Christy Baxter has been named to a newly created post, director of equestrian operations at the World Equestrian Center – Ocala. Christy, who has a long history serving the sport has been establishing and managing strategic partnerships for World Equestrian Center – Ocala since 2020.
Most recently, she drove the concept work, logistics and management around the successful All for the Horses Expo sponsored by Ariat International, Inc. She has spent 17 years working in horse sports. From 2000 to 2017, after joining the U.S. Equestrian Federation, she served as assistant discipline director and then increased her responsibility to hold a management role within the organization.
Christy Baxter, Shelley Page, a giant piece of candy and Jim Wolf. (Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography)
She focused on planning, development and logistics for USEF and its athlete representation at major national and international championships as well as several Olympic Games. Since 2020, she also has been assistant manager for NBC Sports Group in their Olympic Operations Department, handling all logistics for NBC staff working at the Olympic Games.
In her new role, Baxter will oversee day-to-day equestrian operations of the facility including World Equestrian Center hunter/jumper and dressage horse shows and equestrian events hosted by the facility. In addition, she will drive the development of the venue’s new offerings including eventing, driving, polo, vaulting and para equestrian sports. Her appointment follows the resignation of Vinnie Card, director of operations, who helped set up the facility.
The Roberts family, owners of WEC, called Christy “a key team member who worked tirelessly on the retail infrastructure necessary to launch World Equestrian Center – Ocala and guide its continued growth and development.”