LEXINGTON, Ky.—The World Games 2010 Foundation today announced the National Reining Horse Association as a sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

The National Reining Horse Association sponsorship allows for the addition of  a Reining Freestyle Exhibition event to the overall event schedule, another first in Games history.

“NRHA is proud to announce our official partnership with the Games and is thrilled to have this special opportunity to bring the excitement of Reining to competitors and spectators worldwide,” said NRHA Executive Director Dan Wall.  “We are committed to growing the discipline both here in the United States and abroad, and no venue is better than the 2010 Games to showcase our sport and athletes.”

NRHA is a long-time supporter of the Games and the global expansion of Reining. NRHA provides support and input to enhance the 2010 Games’ Reining competition format, including an augmented purse, deeper payouts for team and individuals, and increased days of competition.

The Reining Freestyle Exhibition will take place on the evening of September 30 after the final round of the Games world championship reining competition is complete. This freestyle competition will not be part of the world championship competition, but will be separate ticketed event.

Tickets for the freestyle exhibition will be sold for $70 with sales to the public beginning September 25, 2009, on www.alltechfeigames.com and on www.ticketmaster.com.

NRHA joins the Reining Horse Sports Foundation, NRHA’s supporting organization, and the American Quarter Horse Association as joint supporters of the Reining Competition, one of eight world championships that will be contested at Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park, September 25-October 10, 2010.

“We are excited to announce this partnership with the National Reining Horse Association,” said Terry Johnson, Vice President of Marketing and Sales for the 2010 Games. “The NRHA has always been a strong supporter of our event and this partnership will expose another aspect of Reining to our spectators, which we could not have done otherwise.”

“The grace, agility and power of the reining horse have launched the discipline onto a worldwide stage and we are excited to welcome international fans and riders to North America, the birthplace of the sport,” said Rick Weaver, NRHA President. “We also look forward to highlighting the Reining competition on television with our supporting organization, the Reining Horse Sports Foundation.”

Reining was added to the FEI as a discipline in 2000 and was featured for the first time in 2002 at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain. The reining competitions at the 2006 Games in Aachen, Germany, launched the discipline and its athletes into fame, with sold-out performances and loud, fanatical crowds. For more information about Reining at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, visit www.alltechfeigames.com.

About NRHA
Incorporated in 1966, the National Reining Horse Association is the governing body of the sport of reining. NRHA, with their International Headquarters in Oklahoma City, is responsible for promoting the sport and working to ensure the highest standards of competition. To learn more about NRHA, its programs like Entry Level “Green, Ride and Slide” Reining, or its family of corporate partners, visit www.nrha.com.

About the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale. Her Royal Highness Princess Haya is the current president of the FEI. The Games are held every four years, and this will be the first occurrence in the United States. The Games run for 16 days in 2010, Saturday, September 25 – Sunday, October 10. 

The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million, and other current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc. and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.  For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com.

World Games 2010 Foundation Media Contact:
Amy Walker
859-255-2010 ext. 235
awalker@feigames2010.org

NRHA Media Contact:
Christa Morris
405-946-7400
cmorris@nrha.com