April 19, 2010 LEXINGTON, KY—The Kentucky Cup Dressage and Kentucky Cup Jumping test events, the official test events of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, will offer spectators a final preview of the world championship competitions coming to the Kentucky Horse Park September 25 – October 10.

The Kentucky Cup Test Events will be held in conjunction with the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, from April 20 through April 25.

For a complete schedule of Kentucky Cup Dressage, Kentucky Cup Jumping, and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, go to www.alltechfeigames.com.

“This final series of test events will be an important test of the planning for many of the competition aspects of the Games,” said Kate Jackson, Vice President of Competition for the World Games 2010 Foundation. “By hosting sessions of different disciplines on several days, we will really be able to test many of our procedures for the actual Games.”

Top riders from around the world will compete in the three disciplines of Dressage, Eventing, and Jumping. Kentucky Cup Dressage entry list includes Ashley Holzer, Olympic veteran and 2009 Canadian Equestrian Athlete of the Year; Oded Shimoni, the first Israeli to qualify for and compete in the World Equestrian Games and the Olympics; and Lexington native, Reese Koffler-Stanfield.

The line-up for Kentucky Cup Jumping includes three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Beezie Madden; Canadian Mac Cone, one of Canada’s most experienced riders having been a steady performer at the international level for over 30 years (both have recently shown at the Jacksonville Winter Series 2009, 2010); and the youngest competitor, Daniel Bluman who will represent Columbia.

This year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is sure to be exciting as Oliver Townend of Great Britain will attempt to become only the second rider in history to win the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. Townend has won the first two legs, with wins at Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley Four Star Events; and at Rolex Kentucky next week he will seek to join Pippa Funnell of Great Britain, who did it in 2003, as the only riders to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.

In addition to world-class competition, spectators will be able to enjoy a variety shopping and food in the Sponsor Village and International Trade Fair of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, located on the Kentucky Horse Park.

Many Kentucky Cup competition events are free admission. Tickets to some evening Kentucky Cup competitions and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event will be sold at the gates of the venue. For a full list of ticketed events, please see the schedule at www.alltechfeigames.com .

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 (FEI). The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.

The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of more than $150 million, and current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc., Meydan and UK Healthcare. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com.

Media Contact

Amy Walker
Public Relations
859-255-2010 ext. 235
awalker@feigames2010.org