The roster of National Horse Show managers over the venerable competition’s 139-year history includes many memorable names, from Ned King and Eric Atterbury to Honey Craven, John Franzreb, David Distler and Leo Conroy, co-manager with Hugh Kincannon.
Joining the list this year is Stephanie Lightner, who brings a unique set of credentials to the job.
Stephanie, who succeeds Michael Morrissey as manager, noted “Being a woman and being asked to be in that position, it made me feel good. There aren’t too many (women) playing at that level. The times they are a-changing.”
But she was selected on the basis of her achievements, not as a symbol.
“I don’t feel like I have anything to prove,” she commented in an interview after her appointment was announced today.
“I like the opportunity to take on a challenge,” Stephanie added.
Stephanie Lightner, the new manager of the National Horse Show. (Photo courtesy of the National Horse Show)
Her background is impressive, having helmed World Cup finals in Las Vegas and serving as vice president of operations for Bleinheim EquiSports, an equestrian event management company based in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., which produces horse shows in there and in Las Vegas. U.S. show jumping coach is the president of the company.
Stephanie lives in Florida, but continues her work on the West Coast. There’s a lot on her plate, but as she said about the National, “I felt like it was one I couldn’t turn down. It was an honor to be asked. It’s a very prestigious horse show.”
She made her comments as her work for the day wrapped up at the Adequan®/USEF Junior Hunter National Championship – West under Bleinheim’s auspices.
Stephanie never visited the National during its heyday at Madison Square Garden when it was the highlight of the U.S. season, but she has worked as a steward at the show, so she has a degree of familiarity with it already.
When she was asked to manage the show, she said her first thought was of Mason Phelps, the National’s dynamic former president who died last year, and “trying to do something to make him proud.”
When she has discussions about the show, she mentioned that “If I think of anything big, I say, `What do you think Mason would think about that?’”
Though she is coming on board a bit late for the 2022 National, considering that the show gets under way in just three months at the Kentucky Horse Park, Stephanie is making sure, however, that “this first year, nothing falls through the cracks and that exhibitors are given the best show possible.”
The National Horse Show is invested in tradition, as the lineup for the ASPCA Maclay presentation signifies. Mason Phelps is in the orange jacket in the front row. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
She knows everything should be properly in place, noting the group working with the show is a good one, and quite experienced.
Stephanie said she is always cautious about changes when doing something for the first time as she gains a deeper knowledge of the situation.
“I’m looking forward to going through this first year and coming out with a much better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the horse show,” she said.
An issue with the National is that it doesn’t attract the type of crowds a competition of its caliber deserves. Stephanie understands that and will be looking to eventually bringing in more spectators.
“One of the focuses toward the future is to rebrand the National with some fresh new aspects to it that maybe will stand out a little more,” she mentioned.