Lexington, KY – After hosting the first World Equestrian Games outside of Europe four years ago, the Games’ governing body, Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), decided to do it again. But instead of bringing the Games back to Lexington, the 2018 Games were awarded to Montreal, Quebec.
Lexington was the only other bidder for the Games, but a release from the FEI stated the group “felt that both bids were impressive but that Bromont/Montreal was the stronger of the two.”
The 2018 incarnation of the Games – awarded unanimously according to the release – will be held at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park, which served as the venue for the equestrian events during the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.
Earlier in the day Monday, Governor Steve Beshear told members of the media there were a couple of sticking points that made him worried about the Lexington bid.
“There are issues about sponsors that could stand in the way. The major sponsor of the FEI is the Longines watch company and of course one of our main stadiums at the Horse Park is named the Rolex Stadium for another competing watch company,” Beshear said of the outdoor competition site at the Kentucky Horse Park, home to the 2010 Games and proposed site for 2018.
The FEI had reopened the bidding process for the 2018 Games in July when the Canadian bid team was unable to provide the full public sector financial support that was required before an allocation could be made, a release from FEI states. “Confirmation that the Canadian bid committee had subsequently secured substantial government backing was a crucial element in today’s decision,” the release states.
The 2010 Games brought tens of thousands of spectators through the gates at the Kentucky Horse Park over the two-week span of the games that acts as the world championship of equestrian sports during the period in between Olympic Games.
Lexington was awarded the 2010 Games in 2006, shortly before that year’s games were held in Aachen, Germany. This year’s event is set for late summer in Normandy, France.