Lexington, KY - With the help of the experts working around the clock at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, we have compiled some information for our readers, many of whom may want to take part in the games, even if they have limited knowledge about equestrian sports or interest in watching the games themselves. From the free 17-day festival the city of Lexington will be hosting downtown to the varied entertainment options at the Kentucky Horse Park that are ticketed separate from the competitions themselves, we have devoted a number of pages in this issue to providing information about different ways our readers can experience this once-in-a-lifetime event.
For more details and information about the games, we recommend visiting the official Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games website (www.alltechfeigames.com), where you can download a 25-page Spectator Guide for free.
History of the World Equestrian Games
The concept of today's World Equestrian Games - a sporting event to determine the World Champions of all the FEI (International Federation for Equestrian Sports) disciplines, at one time and place - was first proposed in 1983. Before 1983, each individual discipline held separate championships in the home country of the previous winner. The first World Equestrian Games was held in Stockholm in 1990, and the event has since taken place every four years (Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Germany have also hosted the games). The 2010 games leave Europe for the first time to be held in the Kentucky Horse Park.
Rooting for the Home Team
The United States Equestrian Federation has been working for more than a year to select the team that will represent the United States in the first World Equestrian Games championship held on our court, and has nominated 101 athletes from more than 20 different states to represent the "home team" for the eight disciplines in this year's competition. Entrants range from ages 11 - 70, and horse breeds include Warmbloods, Westphalians, Oldenburgs and Arabians, among others. California holds the largest delegation of nominees (and none of the nominees are Kentucky residents).
All nominees are subject to eligibility approval, and the final team will not be announced until mid to late September.
Parking/Transportation
While parking at the Kentucky Horse Park during the games will certainly be limited, it may not be as daunting as rumors might have you think. The horse park will have on-site parking available for up to 10,000 vehicles per day, with parking permits ranging from $20 to $100 per vehicle (the $100 spots are premium and pre-paid only; carpooling is highly recommended). According to Amy Walker, public relations manager for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, the furthest parking spot will be approximately three-eighths of a mile from the park entrance (i.e., if you have ever been to Keeneland on a busy day, it is likely that you have walked further across a parking lot for an equestrian event). On-site golf cart shuttles will be limited, and reserved to patrons with mobility issues.
Don't want to drive? Starting Sept. 25, LexTran will offer bus transportation departing from the downtown Vine Street transit center to the horse park in 30 minute intervals, with roundtrip costs coming in at a whopping $2. The Legacy Trail, a nine-mile mixed-use path from Cheapside Park to the Kentucky Horse Park, intended for pedestrians and cyclists, is slated to be completed for the games, and a bicycle farm will be available for safe and secure bike storage at the campground spectator entry. Taxicabs and Gold Shield car services will also be available throughout the duration of the games, and will be able to drop passengers off at the main entrance.
Tickets
Tickets for all WEG events - including reserved seating tickets for individual competitive events, grounds pass tickets and tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies - are available at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will be available at the main entrance during the games pending availability.
Reserved Seating Tickets:
Reserved seating tickets will be available for each competitive session for the eight disciplines, from the first rounds to the world championships. Prices range from $25 -
150. Many events have two ticket options (A and B), with option A being closer to the action, and having a seat back.
Ground Pass Tickets:
Grounds pass tickets will be available for $25 a day (free for children under 12) and will allow spectators access to plenty of installations, events, entertainment, art, shopping and food without setting foot in any of the competitive arenas.
Opening and Closing Ceremonies
According to Amy Walker, public relations manager for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, the opening and closing ceremonies will both be not-to-be-missed events - even for spectators with no prior interest in equestrian sport. "They're both going to be very big productions," she said. "This is a huge celebration for us locally, even for people who aren't interested in the actual competitions."
At the core of the ceremonies will be a celebration of man's relationship with the horse throughout the ages. "We're bringing in all of these different people from different countries, who speak different languages, and the one thing they have in common is their relationship with the horse," Walker explained. The ceremonies will include as many as 200 horses and 600 performers, including a 100-piece orchestra, 300-person choir and hundreds of adults and children.
The productions will include a tribute to American music, including Broadway and Bluegrass, an official Parade of Athletes, and, in tribute to the first American host, Wynonna Judd will sing "My Old Kentucky Home." Other acts include William Shatner, Jazz at Lincoln Center and Denyce Graves.
Both ceremonies will take place in the Main Stadium, with the opening ceremony on Sept. 25 (7 p.m., $120 -150) and the closing ceremony Oct. 10 (4 p.m., $70 -
80).
The Events
The World Equestrian Games competitive events include eight different equestrian sports. During the games, the world champions will be crowned for each of the eight disciplines. Ticket prices vary from session to session, based on popularity, available seats and other variables, but all include access to the areas accessible with a grounds pass, as well as a seat in the competition.
Dressage
Meaning "training" in French, dressage is the first competition in which each horse and rider perform the same combination of choreographed movements, designed to convey perfect harmony between the two. Five independent judges mark the event based on "regularity of paces, harmony Ö and ease of movement," and the highest score goes to the winner. Main stadium. Sept. 27 -
29; Oct. 1. $42 - 140.
Driving
Within this event there are three competitions: Driven Dressage, Marathon and Obstacle-Cones Driving. During this competition, each rider drives a team of four horses from a carriage throughout all three competitions (the carriage often contains a groom and navigator as well). In driven dressage, as in ridden dressage, competitors drive the same movement tests. For the marathon competition, the course is divided into three sections, the final of which includes eight obstacles. The obstacle-cone competition requires the driver to take their team through a twisting course of cones with balls balanced on top. Veering off course, displacing a ball or exceeding the time limit will incur penalties. Final standings for the driving event are decided based on the lowest number of penalties in all three categories. Driving stadium, cross country course. Oct. 7 -
10. $45 - 50.
