Long steps down at Churchill

John Long, the number two executive at Churchill Downs Inc. behind Tom Meeker, has resigned as chief operating officer and executive vice president to accept the newly created position of chief executive officer for the United States Equestrian Federation.

Long, a former longtime executive with Ladbroke, became COO at CDI in 1999. Since then, the company has gone through a substantial growth period, with Long often directly involved in many transitions.

Long will assume his duties with USEF on Dec. 1. He will oversee all aspects of the new group, which was formed by the U.S. Equestrian Team and USA Equestrian and will administer the country's Olympic team.

Long becomes the second high-ranking CDI official to resign in a year. Bob Decker, former chief financial officer, resigned last December.