02.25.09
Posted in 2010 Games, BusinessLexington, Jamie Link, LFUCG, Trade Fair, World Games 2010 Foundation at 10:31 pm by Thomas
I attended the second World Games 2010 Foundation Community Forum at the Lexington Public Library today. Tom Martin, editor of Business Lexington was the moderator for the hour long event. The forum panel was made up of new Foundation CEO Jamie Link, Vice President of Sales Terry Johnson, and Housing Bureau Director Krista Greathouse.
The primary topic of the day was the economy though by the end of the hour a wide range of subjects had been discussed. Tom noted that the Foundation and the Local Government were still working out the intricacies between the two bodies. The Host City Agreement is before the Lexington Urban Council but has yet to come up for a final vote.
Currently spectator interest in the Games continues to be high with Krista stating that they are averaging a new group a week contacting them for accommodations, with 75% of those groups being International as well as 2000 new room requests per month. Krista also noted that the area should have plenty of accommodations for all those planning on attending and that currently they had three times as many private residences for rent then the current demand though she expected that to change as the date for the Games got closer.
On the other side of the equation, Terry stated they were 70% of their budgeted goal for sponsorships and that two or three new major sponsors would be announced in the next 90 days. He also reported that they have deposits for 60% of the currently designated Trade Fair booth space and that if they filled that up that they would find additional space for anyone else looking for booth space during the Games.
On another interesting note, the City is planning on having a duplicate medal ceremonies downtown at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza during the Games.
CEO Jamie Link closed the forum by addressing the issue of the economy and how the investment in the Games was an investment in the future of Kentucky during these tough times.
Thomas Demond
Found KyWEGO
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02.23.09
Posted in Kentucky, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event at 9:45 pm by Thomas
Lexington, KY – February 23, 2009- The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, part of the HSBC FEI ClassicsTM Series and one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian competitions, is set to return to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, April 23-26.
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event features the world’s best horses and riders vying for their share of $250,000 in prize money and a chance at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. The winning owner will be awarded $80,000 and the winning rider will receive a classic Rolex timepiece.
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event will run a CCI****, the 12th championship for the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation Pinnacle Cup, signifying the zenith in Eventing competition in the United States. The event draws over 100,000 spectators and is seen by millions more on worldwide telecasts including a one-hour special on NBC in the United States.
“This year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event promises to be the biggest and most exciting ever,” said Jane Atkinson, Executive Vice President of Equestrian Events, Inc.(EEI), producer of the event. “With a brand new stadium and other improvements to the Kentucky Horse Park, spectators can expect an unprecedented experience. As anticipation continues to build for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, the level of competition at Rolex should be at an all-time high!”
The only Four Star Event in the Western Hemisphere, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is the premier competition for the top horses and riders in Eventing. Past winners include United States Olympic Medalists David and Karen O’Connor, Kim Severson, Phillip Dutton, New Zealand’s Blyth Tait and Nick Larkin, Pippa Funnell of Great Britain and Andrew Hoy and Clayton Fredericks of Australia.
The $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing is awarded to any rider who wins theRolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley Four Star Events in succession. In 2003, Pippa Funnell of Great Britain, became the first, and to date only, rider to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.
In addition to the heart pounding equestrian action, one of the most popular attractions at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is the Kentucky Three-Day Event Shop. The Shop offers all manner of clothing, accessories and gift items sporting the EEI logo with the competition title, “Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event,” curved around the top of the logo.
“We are looking forward to having everyone come out to enjoy the Kentucky Horse Park to watch one of the world’s most exciting events,” said Atkinson. “In addition to watching the world-class equestrian competition and strolling through the more than 150 shops and boutiques, equine enthusiasts can tour the world-renowned Kentucky Horse Park, stroll the beautiful grounds and catch a glimpse of magnificent horses all around!”
For more information, or to purchase tickets to the 2009 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, please visit the Rolex Kentucky website at www.rk3de.org, complete the ticket order form and return via mail or fax (859-254-5116) to Equestrian Events, Inc., call (859) 254-8123 or order online.
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02.16.09
Posted in Announcement, Equestrian Events Inc, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event at 11:02 pm by Thomas
Lexington, KY-February 16, 2009 – As a result of construction projects at the Kentucky Horse Park, Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) is announcing some major changes for the 2009 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the only annual Four Star Three-Day Event in the Americas. Scheduled for April 23-26, the event draws over 100,000 spectators and is seen by millions more on worldwide telecasts, including a one-hour special on NBC in the United States.
