08.11.14
Posted in 2014 Games at 9:56 pm by EPR
All roads lead to Normandy in France where the much-anticipated Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 begins in two weeks’ time. The seventh edition of the FEI’s flagship event is the biggest in its 24-year history, and with a massive increase in entries, and visitors already flying into northern France from all around the globe, it promises to be the greatest showcase for equestrian sport to date.
Staged at the halfway point between each Summer Olympic Games, the FEI World Equestrian Games™ brings together the World Championships for all FEI disciplines. Previously these had been held in different locations, but, strongly supported by then FEI President Prince Philip, the concept that had been floating around for quite some time became a reality at the first edition held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1990.
A total of 421 competitors from 37 nations took part in the six disciplines of Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance and Vaulting at the Swedish fixture which was initially intended to be a “one-off” event. However it was so successful that it was decided it should continue, and the event has firmly established itself on the calendar of world sport.
Increased to seven
It was subsequently staged in The Hague (NED) in 1994, Rome (ITA) in 1998, Jerez de la Frontera (ESP) in 2002, Aachen (GER) in 2006 and by the time it arrived in Lexington, Kentucky (USA) in 2010 the number of disciplines had increased to seven with the inclusion of Reining and the incorporation of Para-Dressage into the Dressage programme. A total of 632 athletes from 58 nations took part at the last edition of the Games, but those figures will be exceeded yet again this time around as, with equestrian sport continuously expanding its reach around the globe, the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy has attracted a 25% increase in nominated entries from which the startlists in each discipline will be finalised over the next 11 days.
Approximately a thousand athletes from 74 nations are expected to compete.
Jumping has attracted the largest number of nations – 54 in total – while Endurance is next in line with 48. Australia, Austria, France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden and the United States will be represented in every discipline, while 12 countries will make their FEI World Equestrian Games™ debut. They are Hong Kong, US Virgin Islands, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Morocco, Mauritius, Peru, Palestine, Romania, Thailand and Tunisia.
The deadline for definite entries is 14 August for Dressage and Para-Dressage, Eventing, Endurance and Reining and 22 August for Jumping, Driving and Vaulting.
The opening ceremony of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy will take place on Saturday 23 August and the action begins on Monday 25 August when Dressage and Reining both get underway. The event will conclude on Sunday 7 September with the closing stages of Jumping and Driving.
World famous
The region of Normandy is world-famous for its horse-breeding and sporting connections. The rich land is ideal for raising young stock, and Normandy is home to 93,000 horses with 408 equestrian centres and two National Studs, at Le Pin and Saint-Lo.
While the city of Caen is the central location for the Games, the State-owned Haras du Pin is the venue for the Dressage and Cross-Country phases of Eventing. The largest of the 20 National Studs located in France, the 16th century estate has long been home to world-class Eventing fixtures and is widely acclaimed for its beauty. Tickets for Eventing are fully sold out.
When it comes to magnificent backdrops, it doesn’t get much more awesome than the venue for Endurance at the bay of Mont St Michel. Located in the La Manche area, this iconic island which is located just 600 metres from the mainland is one of the most recognisable landmarks in France and welcomes three million visitors each year. The spectacular Endurance course will begin at the town of Sartilly and will circle around the bay.
Caen is the venue for the remaining disciplines with the D’Ornano Stadium home to the Opening and Closing ceremonies along with Dressage, Jumping and the Jumping phase of Eventing.
Para-Dressage and Driving will take place at the Prairie Racecourse in the city centre while Vaulting and Reining will take place at the Zenith indoor arena and exhibition centre.
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 will be broadcast in over 200 territories worldwide, bringing the best of international equestrian sport to a bigger audience than ever before.
Facts and Figures: Normandy in France hosts the seventh edition of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ from 23 August to 7 September 2014.
7 competition venues
7 disciplines
27 sets of medals
1,000 athletes from 74 nations are expected to compete
3,000 volunteers
500,000 spectators
1,000 journalists
300 photographers
Stockholm in Sweden hosted the first FEI World Equestrian Games™ in 1990 when 421 competitors from 37 nations took part.
Media contacts
Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142
Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133
These press releases appear as sent to Kentucky World Equestrian Games Ovation and are not edited for spelling, grammar or punctuation.
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08.31.13
Posted in 2014 Games at 8:46 pm by Thomas
We are inside the one year countdown to the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy France. It’s amazing to think that it has been almost 3 years since the start of our own World Equestrian Games and now we are coming up on the next one fast.
The exact dates are August 23rd – September 7th, 2014 in a variety of sites around Normandy France at venues in Caen, the prefecture of the Calvados department in north-western France, the country’s oldest national stud farm at Haras du Pin, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mont Saint-Michel.
I have heard says that this will be the largest Equestrian Event in the history of France of the non-military variety.
To celebrate the one-year countdown, the FEI has today launched an online history hub dedicated to the FEI World Equestrian Games™ which contains detailed information about each of the previous Games, starting with the inaugural edition in Stockholm in 1990, through to Kentucky 2010 and looking forward to 2014. Along with a summary of the Games’ most memorable moments, the website features key facts and figures, complete results, and extensive photo galleries.
Kentucky Colonel
Thomas P. Demond
KyWEGO
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09.30.12
Posted in 2010 Games, 2014 Games at 8:50 pm by Thomas
It’s amazing to think that it has been 2 years already since the World Equestrian Games were here in Lexington and that leaves now less then 2 years until the start of the Altech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy France.
