09.25.08
Posted in 2010 Games, Announcement, Kentucky Horse Park, World Games 2010 Foundation at 9:23 pm by Thomas
Competition Schedule Set for
2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
09/22/2008
Click Here to view competition schedule
LEXINGTON, KY – Sixteen days of eight world championships are officially scheduled for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The competition schedule was released today by the World Games 2010 Foundation.
A detailed competition schedule is now available online at www.feigames2010.org.
“This schedule is certain to provide an exciting variety of top sport on each of the 16 days of the Games”, said Competition Director Kate Jackson. “Spectators will find events of interest every day and will be entertained by the beauty and spectacle that is inherent to equestrian competition at this level”.
“I am particularly happy that we are able, for the first time, to include Para-Equestrian as an integral part of the World Equestrian Games. We are pleased and honored to do so”, Jackson said.
The Games will begin with opening ceremonies on September 25, 2010. The first weekend of competition will include Vaulting and Endurance.
The Vaulting competition will continue into week one, along with Dressage and Eventing.
In week two, Jumping, Para-Dressage, Driving and Reining will be contested. The Games will end with closing ceremonies on October 10, 2010.
“We are excited to share these details with competitors and spectators who are already making their plans to join us in Kentucky”, said Rob Hinkle, Foundation Chief Operating Officer. “We know that many local communities, businesses, volunteers and others have also been waiting for this schedule to begin making plans for 2010”.
The schedule may still experience minor changes, but no major shifts to the individual discipline schedules are expected.
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, to be held at the Kentucky Horse, are the world championships of the eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), and are held every four years. The Games have never been held outside of Europe; nor have all eight disciplines competed at a single site? both firsts that will be achieved at the Kentucky Horse Park.
The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has made the largest network commitment to coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million, and current sponsors include the Rolex Company and an unprecedented $10 million title sponsor, Alltech. It is anticipated that more than 600,000 tickets will be sold for the 16-day competition.
Click Here to view competition schedule
Media Contact:
Amy Walker
Office 859-255-2010 ext. 235
awalker@feigames2010.org
For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games visit www.feigames2010.org
Permalink
06.28.08
Posted in Equine Rescue/Adoption, Kentucky Horse Park, News Worthy, Volunteerism at 11:15 pm by Thomas
The Kentucky Horse Park hosted the 1st Annual John Henry Memorial Equine Adoption Fair today. This was a wonderful event that I got to be a part of as a Kentucky Horse Park volunteer. Originally it was going to be held in the Breeds Barn where I normally volunteer but because of weather concerns it was moved to the indoor arena. The event got a wonderful response with probably nearly all the volunteers at the Horse Park showing up as well a good number of the public for the first ever event. There was also a great turnout from the rescue/adoption agencies themselves and they all provided a lot of information to all of us on the great work they are doing and their needs. I look forward to being a part of the 2nd Annual John Henry Memorial Equine Adoption Fair next year.
To close I have to quote something John Nicholson said, “We believe the responsibility for the welfare of horses falls squarely on the shoulders of every Kentuckian, because every Kentuckian benefits from the horse industry,” and “It is clearly within our power to fix this. It should be within our hearts as well.” Those are bold statements but I applaud Mr. Nicholson for those bold words and for his bold actions.
Thomas Demond
Founder KYWEGO
Permalink
12.06.07
Posted in 2010 Games, Kentucky, Kentucky Horse Park, World Games 2010 Foundation at 11:34 pm by Thomas
Its been two(2) years since the announcement that Lexington, Kentucky would be hosting the 2010 World Equestrian Games. A lot has happened in that two(2) span and with only some thirty-three(33) months to go there is still much to be accomplished. However to borrow a football metaphor, you have to establish the run before you can start passing the ball effectively. That is to say that all the parties involved in one form or another have to work out the fundamentals of what is needed before they could successfully start working towards the goal of a highly successful event the size of the World Equestrian Games. With that said I think it is safe to say that for the most part the run has been established and the ball is being moved down the field.
One of the key accomplishments for the World Games 2010 Foundation so far was having Alltech step up as the title sponsor early on as this provides the business leadership for this kind of event. This leadership helps to get other major corporate interest involved which is necessary in bringing in the capital and logistical investment needed. Now in the last two(2) months the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital has also stepped up as a major sponsor and you can expect to continue to see these kind of business leaders come on board as sponsors.
Another key area that the Foundation has succeeded in would be in filling the major personnel needs for the Games. Ultimately this may be the most important thing in the success of the Games is having GREAT people lead the way and for an event of this size and complexity you need quite a few.
Many other organizations and businesses including our own have also made great strides over the last two(2) years in coming up to speed to see that these Games are a Great Success for the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
In this next year I expect that things will really start to come together and everyone who hasn’t been talking about the Games will start to see the vision that many of us have for these Games start to become reality and they to will become excited and believers in what we Kentuckians can accomplish.
Permalink
10.31.07
Posted in Kentucky Horse Park, Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, Updates, Volunteerism at 9:39 pm by Thomas
Wanted to provide an update on my volunteering activities at the Kentucky Horse Park as I have now volunteered 3 Saturdays and can report with a little more of an informed position.
I took an assignment in the Parade of Breeds Barn because for a horse person it is one of the coolest aspects of the park. So far my duties have included holding horses for the farrier, a very necessary job though not the most exciting, bringing in horses from out in their pastures, grooming horses and working the gates during the shows. The full time staff has been wonderful and very helpful to work with while I learn my way around the barn. The horses have also been great and its like any other barn I have worked in that they all have their own distinctive personalities.
