09.29.09
Posted in 2010 Games, Combined Driving, Disciplines, Pre-Events at 9:13 pm by Thomas
The largest gathering of FEI Four-in-Hand drivers ever in the Americas will go head-to-head October 1-4 at the Kentucky Horse Park for Kentucky Cup Driving, the third official test event for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
The CAI-A competition will be held in conjunction with the annual Lexington Combined Driving Classic, (also the 2009 USEF National Driving Championships), and will feature drivers from Australia, Canada, and the United States. Several drivers competing in the test event are veterans from previous World Equestrian Games, including current individual silver medalist from the 2008 FEI World Four-in-Hand Driving Championships, Chester Weber.
Kentucky Cup Driving and the Lexington Combined Driving Classic will be held October 1-4 on the Secretariat Polo Field at the Kentucky Horse Park. The competition will consist of three phases: dressage, cross-country marathon, and obstacle (“cones”). The Kentucky Cup Four-in-Hand Dressage will begin on Thursday, October 1, at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, all drivers will complete the marathon phase with FEI Four-in-Hand drivers beginning their marathon phase at 2:00 p.m. Sunday will consist of the obstacle phase, with the Kentucky Cup Driving obstacle class starting at noon.
For a complete list of competitors and competition start times, visit the Kentucky Cup Driving test event page of our Web site.
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09.26.09
Posted in Kentucky Horse Park at 7:35 pm by Thomas
The new Indoor Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park was dedicated on July 15th of this year but I just finally got a chance on Friday after the one year countdown Celebration to check it out.
The Sport Horse National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show was going on this week so the ring was setup for that. One of the neat things about the new arena is that when you walk in you are on the upper level already, so access to seating and that is pretty easy. Everything for the most part is on that same level, vendors, food and restrooms.
There were no horses showing at the time I was there so I didn’t take a seat but I did stop at a few points that overlooked the ring and the view was good and the overall atmosphere to me felt very good. As the year goes on I am planning on finding people who have shown there to get their take on what it is like to show in there. The major work left to be done is the surronding grounds but that should progress quickly once the park is done with shows next month.
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09.25.09
Posted in 2010 Games, Pre-Events, World Equestrian Games at 7:38 pm by Thomas
It was a busy day today. I started off at the Celebration of the one(1) year countdown to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and the start of ticket sales. Because of rain, the event was moved from the Lexington Courthouse into the lobby of Rupp Arena.
Tom Hammond, a Kentucky native and key sports broadcaster for NBC Studios was the MC of the event. Former Miss America Heather French-Henry delievered the motivational call to the citizens of Kentucky. Jane Beashear introduced us to her instructor and possible Dressage competitor for the Games, Reese Koffler-Stanfield, whom gave a very emotional speech on her pride at having the possibility of representing Kentucky next year. Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry spoke about the festivals that will be occuring in Lexington during the Games (http://www.spotlightlexky.com) . And last but certainly not least, Dr. Pearse Lyons, founder and President of Alltech, spoke about his decision to be put up the $10 million dollars to be the Title Sponsor and their additional efforts to see that the Games are a Great success. There was extensive media coverage of the event and NBC streamed it live on the Web for the whole World to see so all and all I would say the kick-off was a great success.
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09.22.09
Posted in 2010 Games, Lexington, Tickets, World Equestrian Games at 9:36 pm by Thomas
The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will celebrate the launch of ticket sales and the final year countdown to the Games on September 25, 2009 and you are invited to join the celebration around the world with a live Web stream of the celebration.
A live Web stream from downtown Lexington will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST on the Lexington Fayette Country Urban Government Web site, http://lfucg.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=12
The festivities will feature live musical entertainment, prizes, and an official countdown to the ticket sale launch at Noon EST. Leadership of the World Games 2010 Foundation, athletes, and local celebrities will speak, and NBC’s Tom Hammond will emcee the event.
“We are so excited for this day, and with this live Web stream, fans and supporters world-wide will be able share our enthusiasm,” said World Games 2010 Foundation CEO. “We hope that in 2010, many of these fans will be able to join us in Kentucky for 16 days of the best equestrian competition in the world.”
Ticket sales begin at noon on September 25, and purchases can be made online at www.ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet, and special needs can be facilitated via the Ticketmaster hotline at 1-800-745-3000.
