LEXINGTON, Ky.— The World Games 2010 Foundation today announced that OTTO Sport- und Reitplatz GmbH of Germany will be the official footing supplier of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The Games feature the world championships of eight equestrian sports at the Kentucky Horse Park from September 25 through October 10, 2010 in Lexington, Ky.
 
OTTO Sport is a family-run company with more than 25 years of experience in arena construction. The company has over 5,000 installations throughout the world including installations in the new outdoor stadium, the Walnut Ring and the adjacent warm-up rings at the Kentucky Horse Park.
 
“We are proud of providing our know-how and long-term experience for the largest equine event ever held in the United States,” said Werner Otto, founder and CEO of OTTO Sport.
 
During the Kentucky Cup Vaulting test event for the 2010 Games, OTTO Sport footing was placed in the new indoor arena and received high praise from riders.
 
“This footing is much more supportive than what we usually vault on,” said vaulter Kenny Geisler. “I like it very much.”
 
Megan Benjamin, who won a gold medal in vaulting at the 2006 WEG in Aachen, called OTTO Sport the best vaulting footing in the world.
 
OTTO sport footing provides significant concussion mitigation up to 40% and non-slip properties to maintain horses’ soundness and well-being, and outstanding drainage features.   The secret of the OTTO Sport arena system results from a meticulously coordinated combination of the patented OTTO Perforated Mat and a specially blended footing mixture.
 
Christian Bauer, the OTTO Sport specialist for the composition of the footing mixture and supervisor of the installations at the Kentucky Horse Park, is very satisfied with the arenas. “We are very happy to support the entire Horse Park staff and the organizers of the 2010 Games by providing an equestrian surface that meets the requirements of both horses and riders,” Bauer stated.
 
Leading up to the 2010 Games, surface specialists from Bavaria and the World Games 2010 Foundation will prepare the optimal surfaces for athletes from around the world to compete.

“We want to support the Kentucky Horse Park in its endeavor of becoming the premier equestrian sports venue in the world and underline Kentucky’s reputation as horse capital of the world,” said Otto.
 
For more information about OTTO Sport visit www.ottosport.com.
 
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). Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan is the current president of the FEI. The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.

The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked 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 $150 million, and current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc, Meydan and the American Quarter Horse Association.  For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com.