Vanessa Coleman Named CEO of Equestrian Events, Inc.

Lexington, KY – January 15, 2026

The Board of Directors of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports by staging sporting events at the highest level, is thrilled to announce that Vanessa Coleman has been appointed as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately.

EEI is best known for producing the annual Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (K3DE), the nation’s premier eventing competition and one of only seven annual 5* three-day events (CCI5*-L) in the world, as well as the Cosequin^® Lexington CCI4*-S and Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute on the same weekend. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” the event annually attracts nearly 90,000 spectatorswho also enjoy extensive shopping, a variety of hospitality experiences, and a wide array of demonstrations.

Coleman had been serving as EEI’s Chief Competition and Operating Officer, working closely with previous CEO Molly Day, who is taking a new position with the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) starting in February. Coleman had been EEI’s Senior Director of Competition since 2013. Before that, she served as Director of Ticketing and transitioned to lead Sponsorship in 2012. She is highly respected for her knowledge of Eventing and history with the Kentucky Three-Day Event.

“The EEI Board feels strongly that there is no better person to lead our organization than Vanessa,” said Prim Hudgins, President of the EEI Board of Directors. “She is respected and liked by virtually everyone who knows her and there is no doubt that her appointment will be well received by the entire Eventing community, both in the U.S. and around the world.”

While living outside Kentucky for nearly 20 years, Coleman worked as an accountant, ran her own barn, and organized a local horse trial. She returned every year to volunteer at the Kentucky Three-Day Event for her mother, who was the Chief Steward of horse inspection. She began volunteering for the Event during her time as a member of the Keeneland Pony Club and also gained experience grooming for a competitor. In 2008, Coleman moved back to the area. Then-Event Director Janie Atkinson asked her to help with the event and she has been on staff ever since.

Coleman tries to give back to the sport by volunteering and supporting other local events as much as her schedule allows. She has been an eventer most of her life and owns two horses, Rooster and Schoo. In her spare time, she, her husband, Anthony, and their daughter, Alexa, enjoy spending time together and traveling.

About Equestrian Events, Inc.
Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) is a non-profit charitable Kentucky corporation that was established initially to produce the 1978 World Three-Day Event Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the success of those championships, EEI established an annual event that evolved into the world-renowned Kentucky Three-Day Event, which draws nearly 90,000 spectators to the Kentucky Horse Park each year. EEI added the Kentucky CSI Invitational Grand Prix in 2018,which upgraded to the Kentucky International CSI5* in 2025, the Lexington CCI4*-S in 2021, and also produces other events. EEI is also hosting the United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships in 2026-2028. EEI supports several local and equine charities and over the last 20 years has donated more than $1.1 million to various charities. For more information, please visit www.eq-events.com.