Horse TV's H-Span launches its "State of the Games" programming series, in association with the World Games 2010 Foundation, providing periodic updates, interviews and discussions along with question-and-answer sessions for the organizers, officials and others. Each show is an hour long and is filmed in different locations in both a "Town Hall" and "Round Table" style setting with a variety of guests, including officials and celebrities.

The series is designed to enable the top officials organizing the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) the opportunity to virtually interact with the public, as well as inform and discuss all aspects of the upcoming games and to update the general public and equestrian enthusiasts as to the progress, latest sponsors and the many other attractions and exhibitions of the games in addition to the medal competitions and competitors.

Questions and comments to the host and to the world games officials may be submitted via the Internet to [email protected] and will be answered in each subsequent broadcast.

The introductory show was filmed recently at the Kentucky Horse Park and is hosted by renowned NBC sports commentator and Lexington native Kenny Rice. Rice is a well-known sportscaster of mainstream sports such as basketball, boxing and the HD net fights in Las Vegas as well as equestrian sports such as the Rolex Three-Day event, the Kentucky Derby and other racing features nationwide.

The first show includes one-on-one interviews and updates on competition planning, ticket sales, sponsors, hospitality and travel from the officials panel, which included the organizing committees CEO Jamie Link, Terry Johnson, Kate Jackson and John Nicholson of the WEG foundation, as well as Niki Heichelbech from the city of Lexington.

The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will feature Olympic-level international equestrian competition of eight medal sports, a world-class trade show, as well as state and national exhibitions of all types along with a myriad of family attractions and mainstream entertainment events for the general public, held over 16 days.

Previously exclusive to Europe, with an attendance of over one-half million visitors, the games are being held for the first time in the United States from September 25-October 10 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

"As the countdown and fever to the games begins, we are pleased to be able to provide our support and broadcast services to the Games foundation to augment the sponsors, the state of Kentucky and aid in the ultimate success of the Games, stated Horse TVs' Bernard Uechtritz. We are offering links and video players of the series free-of-charge throughout the entire horse industry, as well as to any and all endemic and non-endemic sponsors, brands, organization web sites, and all equestrian media outlets, so to inform their members and the general public about the many opportunities and highlights of the games, provide tickets sales and to show their support of the world games and our horse industry."

The "State of the Games" series will also be available on TV channels in many viewing areas nationally and internationally , including on "In Country TV" carried on Dish Network and Direct TV satellite systems in the USA, as well as "The Country Channel" in the UK on Sky B Sky 171. Viewing times and other syndication outlets will be announced shortly.

"Horse TV has been most supportive with this initiative in helping spread the message of the Games and promoting travel to Kentucky," said Link. "We welcome the opportunity to speak to and interact with everyone through this forum, from the passionate enthusiast to the mainstream family of four, who might be considering utilizing the Games as their vacation excursion this year. The Games will be an opportunity of a lifetime for that family, as well as an outstanding prospect for any brand that wants to be a player in the world equestrian industry."

Announcements about future broadcasts, viewing times, alternative web portals and new episodes will be available at www.alltechfeigames.com as the program develops.