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A message from the CEO
One the most important aspects of our hosting of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games is ensuring that its impact can be felt as broadly as possible, linking the Games, the city of Lexington and its surrounding communities, and the state of Kentucky. The breadth of readers of this newsletter is evidence of the wide interest in the Games.
This month the Lexington Herald-Leader ran a three-day series on the two most recent World Equestrian Games. Reporter Linda Blackford and photographer David Stephenson traveled to Aachen, Germany and Jerez de la Frontera, Spain in July to see what opportunities and challenges await Lexington and our Games in 2010. The first story in the series focused on emphasizing the necessity for the Games and the host city to work closely together.
We are pleased to be able to report that, since the day we were awarded the Games, we have been working closely with our local government leaders and many other key community leaders. In fact, Lexington mayor, Jim Newberry, and Georgetown mayor, Karen Tingle-Sames, serve on our board. Mayor Newberry has also appointed a full-time Games Liaison, Mary Wathen, to serve on our board. The city maintains an office in our building and we meet on a continuing basis to discuss a variety of issues.
The Kentucky Horse Park is the host site of dozens of events annually and, as a result, they have an important impact, particularly on our hotels and restaurants. In 2010, the entire community will feel the presence of our Games, and coordination with the city is critical. When Games visitors aren’t on the park grounds, we want them to be downtown or at various other attractions throughout the region enjoying everything the Bluegrass has to offer. In the evenings, we will stage an awards “re-presentation” ceremony in downtown Lexington to bring the Games for all to enjoy. Behind the scenes, we’ll utilize the services of the police, ambulance and fire crews, public works, public transportation, etc. to make all of this run smoothly.
Again, we are happy to report that city and Games coordination is alive and well.
Sincerely,
Jack Kelly
To read the entire Lexington Herald-Leader series click here.
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World Equestrian Games Adds
New Board Members
Sam Barnes—President and CEO of Fifth Third Bank, Kentucky, Inc. Barnes is also a director of the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, the Downtown Lexington Corporation, Commerce Lexington and is a trustee of Transylvania University.
Becky Jordan— Ms. Jordan is an avid reining enthusiast and mother of Lyndsey Jordan, a two-time world champion NHRA reiner and USEF reining champion. Jordan has also been named the chair of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on the 2010 Games, where she has been a member since its inception. She also serves as a board member of the Kentucky Horse Park Commission and Foundation.
John Long—CEO of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the National Governing Body for Equestrian Sport. Prior to joining USEF, Long was COO of Churchill Downs, Inc. Mr. Long is also a member of several FEI international committees and is a breeder of Friesians.
Everett McCorvey—Director of the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre Program and a professor of voice at the University. As a tenor, McCorvey has performed professionally with the Metropolitan Opera Company; Radio City Music Hall; the Aspen Music Festival; and the Teatro Comunale in Florence, Italy, with his wife, Alicia Helm; and with such groups as the American Spiritual Ensemble, which he founded.
Jack Smith—Mr. Smith is a long-time Lexingtonian and avid horseman. Smith founded Hunter Manufacturing, a well-known manufacturer of high quality licensed sports collectibles that is still headquartered in Lexington today.
Joe Terry—Partner, Dinsmore & Shohl law firm. His practice includes general business and corporate law, banking, and sports marketing among others. He serves as a board member of the Lexington Area Sports Authority and the Kentucky Sports Authority.
Karen Tingle-Sames—Mayor of Georgetown, Kentucky. She has been active in community planning efforts as they relate to the 2010 Games due to the proximity of Georgetown to the Kentucky Horse Park. She is Georgetown’s first female mayor. She served three terms as a council member prior to being elected Mayor in 2006.
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The 2010 Countdown Show
Live Sundays from noon to 1 p.m. (EST)
Upcoming Radio Shows
September 2 - U.S. Pony Club
September 9 - Security & the Games
(Kevin Tyo, Kentucky Homeland Security member )
September 16 - Para Equestrian Riding
( North American Riding Handicapped Association)
Note: Topics and guests are subject to change.
To listen live or download previous shows click here. This will take you to 630 WLAP's 2010 Countdown Show homepage. On the right side of the screen you'll find the links to either listen to the show live or to download previous shows.
If you have questions for us about the 2010 Games send us an email and we'll answer them on air.
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Mike Gobb (bottom right), Blue Grass Airport's Executive Director, discusses preparations being made at the airport with Terry Johnson (left) and Jack Kelly (center) for the 2010 Games. |
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World Games Foundation Adds New Staff Members
The World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc. welcomed three new employees this month.
Holley Groshek has been hired as Director of Administration. A native of Rochester New York, Ms. Groshek most recently served as the Executive Director of the Kentucky World Trade Center. She holds an M.B.A. from the State University of New York Binghamton University of School Management.
