There was a big announcement at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event’s welcome party, held at the Fasig-Tipton sales facility in Lexington last night. After the Kentucky hot browns, shrimp salad and fried artichokes were passed around, came word that Janie Atkinson will be installed in the U.S. Eventing Hall of Fame at the organization’s annual meeting this autumn.
Janie is the former longtime director of the event (back when 4 stars was the highest rating and the long format with its steeplechase and roads and tracks phases was still in use.) These days, she’s an active volunteer, putting flags and obstacle signs on the fences and doing whatever else needs to be done in the way of chores.
Would she ever think of skipping the event?
“Not while I’m still cooking,” she insisted.
Mike Cooper of EEI, U.S. Eventing President Max Corcoran, Kentucky Horse Park Commission Chairman Alston Kerr, an emotional Janie Atkinson and Jane Beshear. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Jane Beshear, Kentucky’s former first lady and mother of current governor Andy Beshear, has known Janie for decades and is well-versed in her contributions to the event and the development of the horse park.
“Janie took this event from just an infant to where it is today,” said Jane Beshear.
“She was the voice of eventing all over the country; people know Janie Atkinson and what she’s done for the event world everywhere. She loves the sport,she knows it inside-out and she’s not afraid to voice her opinion.
“That’s what made her such a great leader in this sport, not only for Equestrian Events (EEI, which puts on the event), but really worldwide. She without a doubt deserves to be in this Hall of Fame of eventing,” continued Jane, who has served on the horse park commission.
After the 1978 eventing world championships put the new horse park on the map, Jane recalled, the event was struggling for few years–until the arrival of Janie.
As Jane put it, “She came in and put her foot to the grindstone and really just continued to build and build and build. Her influence is where we are today.”
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