Carpenter to Depart Jockey Club for Quarter Horse Association

Gary Carpenter, executive director of The Jockey Club, will take over as executive director of the American Quarter Horse Foundation effective May 6, the American Quarter Horse Association said March 19.

A native of San Angelo, Texas, Carpenter has worked for The Jockey Club since May 2000. He took over for Nick Nicholson, who left to become president of Keeneland Association. Prior to that, Carpenter was executive director of the American Association of Equine Practitioners for 10 years.

"We couldn't be happier to have a person of Gary's reputation joining the American Quarter Horse Foundation," AQHA executive vice president Bill Brewer said. "Gary's career is a distinguished one with many accomplishments that have enhanced the equine industry. To have him bring his expertise and knowledge to the foundation and help it reach its goals and expand its role is exciting to all of us."

Bob Curran, vice president of corporate communications for The Jockey Club, said Carpenter will leave May 1. "Because it's a recent development here, nothing has been decided as to what we'll do to replace him," Curran said.

Carpenter will oversee management of all foundation activities. He will direct the foundation's educational initiatives, development campaigns, outreach programs, scholarships, equine research projects, and day-to-day operations of the American Quarter Horse Heritage Center & Museum.

Carpenter was recognized by the AAEP in 2000 with its Stubbs Award for exemplary service to the veterinary industry by a non-veterinarian.