Kentucky Wins Bid to Host the World's Largest Equestrian Competition in 2010
KENTUCKY, December 21, 2005. First Time Outside of Europe, is to be staged at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky
For the first time, the FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) will be held outside Europe in 2010, when the games move to the United States. .
The F'ed'eration Equestre Internationale (FEI), which is the international governing body for non-racing equestrian sports, made the decision that the games will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, the Horse Capital of the World.
As the games are expected to have a $100-million economic impact on the state of Kentucky, Governor Ernie Fletcher's campaign platform included promises to strengthen and improve the state's equine industry. He observed, "This will be an unprecedented opportunity for our Commonwealth to showcase itself to the world. It is both fitting and proper that Kentucky should serve as the host for this prestigious series of events.We are known as the epicenter of the equestrian world and we have a deep appreciation for all things associated with the horse. We also have a rich history in the equestrian arena that sets us apart from virtually every other region in the world. I know that we will stage a very successful series of competitions and I know that the world will gain a new appreciation for the beauty of our state and the hospitality of our citizens."
John Nicholson, Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park, now has the honour and responsibility of hosting and shouldering the WEG. "This will be the first time that the FEI World Equestrian Games will be staged at a single venue. I believe that Kentucky's heritage as the Horse Capital of the World, combined with the world-class facilities at the park, won the games for our state.
The WEG comprises the world championships for seven equestrian sports: show jumping, dressage, eventing, driving, endurance, vaulting and reining. The games are held every four years, in the middle of the Olympic cycle, and are governed by the FEI, based in Lausanne, Switzerland and recognized by the International Olympic Committee.
The games will take place during two weeks in the fall of 2010 and have estimated ticket sales of 300,000. More than 1,000 athletes representing 50 countries are expected to participate. The games will be broadcast live from the Kentucky Horse Park to 40 countries and reported by more than 1,000 members of the international media.
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