I am going through all my old blog postings from the Games and reflecting on how much fun it was. At this point 2 years ago I was into my forth day of volunteering, and of course was having a Great time already. I can say 2 years on that my involvement with the 2010 Games was a Great experience that I will always remember. I also continue to believe and see the positive impacts the 2010 Games had on Lexington and Central Kentucky.
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Now onto Normandy, which if my count serves me correct is now only 692 days away. Opening day of the Normandy Games is August 24th and they will close on the 7th of September. |
I probably need to get on the ball and start looking at what the weather is like in that part of France at that time of the year. I would assume that the close proximity to the English Channel moderates the climate. Actually there is a lot I need to start researching for the 2014 Games now that we are within the 2 year window and everyone will start making their plans to go.
Beyond the 2014 Games, there are still many questions about the 2018 Games and the future of the World Equestrian Games beyond that point. There are a lot of unknowns, many of which revolve around the economic outcomes of Europe over the next Decade, but I will not get into that today.
Kentucky Colonel
Thomas P. Demond
KyWEGO
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08.16.12
Posted in 2014 Games, Alltech, Kentucky Horse Council at 10:04 pm by EPR
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Lexington, KY, August 12, 2012 – Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) representatives joined a group of more than 30 Kentucky delegates for a cultural and economic development tour sponsored by Alltech, traveling through Normandy, France, and concluding at the Alltech European Bioscience Centre in Dunboyne, Ireland. The tour was in conjunction with the July 2011 announcement of Alltech’s sponsorship of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014, in Normandy.
Anna Zinkhon, KHC Board President, and Ginny Grulke,
KHC Executive Director, joined Kentucky Governor Steven Beshear, Secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, Marcheta Sparrow, and Secretary Larry Hayes of the Cabinet for Economic Development, among others, in exchanging ideas during a series of workshops hosted by the Normandy council. The Kentucky Horse Council delegates participated in a workshop with the Normandy Horse Council to discuss partnership opportunities focused on the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014, in Normandy.
Dr Pearse Lyons personally hosted the delegation, engaging in exploratory conversations about both economic and equestrian opportunities, as well as the cultural bond between the countries.
The equine industry provides a strong link between Ireland, Caen, France and Lexington, Kentucky, USA (host city of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™). Each community is renowned for top-quality horse breeding programs and elite equestrian competition. The economic impact is also significant in each region, with the thoroughbred industry contributing upwards of €600 million to the Basse-Normandie region, and €900 million in Ireland in 2010.
“This trip represents a vision for the future,” commented Anna Zinkhon, KHC President. “In the equine industry as in other industries, our business is becoming more global. By teaming with the exceptional horsemen in Normandy and Ireland, we can accelerate Kentucky’s international equine growth while examining new equestrian support programs from the European model.”
In 2013, The Kentucky Horse Council will announce shared projects with the Normandy Horse Council, which will be implemented in time for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
ABOUT THE KENTUCKY HORSE COUNCIL – The Kentucky Horse Council is a non-profit organization dedicated, through education and leadership, to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community. The Kentucky Horse Council provides educational programs and information, personal liability insurance, trail riding advocacy, horse show support, and an annual statewide equine industry directory. The specialty Kentucky Horse Council license plate, featuring a foal lying in the grass, provides the primary source of revenue for KHC programs. |
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Contact
Ginny Grulke
Executive Director
director@kentuckyhorse.org |
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Kentucky Horse Council
www.kentuckyhorse.org
info@kentuckyhorse.org
Phone: (859) 367-0509 |
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07.11.11
Posted in 2014 Games, Alltech, Sponsors, World Equestrian Games at 3:48 pm by EPR
July 8, 2011
[Caen, FRANCE] – Laurent Beauvais, chairman of the Basse-Normandie Regional Council and Normandy 2014 Organizing Committee, and Alltechpresident Dr. Pearse Lyons today announced that Alltech will be the title sponsor of the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Normandy. This joint signing represents an historic partnership in the world of equestrian sports with a commitment from Alltech to the value of €10 million. The seventh edition of the FEI World Equestrian Games will officially be known as the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Normandy 2014.
“Alltech is proud to continue our partnership with the World Equestrian Games,” said Alltech President and Founder Dr. Pearse Lyons. “These world championships of equestrian sport epitomize the values that we applaud: passion, excellence and performance. When the eyes of the world tune in to watch the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, we will be there. Alltech’s sponsorship of equestrian sport brings the brand to life and creates value for our partners, generating strong ties with the end consumer of our products at moments of great passion. France and Normandy in particular, with its worldwide reputation of excellence in horse breeding, is a strategic location for our company. Alltech has a longstanding history of serving the agricultural community in France, and we are thrilled to support the event in Normandy and to share in the pride of this spectacular event. Given the inherent passion the people of Normandy have for the horse, we hope to leverage this sponsorship to support the communities in which we live and work.”
Alltech’s commitment to supporting national and international equestrian sports began in 2006, when it agreed to become the first-ever title sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. More than half a million spectators from all 50 U.S. states and 63 countries attended the 2010 event in Kentucky, and another 500 million television viewers around the world tuned in. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of Alltech France, where Alltech has offices in both Paris and Nantes. The company has a strong corporate presence throughout Europe, where 36 of its offices are located. Vice-President for Alltech Europe, Mr. Marc Larousse oversees the European region from the Paris office.
Countdown to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Normandy 2014 officially begins on July 8, 2011. This day marks 1136 days out to the opening day of the event on August 17, 2014. More than 900 riders and 850 horses representing more than 60 nations are expected to convene in Normandy.
For more information on the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.normandie2014.com
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