Sarah Lee Guthrie to sing during Opening Ceremonies

LEXINGTON, KY (August 17, 2010) - Sarah Lee Guthrie, a folksinger born into one of America's most famous musical families will bring her musical talents to the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games on September 25.sarahlee

Sarah Lee Guthrie is the daughter of Arlo Guthrie and the granddaughter of Woody Guthrie, two prominent folk singers of their time. Sarah Lee Guthrie will perform during in the Opening Ceremonies with the University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra and will sing one of her grandfather's most famous songs.

"This is a world I am so unfamiliar with," Sarah Lee said about the Equestrian Games, "But that is probably good because if I had known what I know now I probably would have been intimidated! It is a huge event and I am honored to be a part of it."

Sarah Lee was involved in theater and dance as a child. In 1981 she made a vocal appearance on her father's album Power of Love and after graduating high school, Sarah Lee was her father's road manager for his 1997 Further Festival tour.

Although Sarah Lee wasn't sure she wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, touring with her father and working in the industry drew her to the music. Sarah Lee began playing the acoustic guitar and writing songs, and pretty soon she was performing live. While on tour, Sarah Lee met Johnny Irion, her future husband. The two now perform together and have released several albums.

Sarah Lee will be performing solo in the Opening Ceremonies and said she was excited to be able to make the stop in Kentucky while on tour.

"Having Sarah Lee in the Opening Ceremonies is a thrill for us because she represents a genre of music that is pure America," said Everett McCorvey, executive producer of the Opening Ceremonies.

Although Sarah Lee has never performed at an equestrian event, she is excited to be a part of the 2010 Games and said it is a great challenge and opportunity for her as a singer.

"I sang the national anthem at Giants Stadium and it was an awesome feeling," Guthrie said. "I can only imagine this will be greater."

Sarah Lee Guthrie is one of many performers in the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Games. There will also be dozens of equestrian performers, an orchestra, choir, dancers, movement corps of hundreds of adults and children, as well as local and international celebrities and dignitaries. To buy tickets for the Opening Ceremonies click here.

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 (FEI). The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States. Tickets to the 2010 Games are still available and can be purchased at www.alltechfeigames.com/tickets, at www.ticketmaster.com, through the Ticketmaster hotline at 1-800-745-3000, or at your local Ticketmaster outlet.

The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which marks 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 $167 million, and current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc., Meydan and the American Quarter Horse Association. For more information on the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games please visit, www.alltechfeigames.com.