.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Community/Charity

Former Kentucky Horse Park Leader Nicholson Joins Virginia Horse Center Management Team

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Lexington, VA – May 13, 2014 – John Nicholson, the former executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park, has joined the management team of the Virginia Horse Center Foundation (VHCF) as a consultant. Nicholson’s 17-year tenure represented the longest-serving executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park in its 35-year history, and he served at its helm during its greatest period of growth – garnering world-wide recognition for the facility.

“We are very excited that John is joining our team,” said Ernie Oare, the president of VHCF. “We identified him in March as someone with the necessary background to play a key role in our ongoing plans to bring the Horse Center back to local, industry and financial prominence.”

“It is a privilege to be a part of one of the most prestigious equestrian facilities in North America. I am very excited to be working with Ernie Oare, Glenn Petty and the entire leadership team of the Virginia Horse Center. It is an honor to be working with people of this caliber. I believe we will be successful in our efforts, and I’m optimistic about the future of the Virginia Horse Center,” said Nicholson.

Nicholson retired April 30 following one of the Horse Park’s signature events – the Rolex Three Day Event – and traveled to Lexington, Virginia this week to meet with Oare and interim executive director Glenn Petty.

“I’m looking forward to working with John and having access to his wealth of knowledge about managing a similar facility. He has already been helpful by simply sharing his wide range of experiences. When he agreed to join the VHCF team, I felt like a coach who had landed an all-star recruit,” Petty said.

Nicholson, and his consulting firm Equine Facility Management (EFM), will be active in VHCF’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors in operating the Horse Center and in executing the Center’s short-term and long-term business plans. Nicholson will also pay a key role in conducting the search for the new permanent Executive Director and other needed personnel.

Nicholson had been in charge of the Lexington, Kentucky facility during its rise to prominence which included hosting the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games and the prestigious Rolex Three Day Event. The World Equestrian Games culminated a decade-long effort to plan and recruit the international event which had never been held outside of Europe. Ultimately, the events were televised internationally to 500 million viewers and created an economic impact of $202.5 million. The Rolex remains the only four star three day event held in the United States.

Under Nicholson’s leadership, the Horse Park has been steadily transformed into one of the finest equestrian competition facilities in the world. Nicholson has overseen its expansion to include $80 million in capital improvement projects, including the 5,500-seat Alltech Arena; the 7,300-seat Rolex Stadium; new stabling barns; a new $10 million, 8,500-square-foot museum wing; and numerous new buildings within the park’s National Horse Center – a collection of national, regional and state equine organizations.

Nineteen of the current 33 National Horse Center tenants have relocated their national headquarters to the park or expanded their offices during Nicholson’s tenure.

In addition to growing the park, Nicholson concentrated on improving its public perception and increasing private sector support.

Highlights of Nicholson’s 17 years at the park included the exhibits “Imperial China: The Art of the Horse in Chinese History,” “All the Queen’s Horses” and “A Gift from the Desert.”

Nicholson’s major accomplishments also include recruiting the prestigious National Horse Show to relocate to the Horse Park from its traditional home of Madison Square Garden in New York City.

He recounts among his favorite memories the funeral of retired champion racehorse John Henry and the successful effort to have the leading money winning racehorse and multiple Horse of the Year Cigar retired to the Hall of Champions at the Park.

In 2008, Nicholson’s leadership led to the park receiving an Eclipse Award, the highest honor in the Thoroughbred industry. In 2010, he received the prestigious Equine Industry Vision Award from the American Horse Publications, an award that recognizes outstanding leadership, creativity and meritorious contributions in the equine industry, and he accepted the United State Equestrian Foundation’s Sallie Busch Wheeler Trophy on behalf of the Horse Park for distinguished service in equestrian sport. In 2011, Nicholson was named one of the Chronicle of the Horse magazine’s “Overall Horsemen of the Year.”

