Alltech/FEI 2010 World Equestrian Games Opening Ceremonies Update
Thank you so much for your interest in following the progress and status of the Opening Ceremony. The concept for the ceremony has been finalized and we are extremely pleased with the collective effort that has been put into developing a show that will allow America and Kentucky to welcome the world with pageantry and excitement.
As a note of interest, all horses selected to participate in the ceremonies are performance-oriented, not necessarily breed-driven or those that are participating in the Games themselves. We have included a selection of breeds native to and/or popular in Kentucky during a special segment that focuses on welcoming the audience members to the Commonwealth. We will be featuring equine entertainers from across the globe and we anticipate that this approach will provide the WOW factor that the WEG foundation has challenged our team to prepare.
In addition to the equine aspect of the Opening Ceremony, there will be musical, dance, and cultural entertainers - oftentimes performing alongside of our equine entertainers - to round out this very special production.
Thank you again for visiting this site to get a glimpse of the program we are preparing and we hope to see you at the Games!
Sarah Lee Guthrie to sing during Opening Ceremonies
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."
Musicians from Jazz at Lincoln Center will bring their traditions to the Opening Ceremonies
Musicians from the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center will assemble at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games to showcase the distinctive music of New Orleans and America's Southern roots during the Opening Ceremonies on September 25.
"It is an honor to participate in this event, especially an event that is going to be broadcast around the world," said Victor Goines, clarinet player and music director for the Games. "It gives us an opportunity to showcase our talents and to demonstrate how we feel about the music of New Orleans."
Jazz at Lincoln Center will be a part of the "journey through the South" segment of the Opening Ceremonies, which features a Mardi Gras section that will showcase the sights and sounds of the popular American celebration.JALC
Culver Academies will bring horsemanship units to Opening Ceremonies
Culver Academies, known for their historic Black Horse Troop and Equestriennes horsemanship units, will bring their traditions to the World Equestrian Games Opening Ceremonies on September 25.
"I am very excited Culver has been chosen," said Mark Waller, director of instruction at Culver. "I'm confident that we can really put on a good show and give a good impression of Culver's riding program."
The Culver riding program, which was founded in 1897, is comprised of several equestrian sports such as Dressage, Polo, Jumping and Vaulting. Their horsemanship unit began with the purchase of 16 mounts of the Cleveland National Guard's Black Horse Troop. From this, Culver formed its own all-boys Black Horse Troop, which has grown to around 90 riders.
New Group of Performers will Represent the Western U.S. in Opening Ceremonies
A collaboration of equine entertainers and roping experts are bringing their talents to the Opening Ceremonies at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games on Sept. 25. This group will represent the many traditions of Western riding in the United States.
The performers include Vince Bruce, Eitan Beth-Halachmy, Double Dan Horsemanship, Tommie Turvey, the California Cowgirls and the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls. Together the group shares a common theme, but they will each add their own flair to this section of the Opening Ceremonies.
Vince Bruce, also known as the "Wizard of Whips and Ropes," has been twirling ropes in front of audiences since he was 12 years old. Bruce has been in circuses, performed with the Harlem Globetrotters and starred in the Broadway show "The Will Rogers' Follies."
Racing Hall of Fame Jockey Chris McCarron to showcase Thoroughbred industry in Opening Ceremonies
American Thoroughbred racing Hall of Fame jockey and founder of the North American Racing Academy, Chris McCarron, will participate in the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
McCarron, with a group of his NARA students, will be representing Thoroughbred racing in the Opening Ceremonies.
"It is a tremendous honor for us to be selected as representing the Thoroughbred industry," McCarron said, "because it is a huge part of Kentucky's agricultural landscape."
Denyce Graves to Perform at 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
Metropolitan Opera star Denyce Graves will entertain audiences in a special performance in the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
"I am delighted to come back to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and to have the opportunity to share my voice with the participants and fans of these World Equestrian Games," said Graves.
Graves has captivated audiences all over the world as one of the most renowned mezzo-sopranos. Making her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1995, Graves has starred as the title role in famed operas such as Carmen, and Samson and Delilah.
Stacy Westfall to Perform at 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
Champion rider and equine competitor Stacy Westfall will entertain audiences as she performs without a saddle or bridle on her champion horse, Roxy, in the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Westfall, who has appeared on Ellen and is a YouTube sensation, will bring her champion reining horse, Whizards Baby Doll ("Roxy"), out of retirement to participate in the Opening Ceremonies for the world's most prestigious equestrian competition.
Wynonna Judd to Perform at 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
Wynonna Judd will welcome the world to Kentucky with a special performance at the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
The 2010 Games will feature world championship competitions in eight equestrian sports at the Kentucky Horse Park from September 25 through October 10. The Games will be the largest sporting event in America this year and are renowned to be the world's most prestigious equestrian competition.
On the evening of September 25, Wynonna will perform "My Old Kentucky Home" in a pinnacle moment of the Opening Ceremonies.
Lyle Lovett to Headline 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Closing Ceremonies
One of America's finest songwriters, Lyle Lovett, will bring the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games to a vibrant finale at the October 10th closing ceremonies in Lexington, KY.
Known for his versatility and musicality across many genres, from country and bluegrass to swing, folk ballads, gospel and blues, the four-time Grammy Award winner and his Large Band will provide a musical bookend to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games' closing ceremonies' celebration of iconic moments in U.S. history and culture.
Lovett has celebrated nearly 30 years of hits including "If I Had a Boat," "Nobody Knows Me," "South Texas Girl," "That's Right (You're Not from Texas)," "She's No Lady," and his groundbreaking single, "Cowboy Man." On his 14th album, "Natural Forces" released last year, Lovett croons a poignant line that speaks to his equestrian spirit: "Home is where my horse is."