OKLAHOMA QUARTER HORSE RACING ASSOCIATION NAMES KRISSY BAMBERG NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Edmond, OK  May 20, 2021—Lake Newcomb, President of OQHRA, has announced today that Krissy Bamberg has been selected to be the Executive Director of OQHRA.

Krissy Bamberg – OQHRA Executive Director
Office: (405) 216-0440 | Cell: (405) 623-3234
Email: Email Krissy

Krissy Bamberg grew up in the Quarter Horse racing industry. As the daughter of Debbie Schauf, who served in this role for 23 years, Krissy had the opportunity to learn many facets of the business before she even realized she was learning them. Krissy moved to Oklahoma in 1996 and began working for OQHRA part time in the fall of 1998. That part-time job turned into a full-time position in 1999. She worked alongside her mother in the association office for over 20 years. Up until 2019 Bamberg was the Special Events Coordinator and Race Administrator. After the passing of Debbie Schauf in 2019, Krissy became a consultant for the association and continued her role overseeing the hair testing program. She accepted the offer to lead OQHRA as Executive Director this week.

OQHRA has been on the forefront of Racing Integrity, and Krissy is excited to be working with the horsemen and regulators continuing to find ways to keep Quarter Horse racing fair for the horsemen and bettors, as well as humane for the horses.

“My mother was a legend in this industry. I will never be able to fill her shoes, but I’m so thankful for the foundation and knowledge that she shared with me. I won’t do things just like she did, but I will do things based on the values and morals that she passed on to me. I know that I cannot make every person happy, but I can promise that I will always do what I believe is fair and prosperous for Oklahoma and for Quarter Horse Racing as a whole.”

A wife and mother of four, ages 5-22, Krissy spends her free time hauling kids to rodeos and enjoying time with family. Her oldest daughter Sierra works in the hair testing office and fills in as photographer for Dustin Orona on the racetrack from time to time. Krissy believes it is important to have her children with her at the sales and the races so that they can fall in love with the industry and learn just as she did growing up. “It is imperative that we develop a younger generation to continue the sport and that begins with including our kids in the activities.”

Bamberg wanted to take this opportunity to express that she feels quite fortunate to have a very well qualified staff working with her in the OQHRA office.  Courtney Barnett, Monica Schumacher, and McKenzie Lumry serve the association in these positions.

Courtney Barnett – Director of Member Services
Office: (405) 216-0440 | Cell: (405) 740-6198 | Email Courtney

A lifelong horse person, Courtney Barnett, started out on her mustang, Midge, and then went on to compete in Eventing, Show Jumping and Dressage.  After college, she went to work for the National Reining Horse Association.  The last 15 years had her in Lexington, Kentucky, working for the United States Equestrian Federation, where she was the Team Leader for the USA Reining Team that competed in Aachen, Germany, at the World Equestrian Games. In her spare time she has fox hunted, competed in dog sports (barn hunt, lure coursing, dock diving, disc & agility) milked a few cows and kept her horse and goat in quality hay.

Oklahoma born and bred, Courtney is happy to be back in the prairie state with her family. Courtney is thrilled to be working with the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association and learning about more about the racing industry and the athletes that make it happen. Courtney began working for OQHRA in November of 2020 and is Director of Member Services. In addition to coordinating Special Events and Educational Opportunities, horsemen will find Courtney at the draw most entry days and often at the races.

Monica Schumacher – Office Manager / Benevolence Coordinator
(405) 216-0440 | Email Monica

Monica grew up in southwest Oklahoma City, but has lived on Bell Cow Lake in Chandler, Oklahoma, for over 20 years. Her father Chuck Schumacher became acquainted with Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing horsemen in the late 1970’s when the management of newly opened Heritage Place Horse Sale purchased alfalfa hay from him.  Monica has one son who is in restaurant management in Big Sandy, Texas.

Monica began working at OQHRA in February 2020, following twenty years experience in business office management.  Monica enjoys the exciting adventure this job provides and enjoys meeting the hardworking horse men and women who have dedicated themselves to making horse racing in Oklahoma a great sporting event for so many.

McKenzie Lumry – Race Administration
(405) 216-0440 | Email McKenzie

McKenzie is originally from Shawnee and now lives in OKC. She grew up with horses her entire life.  McKenzie’s mother competed in Hunter/Jumper events and taught her to ride when she was a child.  She followed her mother’s love for Hunter/Jumpers and Eventing and went on to compete as well.

In her spare time, McKenzie enjoys playing tennis and has an interest in film production.  She recently answered the casting call for the movie “Killers of the Flower Moon,” currently being filmed in Osage County, Oklahoma, and was selected as an “extra” in the 1920’s historical drama about the Osage People.

McKenzie is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in Marketing, who started with OQHRA in December 2020. McKenzie handles all the race nominations and sustaining payments for OQHRA Administered races and is grateful to be able to work in this industry.