About the Games
A Guide to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010
The Eight DisciplinesWe thank the FEI for providing us the following guide to the eight disciplines that make up the games. SHOW JUMPING
The challenge of show jumping is straightforward - jump a course of approximately 10-13 obstacles with no penalties and within the allowed window of time. Penalties or 'faults' are incurred if a horse knocks a rail down, refuses to jump or falls at an obstacle or jump. Penalties can also accumulate if riders fail to complete the course in the time allotted. DRESSAGE
Dressage is a French term meaning 'training', and is often described as 'horse ballet'. Gaits and movements performed at the highest level, Grand Prix, include collected and extended walk, trot, and canter; trot and canter half-pass; passage (a slow-motion trot); piaffe (a trot in place); one and two-tempi changes (a 'skip' as the horse changes leads in the canter); canter 'zigzags'; and pirouettes. EVENTING
Eventing could be termed an 'equestrian triathlon'. It involves working with a horse both on the flat and over fences. The three phases are: dressage, endurance (or cross-country), and show jumping. Over the centuries it has developed from the test of the ideal military charger to an exciting sport attracting hobby riders to professionals. DRIVING
Driving competitions are held for teams of four horses. Two days dedicated to dressage, one to marathon, and the last to driving an intricate course marked by cones. The lowest total cumulative faults from all three tests determine the individual and teams championships. ENDURANCE
The endurance test is like a marathon race. Horses must run a 160-kilometer course in the shortest time possible. In addition to the titles of individual and team champion, the Veterinary Commission will elect the horse deemed to be in 'best condition' from the ten fastest in the classification. VAULTING
Vaulting is most easily described as gymnastics performed on a moving horse. Participants
are judged on a set of compulsory moves and in freestyle competition. With
a history extending back to Roman sports, vaulting requires the teamwork of
the vaulter, horse and longeur, who controls the horse in a circle on a longe
line. Vaulters may compete as individuals, in pairs, or as a team. REINING
Reining is a judged event designed to show the athletic ability of a ranch-type horse. Contestants are required to work one of ten approved patterns which includes small slow circles, flying lead changes, roll backs over the hocks, 360-degree spins done in place, and the exciting sliding stops known of the reining horse. PARA-EQUESTRIANPara-equestrian competition will be held for dressage riders with disabilities as part of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010. This marks the first time that para-equestrian competition will be held during the Games. |
The FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships for eight equestrian sports - show jumping, dressage, eventing, driving, reining, vaulting, endurance and para-equestrian. The Games are held every four years, two years prior to the Olympic Games, and are governed by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). Visit the official FEI website at www.horsesport.org.
Kentucky, home of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010™, is known as the 'Horse Capital of the World', and right now is abuzz with excitement in the build-up to the event. And it's no wonder! Just take a look at these numbers:
Estimated Spectators: 650,000-700,000
(550,000+ competition tickets, 100,000-150,000 general admission tickets)
Athletes/Horses: 800+ athletes and 900+ horses
(the largest transatlantic horse transport since D-Day)
Journalists: 2,000
Countries Represented: 60+
Est. TV Viewers: 500+ million
The 2010 event will be different for many reasons. The Games have never before been held outside Europe nor have all eight disciplines previously been held together at a single site. Both of these firsts will be achieved at the Kentucky Horse Park.
The 2010 Games are expected to have an economic impact of $150 million and will be the first time that the Games have had a title sponsor.
The excitement is building, the enthusiasm is growing and the countdown has begun!
Visit the official website of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 at www.feigames2010.org for complete information.
