WEG Press Conference: Quotes

October 10, 2010
DAY 16 PRESS CONFERENCE WITH

HRH Princess Haya, FEI President
John Long, CEO United States Equestrian Federation and Board Chairman of the World Games 2010 Foundation
Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech President and Founder
Jamie Link, CEO World Games 2010 Foundation



HRH Princess Haya
 We welcomed spectators from all 50 U.S. states and more than 55 countries to the Games and we expect overall attendance figures to top 500,000.  Thanks to the athletes, volunteers and the media.  We want these Games to be remembered for what they’ve done for horse sports. I don’t think there can be any doubt that the World Games were a phenomenal success.

Jamie Link
We are very proud of what we have accomplished with these Games.  We have met our mission statement and these Games are going to be commercially successful.

Dr. Pearse Lyons
 I knew it was an opportunity to be a sponsor at one of the world’s most spectacular events.  We stepped up to $10M  [in sponsorship] and we knew it might cost as much as $32M [to activate our sponsorship]. It took me ten minutes to agree to be the Title Sponsor.  If I were to do it again knowing what I do now, it would take me ten seconds. The Games legacy will be the talk about the 16 most colorful days in Lexington history.  It’s changed the way people look at Kentucky. As far as business, it has been a resounding success.  We want to continue our involvement with the sport.

John Long
 There has been $100M invested into the Horse Park. The Alltech Arena has 35 new competitions and horse shows that were at other venues and now will relocate here.  We have new infrastructure such as asphalt and fencing, most that had been here for decades.  The investment into downtown [Lexington] has been fantastic.  Dr. Paul Coomes of the University of Louisville estimated the economic impact coming into Kentucky at $167M as a result of the Games.

HRH Princess Haya
I don’t think the Games are becoming too big, they are just starting to show their true potential. The FEI still has improvements to make to this product, but there is scope for further growth. It is an exceptional event and draws together all parts of the equestrian world, but there is much much more interest to be tapped. We are looking at ways to improve the produce and to deliver it in an innovative way that will provide a platform for our athletes to shine.

HRH Princess Haya
There have been lessons learned - that we have to work more closely with the Organising Committees, and with the National Federations who present bids, what key performance indicators we need to look at, legacy and minimum standards and to make sure that the Games doesn’t explode out of control.. We have many members of our (equestrian) family knocking at our door. Creating a strong Federation that controls horse sports is the future of the FEI. We are already looking ahead to the 2018 Games and we have four very interesting bids. The Games have become a prized product.

HRH Princess Haya
 [comparing Aachen WEG and Lexington]  The World Equestrian Games really is the jewel in the crown of the FEI. I have had the huge honour as the 13th FEI President to have had the two capitals of the horse world stage the Games during my term.  One of the most important parallels touching the two capitals is the introduction of all of our disciplines to the people. It has been an incredible experience. I think we’ve been able to say to the world that we are truly an International sport. Aachen was about top sport; Kentucky is about top sport. That’s what we’re all about.

Jamie Link
Certainly in Europe the media and TV coverage has been extraordinary. And in the US, the fact that NBC had 8.5 hours of live and taped coverage speaks volumes to the level of interest. [speaking on media coverage]

HRH Princess Haya
Para Equestrian has an enormous amount to give to our Federation and in developing countries in particular. In Para-Dressage, you see no difference in the beauty and harmony of the product. Great Britain’s Lee Pearson’s is a great Ambassador to the sport. We are the only International Federation that regulates both Para and International sport and for that achievement we are very proud.

John Long
The face that Kentucky has shown over the 16 days has been beyond my expectations.   I have a great sense of pride for what we have done here. It has been fascinating to see how this has developed.  It has been a cooperative effort.  [speaking about internet coverage] The USEF site had 1M discreet hits during the 16 days.
The community of Lexington has pulled together and put on the best Games ever.  I am so proud.
The USEF embraces 28 different disciplines based at the Kentucky Horse Park. We have a very good relationship with the racing and breeding side.  One of the legacies of these Games will be the collaboration and communication [of the different disciplines].

Jamie Link
I can look back with a great sense of pride at what we’ve done here.  It’s been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.


HRH Princess Haya
We’ll always talk about Aachen as the benchmark of WEG, but this is one of the first World Games that has made improvements to the community, like public transportation and efforts like the legacy trail and events downtown. The Games have involved the celebration of the community that is hosting this event.