KyWEGO® Kentucky World Equestrian Games Citizens Action Group
Tickets for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games go on sale September 25, 2009. All ticket sales will be facilitated online at www.alltechfeigames.com. With eight world championships to be contested, more sessions of competition than ever before, and tickets prices as low as $25, there is something for everyone.
The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network 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 Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com.
Lexington, Ky., Aug. 2 – The Mt. Eden Vaulters, of Saratoga, Calif., finished the Kentucky Cup Vaulting on Sunday they way they started it on Thursday-by sweeping the first-placed awards. Megan Benjamin won the women’s division of the CVI2*, Kenny Geisler won the men’s division of the CVI2*, and the Mt. Eden Sun Team won the team division of the CVI2*.
The Kentucky Cup is the vaulting test event for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, on Sept. 25-Oct. 10, 2010. The World Championships for vaulting and reining will be held in the brand-new, 5,600-seat indoor arena used this weekend.
Benjamin, 21, of Saratoga, Calif., earned her division’s top scores in all but the first of the four phases and climaxed the Kentucky Cup in today’s freestyle with the competition’s highest score (8.127). Her overall score of 7.974 put her ahead of Mt. Eden teammate Mary McCormick (7.823) and Annalise van Vranken (7.562).
Benjamin won the individual gold medal at the 2006 World Championships, and she thought she’d left vaulting to pursue her studies at Cornell University (N.Y.). “I was kind of vaulting-obsessed earlier in my life, and my goal was to win the gold in 2010. But I did it four years early, and I wasn’t sure what to do. So I decided to go on, to go to school and do other things,” said Benjamin.
But her Mt. Eden teammates begged her to return, and now, after her victory here, she’s looking ahead to the 2010 WEG at the Kentucky Horse Park. “I’ve made the decision that if I can make the studying and the training work, I’d like to do it. Vaulting really is my sport,” she said.
McCormick, 26, of Woodside, Calif., was the only other vaulter to achieve an average score of 8 or more today (8.033). She didn’t use the same music that she used on Friday. For the Friday freestyle, she said she used a light and free-flowing instrumental called “Better In Time.” She chose a rather different musical genre today.
“I’m originally from Nashville, and my father works in the country music business, so I wanted to go back to my roots and honor the fact that we’re in the South and in Kentucky,” so she used a country song by Jason Aldean.
And she finished with a perfect back flip dismount, the result, she said, of her experience as a high school cheerleader.
Van Vranken, 27, of Mays Landing, N.J., wished her performance had been mistake-free, but she fell out of one handstand had a couple more slips to score 7.562. “It wasn’t quite as clean as I’d hoped, so I was a little upset,” said van Vranken, a member of Shooting Star Vaulters.
Geisler, 28, of Sunnyvale, Calif., won all four phases of the men’s competition to finish .525 points ahead of second-placed Mikkel Vandrup of Denmark. Geisler’s balletic freestyle was nearly flawless as he demonstrated strength and control.
“I had a great performance, and I couldn’t have done it without Hudson,” said Geisler.
Geisler’s regular mount was unable to compete, so he shared Hudson with third-placed Kristian Roberts, 16, of Moss Beach, Calif. Roberts is from the Pacific Coast Vaulters, owners of Hudson.
Vandrup, 23, improved his freestyle score by .347 points to overtake Roberts and finish second. “I was a little bit frustrated with my results on Friday, so I tried to keep it simple and remember to breathe while I was on the horse, because sometimes I forget to do that,” he said.
This time Vandrup also stayed on his feet while performing a forward aerial cartwheel over the longe line to land next to the horse’s head. On Friday, he fell forward on landing and did a somersault across the ground. “I was happy that I landed the dismount this time,” he said.
Geisler also played a key role in the Mt. Eden Sun Team’s victory over the Woodside Vaulters, reversing the standing’s from Saturday’s one-star team competition. In the two-star team division, Mt. Eden scored 6.512 to Woodside’s 6.154.
Geisler was the team’s alternate and stood on the sidelines as his teammates nipped Woodside on Friday. But during that performance, team member Ali Thrasher suffered a minor injury, so Geisler’s teammates spent Saturday fashioning a matching outfit for him. Geisler then played a key role as the base for several of their three-person poses, featuring flier Tasha Thorner.
The Mt. Eden Sun Team also included Geisler’s fiancée Kalyn Noan. They’re due to be married on Aug. 22.
The other Mt. Eden Sun Team members are: Lizzie Ioannou, Heidi Rothweiler and Makayia Clyne. Jessica Ballenger is the coach, and Jodi Rinhard longed Sampson. They were also the American Vaulting Association 2009 A team national champions.
