TERRY HASSELTINE’S TRIP TO AACHEN 
Dear Friends:
After two full weeks of festivities and competition, the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany are now closed and the facts are in. The Games saw 570,000 spectators, 61 nations, 852 horses, 773 competitors, 1,700 employees (volunteer and permanent) and 1,200 journalists…all in Aachen for the Olympics of equine sports. Although it may be too early to tell what the true overall economic impact may have been, needless to say, it had to be significant.
The World Equestrian Games were truly an awesome spectacle from the Opening Ceremonies, through competitions in seven disciplines, right up to the time Governor Fletcher received the flag at the Closing Ceremonies. This truly marked Kentucky’s time to shine by taking the reins for the Games. It is official- the 2010 World Equestrian Games are now in Kentucky’s hands. For the first time in event history, the Games are leaving the European continent and exploring uncharted territory.
In four years, the equine world along with many others will have their eyes focused on the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Kentucky Horse Park and, of course, the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Is Kentucky ready today to handle an event of this magnitude? You better believe we are! How can I say this with such confidence? I attended the 2006 Games in Aachen and witnessed them first hand. Aachen and the entire country of Germany did an outstanding job hosting and organizing the Games but, be that as it may, I truly believe we are in a great position four years out. We already have in place great leaders, support personnel, corporate partners, a growing volunteer base and a hospitality industry second to none. Not to mention the entire Commonwealth. All of which are ready to show the world that Kentucky’s Unbridled Spirit will not be out shined by anyone.
I had the privilege, while attending the Games in Germany, of working with and observing the aforementioned entities working and educating themselves on the task Aachen did in preparing and putting on the Games. We were working theKentucky booth on the show grounds, traveling the country side exploring event signage and transportation systems, talking to the spectators, athletes and corporate community with notebooks in hand, digital and video cameras taking footage, but most importantly eyes and ears open to learning and experiencing the Games in order to better them for 2010. Will there be challenges ahead? Certainly. Will there be bumps along the way? Of course. But, when it is all said and done, Kentucky will host the 2010 Games and they will leave a mark on the equine industry never seen before. The world will take notice.
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is in a unique position not only to be hosting the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, but the Ryder Cup in 2008, the National Senior Games – Senior Olympics in 2007, the Breeder’s Cup in 2006 and of course, the Kentucky Derby annually. The stars have aligned perfectly for Kentucky and our time is now. Cherish the days, weeks, months and years ahead…it is truly an awesome time to be in and/or traveling to Kentucky!
Sincerely,
Terry Hasseltine
Deputy Executive Director
Kentucky Sports Authority
FLETCHER GIVES RYDER CUP VISION
GOAL ''TO MARKET THE COMMONWEALTH''
By Jack Brammer
HERALD-LEADER FRANKFORT BUREAU 9/20/2006
FRANKFORT - Gov. Ernie Fletcher hopes to "market the commonwealth" in anticipation of the 2008 Ryder Cup at Louisville''s Valhalla Golf Club.
Fletcher, in a telephone conference call with reporters yesterday while in Ireland for this year''s Ryder Cup, said he wants to get the entire state involved when the second most-watched sporting event in the world comes to the Bluegrass state. (Soccer''s World Cup is the first.)
Besides worldwide media attention lasting 20 to 26 hours, Fletcher said, the event in Kentucky is expected to bring in 210,000 spectators and an economic impact exceeding $100 million to the state with about 250 corporate sponsors.
Economic Development Secretary Gene Strong, also on the trip with Fletcher, said "statewide events" will be planned in conjunction with the Ryder Cup.
Fletcher, who said he will try to play some golf while in Ireland, said other events besides the golf tournament might include a horse race and concerts.
A delegation of 30 people from Kentucky is on this week''s trip to Ireland. Fletcher said they include 12 from the state, including his wife, Glenna Fletcher, and TourismCommissioner Randy Fiveash, and the rest from Louisville and Lexington.
This year''s event starts Friday at the K Club in Straffan at Kildare, near Dublin. Kildare is Lexington''s sister city.
The 2008 Ryder Cup will be Sept. 16-21 at Louisville''s Valhalla Golf Club. Kentucky will be only the third state to have hosted three of the four PGA of America Major Championships: PGA Championship 1996 and 2000, Senior PGA Championship 2004 and the 2008 Ryder Cup.
A 16-member task force was appointed by Fletcher last year to oversee the management of the state''s preparedness for the Ryder Cup. Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson also appointed a 16-member task force to manage the event on a local level.
Earlier yesterday, Fletcher met with officials from the Racing Academy & Centre of Education for Jockeys at the Curragh Race Track.
The North American Riding Academy at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington is being modeled after the Irish academy.
Fletcher said the Horse Park academy has 13 students and there are plans to increase that number to 50 and to build a dorm.
TWENTY QUESTIONS WITH JACK KELLY
We had the opportunity to sit down with Jack Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of the Alltech FEI 2010 World Equestrian Games.
Here is what he had to say:
1. Position/title:
CEO, 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
2. Hometown:
Newton, Massachusetts (Boston Suburb)
3. Career highlight:
President, 1990/1994 Goodwill Games
President, 1986/1990 U.S. Olympic Festival
Officer, American General, Tenneco Inc.
Chair, USA Baseball
4. Education:
B.A. Northeastern University
MBA Purdue University
5. Previous occupation:
Many. Most recently CEO, Space City (Houston) Sports Commission
6. Biggest attraction to joining the FEI Games:
The opportunity to direct major international event with the broad range of resources available (public interest, corporate interest, Kentucky Horse Park, etc.)
7. Family details:
Wife Kathy – married 39 years
Two children: (son) Mike (38), (daughter) Kerry (36)
Two Grandchildren – 2 one year old granddaughters.
8. Hobbies:
Sports of all kinds
Sherlock Holmes
Olympics and Baseball research and memorabilia
9. Prized possession:
Olympic medals and torch collection
10. Last book read:
“The Mind of Bill James” (groundbreaking baseball researcher)
11. Memorable trip/vacation:
Have been to 12 of last 13 Olympics but would rank 17 day family vacation in 1985 to Australia/New Zealand higher.
12. Most unique event you have worked with:
1994 Goodwill Games in St. Petersburg, Russia (1990-94 preparation period) extended through Soviet Union-Russia change.
13. Describe your background with horses:
None as rider/competitor. Olympic Festivals included Jumping and Dressage.
14. Person you most admire:
Warren Buffett/ Bill Gates/Ted Turner
Have impacted society with contributions
15. Living figure you'd most like to meet:
Bill Gates
16. Historical figure you'd most like to meet:
Winston Churchill
17. What would you be doing if you weren't working for the FEI Games:
Running another interesting business
18. Describe yourself in three words:
Interested, Enthusiastic and Tenacious
19. Other languages spoken:
Some German and Spanish
20. First job:
Soda Fountain in Drug Store, Caddy on Golf Course
21. Favorite quote:
“You don’t get what you expect – you get what you inspect”
22. What is one random fact about you that no one could guess by looking at you:
I have authored a book “A Business and Tax Guide to Antiques and Collectibles”
23. Biggest surprise spectators will see at the FEI Games:
How big and complex the event will be…and how long it will last.