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Posted in Badminton Horse Trials, Burghley Horse Trials, CCI****, Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event, Three-Day Eventing at 9:15 pm by Thomas
Will Seek To Become Second Rider Ever to Complete Slam at 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event
Lexington, KY-September 22, 2009-Oliver Townend of Great Britain is poised to achieve what only one other event rider in the world has ever done, claim the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.
In September of 2003, Pippa Funnell of Great Britain became the first rider in history to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing when she rode Primmore’s Pride to victory at the Burghley Horse Trials in England following back-to-back wins in the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in April aboard Primmore’s Prideand the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in May aboard Supreme Rock. Funnell completed her sweep of the three CCI**** events at Burghley to win $250,000, the purse at that time, and a Pink Gold 18-carat Datejust Rolex watch. The payoff was the largest in Eventing history.
Townend, 26, claimed a victory in May in the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials aboard Flint Curtis and in September won another leg of the Rolex Grand Slam when he and Carousel Quest bested a field of 49 to win the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. Carousel Quest placed eighth at Rolex Kentucky last spring. It was the first four star outing for Ollie and Carousel Quest as a pair and served as another indication of how Rolex Kentuckyand its courses designed by Mike Etherington-Smith continue to build champions.
“We all took note when this young combination of Oliver Townend and Carousel Quest performed so well at Rolex Kentucky last spring,” said Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Director, Jane Atkinson. “Mike Etherington-Smith has a unique ability to bring out the talent in young horses and help them develop, and we can’t wait to welcome back Ollie and Carousel Quest next spring as the new Burghley Champions!”
Townend’s success comes as no surprise. His father rode at Burghley and his mother showed sidesaddle at County level so it was not unexpected that success came early for him in the form of a place on the Pony Eventing Team and countless show jumping victories. Now, with two major four star wins, he is poised to take his place in Eventing history.
Will he be able to join Pippa Funnell as the only riders to sweep the Rolex Grand Slam? We will find out at the 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event next April 22-25!
Further information on the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is available at the Rolex Kentucky website at
www.rk3de.org.
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09.21.09
Posted in 2010 Games, Tickets, World Equestrian Games at 12:23 pm by Thomas
Tickets to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games go on sale September 25 at noon EST, exactly one year before the Games arrive in Lexington, Kentucky.
Ticket sales will be facilitated by Ticketmaster, and sold through www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available for purchase at all Ticketmaster outlets. Anyone with special needs, including ADA seating, may call the Ticketmaster hotline at 1-800-745-3000.
Tickets for reserved seating will be available to each session of competition of the eight world championships of equestrian sport. Prices range from $25 to $150, providing a range of options for every spectator.
All tickets will be sold on-online, through the Ticketmaster hotline, or at any Ticketmaster outlet. No tickets will be sold in person or via phone at the World Games 2010 Foundation office or the Kentucky Horse Park.
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09.18.09
Posted in 2010 Games, World Equestrian Games at 5:41 pm by Thomas
The World Games 2010 Foundation recently launched a blog of their own and I wanted to help get the word out. You can find it at http://2010alltechweg.blogspot.com/ . I of course hope everyone will keep visiting our blog as well as we do hold the distinction of being the longest running blog talking about and promoting the Kentucky World Equesrian Games as we are affectionate to call it.
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Posted in 2010 Games, World Equestrian Games at 5:31 pm by Thomas
Only one week to go until tickets go on sale and the one year countdown begins to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. It amazing to think its been nearly 4 years since we got the news that the Games were coming to Kentucky but I am still as excited now as I was then.
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09.17.09
Posted in Meydan, Sponsors at 10:21 pm by Thomas
Lexington, KY—The World Games 2010 Foundation today announced its latest sponsorship agreement with Meydan Group, L.L.C. for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The 2010 Games will feature eight world championships in equestrian sport at Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park from September 25 to October 10, 2010.
As part of its sponsorship of the 2010 Games, Meydan will be the presenting sponsor of the Endurance Competition, which will occur on Day 2 of the Games, September 26, 2010. The competition will pit champions from more than 30 countries in the equestrian discipline of endurance riding, with competitors vying to complete a designated 6-loop course spanning 100 miles.
