You can easily tell when it is spring in Kentucky.  In addition to the beautiful flowers and trees blooming, the level of equine activity increases significantly.  In Lexington, Keeneland’s Spring Sales and Race Meet just ended, as did the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park.  The people in Louisville, and all across the state, are busy preparing for the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby.

This Spring has been exceptionally exciting for us at the World Games 2010 Foundation.  Earlier today we announced our network broadcasting partner for the Games – NBC Sports.  NBC has a long history of covering equine events and is a perfect fit for the Games.  In fact, be sure to watch the NBC broadcast of this year’s Kentucky Derby on Saturday, followed by the broadcast of Rolex highlights on Sunday afternoon.

Another program we launched just a few weeks ago is for our official volunteer registration.  It has been fascinating to see the widespread enthusiasm from both Kentuckians and people from all 50 states and 48 countries.  To date, we have more than 5500 registered to volunteer in some capacity for the Games.  We wanted to share with you what the Games mean to so many folks, so we are including some quotes that we received from volunteers in this newsletter.

We thank everyone for your continued support of the Games and of our efforts to stage the best world championships ever in 2010.

Sincerely,

Jack

2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Announces
Partnership with NBC Sports  

The World Games 2010 Foundation and NBC Sports today announced NBC as the official network broadcast partner for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The 2010 Games will be the largest equestrian event ever held in the United States, and will be America’s largest spectator sporting event in 2010.  More than 800 athletes and 900 horses from 60+ countries will compete for eight world championships in equestrian sport. 

NBC’s coverage of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games represents the largest major network broadcast of equestrian sport in U.S. television history.

Read more...

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Watch the 2008 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event
Highlights on NBC Sports

Sunday, May 4 at 5 p.m. EDT

The World Games 2010 Foundation would like to give a very special thank you to our "Speakers Bureau Volunteers of the Month:"

Ken Ball, USEF

Dana Edwards, USEF

Sally Baker, American Association of Equine Practitioners

For their hard work and enthusiasm, Ken, Dana, and Sally will each receive a special gift from the 2010 Games.

Thank you to all our Speakers Bureau members who help spread the news about the 2010 Games.

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FORTUNE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES BECOMES THE OFFICIAL COMMERCIAL REALTY COMPANY OF 2010 ALLTECH FEI WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES

Fortune Commercial Properties, a Lexington-based company, has been named the Official Commercial RealtyCompany of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. As part of the partnership, Fortune will provide 10,000 square feet of warehouse space and 6,000 square feet of office space for the World Games 2010 Foundation, as well as a financial contribution in support of the 2010 Games.  The space is expected to be used for storage and as a center of operations for the 6,000-person volunteer program.

Read more...

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American Farrier's Association to Provide
Farriers for 2010 Games

The American Farrier's Association has been named the Official Certified Farriers of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. As the Official Certified Farriers, the American Farrier's Association will provide a farriery on the venue grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park from September 11 until October 10, 2010. Two farriers will be on site per day for the two weeks prior to the Games, and up to six farriers will be on site daily during the 16 days of competition, depending on the event schedule. Athletes will be charged on an individual basis for farrier services according to their needs.

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Kentucky Monthly Selected As
Official Kentucky Magazine
of the 2010 Games

Kentucky Monthly magazine has been selected as the "Official Kentucky Magazine" for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Founded in 1998, Kentucky Monthly magazine celebrates the rich culture of the Commonwealth and has built a strong reputation as the premier publication chronicling life in Kentucky. Every issue overflows with the finest the Bluegrass has to offer, covering stories about the state’s highly acclaimed colleges and universities, one-of-a-kind artists, inspired restaurants and breathtaking destinations. This year the magazine celebrates its 10th anniversary as well as its status as the official magazine of The Cup Experience, the host committee of The Ryder Cup.  

"To be affiliated with the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games is an honor for Kentucky Monthly," said Stephen M. Vest, editor and publisher of the magazine.

Read more...

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Games' Volunteers Speak Out

Here's a sampling of what some of our volunteers said when asked why they wanted to be a part of the 2010 Games.

