01.13.17
Posted in 2022 Games at 9:26 pm by Thomas
It is with significant disappointment that I report that the Kentucky Horse Park Commission voted earlier today to withdraw its bid to host the 2022 FEI World Equestrian Games. The primary reasons offered for this decision center around $12 million in deferred maintenance expenses that needed to be addressed before considering the capital needs for hosting an event like the World Equestrian Games. As a business person I understand this decision, the risk to the park would be too great to meet both the deferred maintenance needs well preparing for the 2022 Games. One statement though that I find very curious was one indicating that the hosting of the Games would create “limitations on potential Horse Park generated revenue opportunities”. That statement leaves me very puzzled but for now I will not speculate further on what I think that may really be meaning. I hold out significant hope that we will seek and win the 2026 bid but will be honest that if we pursue that bid and then withdraw for a third time that most likely we will not be considered a serious contender for any future World Equestrian Games.
Kentucky Colonel
Thomas P. Demond
KyWEGO®
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01.01.17
Posted in 2022 Games, World Equestrian Games at 1:11 pm by Thomas
Happy New Year to everyone on this mild Winter day in Kentucky, Spring is now just around the corner.
The big story to start the year is Kentucky’s bid to host the 2022 World Equestrian Games, which if successful in our bid would make Lexington the first city to host it twice. The timing is about perfect in that 12 years is long enough time frame that you crave it again and not so long so the infrastructure built for the 2010 Games can be used again without major renovations or rebuilds. Given that the economic benefit to Kentucky this time around should be significant given that those original capital expenditures have paid for themselves in many ways.
Laura Prewitt, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park said, “The Kentucky Horse Park is honored to be selected as a candidate for the 2022 Games,” and I certainly believe she means that and I have very little doubt in her ability to win the bid and put on a very successful event. Tops in Lexington put out a very nice article on her titled, FILLY OF THE MONTH: LAURA PREWITT . Our only competition in the bidding process is Samorin, Slovakia which has some wonderful facilities but it ain’t the Kentucky Horse Park ;-}.
I am looking forward to making and meeting many friends who share my passion for seeing this great event back in the Commonwealth.
Kentucky Colonel
Thomas P. Demond
KyWEGO®
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