November 27, 2006

A Sign of Things to Come for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Last October, Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher unveiled a prototype of highway signs that will be placed in prominent locations throughout Kentucky promoting the state as the home of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The project is a joint effort between the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Kentucky Commerce CabinetÂ’s Department of Tourism and FEI World Equestrian Games officials.

“Kentucky is synonymous with the horse, and the FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of equestrianism,” said Randy Fiveash, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Tourism. “This will be the first time the Games have been outside Europe, and we want people to know that the best horses and riders in the world will be coming to Kentucky in 2010.”

"When we welcome visitors to Kentucky, we want them to know of the international events that have been scheduled for the commonwealth,” said Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bill Nighbert. “These new signs will call attention to the importance of this upcoming event.”

The six new signs will be large and visible and will be installed, in succession, on the following interstates at these approximate locations: I-65 Northbound in Simpson County; I-65 Southbound in Bullitt County; I-75 Southbound in Boone County; I-75 Northbound in Whitley County; I-64 Eastbound in Shelby County; I-64 Westbound in Carter County.

The signs are currently being made and are anticipated to be installed by the end of the year.

“When the FEI awarded the 2010 Games to Kentucky, they expected new and innovative things” said Jack Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of the World Games 2010 Foundation Inc., the entity in charge of putting on the Games. “These signs are just one part of the groundwork being laid to make the Games in Kentucky a phenomenal success. With the signs being placed so early, millions of people will pass by and become more aware of the coming of the Games.”

In fact, based on the most recent traffic counts in those areas, there will be almost 200 million impressions in the next four years.

"The international, and specifically, the European audience knows of the importance of these Games because they've hosted them every year since their inception," said Dr. Pearse Lyons, founder of Alltech, one of the leading animal health companies in the world with global offices in Kentucky. "Kentucky is the first non-European site to be awarded the Games and we need to let America know that the Games are coming and we'll be ready when they do."

The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington from September 25 to October 10.