Home » Central Kentucky Riding for Hope names new board members

Central Kentucky Riding for Hope names new board members

Pete Hester (left) and Chris Johnson

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Central Kentucky Riding for Hope has announced the additions of Dr. Pete Hester and Chris Johnson to its board of directors.

Hester is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine at The Lexington Clinic.

Originally from Garden City, N.Y, Hester is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. After completing his Sports Medicine and Shoulder Fellowship at the Hughston Clinic and Sports Medicine Hospital in Columbus, Ga., he returned to Kentucky in 2001 and continues to serve as a team physician for the Lexington Legends, Transylvania University, Asbury College, Union College, Lexington Youth Lacrosse Association, Lexington Catholic High School and Bourbon County High School. Hester also currently works as a physician for Lexington Clinic and Lexington Clinic Orthopedics – Sports Medicine Center.

Hester’s fondness for horse racing inspired him to found the Charitable Impact Group, which financially supports the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, Thoroughbred Charities of America and New Vocations along with the Bluegrass Sports Commission and Camp Horsin Around. He can frequently be found at Keeneland with his children, who share his love for the sport.

Chris Johnson, a municipal law attorney with the Kentucky League of Cities in Lexington, is a native of Ashland, Ky. He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in political science and was awarded his law degree from Emory University in Atlanta. After working as the youngest person to head an appellate section of a district attorney’s office in the State of Georgia and also serving as an assistant Georgia attorney general, Johnson decided to move back home to Kentucky.

Johnson’s parents met at the Kentucky Derby and married on Derby Day a couple years later, so without horses Johnson believes he would not exist. He has a personal connection to CKRH.

“I have a dear friend whose son is severely autistic and am astonished by the connection that takes place at CKRH,” he said, “not just with children, but veterans and others with PTSD and other issues. I cannot wait to get started.”