For more information contact:

– Glenn Petty at gdpetty@horsecenter.org or 540-219-9732
– Ernie Oare at Eoare@EMOStables.com or 540-270-1246
– John Nicholson at nicholsonjohnd@gmail.com or 859-475-3258

About the Virginia Horse Center Foundation:

The Virginia Horse Center Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which owns and operates the Virginia Horse Center. The Foundation is proud to be a part of the Rockbridge community, an asset to the state’s equine economy, and a resource to the East-Atlantic competition circuit. The Virginia Horse Center stands at the forefront of Virginia’s $1.2B equine economy. Founded to promote all disciplines of equestrian sport, its 600 acres of picturesque grounds hold a 4,000 seat coliseum, eight barns to accommodate 1,200 horses, 19 show rings including two large indoor arenas, cross-country and combined carriage driving courses, campgrounds, and full catering and café services. The VHCF also hosts many non-equine events like dog shows, BMX, agriculture programs and the Rockbridge Regional Fair & Farm Show.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Community/Charity

Kentucky Horse Park Executive Director Announces Retirement

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John Nicholson Oversaw Park during Greatest Period of Growth, Earning World-wide Recognition

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 15, 2014) – John Nicholson, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park since June 1, 1997, announced his retirement today, effective April 30. Nicholson is the longest-serving executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park in its 35-year history, and has served at its helm during its greatest period of growth – garnering world-wide recognition for the facility.

“With our recent 35th anniversary, I started to think about my own history with the park and all that we have accomplished during this tenure,” Nicholson said. “It has been a difficult decision to consider retirement because I love the park and highly value the team of people I work with, but after 17 years, this is the right time for the park and for me personally. I am looking forward to exploring new opportunities. I leave knowing that the park is now a serious and relevant player in equestrian sport around the world, and that it provides an international calling card for Kentucky, not just in attracting and hosting major events, but also acting as an important cultural and economic driver for the Commonwealth.”

“Jane and I thank John for his hard work and devotion to the Commonwealth throughout his tenure at the Kentucky Horse Park over the last 20-plus years,” Gov. Steve Beshear said. “His leadership has made the horse park an international destination for visitors across the globe. As president of its foundation, he helped make the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games a tremendous success for Kentucky. We wish him all the best in the next chapter of his life.”

Under Nicholson’s leadership, the Kentucky Horse Park has a long list of notable achievements, crowned by the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Nicholson spearheaded a multi-year effort by the Kentucky Horse Park, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, local government and private partnerships to win the United States’ bid to host the World Equestrian Games. The Games, which are the world championships for eight equestrian disciplines, had never been held outside of Europe. Nicholson served on the board of the World Games 2010 Foundation which organized the event, televised internationally to 500 million viewers, and had an economic impact of $201.5 million on the state’s economy.

The Kentucky Horse Park has been steadily transformed into the finest equestrian competition facility in the world. Nicholson has overseen its expansion to include $80 million in capital improvement projects, including the 5,500-seat Alltech Arena; the 7,300-seat Rolex Stadium; new stabling barns; a new $10 million, 8,500-square-foot museum wing; and, numerous new buildings within the park’s National Horse Center – a collection of national, regional and state equine organizations.

Nineteen of the current 33 National Horse Center tenants have relocated their national headquarters to the park or expanded their offices during Nicholson’s tenure, including the governing body for most equestrian sport in the country, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). Formerly known as the American Horse Shows Association, the USEF completed a move to the Kentucky Horse Park in 1999 after being recruited away from New York City, where it had resided since being founded there in 1917. This move was a major development within the equestrian world, and the organization’s presence at the park was an important factor for the incredible growth of the number and quality of horse shows and competitions at the park, for tenants in the National Horse Center, and for Kentucky securing the bid to host the World Equestrian Games in 2010.

In addition to growing the park, Nicholson has concentrated on improving its public perception and increasing private sector support. One of his first actions as the park’s executive director was playing a major role in raising more than $1.2 million from concerned citizens and racing fans, and securing an additional $1.5 million in state funding, to purchase the historic Calumet Farm trophy collection in 1998. The collection had been on loan to the park’s International Museum of the Horse since 1982, but was scheduled to be auctioned as part of the farm’s bankruptcy settlement.