There is simply no other event in the equestrian world that deserves the support of American Horse enthusiasts more than the upcoming Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games!  As a former competitor at the first WEG in Stockholm1990, where my team took the Bronze for our country, I can say from personal experience that it is a rare chance to be a part of something truly grand and all-encompassing in equestrian sport! 

Nancy Stevens-Brown, Soquel, CA

I am German, but I have been living for the last 10 years in Ivory Coast, Senegal and France. Everywhere I went, I stayed in contact with horses although it was not very easy...I am looking forward to participating in that great adventure which are the World equestrian games because I love horses, I like to meet people and I like competition! And I wish you all the best for the organization of these games!  

Heike Martin, France

The 2010 Games will create a lasting memory of the community and state where we reside. If each of us would contribute our expertise with a smile and friendly hello to all our guests, central Kentucky will be remembered for that hospitality.  I want everyone to know that each of us did a small part to create a favorable image of the area in which we live.

Don C. Sullivan, Lexington KY

 Kentucky Horse Park "Parade of Breeds"
Features 2010 Games

Every year, visitors are dazzled by the colorful costumes and riding demonstrations displayed at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Parade of Breeds. This year, although the show will still display the many breeds from around the world, it is going to be quite different. The horses will be shown in their appropriate costumes and ridden to music as usual, but the show will include much more.

The new show, titled "All Breeds Revue," will be announced by Entertainment Director, Kelli Mardell, from horseback, which allows for more audience participation and also more interaction with the crowd on the part of the staff. The show will still start with a display of the U.S. flag, followed by a tribute to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in 2010, where two or three horses representing the WEG disciplines will be exhibiting modified patterns to introduce some of the events that will be seen at the 2010 Games.  

Next comes a bridge act, which will vary from day to day, but the most commonly include a vaulting routine, the Friesian quadrille, and a trick horse act.   When the bridge is over, the costumed horses are introduced one at a time and stay in the ring until the last horse has finished. Then all the horses, including the announcer’s mount, line up side by side and perform a drill or presentation called "Breeds Around the World" to further illustrate how the KHP merges so many different breeds from around the world into one facility, and also to bring a flash of color moving around the ring for the audience’s enjoyment.

For the Grand Finale, Mr. Clay Maier and his spectacular Friesians will perform a shorter version of his Friesian act. When Clay and his horse(s) are finished exhibiting, everyone will come back in for the line-up and then  go to ringside. The visitors will still get the chance to take a nice group shot and also to talk to the handlers and pet the horses after the show. The Kentucky Horse Park has received an enthusiastic audience response to the new show and expects this year’s show to be even bigger and better than ever. The best part is that it’s all included in KHP admission!

For more information visit the Kentucky Horse Park online.

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  World Games 2010 Foundation Selects Volunteer Coordinator 

The World Games 2010 Foundation is pleased to announce that Melissa Gamble has been promoted to Volunteer Coordinator for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. 

As volunteer coordinator, Ms. Gamble will be responsible for organizing the volunteer program for the 2010 Games, including assessing volunteer needs in all areas of the event, training and work schedules, and communications with all volunteers. More than 6,000 volunteers will be needed to work at least 25,000 volunteer shifts before and during the 2010 Games.  Since January 2008, more than 5,500 people from all 50 U.S. states and 48 countries have registered to volunteer on the Games’ web site, at www.feigames2010.org/get_involved/.

"The opportunity to be a part of something as exciting as the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games is tremendous honor," said Gamble.   "As 2010 approaches, our community and our volunteers will be ready to step forward and share with the world what the unbridled spirit of Kentucky is all about."

Prior to relocating to Lexington in 2007 to pursue a career in the equine industry, Ms. Gamble worked as a real estate paralegal in the Atlanta area.  Disney trained in customer service, Ms. Gamble was also involved in hospitality management in Atlanta and Orlando including a 5-star international hotel chain and a Disney affiliated property in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.  Most recently, Ms. Gamble served as the Office Administrator for the World Games 2010 Foundation

"Melissa’s ability to assess the needs of the Games, and then communicate those needs to our volunteers is exactly what this position needs," said Cathy Rutter, Director of Community and Volunteer Relations.  "Melissa’s enthusiasm, problem solving abilities and customer service attitude will be just what the Games need, and what our volunteers need."

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