Endurance
In the endurance ride, riders cover the distance of 100 miles, with the ride designed to test the speed and endurance of the horse. A competitor must have knowledge of pace and efficient use of their horse across natural terrain. (The course includes at least five compulsory stops for veterinarians to check the horses' ability to continue.) The rider who finishes the course in the shortest time wins. Endurance course. Sept. 26, with an awards ceremony to follow Sept. 27. $25.
Eventing
Eventing is a complete test of horse and rider, during which the same horse and rider compete in a dressage test, a cross-country test and a jumping test, in that order, over three days. The dressage test is the same as the dressage competition described above. The cross-country test is a timed event in which each rider navigates through a series of natural-terrain jumps which may include water, ditches and large timber. Finally, in the jumping test, horse and rider are challenged to navigate jumps of poles and gates within a limited amount of time. Main stadium, cross country course. Sept. 30 -
Oct. 3. $32 -
105.
Jumping
The jumping competition tests the horses' energy, skill and obedience, as well the horsemanship of the rider. A rider incurs penalties for exceeding the time limit, or knocking down or refusing to jump over an obstacle. The course is set up with various conditions and different types of obstacles; the rider with the least number of penalties wins. Main stadium. Oct. 4 -
6; Oct 8 -
9. $42 - 130.
Para Dressage
This event marks the first time in history that the World Equestrian Games have included para dressage as an event. An increasingly popular equestrian event, para dressage allows riders with physical disabilities the opportunity to compete in this high performance equestrian sport alongside riders from all over the world. Covered arena. Oct. 5 -
10. $25 -
45.
Reining
Reining is designed to include the abilities of a Western style horse in a show arena. Competitors are required to run one of several approved patterns, each of which include small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, roll backs, 360 degree spins in place, back ups and sliding stops. This judged event showcases the trademarks of the Western, reigning, horse. Indoor arena. Sept. 25 -
26; 28; 30. $67-
120.
Vaulting
Both gymnastic and dance elements are combined and performed to music on a cantering horse in the vaulting competition. Routines can be performed singly, in pas de deux, or in teams, and are judged based on technique, form, difficulty, balance, security and consideration of the horse. The performances of both the horse and rider are reflected in the final score; 20 percent of the overall score is derived form the character and balance of the horse. Indoor arena. Oct. 6 -10. $35 -
45.
Grounds Passes
Something for everyone - even if you don't know the first thing about equestrian sport
In addition to the actual equestrian competitive sessions, the Kentucky Horse Park will host an array of sights, sounds and activities during the 16 days of the games - from music and bourbon tastings to live penguins and petting sharks. Grounds passes are available for spectators interested in experiencing some of the many intricate entertainment options affiliated with the World Equestrian Games without attending the competitive sessions.
The grounds pass will grant spectators access to the following:
The Kentucky Experience: In order to showcase the wonders of Kentucky to visitors who likely won't have a chance to truly explore all the state has to offer during the World Equestrian Games, the Kentucky Tourism Department is assembling a massive interactive installation that reflects the spirit of Kentucky, from arts and entertainment to specialty products to geography. The exhibit will encompass more than 25,000 square feet of space across three pavilions, a courtyard and a welcome center, and will include live music, visual art and performance from the state; bourbon tastings; a Corvette exhibit; and geographical representations of different parts of Kentucky. Visit www.thekentuckyexperience.com for more information.
The Alltech Experience: Naturally, Alltech, the presenting sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, will have a large presence at the games. Rather than your run-of-the-mill banners and paraphernalia, however, the company - primarily known as a worldwide leader in animal nutrition - will be constructing a large interactive pavilion to showcase their diverse efforts and interests, with more than a dozen large tents focusing on everything from brewing and distilling to sustainability in agriculture, from food security to life science. Other highlights include a Newport Aquarium tent (complete with special aquarium guests), a stage for live entertainment by Kentucky performers, and a tent devoted to Dip 'n Dots, the "ice cream of the future."
Equine Village: The 2010 Equine Village will offer a chance for the entire equestrian world (outside the eight disciplines showcased at the games) to be involved with the World Equestrian Games. Various equine organizations from across the country, including breed and discipline organizations, will be featured at the village, a centrally located site that will house exhibits, horse demonstrations and special events. Events and demonstrations include a parade of different breeds, a demonstration of field sports not held at the games, as well as other drills and equestrian entertainment.
Trade Show Village: The Kentucky Horse Park will offer an incredible shopping experience for WEG spectators and grounds pass holders at the Trade Show Village. The trade show includes more than 400 exhibitors from around the world, who will offer quality gifts, collectibles, artwork, apparel, equestrian goods, jewelry and a variety of unique merchandise.
Ticket Details
Ticket details:
Grounds passes are available for 13 of the 16 days of the games, excluding the competition days of endurance (Sept. 26), cross-country evening (Oct. 2), and driving marathon (Oct. 9). (During those days, the competitions will be park-wide, rather than held in an arena, and tickets to the competitive events will be necessary for park entry.)
Grounds pass tickets are $25 a day, and entry is free for children under the age of 12, so long as they are accompanied by an adult.
Tickets will be available at the gate (barring capacity), and online at www.ticketmaster.com. A limited number of "flex" passes are available for $30, and can be purchased in advance and used for any one of the 13 days when grounds passes are honored. Spectators who have purchased reserved seats for any of the days will not need to purchase an additional grounds pass for that day to access these activities.