So far my experience has been great, no surprise there, and as always I recommend others to give it a shot. That is one last thing I should say about volunteering, is there is nothing run with giving it a try and deciding afterwards that it is not for you, its better to give it a try and decide its not for you then to never try and never know if you are missing out on a great experience in your life.
I have some other updates concerning other things going on with the group and the games that I will have to get posted soon so stay tuned and thanks for all of your interest in our humble endeavor.
Thomas Demond
Founder KYWEGO
Permalink
09.25.07
Posted in 2010 Games, Announcement, Kentucky Horse Park, Press Release at 8:48 pm by Thomas
We have reached the T minus 3 years mark so things are really starting to pick up now and the Excitement is building. I was lucky enough to get to attend Media Day for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ Kentucky 2010 at the Kentucky Horse Park on September 13th. This was a great experience and all modes of media were represented from traditional print and television to those of us strictly in the online media formats. The weather couldn’t have been better and the Horse Park personnel did a wonderful job of showing off all the Horse Park had to offer while making the day go very effortlessly. I am sure all of us that were claiming this was a working event to our bosses and colleagues fill just a little guilty about just how much fun we had.
I will admit, this was the first time I had the opportunity to hear John Nicholson in person and I will have to say it was a treat in the sense that his enthusiasm for the Games is palatable. Of course I would of been disappointed if it hadn’t been as so much of the success of the Games rides on his shoulders. Of course it has always been my belief that those people who get involved in the Games will very quickly develop a pride and sense of well being that comes from being involved in something that you quickly realize is bigger then yourself and will make an ever lasting impact on the Commonwealth of Kentucky. So let the Excitement Build.
Permalink
08.19.07
Posted in Kentucky Horse Park, Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, Volunteerism at 1:55 pm by Thomas
I finally made the time to get out to the Kentucky Horse Park last week for an
interview with the Director of Volunteers about volunteering myself. The Director
of Volunteers, Georgina “Gina” Beare was delightful in personality and very
knowledgeable of the Horse Park. She has put together a volunteer program that
looks to be very well organized and designed to be flexible to meet the needs
of the volunteers and the Horse Park . I came away definitely energized to
volunteer and feeling good that my volunteering could
make a difference. Now I just have to fill out a little paper work and decide
in which position I want to volunteer.
So I want to encourage as many of you as possible to do the same, whether you
are a horse person or not there is a wide range of volunteer positions, and if just
the pure act of volunteering isn’t enough, there are perks provided to recognize
your help.
Gina’s contact information is below:
(859) 259-4267 or (800) 678-8813 Ext. 267
gina.beare@khpfoundation.org
The volunteer program is wholly supported by the
Kentucky Horse Park Foundation and does not use tax payer money.
The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation’s mission is to “expand and enhance the
Kentucky Horse Park” . The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation fills a great need
in that the Commonwealth of Kentucky budgets limited funds primarily for the maintenance of the Horse Park. It is with private donations and the support of
volunteers that the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation works to make the
Kentucky Horse Park a premiere equine facility that continues to attract
large numbers of tourist every year that makes it vital to the economy of
Kentucky.
So again, I would like to encourage all of you with an interest in volunteering
for a good cause to contact Gina and see how you can make a difference.
As always thanks for your support.
Thomas Demond
Founder KYWEGO
Permalink
06.12.07
Posted in Funding, Government, Governor Fletcher, Kentucky, Kentucky Horse Park, KyHP Funding at 11:30 pm by Thomas
So it seems that if the Governor calls a Special Session of the Kentucky Legislation this summer that it could be for who knows what and may or may not include the request for additional funding for the Horse Park. The Governor did appropriate the funds so that the engineering studies could begin this year which was an absolute necessity for the success of the Games. The need now is to have the money available to begin the construction as early as possible next year and there seems to be some question that the next regular Legislative session isn’t soon enough to guarantee that. Keep in mind no major construction can really happen until after next year’s Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event, but any major construction firm is probably going to need at least 30 days advance notice to put the logistics together to start getting equipment out to the Horse Park and I am sure most are going to say 90 days for a practical matter as a true start date to cover themselves when it comes to meeting deadlines.
So the question remains, will the major construction have started at the Horse Park 1 year from today, I give that a 60/40 chance because I am always the optimistic realist and at this point we have had to accept the reality that the citizens of Kentucky seem to have very little real power in moving politicians to get the people’s business done.
Permalink
04.30.07
Posted in Kentucky Horse Park, Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event at 3:45 am by Thomas
Another successful Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event has come to a close. Congratulations to Clayton Fredericks and BEN ALONG TIME for the win and also to Karen O’Connor and her little pony with the big heart Theodore O’Connor for their 3rd place finish. As always the Rolex is great fun and really gets the blood pumping and in my mind the Rolex is the top Equestrian event in Kentucky for riders and spectators alike.
Preliminary numbers I have heard for Saturday’s Cross Country were just shy of 50,000 and I can attest to the numbers as traffic was terrible both going in and coming out Saturday. The project to widen Newtown Pike from I-75 out to Ironworks is progressing nicely and I would assume this is completed by next years Rolex and we will see what impact that has.
This marks my 15th Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event and Equestrian Events, Inc does a wonderful job putting on this event. There are some details (Devils in the details) that will have to be handled better by the time of the World Equestrian Games and I know they will be so there is no need to go into it here. My hats off to Jane Atkinson, founder of Equestrian Events, Inc and the 1000 plus volunteers that make the Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event the success that it is.
Permalink
« Previous Page « Previous Page Next entries »
AbitaNet Corporation