Kentucky Horse Council - 2025 Board Candidates

Liz Douglas, Lexington

Liz fell in love with horses early and had a fantastic trainer who instilled an understanding that horses were "athletes" needing meticulous care, however she never considered pursuing a career in them.

But, as fate would have it, (and after growing up and living a city life) Liz found herself in the role of equine care specialist for a rescue/therapeutic riding center. The achey horses in the program inspired her to explore equine physiotherapy and bodywork. She spent several years practicing equine rehab and therapy techniques, and then moved to Kentucky to obtain a degree and learn the industry.

Christopher Klein, Crescent Springs

Christopher Klein is a corporate attorney and officer with extensive board, organizational and professional leadership experience. He is currently serving as North American legal counsel, compliance officer and board secretary for a biomedical and medical device manufacturing company and is a do-owner of a small equine business, with specific focus on young sporthorse development and lease programs. He has a passion for horses and the equine industry, along with a strong love of Kentucky, his native home. “I have grown to understand and appreciate both the challenges and the value of the equine industry for Kentucky and am dedicated to its support and growth,” Christopher says.

Elias Delbridge, Perryville

Elias Delbridge is from Perryville, Kentucky, and has owned and worked with horses and mules for over 13 years. In 2013, he went to school at Pikes Peak College in Colorado for Farrier Science. He still works as a part-time farrier in Central Kentucky and Middle Tennessee. Elias is the Director of Animal Control for the Boyle County Fiscal Court. He started working for the county government in 2020 and has since been involved in multiple neglect/stray cases involving equines. Elias and his wife currently have two horses and a mule that they enjoy training and working with on their cattle farm.

Shannon Blandford, Verona

Shannon Blandford is a co-owner of Wanderlust Acres LLC, a small, reputable boarding facility in Verona, Kentucky. While only being in the area for 4 years, Shannon has a large network of equine friends and business knowledge. Shannon and her husband have about five horses of our own (plus some mini's) and are extremely passionate about equine welfare. Shannon is the Vice President of Customer Experience Product at Kroger.

“I feel like this would be a great opportunity for me to get more involved in the betterment of the equine community and share my corporate skills to advance KHC's mission,” Sharon says.

Erin Woodall, Lexington

Erin Woodall is a managing partner at Grit Equine, where she has daily contact with horse owners who are both recreational and competitive riders, making her a great representative of the average horse owner in Central Kentucky. Erin is also a licensed eventing official, giving her first-hand knowledge of equestrian competitions in Kentucky and strong network across the Commonwealth and beyond.

Erin is currently completing her MBA at the University of Kentucky, making her an asset for the KHC with regards to strategic planning and business organization/policy. She has previously served on the KHC Board and is an integral part of the KHC Trivia Committee.

Sally Lockhart, Lexington

Sally Lockhart has 25 years of office management and bookkeeping experience. In 2015, she took over the day-to-day management of Ballyrankin Stud, her husband’s Thoroughbred breeding and boarding operation in Fayette County. There they foal mares, raise horses for public auction, and most recently bred Cogburn, the “fastest horse in the world.”

Sally has played an active role in sporthorse activities for many years; she was President of Masterson Equestrian Trust for six years, District Commissioner of Keeneland Pony Club for 10 years, and organized Jump Start Horse Trials for 11 years.

She served two terms on the board at Secretariat Center and brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.

Annie Martin

Annie Martin is a 2015 graduate of the University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs. She has a diverse equestrian workplace background, including working at Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, the High Hope Steeplechase and the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation. Most recently she was the former volunteer coordinator and outreach program director with Kentucky Horse Park; and worked in event sales at Keeneland before becoming the Director of Equine Philanthropy and the Executive Director of the Gluck Foundation at UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Annie rides with the Long Run Woodford Hounds hunt and has two children who have inherited the horse gene.

Myranda Elliott

From Prestonburg, Kentucky, Myranda Elliott graduated from Tulane University and has relocated back to the Bluegrass. She recently graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry and is very active in multiple civic and equine boards in the Commonwealth.

Kammy Popiwczak

Kammy Popiwczak owns a private horse farm in Georgetown, KY. She co-owns “Heart of the Wild Horsemanship” with her daughter, Ashlyn. She has served on the District 4 4-H Horse Team, is a former representative to the Kentucky State 4-H Horse Management Team, and coached the Kentucky 4-H National Horse Bowl, Hippology, Judging and Communications Teams. She co-owns the “Kentucky Open Breed Horse Shows” and is also a horse show announcer. Kammy is an active horse show mom, as her daughter competes in Extreme Mustang Makeovers, Mustang Heritage Foundation TIP Challenges, AQHA breed shows, and Palomino World. Kammy is also a staunch animal advocate, having rescued horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and even reptiles from neglect cases. Kammy hopes to bring her experience with several different equine breeds, as well as her rescue experience, to the Kentucky Horse Council Board.

Megan Carr

Born in Chicago, IL but raised in Lexington, KY Megan is a graduate of Keeneland Pony Club. She grew up in the eventing world but always had a strong love and focus in dressage. After competing at the preliminary level as a junior/YR she took a break from the showing world and focused on young horses and starting a professional career. In an effort to still stay involved while not actively competing, she pursued her MSEDA judging license in 2008. After 2 years of studying, scribing and practice judging she was awarded her Eventing and Dressage license in 2010.

Since then she has officiated at anywhere from 12-25 shows annually. When not judging, you can find her on the weekends volunteering/officiating at local horse events. Some of these include the running the vet box at Kentucky Three Day Event, scribing at Kentucky Dressage Association Shows, stewarding at Retired Racehorse Project, teaching Long Run Pony Clubers, and volunteering at USDF Dressage Finals.

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