The Woodside team members are: Patrick Stevens, Katherine Wick, Alyssa Bonora, Yvonne Greenen, Kathryn Jaggers, Janie Salsbury and Gabe Aniello. Their coach is Krista Mack, and Erik Martonovich longed Badger.
Cassidy Palmer, 16, of Half Moon Bay, Calif., and Marissa Hamar, 20, of Visalia, Calif., were the winners of the CVI2* pas de deux. Although they live several hours apart, they still put together an enjoyable performance to the Beach Boys’ classic song “Surfin’ USA.”
More than 2,200 people attended the Kentucky Cup Vaulting or watched the online streaming video. More than 300 volunteers helped the staff produce this competition, the second of seven test events planned to prepare for the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
“This facility certainly has a very international feel, and we’re looking forward to 2010,” said Geisler. “We couldn’t ask for more to be fully prepared for next year.”
To see photos of the Kentucky Cup Vaulting, go to http://www.americanvaulting.org/kvc/pr/media.htm.
Lexington, Ky., Aug. 1 – Rachel Bublitz, of Golden, Colo., emphatically won the CV1* women’s division at the Kentucky Cup Vaulting this afternoon, earning the top scores in both the morning’s compulsory round (7.073) and in the afternoon’s freestyle round (6.819).
Bublitz’ overall score of 6.895 kept Kyra McCarty of San Mateo, Calif., in second (6.573) and Kathryn Jaggers, of Portola Valley, Calif., in third (6.508).
Bublitz, 16, of the Golden Gate Vaulters, presented a strong but elegant performance, with some daring movements that outweighed a slight mistake on one pose and her horse, Oliver, breaking to the trot for several strides. She used music by Doris Day for her freestyle.
“I wasn’t sure I’d won by the time I finished, because of those bobbles,” admitted Bublitz.
Josef Martonovich, her longer, said that Bublitz’ personality overcame the minor mistakes. “It was her experience and her cool head that won. It was my mistake that the horse broke to the trot, but she just stayed quiet to let him canter again,” said Martonovich.
He also thought Bublitz performed a more difficult test than most of her competitors, meaning she earned high marks for degree of difficulty. “She’s pushing the edge, and I think that balances it out if there are little mistakes,” he added.
McCarty, 17, vaulted with Vermeer, a relatively new horse on the Mt. Eden Vaulting Team, longed by Jessica Ballenger. Her performance was bold and assured and earned the second-highest freestyle score (6.504). McCarty also earned the second-highest score in today’s compulsory round (6.947).
She said she chose a slow piece of classical music for her freestyle because “it gives me a chance to present myself well, and this time every single move worked. It was the best it’s been all year, so I didn’t really care about the score or the placing because of that.”
Jaggers, 15, a member of the Woodside Vaulters, used an instrumental version of the Rolling Stones classic “Brown Sugar.” Her mount was Pepper Jack, longed by Jennifer Arntsen. Pepper Jack also carried Yvonne Greenen to fourth place and Grace Koz to fifth place.
“I’d used Latin and other types of music before, and this year I decided to try something new, and it was really fun,” said Jaggers.
Joey Gadd, of the Mt. Eden Vaulters, easily held on to the lead he grabbed in the first round of compulsories, decisively winning the men’s one-star freestyle (5.893) to coast to the overall victory (5.843) over Shawn Ricci (5.524) and Clay Thomas (5.318).
To the heavy drumbeats from the theme of the movie “Waterworld,” Gadd, of Saratoga, Calif., turned in a dramatic and mistake-free performance.
“It’s strong music, and I think my horse, Lanson, and I work well with it,” he said.
Gadd, 14, added, “I’m going to go home to California and tell a lot of people how great the Kentucky Horse Park is and tell them to come watch the vaulting at the WEG next year.”
For the two one-star teams, this afternoon’s second and final freestyle was absolutely decisive. The seven-member teams, both from the San Francisco Bay Area, had traded the lead through the two previous rounds, with Mt. Eden winning the compulsory round and Woodside taking the lead after the first freestyle. This afternoon Woodside edged the Mt. Eden Eclipse by .2, leaving them just .013 points ahead in the final calculations.
The Mt. Eden Eclipse team-containing two girls in the top 10 of the one-star individual standings and the leader of the two-star individual competition-showed more sophisticated choreography and musical interpretation. Woodside relied largely on the daring poses of their two 11-year-old fliers (Tessa Divita and Siddhartha Kreaden) to soar high above the ground, and two of the three judges preferred their verve and excitement.
