01.13.09
Posted in Adventure Tourism, Bluegrass Region, Fort Harrod Back Country Horsemen, Kentucky, Volunteerism at 10:38 pm by Thomas
Harrodsburg, KY, January 12, 2009 – A local team of oxen, owned by Fort Harrod Back Country Horsemen (Ft. Harrod BCH) member Brian Rogers, will work with trail enthusiasts on February 7-8, 2009 to clean out an old dump site at Eagle’s Nest Equestrian Trails in Harrodsburg. The site primarily contains old tires which work crews will dislodge and load onto a sled pulled by the trained steers.
Rogers’ oxen currently are used for light farm work including pulling a chain drag, pulling logs, moving stones and feed, and more. The two-and-a-half year old pair has been working in yoke for the past two years and travel annually to participate in the Midwest Ox Drover’s Gathering in Scotts Michigan.
“By using oxen to remove the debris we hope to limit the impact on the environment and minimize damage to the vegetation. This is also a great way for us to incorporate the use of draft stock in our trail maintenance efforts,” stated Emily Dennis, President of the Ft. Harrod BCH.
The tires will be removed from the Cornishville Road area of Eagle’s Nest to a proper disposal location. Eagle’s Nest Trail Boss, Dennis Blackburn, is currently working with other Ft. Harrod BCH members and the local community to identify a low cost or no cost recycling or disposal alternative for the tires.
Eagle’s Nest Equestrian Trails is closed for both January and February to reduce impact and erosion to the trails. The scheduled work days are to be conducted on foot and without horses.
Individuals wishing to join the trail clean up efforts will be shuttled from the pavilion at Eagle’s Nest to the clean up site. Clean up efforts begin at 10 a.m. with a midday lunch break featuring potluck chili. Participants are asked to bring prepared chili to mix and heat at the work site or an appropriate side dish and their own non-alcoholic beverages. RSVP to confirm attendance by contacting Dennis Blackburn at 859-613-2665 or hardrockfarm@gmail.com.
For more information or to join the Fort Harrod Back Country Horsemen contact Emily Dennis at edennis@fewpb.net or 502-330-8798 or Dennis Blackburn at hardrockfarm@gmail.com or 859-613-2665.
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01.05.09
Posted in 2010 Games, Announcement, Jamie Link, World Games 2010 Foundation at 9:48 pm by Thomas
LEXINGTON, KY— The World Games 2010 Foundation today announced that it has selected Jamie Link as the new Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Link has been serving as Deputy Secretary of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet since December 2007 and prior to that spent several months as the Deputy Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park. In his current role, he has served as an ex officio member of the World Games 2010 Foundation board of directors and has been actively involved in the ongoing construction projects at the Kentucky Horse Park and major vendor selections related to the Games.
“I am honored to be selected as CEO of the World Games 2010 Foundation and look forward to working with the wonderful staffs of the Foundation and the Kentucky Horse Park,” Link said. “It is going to take all of us working together and we are committed to showcasing to our visitors not only the world’s finest equestrian venue that is the Kentucky Horse Park, but also the many amazing attractions we have throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky.”
“I have watched Jamie participate in many of the meetings and was impressed with his ability to get things done. The planning for the Games is at a critical juncture and we need to have a full time CEO to manage the process for the next 21 months,” said John Long, board chairman and acting CEO. “Jamie’s familiarity with the Games planning means he will be able to jump in immediately and make an impact.”
Long also added that the Games proactively recruited Mr. Link. There was no pressure from the state. In fact, Long said that Secretary Marcheta Sparrow—also a board member—politely reprimanded him for stealing Link.
Secretary Sparrow added “although I am sorry to lose Jamie as my co-worker in state government I am confident in his abilities to lead the Games at this critical time. His knowledge of the Kentucky Horse Park and the importance of this event to our state’s image throughout the world is tremendous.”
John Nicholson, Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park said “having known and worked with Jamie Link for a number of years, I can state with confidence that he is uniquely qualified for this position and I am delighted that he has accepted the Board’s offer. Everyone at the Kentucky Horse Park has witnessed firsthand Jamie’s uncommon talent, integrity and dedication during his time as Deputy Director. He understands the Park’s day-to-day operations and the special needs of the Park for the 16 days of high level championship competition. In addition, it is helpful to have someone familiar with all of our key community and state leaders involved in this project to help streamline our efforts. I look forward to once again having the pleasure of working with him as we build toward, not only this epoch moment in our history, but for the great legacy it will provide.”
