01.13.17
Kentucky Withdrawls from the 2022 Bid Process
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®
AbitaNet Corporation
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