Horse Power: Some area businesses set to cash in on World Equestrian Games

AMNews.com - Full Article

By TODD KLEFFMAN
tkleffman@amnews.com
September 18, 2010

When the news first broke about four years ago that Lexington had been chosen to host the 2010 World Equestrian Games, there were high hopes the international horsey set would be running unbridled all through the area with money falling out of their saddlebags.

Back then, even folks as distant from the Kentucky Horse Park as Liberty were anticipating a pay day by stabling horses at the Ag/Expo Center.

But now, with games only a week away, such galloping expectations have been reined in by reality. A stubbornly slow economy and reports of sluggish ticket sales and motel bookings have shrunken the real sphere of influence the Games will have more tightly around the Lexington area.

More than half a million people are expected to attend the Games and will have an estimated economic impact of more than $150 million.

Some of that wealth will be spread in these parts. One business, Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill, has already profited handsomely. The U.S. Endurance Team — 10 horse-and-rider teams, their grooms, team officials and other hangers on — have spent nearly three weeks at Shakertown prepping for the Games...

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http://www.amnews.com/stories/2010/09/18/loc.852893.sto