03.08.18
Posted in Dr. Pearse Lyons at 8:36 pm by Thomas
Pearse Lyons Credit: Alltech
I wanted to first express my condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Pearse Lyons. I only had the opportunity to meet Dr. Lyons twice, once at the 2010 World Equestrian games and about a year ago on a business trip to his distillery in downtown Lexington. On hearing of his passing today, my first reaction was of surprise, on those times I met him I found him to be a very vibrant individual with a great passion for life.
It goes without saying that I had great admiration for the man and certainly hold to this day that he was individually responsible for the fact that the 2010 Games even happened because I don’t believe they would have went forward had he not stepped in and provided the financial, political and financial support for them in the way he did. He had the guts to put both the financial well being of Alltech and his personal reputation on the line to support the Games the way he did, but then nothing I know of the man ever suggested that he knew how to do anything other then with a total commitment, for Dr. Lyons I think he was of the Yoda mind set, there was no try, only do or don’t do.
Dr. Lyons, I say thank you for all you have done for Kentucky and for all that Alltech will continue to do for Kentucky, because you maybe gone but your legacy will live on. So I bid you a sad farewell but hope we get to meet again someday.
Kentucky Colonel
Thomas P. Demond
KyWEGO
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11.03.13
Posted in 2018 Games, Alltech National Horse Show, Dr. Pearse Lyons at 10:00 pm by Thomas
I took my family out to the Alltech National Horse Show yesterday and can say we had an excellent time. We had tickets to both the Kentucky Savor Event in the afternoon as well as for the $250,000 Grand Prix so we had a full day at the Alltech Arena. I was actually surprised at the crowds in the Arena, though I guess I shouldn’t as Alltech has added a lot of different events and activities in and around the Arena so there is a little something for everyone. Again, this should not be anything that surprises me because Alltech as an extension of Dr. Lyons leadership backed by his passion and imagination looks to always learn from what they have done in the past and improve on it. This is why I came away from the show last night being even more certain that Kentucky would be successful in winning the bid for the 2018 Games. Alltech set the stage for what they and Kentucky have to offer for the 2018 Games, which is leadership built on a passion and imagination that has led to the success at Alltech and the success of the 2010 Games.
Kentucky Colonel
Thomas P. Demond
KyWEGO
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10.02.13
Posted in 2018 Games, Alltech, Dr. Pearse Lyons, FEI, Governor Beshear, John Nicholson at 11:31 pm by Thomas
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®
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