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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Governor, First Lady welcome the world to Kentucky for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
FRANKFORT, Ky. – On the eve of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Gov. Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear today welcome athletes, guests and others to Kentucky for the international competition that opens Saturday at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.
“Kentucky has spent several years preparing for this event and as opening day approaches, we are especially grateful to the sponsors, the thousands of volunteers and those who bought tickets who will help make the first World Equestrian Games hosted in America a great success,” said Gov. Beshear. “Jane and I are excited to see the games get underway and hope all Kentuckians take the opportunity to visit the games or watch coverage of the games on NBC Sports.”
Governor and Mrs. Beshear will attend the opening ceremonies at the Kentucky Horse Park, which begin Saturday at 7 p.m.
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are composed of eight disciplines – dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, jumping, para dressage, reining and vaulting. Competitors from 58 countries are expected to participate during the games Sept. 25-Oct. 10.
“The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will be a unique opportunity to promote our love of horses as well as tourism and business in Kentucky,” said First Lady Jane Beshear. “With thousands of guests and NBC broadcasting the games, millions of people from around the world will get to see and learn about our great Commonwealth. As Kentucky prepares to take the national spotlight, we have much to be proud of.”
Besides the competitions, visitors at the Kentucky Horse Park will also be able to learn about Kentucky art, culture, food, business and tourism at the Kentucky Experience, a pavilion devoted to Kentucky life. There will also be an Equine Village and trade show that will showcase the largest gathering of the best-known equine entertainers, clinicians and breed representatives ever assembled in the U.S.
Alltech, the title sponsor for the games and a global leader in animal nutrition and health, will have a four-acre Alltech Experience to welcome guests and tell about the international nature of the games and the sponsor’s global business.
Visitors to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games who pay to park on the Kentucky Horse Park grounds can catch a free shuttle that will take them directly to the front entry of the park. Shuttles will also take visitors back to the parking area when they leave the park. The shuttle service will be provided by the World Games 2010 Foundation, with support from Affiliated International Ministries (AIM), for both spectators and those who need mobility assistance to the main entry of the games. Within the games grounds, mobility shuttles will assist spectators in need of assistance in traveling between the various venues. These golf cart shuttles will be available for pick up outside of each venue and will be able to accommodate wheelchairs.
Some events have been sold out but there are still tickets available for many others. For more information about the games and ordering tickets, visit www.alltechfeigames.com. Following the opening of the games on Sept. 25, spectators will be also able to buy tickets at the front gate of the Kentucky Horse Park.
In addition to the games and other events at the Kentucky Horse Park, the Alltech Fortnight Festival will present entertainment acts in cities across the state through Oct. 10 to help celebrate the games in Kentucky. Entertainers include Wynonna Judd, The Temptations, Jason Mraz, Chubby Checker, Marvin Hamlisch, Tony Bennett, John Lithgow, the Beach Boys, Kenny Rogers, Nickelback, Loretta Lynn, Miranda Lambert, Charlie Daniels Band and Debby Boone- just to name a few. Visit www.alltechfortnightfestival.com for more information.
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