JP Godard was raised in Aiken, South Carolina, where his mom introduced him to horses. He decided riding wasn’t for him but enjoyed working horse shows at a young age and became friends with many others in the business that then took him under their wing because he was so young. He was not content with just working as jump crew, so he began learning course design and jump building and decided to pursue that path. People noticed his attention to detail and soon he began getting course designing jobs at some of the biggest shows in the country—WEF, Pony Finals, Devon and Harrisburg, just to name a few. He didn’t stop there; he decided to get into show management and opened his own horse show company, Equus Events. He then was hired to manage the Tryon Horse Shows and TerraNova. Most recently, he was asked to manage the National Horse Show.
Besides managing huge horse shows, course designing and running his own horse shows, he is visiting clinics in Europe to gain more knowledge in the FEI course designing under world-class horsemen in the business.
In addition to all the tasks he takes on and manages, he’s also raising two kids as a single parent. He makes sure to take the time to attend their events and be present in their lives. Whether it’s a two-hour drive from the show one morning to make his son’s track meet or driving to his daughter’s NCEA meets, he wants to make sure his children know they come first in his life.
There are a lot of people in the hunter-jumper industry that deserve credit and acknowledgment. JP stands out to me especially because he wasn’t raised in a horse-show family, but growing up in Aiken inspired him and he’s worked incredibly hard and continues to move up the ladder, all while keeping his family first.
I think all of these attributes make him an outstanding choice for a Horseperson of the Year. He may not be on a horse, but without people like him, we wouldn’t have the nice horse shows we have today. He strives to make the shows exhibitor friendly, really listens to his audience about what is needed and why and tries to accommodate those things. He’s always reaching to better himself as a course designer and goes above and beyond to learn from other well-respected course designers. JP is also the best dad to his incredible children. All those things make him a wonderful Horseperson of the Year.
-Ashley Morrison
JP Godard has had an extraordinary and lasting impact on the Aiken equestrian community. From the earliest days of Bruce’s Field, JP believed in Bruce Duchossois’ vision and took a remarkable leap of faith in helping bring competition back to these grounds. His leadership, professionalism and unwavering commitment have been instrumental in shaping Bruce’s Field into the thriving equestrian venue it is today. We are deeply grateful for all he has done for our foundation, our community and the sport, and we are thrilled that Sidelines magazine is recognizing him as one of the Horsepeople of the Year.
-Tara Bostwick, CEO, Aiken Horse Park Foundation
I have known JP Godard for a long time, at least 30 years. We started working together at horse shows when he was a teenager. After he stopped riding at a young age, he went to work doing multiple jobs at the horse show. We used to clean stalls in between horse shows, and in the old days, you did everything. JP worked his way up from the bottom of the ladder and now sits at the top of our industry along with some of the most respected names in management and course designing. He has committed his entire life to working hard and building an amazing management group in Aiken and the Southeast. He has done this while balancing life as a single father and continuing his education to maintain his license as a national and international course designer. JP is the epitome of hard work and success. In addition to a respected coworker, he is one of those I consider my closest friends.
-Andrew Ellis
I have known JP for about 35 years. He started out doing jump crew and has done every job in the horse show business in between! He is one of the most hands-on show managers I have ever seen. No job is too small and no horse or client is left behind. JP can look at a situation from a manager and a horseman prospective. I have seen him handle some of the most difficult situations with professionalism and ease.
-Daniel Geitner
JP began his horse-show journey working for me at Ramblewood Horse Shows in Aiken almost 45 years ago. Before he was big enough to carry rails as part of the jump crew, he was a “runner” for the show office. He quickly proved his commitment to our sport after starting as jump crew, progressing to crew chief, then acquiring the knowledge and experience to be a top hunter and jumper course designer. JP has always recognized the importance of the details of safety and atmosphere to benefit the horse and the exhibitor. Motivated to grow with our industry, his expertise led him to become a top show manager.
Throughout his career, JP has found opportunities to improve his knowledge and skills by working with some of the best course designers and show managers at the country’s best horse shows. The result of this career path is a professional horseman who tends to the details and takes care to deliver an outstanding result whether it is a major derby course, the management of a multi-ring premiere competition or caring for a new exhibitor at a regional show.
-John Rush
Over the past 12+ years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Jean Paul ‘JP’ Godard in equestrian competitions—first at Tryon International and now at TerraNova Equestrian Center. Throughout that time, I’ve witnessed firsthand his extraordinary passion for the sport and, more importantly, his deep respect for the horses, riders, trainers, owners and countless individuals who dedicate their hearts and souls to equestrian sport.
JP has a remarkable ability to honor the history and traditions of our sport while continually looking toward its future. Regardless of the size or significance of an event, JP always maintains the highest standards. He prioritizes the safety and well-being of horses while creating an exceptional experience for every rider.
His leadership, knowledge, integrity and genuine love for equestrian sport have made a lasting impact on the industry and makes him well deserving of the nomination for Horsepeople of the Year.
-Molly G. Oakman, President, TerraNova Enterprises
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