2/ THE RIDER EXTRA APRIL 2010
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Study Estimates $167 million in Economic Impact to Kentucky from Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
LEXINGTON, KY—Kentucky could realize a $167 million economic benefit from the 2010 All- tech FEI World Equestrian Games, a significant increase from early projections of $150 million, organizers said.
The 2010 Games will be held for the first time in the United States at Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park. The world championships in eight equestrian sports will be contested from Septem- ber 25-October 10, with as many as 60 countries represented.
The study, conducted by Dr. Paul Coomes, Professor of Economics at the University of Louisville, shows a direct impact to state and local governments through payroll taxes and taxed purchases by spectators in regional hotels, restaurants, retailers and car rentals.
Current ticket sale projections estimate that more than 85 percent of Games spectators will come from outside Kentucky, bringing new dol- lars into the region’s economy. Current ticket pur- chasers are averaging five days of attendance, and the lodging that comes with those visits could account for more than $20 million in spending on accommodations alone.
In addition, the study estimates significant employment opportunities, bringing employees and payroll taxes into the state and local economies.
The study also noted impacts that world-wide
television exposure, branding, advertising and media coverage would bring to Kentucky for years to come.
“An event such as the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games is extremely rare for a destina- tion, because the Games represent a huge eco- nomic engine fueled by out-of-state and interna- tional visitors and exposure, yet are fully accessi- ble and affordable for state and local residents,” said Hank Phillips, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Travel. “The combination of high economic impact and affordability for the state and local community is indeed rare.”
About the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.
The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to net- work coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. televi- sion history. Current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc., Mey- dan, and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltech- feigames.com.
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Around the World Set to Compete at the Rolex Kentucky
Three-Day Event
Presented by Bridgestone Oliver Townend Could Make History By Winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY— Once again, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, this year Presented by Bridge- stone, will host a truly international event at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, April 22-25. The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, part of the HSBC FEI ClassicsTM Series, attracts many of the world’s best horses and riders as they vie for their share of $250,000 in prize money.
joining Funnell as the second rider in history to win this prestigious title, he will have to triumph over a list of entries that includes past Rolex Ken- tucky Three-Day Event and Olympic Champions.
Highlighting this year’s list of entries includes:
Enhancing this year’s schedule will be the official Kentucky Cup Dressage and Jumping Test Events for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG). The Games will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park, September 25-October 10, marking the first time that eques- trian sport’s biggest event is being held outside Europe.
• 2008 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Champion, four-time Olympic veteran and 2009 U.S. Eventing Association (USEA) Leading Rider of the Year Phillip Dutton of the United States.
Riders and horses from eight countries in addition to the U.S., the largest foreign contingent since the 1978 World Three-Day Event Cham- pionships, will be tested at Rolex Kentucky in the Kentucky Cup Eventing Test Event of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. As always, spectators at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event can look forward to rooting on their favorite horse-and-rider combinations from around the globe. In addition this year, thousands of people will be cheering for Oliver Townend of Great Britain, as he attempts to do what only one other event rider in the world has ever done, claim the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.
• William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain, a member of the 2004 Olympic Silver Medal Team and 2008 Olympic Bronze Medal Team, and winner of the 2008 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI**** and the inaugural HSBC FEI ClassicTM Series. • Three-time Olympian and 1999 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** winner and two-time Rolex CCI*** winner Karen O’Connor of the United States.
• Three-time Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** Champion and 2004 Olympic Team Bronze and Individual Silver Medalist, Kim Sev- erson of the United States.
Townend, 26, claimed a victory last May in the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials aboard Flint Curtis and in September he won another leg of the Rolex Grand Slam when he and Carousel Quest bested a field of 49 to win the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, making him eligible to capture the Rolex Grand Slam if he can win Rolex Kentucky. In September 2003, Pippa Fun- nell of Great Britain became the first rider in history to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing when she rode Primmore’s Pride to victory at the Burghley Horse Trials following back-to-back wins in the Rolex Ken- tucky Three-Day Event in April aboard Primmore’s Pride and the Mit- subishi Motors Badminton Horse Tri- als in May aboard Supreme Rock. Funnell’s sweep of the three CCI**** events earned her $250,000, the purse at that time, and a Pink Gold 18-carat Datejust Rolex watch. The payoff was the largest in Eventing history. Should Townend succeed in
• Members of the 2008 US Olympic Team, Becky Holder and Amy Tryon. “With the excitement of Oliver Townend and the WEG Test Events all surrounding this year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, this is bound to be one of our most exciting years in recent memory,” said Jane Atkinson, Executive Vice President of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), pro- ducer of the event. “The level of com- petition at Rolex is at an all-time high, and I hope everybody will come out and experience it with us in Ken- tucky!”
For those who can’t make it to Kentucky, there will be an expanded 90-minute broadcast on NBC on Sat- urday, May 15, from 3:00-4:30 p.m. EDT, just prior to the telecast of the 135th Preakness Stakes, the second leg of Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown.
The only Four Star Event in the Western Hemisphere, the Rolex Ken- tucky Three-Day Event is the premier competition for the top horses and riders in the Olympic discipline of Eventing. For more information please visit the Rolex Kentucky web- site at www.rk3de.org.
For more information about the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and for a Kentucky Cup Test Event schedule, please go to www.alltech- feigames.com.
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