The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 in Kentucky will represent the largest equine sporting event ever held in the United States. Held at the Kentucky Horse Park from September 25 to October 10, 2010, this will be the first time that the event will be held outside of Europe.

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 are comprised of the world championships for eight equestrian sports show jumping, dressage, eventing, driving, endurance, vaulting, reining and para-equestrian. The FEI World Equestrian Games are held every four years, two years prior to the Olympic Games, and are governed by the Fdration Equestre Internationale (FEI). The FEI is the international governing body of equestrian sport recognized by the InternationalOlympic Committee. It is the organization which establishes rules and regulations for the conduct of international equestrian events. Today the FEI has over 130 member countries.

A BRIEF HISTORY
The concept of the FEI World Equestrian Games, the championships of all of the major disciplines being held simultaneously at a single venue, is relatively new. The first games were staged in 1990, when the FEI united six disciplines in Stockholm, Sweden. They included show jumping, dressage, eventing and the non-Olympic disciplines of driving, endurance and vaulting. The bringing together of some the best horses, riders, drivers and vaulters in the world was a huge success and reinforced interest in all equestrian sports worldwide.

The 1994 World Equestrian Games were held at The Hague, Netherlands. It followed the Stockholm format representing six disciplines. Rome provided the site for the 1998 games as the world’s equestrian elite again experienced the glamour and enthusiasm that had reigned in Stockholm. Competitors in five disciplines met in Italy, with the endurance championships held separately in Dubai. Jerez, Spain was home to the 2002 games. In addition to the traditional sixdisciplines, reining made its debut as an international championship event. The Jerez games attracted some 300,000 visitors. Press credentials were issued to 1,048 media from around the world, and 25 television stations broadcasted a total of 150 hours of the competitions to approximately 100 countries.

In September 2002, the FEI awarded the 2006 World Equestrian Games to Achen, Germany after a spirited competition between Achen and the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. The Achen Games took place from August 20 to September 3, with approximately 800 athletes and 850 horses competing and an estimated 570,000 spectators in attendance over the 15 day period.

2010 Radio Show
The Speaking of Horses Show
Official 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Website