Eric Hamelback is the CEO of the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. He is the former general manager of Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs Farm and resides in Paris, Ky. with his wife Debra and two children. He is originally from Frierson, Louisiana where he attended Louisiana State University. Eric graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Systems. He and his family moved to Paris in 2008 after living in the Versailles/Midway area for 8 years and then in Florida for 5 years.
Eric began his career with Prestonwood Farm in Versailles, as yearling manager after leaving Louisiana in 1994. In 1997, he was offered a position at Adena Springs as the yearling manager under then, General Manager, Dan Hall. Eric was promoted to assistant farm manager in 1998 and in 2002 was named general manager at Live Oak Stud in Ocala, Fla. From 2002 until 2005 Eric headed the Florida operation before returning to Adena Springs, this time in Florida, in 2006.
It is important to note that Eric and his wife are, and hope to continue to be, active in the community, both through school service, service through the YMCA, and through youth sports programs. Eric was an avid sports fan growing up in Louisiana and was an All-State linebacker his junior and senior years of high school. This passion has carried on and can now be seen in his coaching efforts with Bourbon County’s youth and middle school football programs.
Currently, Eric is a member of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club, serving as a board member from 1997 through 2001, and club President in 2002. Eric also serves on the executive committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and is an active Rotarian in the Bourbon County Rotary Club. In addition, he was also a member and active player with the United States Polo Association from 1995 until 2006.