 Danielle Landolt joins the Foundation as Senior Marketing Coordinator. Ms. Landolt is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and earned her M.A. in Communications from the University of Kentucky in 2006. She most recently served as the Director of Marketing for the Kentucky Sports Authority. Ms. Landolt is a native of Trenton, Michigan.
 Amy Walker has been hired as Public Relations Assistant. Ms. Walker joins the Foundation from her recent post as an anchor, reporter, and producer at WYMT-TV in Hazard, Kentucky. She is a 2004 graduate of Georgetown College, and holds an M.S.J. from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She is a native of Somerset, Kentucky.
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Feeding for performance: Nutrition and the horse
Never heard of Alltech? Have a look at the back of a feedbag or supplement tub, and you may well find you are already using their products. As specialist ingredient manufacturers, with core equine brands including Yea-Sacc®1026 digestive enhancer, Mycosorb®, Sel-Plex® natures model of organic selenium and Bioplex® organic trace minerals, they already supply major horse feed manufacturers worldwide. They have offices in 85 countries around the world, and are listed as one of the top 20 animal health companies, alongside pharmaceutical multinationals. Not bad for a company that produces natural nutrition products for animals, which until recently was seen as a highly specialized market. Alltech is one of the few companies that devote serious research dollars to equine nutrition research, funding projects examining the effects of fungal and entophyte toxins in grass, optimal mineral nutrition and improved digestion and protection against colic in horses.
Yeast cultures – a feeding revolution
One of the most important aspects of equine nutrition is the health and maintenance of the microbial population that inhabits the hindgut (caecum and colon) of the horse. It is here that the natural fermentation of forage occurs and the horse is highly dependant on this process for its health and wellbeing. Utilizing a feeding program that incorporates the use of direct-fed microbials is one way to ensure that a steady supply of healthy microbes are provided to the hindgut. Researchers long ago discovered the benefit of direct-fed microbials in horse rations, well before the human market experienced its recent growth surge. Direct-fed microbials help to stabilize the hindgut during times of stress and also have been shown to have many other health benefits to the horse. Alltech’s equine specialist, Jon Townson explains yeast cultures such as Yea-Sacc®1026 can help prevent digestive upsets. “EU and FDA approvals permit Yea-Sacc®1026 to be used in a preventative manner, by helping to restore the beneficial microbial population where an influx of undigested cereal has altered hindgut acidity, for example. Trial data published in the Journal of Animal Science also shows that Yea-Sacc®1026 helps ‘buffer’ against fluctuating hindgut acidity and assists in the restoration of normal gut function,” he says.
Alltech is one of the world’s leading animal health companies and is the first-ever title sponsor of the FEI World Equestrian Games. Go here to learn more about Alltech.
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Observations in Paradise
WEG Organizers Showcase Kentucky at Pan-American Games
By: Amy Walker
 A group from the World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc. traveled to Brazil in July to observe the Pan-American Games, its equestrian venues, and the impact of the Games on the host city of Rio de Janeiro.
Operations Manager Scott Lowery said the experiences they bring back from trips such as this are always different, and always valuable to the success of planning the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, scheduled for September 25-October 10 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.
The group studied everything, he said, from accreditation to ticketing, and from the media center to the groom and stable complexes. They also studied how language barriers impacted their ability to traverse the host city, and more specifically the event venues.
 The observation group included (from left to right) Foundation CEO Jack Kelly, Foundation COO Rob Hinkle, Operations Manager Scott Lowery and Kentucky Horse Park President and Games Foundation Board of Directors President John Nicholson.
“We went as an observation group, not only to observe the set up and execution of the equestrian events, but also to see what it’s like to be a foreign person traveling to the event,” Lowery explained.
“Some of the countries in Central and South America have not been able to participate as easily in Europe,” he noted. “But the U.S. provides more accessible ports for many of those countries to ship their horses, so we hope to get more competitors from those areas in 2010.”
 The group also traveled around the region to get a feel for how the Pan-American Games affected local communities. Lowery says transportation and language barriers are always interesting challenges. He also noted that people from many different cultures will be experiencing Kentucky during the 2010 Games.
“Every time we have the opportunity to experience a foreign country during an event like this, we usually also take advantage of being overseas and visit an interesting city or country,” he said. “Many people coming from Europe and other countries for the Games will also want to see what our state and region have to offer while they are here.”
The World Games 2010 Foundation also hopes to introduce a new audience to Kentucky by showcasing the Games during other international equestrian events. While in Rio de Janeiro, the Foundation, in conjunction with FEI and USEF, organized a reception to help spread the message.