Link will officially begin serving as CEO on January 12, but has already begun the transition and attending meetings as needed to be up-to-date on all operations when he joins the staff full-time.
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), and are held every four years. The Games have never before 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 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 other current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere and Ariat International, Inc. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit
Media Contacts:
World Games 2010 Foundation
Amy Walker
859-255-2010 ext. 235 or 859-699-0443 (cell)
awalker@feigames2010.org
Ellen Gregory
Preston-Osborne
859-231-7711 ext 234 or 859-338-1775 (cell)
elgregory@preston-osborne.com
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01.01.09
Posted in Announcement, Updates at 10:05 pm by Thomas
We want to wish everyone a Happy New Year.
Its going to be a busy and exciting year with only 631 more days until the start of the Games. We always use the first 16 days of the year for organizational purposes so we will not have any further updates until after that but part of our organizational efforts will be to bring additional support online for our efforts.
KYWEGO
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12.24.08
Posted in Announcement at 11:55 pm by Thomas
We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and safe travels.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas.
Supporters of KentuckyWorldEquestrianGames.ORG.
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12.02.08
Posted in 2010 Games at 11:09 pm by Thomas
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: December 2, 2008
LEXINGTON, KY— The World Games 2010 Foundation today unveiled the Official Image of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, created by internationally renowned artist LeRoy Neiman.
The painting features each of the eight equestrian sports that comprise the World Equestrian Games, illustrated in Mr. Neiman’s style of brilliantly-colored, energetic imagery. As the Official Commemorative Artist of the 2010 Games, creating the piece was a return to a subject, and a place, with which Mr. Neiman has had a lifelong love.
“The horse has always been a favorite subject of mine, from the work horse to race horses,” said Mr. Neiman. “Kentucky is horse country, where this noble animal is prominent and appreciated. It has been a joy to paint the eight different disciplines for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. I’m looking forward to attending in 2010 with sketchbook in hand.”
The painting will initially be stored and displayed at the International Museum of the Horse at Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park, the site of the 2010 Games. A traveling schedule for the painting is in development. In addition, Cobalt Artworks of Louisville, Kentucky hopes to present a retrospective exhibition featuring Mr. Neiman’s collection of equestrian work in downtown Lexington during the 2010 Games.
“When it comes to sports, and particularly sport in America, Leroy Neiman has been an icon for more than a half century. We are extremely pleased and honored to know that he will now be represented in our collections,” said Bill Cooke,Curator, “A Gift from the Desert” exhibition and “The Arabian Horse Galleries”. “That his wonderful painting depicts all aspects of the most significant event in the history of the Kentucky Horse Park makes this even more special.”
Official merchandise including signed and official posters and notecards of the print, are now available at the 2010 Games online store, at www.feigames2010.org. or at Cobalt Artworks gallery site, www.cobaltartworks.com. Merchandise featuring the individual disciplines as depicted in Mr. Neiman’s painting is also in development.
“Having a LeRoy Neiman painting is a special achievement for any sporting event, and we are honored that the 2010 Games will be another great canvas to join his great body of work,” said John Long, Chairman of the World Games 2010 Foundation Board of Directors.
Best known for his images of sporting events and leisure activities, LeRoy Neiman is considered one of the most popular living artists in the United States. He has been the official artist of five Olympics, four Super Bowls, as well as the Breeders’ Cup and the Kentucky Derby. He has most recently been in Kentucky to attend the 37th Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville and was the Official Commemorative Artist for that prestigious event. Mr. Neiman was commissioned as the Official Artist of the 2010 Games and began research on the work in October of 2007.
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), and are held every four years. The Games have never before 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 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 other current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, and Ariat International, Inc. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.feigames2010.org.
Cobalt Artworks is a Louisville based publishing and licensing company and is currently hosting a year-long retrospective of Neiman’s work entitled “LeRoy Neiman – Five Decades.” The exhibit is comprised of paintings, prints, drawings, books and posters curated from the Artist’s personal collection and will be on display through December, 2008. For more information about the Neiman retrospective please call (502) 584-0020 or visit www.cobaltartworks.com.