The United Arab Emirates are expected to be represented by a team led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
Chairman of Meydan Mr. Saeed Humaid Al Tayer said, “We are honoured to be a Sponsor of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and in particular, the Endurance Competition, a pivotal component of one of the most important equine tournaments in the world. Not only does this partnership allow us to further progress the increasing popularity of the sport, it also soundly underscores Meydan’s commitment to taking equine-related sports to an even higher level and into a new era.”
As part of the agreement, Meydan will also receive exposure throughout the venues across all competitions included in the 2010 Games.
“We are extremely excited and proud to announce this sponsorship with Meydan,” stated Jamie Link, CEO of the World Games 2010 Foundation. “This not only further illustrates their dedication to the growth of horse sport around the world but also to the global nature of the 2010 Games. We are honored to have Meydan as a partner.”
Meydan – The world’s racing capital
Meydan Group L.L.C is the developer behind the new luxury racing development; Meydan Grandstand and Racecourse. Located at the heart of Meydan City, it is the brainchild of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. It is the culmination of his vision to create not just the ultimate venue for horse racing, but also an integrated city that is sustainable, environmentally responsible and positions Dubai at the centre of the competitive global business stage.
Meydan City will feature the Meydan Free Zone and four distinct sub-districts – the Meydan Racecourse; where the Meydan Grandstand will take centre stage and be home to the 2010 Dubai World Cup, Meydan Metropolis; a series of state-of-the-art business parks, Meydan Horizons; a riverine city where business towers intermingle with luxury waterfront townhouses and Meydan Godolphin Parks; with its distinctive Godolphin Tower created in the image of a thoroughbred.
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09.12.09
Posted in Events of Interest at 8:55 pm by Thomas
I took the family out to Camp Nelson today for their Civil War Days program which goes on through tomorrow September 13th for anyone wanting to make it and I do recommend. One of the things that we found out is that next year during the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, at Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park they will be holding a Civil War Cavalry Competition. They didn’t have exact dates for it yet but as soon as I find out I will post them because I think this will be a really cool event.
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Posted in 2010 Games, World Equestrian Games at 8:26 pm by Thomas
LEXINGTON, Ky.—The World Games 2010 Foundation today announced the National Reining Horse Association as a sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
The National Reining Horse Association sponsorship allows for the addition of a Reining Freestyle Exhibition event to the overall event schedule, another first in Games history.
“NRHA is proud to announce our official partnership with the Games and is thrilled to have this special opportunity to bring the excitement of Reining to competitors and spectators worldwide,” said NRHA Executive Director Dan Wall. “We are committed to growing the discipline both here in the United States and abroad, and no venue is better than the 2010 Games to showcase our sport and athletes.”
NRHA is a long-time supporter of the Games and the global expansion of Reining. NRHA provides support and input to enhance the 2010 Games’ Reining competition format, including an augmented purse, deeper payouts for team and individuals, and increased days of competition.
The Reining Freestyle Exhibition will take place on the evening of September 30 after the final round of the Games world championship reining competition is complete. This freestyle competition will not be part of the world championship competition, but will be separate ticketed event.
Tickets for the freestyle exhibition will be sold for $70 with sales to the public beginning September 25, 2009, on www.alltechfeigames.com and on www.ticketmaster.com.
NRHA joins the Reining Horse Sports Foundation, NRHA’s supporting organization, and the American Quarter Horse Association as joint supporters of the Reining Competition, one of eight world championships that will be contested at Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park, September 25-October 10, 2010.
“We are excited to announce this partnership with the National Reining Horse Association,” said Terry Johnson, Vice President of Marketing and Sales for the 2010 Games. “The NRHA has always been a strong supporter of our event and this partnership will expose another aspect of Reining to our spectators, which we could not have done otherwise.”
“The grace, agility and power of the reining horse have launched the discipline onto a worldwide stage and we are excited to welcome international fans and riders to North America, the birthplace of the sport,” said Rick Weaver, NRHA President. “We also look forward to highlighting the Reining competition on television with our supporting organization, the Reining Horse Sports Foundation.”
Reining was added to the FEI as a discipline in 2000 and was featured for the first time in 2002 at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain. The reining competitions at the 2006 Games in Aachen, Germany, launched the discipline and its athletes into fame, with sold-out performances and loud, fanatical crowds. For more information about Reining at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, visit www.alltechfeigames.com.
