Horse Illustrated Magazine

This year marks the first time that the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines will be held outside of Europe. If you haven’t planned your trip yet, don’t worry, you still have time. Here are some tips for planning your trip to the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky this fall.

1. Pick events to see: Over the 16 days of the 2010 Games, events include an opening ceremony, eight different equestrian competitions and a closing ceremony. Each equestrian discipline will have multiple days of competition. For an overview of these disciplines click here. For the schedule of events click here.

2. Get your tickets: Tickets for the 2010 games are available through Ticketmaster. Tickets will be sold at any Ticketmaster venue, at www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling the Ticketmaster hotline at 1-800-745-3000. For more information about tickets, including prices, click here.

3. Find a place to stay: Short’s Sports and Events, the official housing partner for the 2010 Games, has provided multiple accommodation options for the Games including hotels, private home rentals, campgrounds, and bed and breakfast options. Click here for more information.

4. Plan transportation to the Games:  Lexington is in close proximity to three major airports, Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport being the closest. For more information about air transportation and to book a flight for the 2010 Games click here. In addition, Lexington is within a day’s drive of 2/3 of the United States population.

5. Find a place to park: There will be a limited number of pre-paid parking spaces at the Kentucky Horse Park available for purchase. In addition, the University of Kentucky’s Coldstream Research Campus will be a free satellite parking location. Spectators will be shuttled to and from this location to the Kentucky Horse Park during all 16 days of the Games. For more information click here.

6. Figure out what you can and cannot bring to the Games: Spectators will be required to go through a security check before entering the grounds of the 2010 Games. A list of prohibited items is available here. Please check back because this list is subject to change.

7. World-class competition is not the only thing to enjoy: Aside from competition, spectators will be able to enjoy a variety of activities on the Kentucky Horse Park during the Games. There will be equine demonstrations in the Equine Village, and shopping in the extensive international Trade Show.  Learn about our title sponsor in the Alltech International Experience, or learn about the Arabian horse in A Gift from the Desert at the Kentucky Horse Park’s International Museum of the Horse. Lastly, experience Kentucky, all without ever leaving the Kentucky Horse Park at the Kentucky Experience.  Click here to learn what additional activities are included with the purchase of your ticket, and learn more about the Kentucky Horse Park at www.kyhorsepark.com. 

8. Plan things to do in the city: Aside from the Games, Lexington has much to offer tourists visiting the city. Go to www.visitlex.com for more information. In addition, Spotlight Lexington will take place downtown throughout the duration of the Games, providing food, entertainment, awards ceremonies and more. Click here for more information.

9. Plan things to do in the state: From racetracks to bourbon distilleries, Kentucky has many tourist hot spots. The Kentucky Experience, an interactive exhibit during the Games, will let visitors experience the state’s beauty, famous products, and entertainment. For more information about the Kentucky Experience, click here. To plan places to see, visit www.kentuckytourism.com.

10. Follow the road to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games:  Have your tickets? Booked your flight? Now stay in the know by becoming a fan of WEG on Facebook, following updates on Twitter, or by reading the official 2010 WEG blog where we will profile celebrity equestrian athletes and 2010 Games contenders, and you can get all of the inside information!

Keep up with all the latest World Equestrian Games news at horseillustrated.com/WEG2010