World Games 2010 Foundation Names New Chief Executive Officer

DATE: January 5, 2009

LEXINGTON, KY - The World Games 2010 Foundation today announced that it has selected Jamie Link as the new Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Link has been serving as Deputy Secretary of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet since December 2007 and prior to that spent several months as the Deputy Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park. In his current role, he has served as an ex officio member of the World Games 2010 Foundation board of directors and has been actively involved in the ongoing construction projects at the Kentucky Horse Park and major vendor selections related to the Games.

"I am honored to be selected as CEO of the World Games 2010 Foundation and look forward to working with the wonderful staffs of the Foundation and the Kentucky Horse Park," Link said. "It is going to take all of us working together and we are committed to showcasing to our visitors not only the world’s finest equestrian venue that is the Kentucky Horse Park, but also the many amazing attractions we have throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky."

"I have watched Jamie participate in many of the meetings and was impressed with his ability to get things done. The planning for the Games is at a critical juncture and we need to have a full time CEO to manage the process for the next 21 months," said John Long, board chairman and acting CEO. "Jamie’s familiarity with the Games planning means he will be able to jump in immediately and make an impact."
Long also added that the Games proactively recruited Mr. Link. There was no pressure from the state. In fact, Long said that Secretary Marcheta Sparrow - also a board member - politely reprimanded him for stealing Link.
Secretary Sparrow added "although I am sorry to lose Jamie as my co-worker in state government I am confident in his abilities to lead the Games at this critical time. His knowledge of the Kentucky Horse Park and the importance of this event to our state’s image throughout the world is tremendous."

John Nicholson, Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park said "having known and worked with Jamie Link for a number of years, I can state with confidence that he is uniquely qualified for this position and I am delighted that he has accepted the Board's offer. Everyone at the Kentucky Horse Park has witnessed firsthand Jamie's uncommon talent, integrity and dedication during his time as Deputy Director. He understands the Park’s day-to-day operations and the special needs of the Park for the 16 days of high level championship competition. In addition, it is helpful to have someone familiar with all of our key community and state leaders involved in this project to help streamline our efforts. I look forward to once again having the pleasure of working with him as we build toward, not only this epoch moment in our history, but for the great legacy it will provide."

Link will officially begin serving as CEO on January 12, but has already begun the transition and attending meetings as needed to be up-to-date on all operations when he joins the staff full-time.

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), and are held every four years. The Games have never before been held outside of Europe; nor have all eight disciplines competed at a single site—both firsts that will be achieved at the Kentucky Horse Park.
The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million, and other current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere and Ariat International, Inc. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.feigames2010.org.

Media Contacts:

World Games 2010 Foundation
Amy Walker
859-255-2010 ext. 235 or 859-699-0443 (cell)
awalker@feigames2010.org

Ellen Gregory
Preston-Osborne
859-231-7711 ext 234 or 859-338-1775 (cell)
elgregory@preston-osborne.com

Bahrain: Unicorn support for Grand Prix

Gulf-daily-news.com - Full Article

5th January 2009

UNICORN Investment Bank will sponsor the Bahrain round of the 120-kilometre Endurance Horseride Grand Prix, organisers the Bahrain Royal Endurance and Equestrian Federation (Breef) announced yesterday. The race, which will be the second of the three-leg event, is set to take place on Saturday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Breef president and Bahrain Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa expressed his appreciation for Unicorn's support of the leg. Shaikh Nasser also said he was proud that Bahrain is hosting such a prestigious race, which has been approved by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

Breef officials, under the guidance of Shaikh Nasser, yesterday continued to intensify their preparations for the ride, which follows the opener held last month at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi.

Coverage on Endurance.net
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Bahrain: Raring to Go!

Gulf-daily-news.com - Full Article

4th January 2009

BAHRAIN'S Royal Endurance team, led by captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, is gearing up for the second leg of the 120-kilometre Endurance Horseride Grand Prix, which will take place on Saturday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The round follows the opener held last month at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi.

Shaikh Nasser, who is the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president, finished an impressive fourth riding his horse Omsura Nasrohn in that race, which was divided into five stages.

Shaikh Nasser is once again expected to be at the forefront of the Bahraini contingent taking part as hosts in the kingdom's leg. The others set to take to the saddle are Breef first vice-president and Al Khaldiya Stables captain Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and Shaikh Salman bin Saqer Al Khalifa, Ghazi Al Dossary, and Abdulhaq Qadoori.

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Emirates Heritage Club calls off endurance festival

Published: January 03, 2009, 12:34

Abu Dhabi: The Emirates Heritage Club has called off the third Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed International Endurance Festival, which was in progress at the Bou Theib Endurance Village in Al Khatam.

The decision is part of the official mourning declared in the country to mourn the death of Shaikh Rashid Bin Ahmad Al Mualla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, who passed away Friday morning in London.

In a statement, the higher organising committee said that the death of Shaikh Rashid is “a great national loss that plunged us to deep grief.”

Abu Dhabi: Al Reef bag top two places on day one

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

By M Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
January 01, 2009

Abu Dhabi: Al Reef Stables rider Ahmad Salem Al Beloushi, riding Spoutnik, emerged as day one leader in the three-day 240 kilometre Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup here yesterday.

The Al Reef rider managed to finish marginally ahead of Mohammad Jasem Rahimi on Tonki Dee Boo Kentucky, out of 64 riders who started in this important ride which is part of the Endurance Festival being held under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, at the Boutheib Endurance Villagein Al Khatem, Abu Dhabi.

Riders are required to cover 80 kms each day in the 240 kms ride.

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Abu Dhabi: Khalid and Hazza start as frontrunners

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

By M. Satya Narayan
December 31, 2008

Abu Dhabi: Last year's defending champion Shaikh Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his elder brother Shaikh Hazza Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the 2007 winner, will once again start off as frontrunners to win the three-day (80x3) 240-km Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup.

Last year, Shaikh Khalid won the 240-km ride on Nemer while in 2007 it was Shaikh Hazza, who finished first on ZT Faraventura.

The three-day 240-km ride is one of the four rides which make up the three-day endurance festival staged at the Boudtheib Endurance Village in Al Khatem under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE.

The three-day 240-km event is a tough test for both rider and horse.

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Abu Dhabi: Endurance festival kicks off Wednesday

Wam.org.ae

Dec 31, 2008

ABU DHABI, Dec. 31st, 2008: The Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan International Endurance Festival is set to kick off on Thursday at the Bou Theib Endurance Village in Al Khatem.

250 male and female jockeys from the UAE and other countries will compete in 4 races over 3 days for a total of AED 600000 in prizes.

The event is held under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and President of Emirates Heritage Club.

The winner of the main 3-leg 240km ride which will be spread over 3 days will receive AED 100000 in cash and the Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Endurance Cup.