Media Contacts:
World Games 2010 Foundation
Amy Walker
859-255-2010 ext. 235
awalker@feigames2010.org
Colbalt Artworks
Ben Isaacs
502-584-0020
bisaacs@cobaltart.com
LEROY NEIMAN PAINTING FOR 2010 ALLTECH FEI WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES
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11.01.08
Posted in Advertisement at 12:16 am by Thomas
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10.02.08
Posted in 2010 Games, Kentucky, Kentucky Horse Council, Kentucky Horse Park, Media Day, United States Dressage Federation at 10:47 pm by Thomas
The Kentucky Horse Park hosted the 3rd Annual Kentucky Horse Park and National Horse Center Media Day. For anyone in the media this is a great learning experience on all that is the Kentucky Horse Park no matter if you are in Equine media or not and I highly recommend it. The day started out with a number of breed and discipline demonstrations in the covered arena.
Patricia (PJ) Cooksey discussed (from horseback) the many aspects of the Kentucky Racing Commission and the changes that have been implemented this year. She was well received and answered a number of good questions. Dr. Nathan Slovis gave an in-depth demonstration of the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Equine Ambulance with audience participation.
It was then on to the Club Lounge for lunch with John Nicholson in which he presented his vision of unity throughout the horse industry that the Kentucky Horse Park is facilitating by currently being the headquarters of 33 Equine Organizations both big and small. He pointed out that for every employee the Horse Park employees the private organizations there employ 3. He also pointed out that the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will be viewed by some 500 Million people around the world and that for many of them this will be their first discovery of Kentucky.
John’s passion for the Kentucky Horse Park is always palpable and he summed up the role of the Kentucky Horse Park by saying he expects people to come to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010 and fall in love with Kentucky and that some of those people will then move their business’ to Kentucky. There is no question that I agree with that sentiment and that these Games are the most significant thing to happen to Kentucky since the birth of Abraham Lincoln.
After lunch we received very nice Gift bags provided by the United States Dressage Foundation that had all kinds of cool stuff in them. We then loaded onto a motorcoach sponsored by Kentucky Horse Council for a tour of the park and the ongoing construction of the new park facilities. Currently the Horse Park is booked for 3 years into the futures and there is an event going on at the Horse Park every weekend but 2. Nina Bonnie Blvd, the main East-Main thoroughfair through the Horse Park is going to be widened and will be the main pedestrian thoroughfair for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010.
We saw the new indoor arena which is well underway and scheduled to be in use by June 2009 with shows allready booked for it next summer. The arena will have seating for 7,000 with 40,000 sq ft of exhibitor space and will host the Reining and Vaulting for the Games. We then moved on to the TRF-Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center which works to re-school racehorses and find them new homes. Susanna M. Thomas is the Director of the Center and is a wonderful great advocate for this wonderful endeavor. As she put it, “Every Horse has a Story”. Our next stop was the new facilitiy under construction for the Central Kentucky Riding for Hope. Pat Cline provided us with all the good work the CKRH does and that part of the reason for their great success was the 280 active volunteers they had last year. As always I will say, here is another great cause for those of you looking to volunteer.
To finish up the day we headed over to the Combined Driving Event that is going on at the Horse Park through the weekend. On our way we past the location for the new Outdoor Stadium which is starting to take shape and is on schedule to be completed next year. It will have permanent seating for 7,500 and be expandable to hold 27,500 for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
I want to give a special thanks to Lisa Jackson who was a gracious host and provided a number of us rides to different area’s of the park at the end of the day. I also want to thank the sponsors which allow the Kentucky Horse Park to put on this event for no charge to the Media, I for one am greatly appreciate for this opportunity. I look forward to seeing everyone out there again next year.
Thomas
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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
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09.24.08
Posted in Louisville, Volunteerism at 9:17 pm by Thomas
The Kentucky Horse Park put on a Soiree for the players and staff of the 2008 Ryder Cup at Churchill Downs last Friday night. The Soiree consisted of 16 horses, numerous Horse Park staff and volunteers and was met with great weather and a wonderful crowd. As for me personally I had a great time, these are the kind of events that are like iceing on the cake of volunteering.
The Ryder Cup of course was great fanfare for the Commonwealth of Kentucky and provided a glimpse of the attention the Commonwealth will receive in two years with the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. I can’t say enough good things about the efforts the Horse Park does to promote the State and to show why we are the “Horse Capital of the World”. As always I will say if you have some time on your hands and would like to get involved in a great cause volunteer out at the Horse Park, whether you are a horse person or not you will find it a great experience.