Grace Koz used to be one of the team’s fliers, but now she’s the base for Kreaden. She said that lifting Kreaden over her head is her favorite part of the routine. Kreaden agreed.
“It’s really fun, and I trust Grace a lot,” she said. “I’m going to go home with a smile on my face and remember all the good times we had on our team.”
The other Woodside team members are: Julia Plungy, Katrina Nibbi, Sarah Dunn and Christine Hermann.
The Mt. Eden Eclipse team members are: Megan Benjamin, Kyra McCarty, Laura Yelavich, Merina Rainville, Adna Revell, Stacey Burnett, Steffi Schade and Cate Thomas.
Anna Thomas, of Richmond, Va., and Elizabeth Brigham, of Potomac, Md., won the National Pas de Deux Competition today. They’ve been working together for abut three years and also won the American Vaulting Association national championship last month.
The CVI2* continued today with the technical program, in which vaulters must perform five specified moves within one minute, but they can perform them in any order and add additional moves to enhance their programs.
The two round 1 leaders-Megan Benjamin (7.927) and Kenny Geisler (7.046)-increased their leads with assured and nearly flawless performances.
Mary McCormick (7.753) and Anna Van Vranken (7.498) are trailing Benjamin. Kristian Roberts (6.406) and Mikkel Vandrup (6.405) are trailing Geisler.
The CVI2* competition climaxes on Sunday, starting at 10 a.m.
To see photos of the Kentucky Cup Vaulting, go to http://www.americanvaulting.org/kvc/pr/media.htm.
It has been made official, Danville, Kentucky and Carrickfergus, Nothern Ireland are now twins. What this means simply is that the two(2) cities will work hard to build connections between the two in all possible ways. These kind of relationships will benefit from the Games and create another channel for people in Europe to learn about our Wonderful Commonwealth and we look forward to hosting people from Carrickfergus during the Games.
Danville Advocate Messenger Story
More info on Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland
Thomas Demond
Founder KyWEGO®
Lexington, Ky., July 31 — Kenny Geisler and Megan Benjamin, the most successful American vaulters competing today, solidified the Mt. Eden Vaulters’ domination of the Kentucky Cup Vaulting today. Geisler, 28, is leading the CVI2* men’s division (6.979) at the competition’s halfway point, and Benjamin, 21, is leading the CVI2* women’s division (7.933).
The Kentucky Cup is the vaulting test event for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, on Sept. 25-Oct. 10, 2010.
Benjamin, the 2006 World Champion, won the freestyle decisively today, scoring 7.993 to best runner-up Mary McCormick, 26, of Woodside, Calif. (7.527), who won the compulsory phase yesterday. Benjamin is now the overall leader (7.887), with McCormick second (7.527). Annalise VanVranken, 27, of Mays Landing, N.J., stands third overall (7.520).
“This was the first time everything seemed to go really well in a long time,” said Benjamin, of Saratoga, Calif. Although she was a member of the silver-medal U.S. team at the 2008 World Championships, she said that “for the last year I’ve been doing a lot more studying than vaulting.” She now has her sights set on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
McCormick said that she had some trouble getting used to Lanson 16, who isn’t her usual mount. “I was a little disappointed in the way it went. It felt like we were out of sync with each other,” she said.
Vanvranken was pleased with her score, considering that “I kind of fell out of one of my moves.”
Geisler, an international competitor for more than a decade, won today’s freestyle by .3 points to widen the lead he took in Thursday’s compulsory round. His two-day total of 6.979 has put him comfortably ahead of Kristian Roberts, 16, of Moss Beach, Calif. (6.700). Mikkel Vandrup of Denmark has moved into third place (6.404).
“I just concentrated on trying to do my best today, and that’s how it worked out,” said Geisler, of Sunnyvale, Calif.
Vandrup performed some of the day’s most daring moves, including dismounting with a forward arial cartwheel over the longe line to land next to the horse’s head. But he couldn’t hold the landing and somersaulted once across the ground, coming right back up on his feet.
“I wanted to do my thing—to go out there and entertain, and I hope the people watching had some fun,” said Vandrup, Denmark’s most accomplished male vaulter.
Rachel Bublitz, 16, of Parker, Colo., was the only woman in the CVI1* division to achieve an average score above 7.0 today. With a score of 7.387, she’s now taken a commanding lead (6.844) over Kathryn Jaggers, 15, of Portola Valley, Calif. (6.488). First day leader Kyra McCarty, 17, of San Mateo, Calif., placed third in the freestyle to fall to third overall (6.420).
Rachel Bublitz displays her strong suit, jumps!