In 1997, the park was presented with an opportunity to host one of the largest exhibitions ever to come to the United States from China. Stipulating that no tax dollars would be used to fund the project, Nicholson led efforts in raising the necessary $1.2 million from the private sector to fund the exhibition, valued at $100 million.  Imperial China: The Art of the Horse in Chinese History” opened in 2000 and was seen by more than 200,000 visitors.

One of the most significant international cultural events in the history of the Commonwealth, the exhibition helped increase economic ties between Kentucky and China through a major trade conference that was attended by the Chinese Ambassador. It also ushered in a remarkable decade that, under Nicholson’s leadership, saw the park produce two more exceptional international exhibitions, “All the Queen’s Horses,” in 2003, and “A Gift from the Desert,” in 2010.

In 2008, Nicholson’s leadership led to the park receiving an Eclipse Award, the highest honor in the Thoroughbred industry, from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, National Turf Writers Association, and the Daily Racing Form. In 2010, he received the prestigious Equine Industry Vision Award from the American Horse Publications, an award that recognizes outstanding leadership, creativity and meritorious contributions in the equine industry, and he accepted the USEF’s Sallie Busch Wheeler Trophy on behalf of the park, which honors distinguished service in equestrian sport. In 2011, Nicholson was named one of the Chronicle of the Horse magazine’s “Overall Horsemen of the Year.”

“The park is at the crossroads of a remarkable past and an extremely promising future,” said Nicholson. “I am proud of the legacy I leave and am pleased to participate in a great and model transition, which will be the latest example of how the park has always tried to conduct business in a forward-thinking and exemplary manner.”

“John has overseen a period of tremendous growth that has made the Kentucky Horse Park an international destination,” said Tourism, Arts and Heritage Secretary Bob Stewart. “The significant improvements that occurred during his tenure insure a very bright future for the park’s continued success as a world-class equestrian center and attraction for competitors and visitors alike.”

“I personally cannot thank John enough for all that he has accomplished throughout the years as he has taken his passion and turned it into something all horse lovers can be proud of,” said Alston Kerr, chairperson for the Kentucky Horse Park Commission.  “As we transition forward, we will take all steps to make sure the so many wonderful accomplishments he has brought about are continued and built upon.  The commission will begin the process of starting a search for his replacement in the months ahead and John will help us play a part in making sure his legacy continues.”

Nicholson began his career with the state in 1984, working for Kentucky State Parks. He left Parks in 1991 and joined the Kentucky Horse Park as deputy director and, among other things, worked to bring together various breed associations to found the Kentucky Horse Fair. He was active in the establishment of the Kentucky Horse Council, serving as that organization’s president in 1994. Nicholson was the director of sales for Blenheim Group U.S.A. Inc., the producers of Equitana U.S.A., from 1994-1996, but returned to the park in his former position until he was named executive director in 1997, replacing Lee Cholak, who had served in that role since 1985.

Nicholson has served on many boards of directors, including the Bluegrass Hospitality Association, Bluegrass Sports Commission, Bluegrass Tomorrow, Commerce Lexington, Fayette Alliance, Kentucky Farm Bureau Equine Advisory Committee, Midway College Sports Management Advisory Committee, and ex officio for VisitLEX.

The Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm/theme park and equine competition facility dedicated to man’s relationship with the horse. The park is an agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet and hosted more than 800,000 visitors and campers, as well as 15,000 competition horses in more than 200 special events and horse shows in 2012. The park is home to the National Horse Center, which comprises more than 30 national and regional equine organizations. Located at Exit 120, Interstate 75, just north of Lexington, the Kentucky Horse Park is the place to get close to horses.  Information about the park’s programs and activities can be found on-line at www.KyHorsePark.com, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube.

Lisa Jackson
Kentucky Horse Park
859-259-4224
Lisa.Jackson@ky.gov