2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™

"For the first time, the FEI World Equestrian Games have crossed an ocean to bring the best of our sport to another continent. We are witnessing a new beginning that will help spread the magic of horse sport and inspire young equestrian athletes to aim for the top” said FEI President HRH Princess Haya at the opening ceremony of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2010 in Kentucky, USA.

It was a first in so many ways - the first time for the Games to take place outside Europe, the first time for Para Dressage to join the seven other disciplines, the first time all the action would take place at a single location - the fabulous Kentucky Horse Park - and the first time the Games benefitted from an official sponsor; the animal health and nutrition group Alltech.

A total of 632 athletes and 752 horses from a record 58 countries fought hard for the 81 medals up for grabs. And in another first, the fact that they were all competing on the same site meant that the camaraderie evident in Aachen four years earlier was to be seen again as Jumping riders cheered on the Drivers, and Dressage riders welled up with emotion watching the supreme effort put in by their Para-counterparts.

The figures were impressive, 400 million television viewers, tickets sold in 63 countries and all 50 US states, 570,000 spectators from 61 countries and a local economic impact of $328 million.