 With a party theme of “Cocktails and Horse Tales in Paradise,” attendees included members of national equestrian federations, international media, and even athletes who medaled in equestrian events at the Pan-American Games. Alltech, the title sponsor of the 2010 Kentucky Games, was also represented, with members from the Brazilian corporate offices in attendance.
And Kentucky is already catching the attention of the equestrian world.
“Everyone is excited,” said Lowery of the response at the reception. “They view Kentucky as a great horse place, and the Horse Park as a perfect venue to host such a large event.”
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Special Thank You’s
The World Games 2010 Foundation Inc. would like to give special thanks to the individuals and companies below:
Paulo and Kem Barbosa - Special thanks for all your help with the planning and coordination of the Cocktails and Horse Tales Reception at the Pan-American Games.
Kentucky Blue Grass Airport - A special thanks goes out to the entire staff of the Blue Grass Airport for donating the display space in the terminal.
Pieratts - Thank you for continued support of the World Equestrian Games and our media needs.
BlueGrass Mailing Services - Thanks for providing us with the electronic newsletter and database for online communications.
John Tredennick -Catalyst XE software
Walker Rush Group - Graphic design services
PHI Air Medical - Medical helicopter
America's Finest Woodworking - Cabinetry for our offices
Clay Ingells - Brick work for the World Games Foundation
Alltech - Interior Design and Furnishings
United States Equestrian Federation - Rent and services
The Lane Report - Advertising
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Q & A with Katherine Poulin-Neff
By Crystal Bennett
Katherine Poulin-Neff, a classical dressage rider from the 2007 U.S.A team joined us for a quick interview. Katherine was the youngest person on this year’s US team to compete and win a gold medal. She is a talented and experienced young rider who looks forward to competing at the 2010 WEG.
 1. Describe yourself in three words.
A. Fun, Honest, Easy-going
2. When did you start riding?
A. I started riding when I was 5 years old
3. How did you get started?
A. Both of my parents were trainers and judges and I got interested in riding by watching them.
4. What’s your hometown?
A. Newbury, OH
5. What’s your next favorite sport besides equestrian sport?
A. Soccer
6. If you were not a rider, what would your second career choice be?
A. I have two careers that I am interested in: Physical Therapy and Marine Biology
7. Do you have any pre-competition rituals or superstitions?
A. Yes, before a competition I usually go off by myself and listen to music, stretch, and visualize my test to keep myself calm. Secondly, I never watch other competitors test before I ride.
8. To this point in your career, what has been your most memorable competition?
A. The Pan-Am Games this past summer.
9. How did you feel being the youngest member of the US team to compete at the Pan-Am games?
A. I felt like everyone respected me and that they treated me fairly. No one treated me differently just because I was younger.
10. How did it feel to win a gold medal?
A. I felt so many different emotions. I was excited, nervous, emotional, and exhausted all at the same time. The few minutes that I stood on the podium were totally worth all the many years of hard work.
11. What advice would you give to a young rider just getting started?
A. Never give up on your dreams even though it’s not going to be easy. However, if it’s important to you stay focused, it will pay off in the end. Secondly, have a great trainer and a support group to guide you.
12. Name a figure that you would most like to meet dead or alive?
A. President John F. Kennedy
13. What is one random fact about you that no one would guess?
A. I LOVE KETCHUP!
 14. Where is your favorite place to visit?
A. Maine, because we have a camp there.
15. Throughout your career, who has influenced you the most?
A. My parents.
16. What qualities do you find in horses that you love so much?
A. I like a horse that is more of a thoroughbred, has heart, a good temperament and a desire to work.
17. Do you have a favorite quote or motto?
A. No, I just believe in being positive.
18. Although you have ridden several horses which one holds a special place in your heart and why?
A. Herb Commander. He is 22 years old and is still a happy horse. He has always wanted to work and be ridden, plus he gave me my FEI experience. Herb Commander has all the qualities that I look for in a horse.
19. What is your favorite thing to do after a competition?
A. Sleep and eat.
20. Where do you hope see yourself in 3 years? *hint, hint*
A. Definitely, at the World Equestrian Games! Everyone is so excited that the Games are coming to America.
21. If you could have one super power what would it be?
A. I wish that I could snap my fingers and everything would be clean or flying would be nice!
Photos courtesy of Gwen Poulin.
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A message from the editor:
First, thank you all for taking the time to register for our newsletter. Over the next three years we are preparing ourselves for one of the most prestigious events in U.S. equine and sporting history. I know that everyone has questions about several subjects concerning the games including: tourism, tickets, vendor/trade fair and travel. We'll try to answer these questions and more in the coming months. If you have any questions that are not covered in this newsletter please email us.
Thank you and enjoy.
Crystal Bennett
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