“I was really shocked by my scores today, but I’m pleased because I know I could do even better,” said Bublitz. “The jumps are kind of my strong suit, and I did them well.”
McCarty knows that anything could happen in the next two phases. “Sure, I could have done better today, but you can’t complain if you’re in the top three,” she said.
McCarty’s Mt. Eden teammate Joey Gadd held on to the top spot in the men’s CVI1*, winning the freestyle by almost .8 points to take a commanding overall lead (5.832). Gadd was the only one of the three male competitors to not receive a major deduction for falling from the horse’s back.
“It was the best freestyle I’ve ever done,” said Gadd, 14, of Saratoga, Calif. He said he’s suffered a series of minor injuries this year and had missed training. “I thought I did it well this time and that I accomplished my goals,” he added.
Shawn Ricci stands second (5.391), and Clay Thomas stands third (5.363).
The Mt. Eden Eclipse one-star team held its lead in the team competition, despite several mistakes that included one member falling off their horse Sir James. The Woodside team actually won today’s freestyle (5.687 to Mt. Eden’s 5.220), but Mt. Eden’s lead from the compulsory phase has kept them .15 points in front. The Mt. Eden vaulters said they hoped that today’s performance had shaken out their nerves before Saturday’s decisive second freestyle.
But the Woodside two-star team turned the tide on the Mt. Eden Sun team in their division. This Woodside squad also decisively won today’s freestyle—and by enough to take the overall lead. Woodside’s two-day total is 6.569, while Mt. Eden’s is 6.186.
The CVI1* divisions conclude on Saturday with a second compulsory and a second freestyle round. The CVI2* divisions will give a special evening performance to start the second rund. They’ll conclude their competition on Sunday with their second freestyle.
To see photos of the Kentucky Cup Vaulting, go to http://www.americanvaulting.org/kvc/pr/media.htm
About the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). Her Royal Highness Princess Haya is the current president of the FEI. The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.
The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network 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 Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com
Lexington, KY – The Mt. Eden Vaulters, of Saratoga, Calif., dominated the first day of the Kentucky Cup Vaulting at the Kentucky Horse Park. The Kentucky Cup is the vaulting test event for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games next September.
Vaulters representing the Mt. Eden team, of Saratoga, Calif., are leading the all four individual divisions and both of the team competitions.
In today’s individual competitions, each vaulter performed exactly the same one-minute routine of seven exercises, while in the team competition each of the seven members performed twice, performing a total of four exercises each. Judges from Germany, Italy and the United States evaluated them.
Mt. Eden vaulters are standing first and second in the women’s CVI 2*, from a field of 20 starters. Mary McCormick, 26, of Woodside, Calif., nipped Megan Benjamin, 21, of Saratoga, Calif., by 7.826 to 7.781. Benjamin is the reigning World Champion, and McCormick is an accomplished international competitor.
Shannyn Poer, 23, of Venice Beach, Calif., claimed third, scoring 7.463.
“I’m, obviously, very excited to be on top, and being here for this test event makes me feel a lot more prepared for the 2010 WEG,” said McCormick.
Seasoned international competitor Kenny Geisler, 28, of Sunnyvale, Calif., established a sizeable lead in the men’s 2* division, scoring 6.644. Kristian Roberts, 16, of Moss Beach Calif., earned 6.400 to grab second from Erik Martonovich of Las Vegas, Nev. (6.244). Martonovich has returned to competition while continuing his career training horses for and performing with them in stage shows.
“This was one of the best sets I’ve been able to perform in years,” said Geisler.
With a smile, Geisler attributed Mt. Eden’s sweep of the day to “a great organization. We have a lot of people helping us out, but the most credit goes to our coaches, Emma Seely and Jessica Ballenger. They’re always on the prowl for new and better horses and new ideas,” he said.
In the 2* team event, the Mt. Eden Sun Team turned in a clean, smooth and professional performance on Sampson, a horse they’d never vaulted with before. The horse they’d planned to use became sore yesterday. Their performance put them more than 1 point ahead of the Woodside Vaulters.
Kyra McCarty, 17, of San Mateo, Calif., started the Mt. Eden sweep by claiming the narrowest of leads in the CVI 1*. Both she and Rachel Bublitz, 16, of Parker, Colo., earned an average score of 6.300, but McCarty placed first because she scored higher in the tie-breaking exercise. Karly Frankel-Newman, 14, of Menlo Park, Calif., is just behind in third, scoring 6.289. A total of 33 women started the 1* division.
“We all had really clear rounds today,” said McCarty, who’s looking ahead to he decisive freestyle round. “I’m concentrating on being really there mentally for the freestyle. I want to make sure my freestyle is really clean too.”
