And They're Off...

Hold your horses, this is going to be huge. More than 900 of the world’s best riders. More than 350,000 spectators. Over 1,100 world‑wide media and over 150 hours of live network TV coverage, writes Deborah Sandford, West Coast PR Manager and Equestrian Specialist, Land Rover North America.

This is the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, for which Land Rover is not only the Official Luxury Automotive Sponsor, but also the proud title sponsor of the US Eventing Team. It all starts tomorrow at the 1,200‑acre Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky.

For 16 days, riders from 58 nations will compete for the very highest honors in the sport. The Games themselves are held once every four years, though 2010 is a landmark year in that it marks the first time they’re being held here in the US.

Competitors from the Atlanta based American Eventing Championships

As a measure of their importance, NBC Sports is planning to air no less than eight and a half hours of live coverage over three consecutive weekends, beginning tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. EST. It will be the most extensive live TV coverage of equestrian sports in US history.

As a key sponsor, we at Land Rover are set to have a major presence throughout the Games. We’ll have LR4s, Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports on display throughout the Kentucky Horse Park. We’ll have an exciting Land Rover Test Drive Experience for visitors to try out our vehicles across a challenging off‑road course, and both the US and UK eventing teams will use our vehicles as their daily drivers to and from the Games.

Competitors from the Atlanta based American Eventing Championships

It goes without saying that we feel Land Rover’s involvement and support of the World Equestrian Games makes a perfect fit. Equestrian enthusiasts tend to enjoy outdoor sports and activities, many already own a luxury SUV and research shows that a high percentage of them have a fierce loyalty to the brands that support their sport.

More than anything, we are thrilled at the opportunity to support the talented men and women of the US Eventing Team. We have a truly world‑class team in Buck Davidson, Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, Kim Severson, Becky Holder and Karen O’Connor.

They will be competing in earnest during the second weekend of the Games (October 1‑3), in the very highest level of competition – Eventing. This comprises Dressage, Cross‑Country and Jumping.

Make sure you tune‑in to NBC Sports on Sunday October 3, straight after the Ryder Cup, for a remarkable five hours of highlights and live coverage.