About NRHA
Incorporated in 1966, the National Reining Horse Association is the governing body of the sport of reining. NRHA, with their International Headquarters in Oklahoma City, is responsible for promoting the sport and working to ensure the highest standards of competition. To learn more about NRHA, its programs like Entry Level “Green, Ride and Slide” Reining, or its family of corporate partners, visit www.nrha.com.
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09.09.09
Posted in 2010 Games, Announcement, Kentucky, Lexington, Tickets, World Equestrian Games, World Games 2010 Foundation at 10:09 pm by Thomas
Host: Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
When: Friday September 25, 2009
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Where: Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza
Downtown Lexington, Kentucky
Why: Food, Fun, Entertainment, *Ovation* !!! Why Not?
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09.08.09
Posted in Position Statements at 10:09 pm by Thomas
A simple explanation to one of our purposes for creating this and it’s sister sites is Ovation defined as “A show of public homage or welcome”. One of if not the primary goal in our promoting the Games is to welcome the Games and all those involved to our Wonderful State as we are proud to be citizens of this great Commonwealth of Kentucky.
I do not use the term Commonwealth strictly because Kentucky is a Commonwealth, but because I feel there is a wealth and beauty that is Kentucky that flows through all her people that binds us together and provides for our common wealth and we desire to share that for the whole World to know.
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Posted in Badminton Horse Trials, CCI****, Equestrian Events Inc, Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event, Three-Day Eventing at 7:27 pm by Thomas
The Organisers of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event have been able to avoid a clash of dates in the future.
Badminton announced earlier this year that it would be running over the weekend of the May Day bank holiday from 2010, with cross country day on the Sunday and show jumping on the holiday Monday. Unfortunately, this very occasionally clashes with the traditional Kentucky date, the cross country for which has been the last Saturday in April since 1987.
It has now been agreed that in 2011 Badminton will run one week earlier, i.e. 22-25 April, which, being the Easter weekend, will still enable the event to climax on a bank holiday Monday. In 2016, Kentucky in turn has agreed to run a week earlier than it otherwise would so that Badminton can maintain their holiday Monday schedule.
Both Event Directors, Hugh Thomas and Janie Atkinson, salute the agreement as demonstrating the good relationship between the leading international events and being in the best interests of the sport of eventing, which would not have been well served by a clash of two of the three Rolex Grand Slam events or indeed two of the HSBC FEI Classic Four Star Events.
Event Dates until 2016 are now as follows:
Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event
2010 30 April – 3 May 22 – 25 April
2011 22 – 25 April 28 April – 1 May
2012 4 – 7 May 26 – 29 April
2013 3 – 6 May 25 – 28 April
2014 2 – 5 May 24 – 27 April
2015 1 – 4 May 23 – 26 April
2016 29 April – 2 May 21 – 24 April
Further Information Badminton:
Julian Seaman, Badminton Press Officer, 41 Gastein Road, London, W6 8LT
T: + 44 (0) 207 385 0591; F: + 44 (0) 207 386 9820; E: j.seaman2@sky.com
Also:
Mitsubishi Motors Press Office
T: + 44 (0) 1285 647200; E: pressoffice@mitsubishi-cars.co.uk
Further Information Kentucky:
Marty Bauman, Rolex Kentucky Press Officer, Classic Communications, 38 Mechanic Street, Suite 101, Foxboro, MA 02035
T: 001 508-698-6810; F: 508-698-6811 E: marty@classic-communications.com
Also:
Jane Atkinson, Event Director, Equestrian Events, Inc., P.O. Box 12110, Lexington, KY 40580-2110
T: 001 859-233-2362; F: 859-254-5116; E: eeiusa@windstream.net
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09.03.09
Posted in Kentucky Horse Park at 9:31 pm by Thomas
Wanted to post this because I just got word today and knew some people would be headed to the Horse Park for the schooling day on Sunday. I had been hearing that things were getting a little hectic at the Park so not too surprised they needed to cancel it.
Everyone have an enjoyable and safe Labor Day holiday, the weather is supposed to be great for riding this weekend and I know I certainly plan on getting some riding in.
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09.02.09
Posted in 2010 Games, Disciplines, Trivia, World Equestrian Games at 6:12 am by Thomas
The 8 Disciplines that make up the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are Dressage, Eventing, Jumping, Driving, Endurance, Reining, Vaulting and Para-Equestrian. For more information on these check out our sister site at http://www.kentuckyworldequestriangames.info or just remember http://www.KyWEGO.com and click on the Info Portal.
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