There was also John Downey. He and his family own a dairy
farm which has been operated by them for three generations. His story is
inspiring, hearing how his parents were able to build the farm and make it run,
later having John join the work after college and now having his kids help him
out. They have attractions such as home-made ice cream and a bakery. They also
host parties and school trips.
Key note speaker John Nicholson, a well known man who has
been the Executive Director at Kentucky Horse Park since 1997. He has
completely turned Kentucky Horse Park upside down in every good sense of the
saying. His knowledge and assertiveness has KHP being known as the finest
equestrian competition facility in the world. He has convinced the USA to allow
the World Equestrian Games and was the President for the competition in 2010.
He has been awarded the Special Eclipse Award which is the highest honor in the
Thoroughbred industry, on behalf of the Park and in 2010, the Prestigious
Equine Industry Vision Award from the American Horse Publications for
“outstanding leadership, creativity and meritorious contributions to the equine
industry” and many more.
These great people succeeded and continue to succeed because
of their contributions to the community. They bring in tourists to our towns
which keeps the economy going. We will flourish because of our willingness to
work together and brainstorm great ideas on how to keep the countryside an
attraction. Not many see places and farms with rolling hills like ours anymore.
Now, with the help of the Headwaters Horse Country Movement, the Hills of
Headwaters Tourism Association and our regional residents we can keep the Hills
of Headwaters growing as a destination for years to come.
