10.02.13
2018 WEG is knocking, lets answer the opportunity.
The second article in a little over the week has come out touting the possibility of the 2018 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games being back in Kentucky. This article was written by Nancy Jaffer for EquiSearch who had discussions with both John Nicholson and Dr. Pearse Lyons and all indications from those discussions were that the idea of us hosting the 2018 Games was under active consideration, though Mr. Nicholson did temper that by saying “that should not imply a decision has been made”.
Now, based on my research and discussions with others there is certainly an opportunity for us to host the 2018 Games if we so desire. I will go as far as to say that currently the decision has been made and indicated to FEI that we are interested in hosting them. I should and will clarify, that is NOT information that I have gotten directly from the horse’s mouth, excuse the pun, by which I mean anyone in close contact with the 3 needed principals, Dr. Lyons, John Nicholson or the Governor Steve Beshear. Dr. Lyons pretty much hinted though that, that is where the decision lies at the moment, that is to say the Governor is doing the political calculation on whether there would be support for it within our Legislative body to pursue a fast track formal bid. Now the Governor is not facing re-election but I am sure he doesn’t want to start the process of us formally submitting a bid only to then have the Legislature not provide support for it when the come back into Session after the first of the year, being as this upcoming Session will be a Budget Session for Fiscal Years 2015-2016.
My best guess/gut is a formal announcement will be made this month, possibly as early as the 10th or as late as the end of the Alltech National Horse Show which would take us into early November. If a formal announcement one way or the other isn’t made by then I would have to say that highly suggests we are not going to pursue a bid to host. Stay tuned as you know I will be staying on top of this story.
Here is the link to Nancy Jaffer’s article.
Kentucky Colonel
Thomas P. Demond
KyWEGO®
AbitaNet Corporation
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