All the leading vaulters had high praise for the new indoor arena. Benjamin, who won the gold medal at the 2006 WEG in Aachen, Germany, declared, “This arena is already better than Aachen-and I love Aachen. But this is a real indoor arena, not just an arena with a cover over it, so you don’t get wet when it rains. You don’t even hear the rain drops!”
“The arena is organized really well,” said Frankel-Newman. “My horse, Cheval, is normally not a fan of indoor arenas, but he went really well today.”
Joey Gadd, 14, also a member of the Mt. Eden team, said that his horse, Lanson 16, liked the arena too. “It’s very open. It doesn’t seem like a horse-eating cavern to them,” he said.
Gadd said that his horse’s performance was the main reason he took a narrow lead in the men’s CVI 1*, scoring 5.878 to edge Shawn Ricci, 31, of Shawsville, Va. (5.874). Clay Thomas, 14, Newtown, Va., claimed third (5.626) in the three-man field.
“I was a little bit nervous today, but I think I did pretty well in my first international competition,” said Gadd.
“I can’t complain about my performance,” said Ricci, who’s a professional ballet dancer when he’s not vaulting
Thomas said that he “had some mental blocks that kept me back.”
The Mt. Eden Eclipse Team, which includes McCarty and Benjamin, suffered no mental or performance blocks as they took a decisive compulsory lead from the Woodside Vaulters. The seven-member Mt. Eden team scored an average of 6.252, while Woodside scored 5.477.
The Mt. Eden Eclipse Team showed impressively crisp timing as each member vaulted on and off their horse Giovanni, and each team member demonstrated stronger, more assured poses than their rivals.
McCarty said she prefers the team competition to the individual. “If something goes wrong [for me] in the team competition, I get a lot more upset because I’ve let six other people down. I put a lot more fight into the team,” she said.
Almost all the vaulters praised the Ottosport footing that the organizing committee placed over the dirt arena floor for this event. This is the indoor version of the Ottosport footing that’s used in the outdoor arenas at the Kentucky Horse Park.
“It’s the best vaulting footing in the world,” said Benjamin.
“This footing is much more supportive than what we usually vault on. I like it very much,” said Geisler.
About the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). Her Royal Highness Princess Haya is the current president of the FEI. The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.
The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network 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 Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com
The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network 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 Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit
www.alltechfeigames.comCanada and Mexico Share Podium in Debut Event for Kentucky Horse Park’s New Indoor Arena
LEXINGTON, KY-Team USA rider Tom McCutcheon of Aubrey, TX, won the individual final in Kentucky Cup Reining, the first test event for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Held in the Kentucky Horse Park’s new indoor arena, Kentucky Cup Reining, a CRIO4* competition officially sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), featured 12 riders, four each from Canada, Mexico, and the United States. McCutcheon’s win added to a win earlier in the week by Team USA in the team competition.
“There’s nothing that means as much to me as wearing the USA colors and winning for our country,” said McCutcheon, winner of team Gold and individual Silver Medals at the 2002 WEG. McCutcheon received a score of 222.5 from the five-judge panel for his ride on Darlins Not Painted, a 7-year-old, American Paint Horse mare owned by Randy Paul of Scottsdale, AZ, with whom he has been paired for just 10 days. “I love the team concept and I love riding for our country.”
Following McCutcheon in the standings was Canada’s Lisa Coulter, who finished second with a score of 219.5 on Hollywood Aces. Dell Hendricks of Tioga, TX, scored 218.0 on Starbucks Sidekick, a 9-year-old, Quarter Horse stallion, as did Mexico’s Jose Vazquez on Juiced Up Doc, to put the two riders in a tie for third.
“I felt that I got everything out of my horse tonight that I possibly could have gotten,” said an elated Coulter, the only woman rider among the 12 in the field, “but Tom’s mare was just perfect for him. He clearly deserved tonight’s win.”
McCutcheon explained that he was in need of a horse for the Test Event and the decision to ride Darlins Not Painted, a horse with non-pro experience, came after a suggestion from his wife. “She thought it would work. We got her about three weeks ago but I didn’t ride her until last week. I guess I’d have to say I’m happy the way it turned out.”
All four riders praised the organization of the Test Event as well as the new indoor arena. “It was a real thrill to ride here,” said Vazquez. “Everything was perfect and I am honored to have been part of this.”
Hendricks, a team Gold Medalist at the 2006 WEG, added, “This is absolutely the best arena I have ever shown a horse in. There are going to be a lot of great moments in this building!”
