Click the image and pick from one of eight awesome wallpapers to display right on your desktop! They are pretty clever so be sure to read them all! I especially like the Endurance display.
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This week the Alltech FEI WEG PR staff (I’m sorry, I can’t help but keep going with the acronyms once I’ve started) released a statement predicting an economic benefit of $167 million for the state of Kentucky after the Games. This is an 11% increase from the previous estimation of $150 million. In addition to ticket sales and retail, I’ll bet a big portion of the economic gain will come from hotels flashing their “No Vacancy” signs. Not only will the hotels be packed, but for a whopping $200-$300 dollars a night in most cases I’ve heard! If you have found cheaper accommodations, please let us know! NBC Sports will broadcast the event, which marks the “largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history” according to the press release. Not only will the event bring long-term benefits and exposure to Kentucky, it will also provide employment opportunities to individuals and traffic for local businesses. And what’s a more exciting opportunity than to work with the biggest worldwide equestrian event of the year!
I did a little research on the official FEI website about the WEG’s economic impact on previous host cities. The results are significantly varied.
The first WEG, held in Stockholm, Sweden, surpassed sponsorship goals and boasted “impressive” ticket revenue, attracting spectators in every available discipline (Reining had not yet been introduced into the Games, and 2010 is the first year for Paradressage). The Swedish National Federation was heavily involved in the Games, and “there is little doubt that the Games had a tremendous influence on the development of equestrian sport in Sweden.” I’m sort of assuming the Swedish National Federation they are referring to is the Swedish Equestrian Federation. My Swedish is a little rusty, and only the home page translates into English. It seems like a good sign for the first WEG to positively impact the equestrian community in the host country. While the Games got off to a great start, it is no surprise the meticulous organization needed to host multiple disciplines (some in different locations) proved to be one of the greatest tasks for organizers.
HRH Prince Philip warned that “three years is insufficient for any Federation to put together the very large and sophisticated organisation that is need to manage such an event,” and his words appeared to ring true in preparation for the second WEG. Paris, France won the bid for the 1994 Games, but the project fell through, and the second-place bidders took on the project late in 1991 at The Hague in the The Netherlands. A glitch in the ticketing process brought in fewer spectators, and this time, the events ended in financial bankruptcy.
The 1998 Games saw another change in venue after the initial bid fell through, this time two years into preparations. Dublin, Ireland had won the initial bid to host the Games, but in 1996 it was announced the Irish Government had withdrawn its support from the event. Rome, Italy showed an interest and was chosen as the official venue four months after Dublin’s withdrawal. HRH Prince Philip said three years wasn’t enough, but Rome did it in less than two! Thanks to attentive money management and what can only be assumed an assembly of the best multi-taskers in the business, the Rome Games did not suffer the same financial consequences as The Hague. It is a shame the Irish Government backed out, especially so late in the game. Horses are rich in Ireland’s history and culture; it would be a beautiful place to bring Champions of the world together.
After Rome, the future of the Games was uncertain. However, Jerez de la Frontera, Spain rallied to the occasion, working to provide sufficient financial support and hosted an organized, successful event. This year the Reining discipline was introduced, and the Games boasted an impressive spectator turnout and significant media attention. It seems appropriate that the Games were held in the Spanish province of Andalusia.
The 2006 WEG in Aachen, Germany, proved the success and excitement of the event was on the rise. Plus, all kinds of numbers were collected for us to google. 576,000 spectators attended the competitions along with 1,200 journalists, 300 photographers and 380 TV crewmembers providing incredible coverage of every special moment in Aachen, broadcasting 70 hours of television coverage in 157 countries in addition to print and digital media coverage. The local economic impact of the Aachen WEG is recorded at $328 million.
Many of us can attest to the excitement of having the Games in Kentucky. Not only is the Kentucky Horse Park the best known venue in the United States, it boasts an incredible equestrian history in a multitude of disciplines and has the undying support of local horse lovers. This may be the first trip to the Park for some of us; others are looking forward to returning to this gorgeous, historical venue. Having competed there several times myself, I am eager to see the incredible changes being made in preparation for the Games. I won’t be attending Rolex this year, so I’ll guess I’ll have to wait it out until September!
Eventing Nation will be providing WEG coverage up until the first hoof hits the competition arena and throughout the course of the occasion!
Volunteers are still needed in Kentucky! Click here and Be a Hero!
Have you checked out these photo galleries? Especially the Vaulting…now that’s balance.