Thomas
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09.11.08
Posted in United States at 8:52 am by Thomas
On this day I want to say for myself and this organization, We Will Never Forget and our thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends and loved ones of those lost that fatefull day seven years ago. For those lost, you will always remain in our hearts and souls and so you will never truly be lost or forgotten.
Thomas
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09.01.08
Posted in 2010 Games, Announcement, Position Statements at 9:27 pm by Thomas
Happy Labor Day, you don’t probably here that often. Labor Day is the last hurrah of the Summer and so its understandable that the idea of celebrating Labor not something we think about. I won’t even step into the conversation of Labor = Job. No I want to talk about the concept of Doing, of applying human mental and physical force to a task at hand and getting it accomplished, that is my broad definition of Labor. That can be a Labor of Love or a Labor of Need, but ultimately Doing something is at the core of us as humans, pretty much because it is at the core of survival.
So today I want to Celebrate Labor, a Labor of Love, my Labor of promoting the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010, and pursuing a goal of seeing some form of the Kentucky World Equestrian Games continue past 2010 and of seeing Kentucky’s involvement in hosting a Summer Olympic Games sometime in the future, if not in my lifetime then in my son’s.
I prefess that these are honorable goals and I seek your support and Labor in seeing that we accomplish those goals for the benefit of all.
Thomas Demond
Founder
Kentucky World Equestrian Games .ORG
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08.05.08
Posted in Adventure Tourism, Announcement, Kentucky at 10:48 pm by Thomas
Wanted to post some quick information about another organization that I am a founding member of called the Fort Harrod Back Country Horsemen. This is a group of horse trail enthusiasts in Central Kentucky that recently formed this non-profit organization as a 501(c)3 corporation. The founding of this organization is largely the brain child of Emily Dennis of Big Red Stables, who is also now our President by unanimous vote. We held our first trail ride/maintenance out at Eagles Nest in Mercer county this past Saturday and had some two dozen members turn out for it. Members of this group have also been involved in GPS mapping of trail areas in Central Kentucky which most likely be part of the trail system across that State that hopefully will be useable in time for the Games. Emily actually testified before the State Legislature on SB 196 (Kentucky Adventure Toruism Initiative) which was the bill that provided the mechanism for the State to negotiate with land owners to create this trail system.
I will provide more information here soon on joining this group, if you want information quicker then that jut drop me an email, thomas at kentuckyworldequestriangames dot org (spam bot shielding).
Thomas
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07.15.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 7:47 pm by Thomas
It hit the airwaves late today that Jack Kelly, CEO of the World Games 2010 Foundation has submitted his resignation effective July 31, 2008. Little explanation beyond personal reasons was given for what appears to us on the outside to be out of the blue but I am one that believes that people do not have to give detailed reasons when they resign such a position. Jack Kelly will be missed, no doubt about that but with a little more then two years to go until the Games there is enough time for the board to appoint someone else with hopefully little negative impact to the course of the Games success. In truth I believe Mr. Kelly did the honorable thing in that he had some questions about his ability to stay with this through its completion and so chose to resign now in order to minimize his loss in such a key role. So I give my thanks and appreciation to Mr. Kelly for all that he has done for the Games and wish him all the best in the rest of his life.
Thomas Demond
Founder
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07.04.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 9:30 pm by Thomas
I wanted to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July. Because of what the 4th of July celebrates, our Independence, I am able to post these words for everyone to read without fear of censor by the Government. I am also able to pursue the success of the Kentucky World Equestrian Games in an environment that not only supports but natures the ideas of free people to be successful. So on this and everyday I am happy and proud to be an American.
Thomas Demond
Founder KyWEGO
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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
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06.04.08
Posted in Chicago 2016, International Olympic Committee (IOC), Summer Olympic Games at 9:14 pm by Thomas
We are very excited to report that it was announced today in Athens, Greece by the IOC that Chicago made the short list for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. The three(3) other cites that made the short list are Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and Madrid. All indications are that Chicago holds a slight lead over Tokyo but Rio and Madrid are not far behind. The final announcement will be made October 2, 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark roughly a year before the World Equestrian Games come to Kentucky.
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