About Reining
Reining was added to the FEI as a discipline in 2000 and was featured for the first time in 2002 at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain. Huge crowds for the Reining competitions at the 2006 Games in Aachen, Germany launched the discipline and its athletes into fame, with sold-out performances and loud, fanatical crowds.
As the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games come to Kentucky, the sport of Reining is sure to enjoy a sort of “homecoming” in the US, as the only western discipline recognized by the FEI. Plans are well under way to feature Reining in new and exciting ways in 2010, including a newly approved schedule format – allowing for more public sessions of the discipline.
About the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games:
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). Her Royal Highness Princess Haya is the current president of the FEI. The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.
The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network 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 Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc. and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.
Further information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, including full results of Kentucky Cup Reining, is available on line at www.alltechfeigames.com.
LEXINGTON, KY—The World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc. today announced the American Quarter Horse Association as the Official Reining Breed Sponsor. Reining will be one of eight world championships contested at the Games, which will be held at Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park on September 25-October 10, 2010.
As the Official Reining Breed Sponsor, AQHA will assist with the promotion and coverage of Reining during the 2010 Games, and will be featured in the Equine Village. In addition Reining will be prominently featured during NBC’s 90-minute broadcast of the Games’ opening weekend.
“As the world’s largest single-breed equine organization, we are excited to have the AQHA become a sponsor of the 2010 Games,” said Terry Johnson, vice president of sales and marketing for the Foundation. “This sponsorship will allow us to expose the sport of reining to a mass audience in the United States, and beyond, like never before.”
Reining was added to the FEI as a discipline in 2000 and was featured for the first time in 2002 at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain. The reining competitions at the 2006 Games in Aachen, Germany, launched the discipline and its athletes into fame, with sold-out performances and loud, fanatical crowds.
As the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games come to Kentucky, the sport of reining is sure to enjoy a sort of “homecoming” in the United States as the only western discipline recognized by the FEI. Plans are under way to feature reining in new and exciting ways in 2010, including a newly approved schedule format – allowing for more public sessions of the discipline.
“I also want to recognize our partners at the Reining Horse Sports Foundation who teamed with us on the expanded television coverage. Now more people across the globe will be seeing the discipline of Reining and the horse that does it best.”
The American Quarter Horse Association is the world’s largest single-breed equine registry and membership organization, with more than 5 million American Quarter Horses registered worldwide and AQHA membership numbering more than 330,000. AQHA’s mission is to record and preserve the pedigrees of the American Quarter Horse while maintaining the integrity of the breed and to provide beneficial services for its members which enhance and encourage American Quarter Horse ownership and participation.
World Games 2010 Foundation Testing All Operations
LEXINGTON, KY- The first test event in preparation for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games kicked off with spirited competition and rave reviews for the Kentucky Horse Park’s new indoor arena that opened with the Kentucky Cup Reining competition.
Team USA’s Aaron Ralston made history as the first athlete to compete in the arena.
“After my ride, it really started to sink in. It is so special to be a part of something as big as these preparations for the 2010 Games,” he said. “To be on this team with these athletes-it’s all bigger than just me.”
The competition ran smoothly and the facility preparation received high scores from the teams.
Team USA chef d’equipe Jeff Petska commended the Games’ organizing committee and event management for their outstanding job in putting on the event. “The organizing committee did a fantastic job,” he said. “It’s a great arena and the footing was very, very good. We are very excited for the opportunity to come back here for the 2010 Games.”
Petska also thanked sponsors such as Alltech, Ariat, John Deere, Rolex, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, the American Farriers Association, UK Healthcare, Fortune Realty and Pieratts, for their commitment to reining.
Just as organizers are testing their preparations at Kentucky Cup events, participating countries are testing their best against teams they may see in 2010.
“We certainly have our work cut out for us to beat Team USA and others-such as Germany and Italy who are not here today,” said Team Canada Chef d’Equipe Wendy Dyer. “We will plan as best we can to field the best horses and riders.”
Team Mexico Chef d’Equipe Alberto Hawa noted, “I am very pleased to be here and it is an honor to be part of this first event. I think the arena is very good, and everyone’s teams were very good. We are trying to be better every time and we are learning from the big guys. We are excited to see what will happen between now and next year.”
As reining grows in popularity, organizers and teams know that fans around the world will be looking toward the Kentucky Horse Park and the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games with great anticipation.
Kentucky Cup Reining will conclude Thursday evening with the individual finals at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the event are free to the public. Evening parking at the Kentucky Horse Park is $5.
About the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games:
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). Her Royal Highness Princess Haya is the current president of the FEI. The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.
The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network 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 Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com.
