Three years may sound like a long time, but, for the World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc., the organization responsible for planning, staging and conducting the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, 2010 is quickly approaching—with September 25, 2007, marking three years to go before Opening Ceremonies of the 16-day event.

The Foundation is celebrating “Three Years to Go” with a special graphic design for t-shirts, postcards and limited-edition pins. The graphic design consists of a line of four horseshoes—one for each year from 2007-2010—with the first horseshoe marked off with a red marker. The Foundation plans to acknowledge progress towards the Games each September 25 between now and 2010, marking off another horseshoe on the design each time. The special “Three Years to Go” products are intended to be collectors’ items, but the celebration is about far more than t-shirts and pins.

“As we look back from December 5, 2005, when we were first awarded the bid, the nearly two years since then has already been very busy,” said Foundation CEO Jack Kelly. “Each September 25 will be a special time to reflect on how far we have come and how exciting it is as we get closer to the Games.

“We are particularly proud of the progress already made and the dedication and support of many community groups to leave an international audience with a positive and lasting impression of Kentucky,” he said.

“It is vitally important for us to both host the greatest equestrian competition the U.S. has ever seen, and to showcase the high level of equestrian sport in eight World Championships,” stated Kelly. “But we must also be consistently aware of the opportunities for the Kentucky Horse Park, the city, our corporate supporters, and the state to make the Games a catalyst for growth and development long after the 16 days of competition.”

Plans for both the Games and its legacy are being carefully considered by the World Games 2010 Foundation, city and state government officials, and the Kentucky Horse Park, as well as hundreds of other committee members and volunteers.

Within the competition itself, that lasting legacy already includes a new world championship, with para-equestrian being included for the first time ever as a discipline in the Games. The Foundation also partnered with a first-ever title sponsor for the event, with a $10 million commitment from Kentucky-based Alltech, Inc.

The Foundation is also currently working on legacy projects with Lexington city officials, and Kentucky Horse Park Executive Director John Nicholson says he is constantly focusing on what the days after the Games will bring.

“The momentum is very exciting as we pass each benchmark date like today,” Nicholson said. “But what is even more exciting in many ways, is the future of the Kentucky Horse Park beginning on October 11, 2010.”

With construction underway on a new 6,000-seat indoor arena at the Kentucky Horse Park, and plans for temporary structures during the Games in progress, Kelly says he is pleased with the achievements so far, and is looking forward to what the next three years will bring.

“In some ways, three years seems like a long time, and in other ways, it seems like tomorrow,” Kelly continued. “In any case, our planning is moving ahead of schedule, and we are eager to take on the work ahead.”