Honored with the 2008 Best of Lexington Award in the Special Events category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA), Equestrian Events continues to move forward and adapt to the changes at the Horse Park that will be fully completed by the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Even before it is the Test Event in 2010 for the Eventing World Championships, Rolex Kentucky 2009 will be the first time some of the Park changes come into play. Some of the changes in 2009:
The Stadium
The arena where the Dressage and Jumping Tests for Rolex Kentucky were previously held is being totally rebuilt to create a new Stadium. This new facility, in the same location as the previous arena, will be a whole new experience for spectators, as well as horses and riders, and is leading to some sweeping changes for 2009 and beyond.
Prior to the start of construction, the Lake Grandstand-constructed from funds donated by Equestrian Events, Inc., the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation and legions of supporters of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event-was carefully and painstakingly dismantled. Located on the south side of the arena with the Park’s picturesque lake behind it, each piece of the Lake Grandstand was numbered and coded and is being stored for re-assembly at a later date at one of the Park’s other outdoor arenas. The Lake Grandstand has 2,325 bench seats, 1,883 of them covered and 24 spaces for disabled seating.
New Permanent Grandstand
A new permanent grandstand structure, with 7,289 chair seats, 4,630 of which will be covered, plus 102 spaces for disabled seating, is being constructed on the north side of the stadium where the Patron Club and Equestrian Club tents and their temporary grandstand seating were located. The Park Grandstand also houses restrooms and concession areas underneath the second tier of seating. There will be three entrances to the grandstand. The entry level goes directly to the uppermost row of the first tier of seating and disabled seating is on that level. Stairs at the entry level go up to the first row of the second tier of seating.
Temporary Uncovered Grandstand Seating
Rolex Kentucky organizer Equestrian Events, Inc. is renting uncovered grandstands to provide a total of 15,000 seats in the new Stadium. These stands will be located on the south side of the arena by the Park’s lake and on the west side of the arena.
New Arena Surface
A new arena surface will greet horses and riders at Rolex Kentucky 2009, but the surface isn’t new to the Horse Park or to the horses and riders that competed in the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. The German company OTTO Sport-und Reitplatz GMBH is installing its state-of-the-art riding surface on the Stadium arena and the attached warm-up area and will have its inaugural use at the 2009 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. However, the same surface was installed in 2008 in the Park’s Walnut Ring and used extensively last year, to wide acclaim, for Jumper classes at various A and AA-rated hunter/jumper shows at the Park.
Patron Club and Equestrian Club Tents Moved
Due to its size, the Park Grandstand utilizes all the ground from the edge of the original arena back to Nina Bonnie Boulevard, ground where the Patron Club and Equestrian Club tents and uncovered grandstand seating were previously located. The Patron Club and Equestrian Club tents are being relocated across Nina Bonnie Boulevard to the fence line surrounding the High Hope Steeplechase Course. The tents will overlook the infield of the course, where several major obstacles on the Rolex Kentucky Cross-Country course are located. Grandstand seating for Patron Club and Equestrian Club subscribers will be an additional charge, allowing these Event attendees to choose which grandstand seating they prefer and to sit with friends who are not subscribers to these two ticket options. Video screens will be located in each tent to provide almost larger-than-life viewing of each day’s competition.
East Side of Stadium
The East side of the Stadium, where temporary grandstands have previously been located, will now be used for the Patron Plus tent, a private hospitality tent, along with the grandstand for Riders, Owners, Grooms and Competitor Guests.
South Side of Stadium
The configuration of the lake side of the arena is changed, and two grandstands with increased seating will be located here along with the Doggery, the grandstand targeted especially for dogs and their human companions.
West Side of Stadium
The permanent Sponsor Hospitality Pavilion, previously located on the north side of the arena, has made way for the new Park Grandstand, requiring the creation of a new Sponsor Pavilion on the west side of the arena. The West Grandstand that was located near the lake remains in the same relative position, but increased in height by one row (36 rows) and in width by 6′.
