"Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital has stepped forward as the official equine hospital and veterinary partner of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
The sponsorship, which was announced at a press conference at the equine hospital's Georgetown Road facility on October 22, will include a financial investment in the "mid six figure" range from Rood & Riddle, said Dr. Bill Rood, Rood & Riddle's hospital director. The investment makes the equine hospital the second company to sign on as a major sponsor of the event, behind the $10 million lead sponsor Alltech, and the first-ever sponsoring veterinary partner for the World Equestrian Games.
"There's a great deal of enthusiasm in Central Kentucky as the Equestrian Games approach, and we're positive that the Games will have a positive impact on the equine industry, not only in Lexington, but throughout the commonwealth of Kentucky, the United States, and indeed, North America," Rood said.
Pearse Lyons, president of Alltech, said it did not take long for Rood and Dr. Tom Riddle to express their initial willingness to play a sponsorship role for the Games, and he expects Rood & Riddle's commitment to spur even more support for the event as it draws closer.
"The multiplier effect is very, very important," Lyons said. "People will step forward and say, if Rood & Riddle are going to be the horse hospital of the world, we want to be associated with it."
While competing teams will bring their own veterinarians to the event, Rood & Riddle will have veterinarians on site to take care of any needs that may arise, Riddle said.
Rood & Riddle's operation is already well-equipped and staffed to handle the needs of the Games, according to Riddle, having assisted with Horse Park events in the past that have drawn as many as 1,500 to 2,000 horses in attendance. By comparison, roughly 900 horses are expected to be present at the 2010 event. The company also is developing plans to host equine seminars for visiting veterinarians, participants and attendees during the course of the Games.
"That's part of the attraction for us is the education (aspect)," Rood said.
Riddle called the sponsorship a milestone in the history of the Lexington-based equine hospital.
"We are showing our very strong commitment to the sport horse industry and the show horse industry," Riddle said.
The sponsoring support of an equine hospital is also a new experience for the World Equestrian Games, said Jack Kelly, CEO of the World Games 2010 Foundation.
"We're used to the soft drinks and the beers and the car companies and the banks (as sponsors)," Kelly said. "This is a unique opportunity with a unique event to absolutely break new ground for sponsorship and support of sporting events."
Rood & Riddle's involvement also brings welcome confirmation and support for Alltech's bold investment in the 16-day event, which initially may have appeared to some critics as "Pearse's Folly," Lyons himself joked. In addition to setting an example for others to step up in support of the event, Rood & Riddle's association also gives Lexington the opportunity to highlight not only its horse-friendly landscape but also its advances in equine medicine.
It's going to showcase not just the horses, but the equine technology that the commonwealth has," Lyons said.
Lyons also sees Rood & Riddle's participation as a valuable asset in Kentucky's efforts to develop a "super brand," for itself, he said, in order to convey the state's best image to the international media and other visitors that the event is expected to attract.
Established in 1986, Rood & Riddle is a full-service equine hospital with 275 employees, 52 of whom are veterinarians. The 24-acre facility offers services ranging from diagnostic imaging and surgery to podiatry and reproductive care. The practice also offers ambulatory services for breeding farms as well as sport horse facilities, horse shows and other events.
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park from September 25 to October 10, 2010, is expected to draw more than 600,000 spectators to Lexington, with an estimated statewide economic impact of $150 million."