Friday, October 9, 2009

Chester Weber Takes Four-In-Hand Championship

October 1-4 proved to be a worthy test for the 2010 World Equestrian Games as Combined Driving hit the Kentucky Horse Park.

With generally beautiful weather and wonderful footing working in his favor, Chester Weber (FL) and his team snagged a final score of 131.35 to win the Kentucky Cup Test and consequently, a record seventh National Four-in-Hand Championship and an assured place on the 2010 World Equestrian Games Combined Driving Four-in-Hand team.

On Thursday afternoon Weber, of Ocala Florida, drove his team of well-matched Dutch Harness Horses, including  USEF 2008 Horse of the Year Jamaica at the left wheel hitch, through a seamless dressage test that earned audible praise from the knowledgeable audience.

Saturday's Marathon proved to be slightly more problematic as Weber and company had a slight driving error at The Head of the Lake. But, with a mere 6.86 points to spare, Weber maintained his lead going into Sunday's Cones phase where his 2.36 time penalty points held up to give him the win.

Boyd Excell (AUS) entered Sunday in third place but drove his team at an extended trot through a very quick  Cones phase garnering only 3 points for a dropped ball to finish second overall behind Weber with a final score of 138.91.  Excell is assured a return trip to Kentucky next year when he and his team will  represent Australia for the 2010 World Equestrian Games.

Forcing all to work that much harder, the always hard-charging Tucker Johnson (FL) drove his team to third place finish overall with a final score of 141.40, locking down the Reserve National Championship in the process.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Alltech Keeps the Kentucky Good Times Rollin' Along

After the day's World Equestrian Games competitions have ended and you've finished your shopping at the trade fair, don't forget to dump your swag in the back of the truck and head out to enjoy one of the nightly  Alltech's Fortnight Festival concerts and performances sponsored by Alltech, in partnership with Joseph Beth Booksellers. The 2010 Fortnight Festival will run from September 25 to October 10, 2010, in conjunction with the World Equestrian Games. The entertainment extravaganza, which is the brain child of Dr. Pierce Lyons, Alltech's founder and president, will feature both entertainment mega stars and more locally known talent performing in venues dotted throughout the Bluegrass.

But never fear -- you don't need to wait a whole year to enjoy the good times! The 2009 Fortnight Festival Schedule has been set with performances by the likes of Bettye LaVette, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ricky Scaggs, John Sebastian and the Loving Spoonful, and Kansas as well as the music of Rogers and Hart, which means there's something for just about everyone.  Best of all, these folks will be performing for your enjoyment in just a couple of weeks. So snag your tickets, grab the Kentucky road map and let the good times roll!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Volunteers Needed for the In-crowd

Have you ever watched a major international competition, wondering what it would be like to be a true insider, so near the action that you could reach out and touch it?  Would you like to like to learn more about an FEI discipline?   If so, consider volunteering for one or more of the discipline test events to be held throughout the upcoming year at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

While there will be a great need for general volunteers at all events, the volunteers for the WEG 2010 competitions themselves will  be required to have prior experience. One way to acquire a good bit of discipline experience is by volunteering at a test event.

There are literally thousands of volunteer positions to be filled, both general volunteers and discipline experienced.  From crowd control to parking services, score keepers and runners to timers and jump judges.  You can help mark, then break down the Endurance course or work with  the veterinary staff as they make sure the competition horses are safe and sound. You could improve your riding skills by learning as you write -- scribing for a dressage judge.

So get your equine fix while broadening your experience. Consider spending a day or two helping out at the Kentucky Horse Park! It just may make you a part of the WEG in-crowd!

For more information on volunteering or to fill out a volunteer application visit the Alltech FEI Games Website Volunteer Page.

Friday, September 11, 2009

First WEG Reining Freestyle Event Announced

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and The National Reining Horse Association announce the addition of  a Reining Freestyle Exhibition event to the overall WEG event schedule, another first in Games history.

The Reining Freestyle Exhibition will take place on the evening of September 30 after the final round of the Games world championship reining competition is complete. This freestyle competition will not be part of the world championship competition, but will be a separately ticketed event.

Tickets for the freestyle exhibition will be sold for $70 with sales to the public beginning September 25, 2009, on http://www.alltechfeigames.com and on http://www.ticketmaster.com.

WEG Ticket Sales

Tickets for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games go on sale September 25, 2009.  All ticket sales will be facilitated online at www.alltechfeigames.com.  With eight world championships to be contested, more sessions of competition than ever before, and tickets prices as low as $25, there is something for everyone.

Don't miss this golden opportunity to see the best equestrian athletes in the world!

National Reining Horse Association to Sponsor 2010 WEG

The World Games 2010 Foundation today announced the National Reining Horse Association as a sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  

“NRHA is proud to announce our official partnership with the Games and is thrilled to have this special opportunity to bring the excitement of Reining to competitors and spectators worldwide,” said NRHA Executive Director Dan Wall. “We are committed to growing the discipline both here in the United States and abroad, and no venue is better than the 2010 Games to showcase our sport and athletes.”

NRHA is a long-time supporter of the Games and the global expansion of Reining. NRHA provides support and input to enhance the 2010 Games’ Reining competition format, including an augmented purse, deeper payouts for team and individuals, and increased days of competition.

Reining was added to the FEI as a discipline in 2000 and was featured for the first time in 2002 at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain. The reining competitions at the 2006 Games in Aachen, Germany, launched the discipline and its athletes into fame, with sold-out performances and loud, fanatical crowds. For more information about Reining at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, visit Alltech's website.

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. Her Royal Highness Princess Haya is the current president of the FEI. The Games are held every four years, and this will be the first occurrence in the United States. The Games run for 16 days in 2010, Saturday, September 25 – Sunday, October 10. 

The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million, and other current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc. and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.  For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com.
The Poolboy  and I have found a new blog to follow.  Alltech®, primary sponsor of Kentucky's 2010 World Equestrian Games, has created another fun way to help build our anticipation of the 2010 WEG!  The international bio tech company has launched a new WEG blog site.  The blog is a great way to keep up with all the latest World Equestrian Games 2010 news and inside information as we draw closer to the big event!

The address is http://www.2010alltechweg.blogspot.com/ 

Be sure to sign on as a follower to receive notifications of any new posts. If you do, you'll see the old redhead right there in the fray.

We're a 2010 WEG work in progress

Excitement builds as the 2010 World Equestrian Games draw nearer! I've decided to start this blog with the hope that it serves as a clearing house for 2010 World Equestrian Games information.    Stay tuned for updates, timely information and trivia regarding all things WEG!