Kentucky Cup Reining Initiates Kentucky Horse Park’s New Indoor Arena
LEXINGTON, KY-With a great sense of anticipation, Team USA’s Aaron Ralston made history as he entered the ring as the first athlete ever to compete in the Kentucky Horse Park’s new indoor arena in Kentucky Cup Reining, the first test event for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
“I really didn’t realize it was happening until afterwards, and then it opened my eyes and it really started to sink in. To be involved in something so big and special as these test events for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and to be on the team with these athletes is so special. It’s all bigger than just me. It’s a great honor and it’s very humbling,” said Ralston, 32, of Silt, CO, winner of team Gold and individual Bronze Medals at the 2006 World Equestrian Games.
Kentucky Cup Reining, a CRI4* competition officially sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), featured teams from Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The U.S. finished first with a team score of 659.50, followed by Canada with 641.00 and Mexico with 631.50. The Individual Final will be held on Thursday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m.
For the test event, Team USA fielded a seasoned team featuring four WEG Gold Medalists. They were led to the win by Shawn Flarida, 40, of Springfield, OH, double Gold Medalist in reining’s WEG debut in 2002. Flarida received a score of 370.00 from the five-judge panel for his ride on Smart Spook, an 8-year-old, AQHA Sorrel stallion owned by Rosanne Sternberg of Aubrey, TX.
Also turning in stellar performances for the winning U.S. team were Ralston, who scored 354.00 on Double My Whiskey, a 6-year-old, Quarter Horse stallion owned by Waggoner Estate of Vernon, TX; his 2006 WEG Gold Medal teammate Dell Hendricks of Tioga, TX, who scored 367.00 on Starbucks Sidekick, a 9-year-old, Quarter Horse, stallion owned by Adair Reiners, LLC; and Tom McCutcheon of Aubrey, TX, winner of team Gold and individual Silver Medals at the 2002 WEG, who scored 362.50 on Darlins Not Painted, a 7-year-old, American Paint Horse mare owned by Randy Paul of Scottsdale, AZ.
While pleased with his team’s performance, Team USA chef d’equipe Jeff Petska pointed out that the team selected for next year’s Games will face a formidable challenge. “Getting ready for a World Equestrian Games is a very involved process and the teams get better every year. It is a sport that began and grew here, but now that advantage is dwindling as the sport is becoming more international. We’re talking to riders and looking for horses because everyone wants to field the best athletes they can. As the sport grows the level of athleticism required for both horses and riders continues to get higher and higher.”
About Reining
Reining was added to the FEI as a discipline in 2000 and was featured for the first time in 2002 at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain. Huge crowds for the Reining competitions at the 2006 Games in Aachen, Germany launched the discipline and its athletes into fame, with sold-out performances and loud, fanatical crowds.
As the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games come to Kentucky, the sport of Reining is sure to enjoy a sort of “homecoming” in the US, as the only western discipline recognized by the FEI. Plans are well under way to feature Reining in new and exciting ways in 2010, including a newly approved schedule format – allowing for more public sessions of the discipline.
About the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games:
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). Her Royal Highness Princess Haya is the current president of the FEI. The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.
The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network 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 Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc. and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.
Further information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, including full results of Kentucky Cup Reining, is available on line at www.alltechfeigames.com.
KENTUCKY CUP REINING STARTS TODAY
LEXINGTON, KY-The first test event of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games begins today as Kentucky Cup Reining slides in the new indoor arena of the Kentucky Horse Park. Kentucky Cup Reining will be the first competition held in the park’s new arena.
Kentucky Cup Reining is a CRI4* competition, officially sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), featuring teams from Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The Nations’ Cup team competition will be held July 21 at 10:00 a.m., and the Individual Final will be held Thursday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m.
“We are thrilled to bring such a spirited rivalry to the Kentucky Horse Park for the first test event,” said Brad Ettleman, reining discipline manager for the World Games 2010 Foundation. “As the fastest growing equestrian sport, reining is a discipline I am confident spectators will enjoy as they get this sneak peak of 2010 competition.”
The Kentucky Cup Reining competition is also an opportunity for organizers of the 2010 Games to test planning and preparations well in advance of next year’s world championships.
“The test events will give us a detailed account of our preparations in many operational areas,” said Foundation CEO Jamie Link. “These opportunities are critical to ensure that we are prepared to successfully host an event of this magnitude and importance in 2010.”
Many 2010 Games sponsors are assisting with Kentucky Cup Reining, including Alltech, John Deere, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, the American Farriers Association, UK Healthcare, Fortune Realty and Pieratts.
