Katharine E. Jackson, Secretary General of the American Horse Shows Association, Inc. (AHSA), will transition to a new position in the AHSA, Counselor to the President for International Programs, beginning on May 1, 2000, it was announced today by Alan F. Balch, AHSA President.

“Each time Kate has agreed to serve the AHSA in a new role, “ Balch said, “it has been our clear understanding that at this point in her career, she is always seeking new challenges, and wishing to be involved more and more in specific projects, rather than on the day-to-day administrative details of the federation. She told me when she became Secretary General a little over a year ago that she would only commit to continuing in that role until our relocation to Kentucky was completed and she felt things were smoothed out in our international operations. Both of these goals have now been largely accomplished.”

Jackson has been involved in international equestrian sport at the highest levels since assuming her very successful duties as Event Director for the Three-Day Event at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, in 1984, continuing through her guidance of all equestrian sport at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996. She became the AHSA’s Executive Director in January 1997, and continued in that role until late 1998, when she also became Secretary General, pending the hiring of a new AHSA Executive Director in Lexington, Kentucky. Kevin T. Carlon assumed that position in March 1999, was confirmed in it by the AHSA Board of Directors in June, and re-appointed in January 2000.

“As Alan knows,” Jackson commented, “I have wanted to concentrate more and more on the specific international areas and projects which interest me. I am appreciative that he has been willing to work with me in developing those projects, and at the same time provide me with more time to enjoy my family. Working at the AHSA can be all-consuming, but I have several other interests as well as equestrian sport. I want to be able to devote some time to them, too.”

Balch said that he will assign specific areas to Jackson to supervise, and that she will continue to report directly to him. He said that he expected her workload to diminish somewhat, but still be very significant. “Each time that Kate has told me that she has wanted to cut back a little, I have tried to be responsive. But we laugh that somehow it still comes out to a seven-day week.” He added that she had agreed to manage the project of A Royal Gala Honoring The Duke of Edinburgh (to be held in New York on March 13), continue working on the improvement of the AHSA/USET relationship, coordinate the FEI General Assembly to be held in San Francisco in 2001 (announced at the most recent AHSA Executive Committee meeting), and represent for the time being, with Balch, the United States to the FEI. Other projects may be mutually agreed from time to time.

For further information, please contact Chris Stafford, AHSA Director of Communications, at (606) 225-6923.

The American Horse Shows Association, as the National Equestrian Federation of the U.S., is the regulatory body for the Olympic and World Championship sports of combined driving, dressage, endurance, eventing, show jumping, and vaulting, as well as 19 other breeds and disciplines of equestrian competition. As the country’s largest multi-breed organization, the AHSA has over 70,000 members and recognizes more than 2,600 competitions nationwide each year. It governs all aspects of competition, including educating and licensing all judges, stewards, and technical delegates who officiate at these shows.

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