Most visitors to the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Website have already been introduced to the newest ticket purchasing option from Equestrian Events, Inc., online ticket sales. While the Ticket Order Form may still be downloaded and mailed or faxed to the EEI Office, and orders may still be placed via telephone, those who like the ease and speed of placing orders online now have that option.
“We are proud of our longstanding commitment to providing outstanding entertainment as well as world-class equestrian competition,” said Event Director, Jane Atkinson. “The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event has always been produced by Equestrian Events, Inc. with a strong commitment to giving spectators an exciting and comfortable experience and we believe that these changes will go a long way in accomplishing that goal.
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event features this country’s best horses and riders and international stars vying for their share of $250,000 in prize money and a chance at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. The winning owner is awarded $65,000 and the winning rider receives a Rolex timepiece. The classic Kentucky Julep Cup is presented by Equestrian Events, Inc. to the winning owner and winning rider as a reminder of their accomplishment.
For more information on the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, please visit the Rolex Kentucky website at www.rk3de.org. To receive the ticket brochure for the 2009 Event, send your name and address to Equestrian Events, Inc., P.O. Box 12110, Lexington, KY 40580-2110, (859) 254-8123 (9:00 am – 4:00 pm, M-F), (859) 254-5116 (fax), or rktickets@alltel.net.
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02.04.09
Posted in 2010 Games, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital at 8:46 pm by Thomas
LEXINGTON, KY-Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital will provide veterinary services for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games test events, as announced today by the World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc.
As the Official Equine Hospital and Veterinary Partner for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Rood and Riddle has extended its partnership with the Games to provide veterinary services for a series of test events beginning in 2009. The test events, each called The Kentucky Cup, will allow the World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc. to prepare for the world championships coming to the Kentucky Horse Park in 2010.
“Rood and Riddle is very pleased to provide the veterinary services for The Kentucky Cup test events,” said Dr. Tom Riddle. “Our entire staff of veterinarians looks forward with great excitement to serving the sport horse industry, both at the test events and the 2010 Games.”
Lexington-based Rood & Riddle is a full-service equine hospital established in 1986 as a referral center for horses requiring specialized medical and surgical care. Today, Rood & Riddle is known and respected throughout the world for its innovative and highly skilled treatment of horses. The hospital facility offers a full range of services including surgery, internal medicine, advanced diagnostic imaging, a focused Podiatry Center and a specialized Reproductive Center. The practice also provides ambulatory services (on-site care) for breeding farms, sport horse facilities, horse shows and events, with a variety of services, including emergency and preventative care, general reproduction, lameness, radiography, podiatry, and internal medicine.
“We are very fortunate to extend our partnership with Rood and Riddle through the test events for the 2010 Games, and to have the services of such a high-caliber equine hospital available to our equine athletes,” said Competition Director Kate Jackson.
The competitions will begin in 2009 and run through the 2010 Rolex Three-Day Event. All events will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park. Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital will manage the veterinary needs for all test events. A complete schedule of all Kentucky Cup test events is available at www.feigames2010.org.
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), and are held every four years. The Games have never before been held outside of Europe; nor have all eight disciplines competed at a single site-both firsts that will be achieved at the Kentucky Horse Park.
The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million, and other current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc. and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.feigames2010.org.
Media Contact:
World Games 2010 Foundation
Amy Walker
859-255-2010 ext. 235
awalker@feigames2010.org
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02.03.09
Posted in 2010 Games, Competition Schedule, Updates at 11:13 pm by Thomas
LEXINGTON, KY-The World Games 2010 Foundation today announced a revision to the competition schedule for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
The new schedule moves the Reining competition to September 25-30, and shifts the Vaulting competition to October 1-10. No other discipline schedules were altered.
As an added benefit, NBC Sports will extend its coverage of the 2010 Games on September 26th, adding an extra 30 minutes of Games programming. The broadcast, tentatively scheduled for noon-1:30 p.m., will feature the opening ceremonies, and highlights from the Reining and Endurance competitions.
“We are very confident that this is strong schedule, providing a variety of top sport on each day of the Games,” said Competition Director Kate Jackson.
To view the updated competition schedule, please, click here.
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), and are held every four years. The Games have never before been held outside of Europe; nor have all eight disciplines competed at a single site-both firsts that will be achieved at the Kentucky Horse Park.
The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million, and other current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc. and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.feigames2010.org.
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