The World Equestrian Games were held for the first time outside of Europe at the Kentucky Horse Park during September- October 2010. The following are some photos and comments from October 2 - October 10 during the Eventing, Showjumping and Driving.
A very well designed and built cross country (CC)course was presented to the riders and spectators. Although a drought the whole route of the CC had been irrigated as seen in the foreground.
This is the principle water complex which as with all the complexes had options.
A little bit of history. All the jumps had a local connection and were labelled.
Riders and coaches plan their course.
Waggons had to be part of history with several about this area. A few days later they were incorporated into the driving marathon where they were placed within heavily railed pens to create obstacles to drive around.
Another smaller water where not all emerged dry.
This jump represented Abraham Lincoln's birthplace and upbringing in Kentucky. Unfortunately it did cause a nasty flesh injury to a horse on the leading edge of the roof. As can be seen this horse is also close to the roof.
Andrew Nicholson on his way to a bronze medal with a very well ridden CC.
Kath also made the finish line.
The Eventing show jumping was a straight foreward course with very impressive jumps. Here Andrew Nicholson secures his Bronze medal with a clear round.
The showjumping commenced with a Table C course which set the ranking for the subsequent Table A courses on subsequent days. It was run on the same system as the NZ Championship classes. However because there were also teams involved the final of the individual was jumped after a bye day following the 3rd round of the team competition.
Then the next day the four highest placed competitors competed for the champion rider by riding their own horse and each others horses (four rounds over eight fences including a treble). The champion rider, from Belguim, rode four clear rounds, one on each of the four horses, and the prize for the champion horse went to Hickstead (Canadian), whom also jumped four clear rounds, with four different riders, both were the only ones to do so.
Driving marathon. Followed a similar route to the eventing CC using some of the same complexes rearranged for driving. The skill of the horses and drivers was impressive.
This complex had been the quarry used for the eventing although the part used cannot be seen in this photo.
The team entered and left the complex through this arch on a hump.
Some of the landscaping in the showjumping for the final four.
It was not all competition. Here the entrance into the naming rights Alltech trade area. However the overall trade area left a lot to be desired with it being spread around and difficult to navigate. After 4-5 days we found a whole new area.
The main arena could be reached via the lake causeway through part of the trade area. The permanent stand is in the background with good temporary stands adorned with murials. The Land Rover remained afloat on a barge throughout.
John Deer, principle sponsor , had a significant presence.
Waggons for all sizes.
Some spectators did not look match fit but come they did, heat and all.
Watched over by suitably mounted police.
Then the FEI flag was lowered and carried by equally suitably mounted police to the Chairman of the next games to be held in France, 2014.
Following long speeches, which mostly could not be deciphered, the sun set on the 2010 WEG.
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