About Reining
Reining was added to the FEI as a discipline in 2000 and was featured for the first time in 2002 at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain. Huge crowds for the Reining competitions at the 2006 Games in Aachen, Germany launched the discipline and its athletes into fame, with sold-out performances and loud, fanatical crowds.
As the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games come to Kentucky, the sport of Reining is sure to enjoy a sort of “homecoming” in the US, as the only western discipline recognized by the FEI. Plans are well under way to feature Reining in new and exciting ways in 2010, including a newly approved schedule format – allowing for more public sessions of the discipline.
About the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games:
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). Her Royal Highness Princess Haya is the current president of the FEI. The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.
The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network 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 Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com
“If one were to chronicle the highlights of the past decade at the Kentucky Horse Park, a decade already distinguished by significant accomplishments, the opening of our new Indoor Arena stands as the crowning achievement,” noted John Nicholson, Executive Director of the park.
“Today the Kentucky Horse Park, together with Governor and Mrs. Steven Beshear, the General Assembly, civic leaders and citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky celebrate not only the opening of this impressive structure, but also the successful partnership that produced it, and the legacy of benefits that will flow from it for decades to come.”
The arena was designed by GBBN Architects (offices in Lexington and Louisville), and built by DW Wilburn, a Lexington company. It was designed specifically for the park, after consultations with the leaders of numerous equestrian disciplines, so that it would be the most versatile and user-friendly facility possible. While designed for equestrian competition, the arena will also be used frequently for other types.
Special features include 5,700 stadium seats and nine suites with 200 suite suite seats, a 135 x 300-foot event floor (equal to one football field or four basketball courts) with special equine surface, 20,000 square feet of exhibitor space, six concession areas, a warm-up barn, outdoor warm-up ring, high-tech sound system, 568 parking spaces, and bathrooms with 91 stalls.
Additionally, the fundraising arm of the park, the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, is in the process of constructing a three-barn complex with 312 stalls adjacent to the arena, to provide stabling for the thousands of horses who will compete in the arena. These state-of-the-art barns, funded entirely by the private sector, will allow the Kentucky Horse Park to serve as a competition facility 365 days per year, making the park even more attractive to potential horse shows currently held in other states.
Kentucky Governor Steven Beshear, today’s special guest speaker, stated, “This arena is not just a contribution to the horse industry; it will have a positive effect across the commonwealth. Every citizen in each corner of the Kentucky can take pride in this arena because we will all reap the rewards in terms of additional business and increased awareness around the world.”
The First Lady, Jane Beshear, is an accomplished horsewoman whose involvement with the Kentucky Horse Park began in the late 1970s as a volunteer for Equestrian Events, Inc, the organizing body for the Rolex Kentucky Three Day event, and continued as a member of the Kentucky Horse Park Commission and the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation and then as a competitive rider. She observed, “Representatives from a wide variety of equestrian disciplines were integral in the design process to ensure that this facility would meet the needs of the horses and people who will be competing here. There isn’t another equine center in the world that offers the breadth of competition facilities that are now available at the Kentucky Horse Park.”
The arena is already booked with approximately 30 events. Among the events contracted to use the arena is the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010. The first event to take place will be next week’s WEG Reining Test Event, July 20-23.
Nicholson concluded, “We are grateful to Kentucky’s General Assembly which has been so supportive of this and the other capital improvement projects here at the park. We applaud their foresight and vision in recognizing the long-term benefits that this arena will provide to Kentucky’s citizens. We are very proud to be in a position to draw business into this area to contribute to the prosperity of the commonwealth.”
2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Announces Ticket Prices
Ticket Sales Set to Begin on September 25, 2009
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). Her Royal Highness Princess Haya is the current president of the FEI. The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.
I haven’t had much time to volunteer this summer so I made sure to make the 2nd Annual John Henry Memorial Equine Adoption Fair Saturday, June 27th. I volunteered last year for the 1st Annual so I plan on making this an annual event to volunteer for.
The horse’s were showcased this year at the Breed’s Barn which I find more quaint and hospitable to the Covered Arena. I was told there would be 25 horses showcased from a number of organizations but didn’t do a final count because I had heard a number of horses were adopted in the days prior to the event which is a good thing. The number of people attending seemed less then last year but the crowd still seemed enthusiastic about the event and I do believe this is one of those events that will grow over time and my guess would be by the time the 10th one rolls around this maybe a whole weekend event.
There also was a silent and live auction to raise money for the Kentucky Horse Council’s Save Our Horses Campaign. I did some bidding in the silent auction and managed to win a pair of Polo lessons. I will have to write about the outcome of those lessons as I have never played Polo but I am very interested to give it a try.
Thomas
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