Ireland may make Equestrian Games bid
At a presentation in Dublin yesterday, hosted by 2010 Games sponsor Alltech, Walsh said: “HSI will seek to make 2014 a reality… and I am confident of getting government support.”
The notion was boosted by Alltech founder and president, Irishman Pearse Lyons agreeing to help bankroll the event if the bid proved successful.
The animal health company, which has a presence in 113 countries, is paying $10m (€8.8m) to put its name to the 2010 Games in Kentucky and Lyons was upbeat about Ireland’s capacity to stage the games.
“Alltech is trying to make WEG a super-brand and we would also like to sponsor the 2014 Games, wherever they take place,” said Lyons, who promised other “sponsors would line up to back the 2014 Games” when they see the success achieved in Kentucky.
Ireland, though, has an embarrassing legacy when it comes to WEG. The 1998 Games were due to be staged here, but the organisers failed to make it a reality, with the government withdrawing support, Nissan stepping in with a £2m rescue package and then also pulling out and the games ultimately being transferred to Rome.
However, Walsh said no comparison could be made with the Ireland of 10 years ago. “We will not be phased by the past. Ireland has grown up a lot since then and I am confident we could hold a professional games in 2014,” said the Corkman.
The former agriculture minister also said the necessary structure would be in place and he pointed to the Ryder Cup as an example of Ireland’s ability to stage a major tournament.
HSI only came into being in January as the umbrella body for equestrian sport and this bid would be a big test of its ability as a fledgling organisation.
Also present yesterday was 2010 Games founding chairman and volunteer co-ordinator Jim Host. The former owner of Host Communications helped develop sports marketing in the US, negotiating a $40m (€27.3m) deal that saw Coca Cola sponsor the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Host reeled off impressive figures concerning the 2010 WEG, which takes place in the 1,200-acre Kentucky Horse Park — the first time the event will be staged outside of Europe.
He said spectators were expected to top 500,000 and ticket revenue would generate $80m. A 15-day test of their online system last November had already generated ticket sales of $6.3m, with $3.2m of that non-refundable.
Eight sponsors, including Rolex, had put up $2m each for what Host said would be the biggest sporting occasion in the US, outside of the Los Angeles Olympics. If the 2010 Games live up to promise, the presence of Lyons and Host on the Irish team would be a major advantage in selling the bid to the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).
But stiff competition can be expected, with France and Dubai also mooted as prospective 2014 hosts. If the latter was to make a bid it would be seen as favourite, as the FEI is headed by Jordanian Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, who is married to the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
It is expected that the venue for the 2014 Games will be decided in the spring of 2009.
