Lexington, KY - The endurance competition at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games got underway this morning with the first horse inspection taking place under sunny Kentucky skies.

More than 110 horses from 30 nations were presented to the veterinary panel for approval before heading out on a 100 mile (160 km) ride on Sunday. Fifteen horses were held for re-inspection after their initial jogs. Seven horses were spun, however two replacement horses were approved and allowed to compete in tomorrow's ride.

The United States Endurance Team presented its horses to the veterinary panel last and received hearty applause from the crowd that gathered to watch the home team present. All five of their horses, as well as their spare horse, were accepted upon first inspection. The U.S. Endurance Team competing will be: Lindsay Graham and Monk, Heather Reynolds and Ssamiam, Dr. Margaret Sleeper and Syrocco Harmony, and Janice Worthington and Golden Lightning.

Twenty-one nations will have teams and eight will have individual riders as the ride kicks off at 7:00 a.m. Sunday. This year's endurance course, made up of six different loops, will span over 60 different parcels of land owned by 25 different landowners. About 70% of the 100-mile track will be on mowed pastures and pathways, 25% on farm roads and 5% on gravel and paved roads.

Endurance is the second event to begin at this year's Games, as the reining competition got underway earlier this morning. After tomorrow's ride, the horses will be vet checked once again on Monday to determine which horse will receive the Best Conditioned title.

The ride begins at the vet inspection box located on the far end of the Horse Park near the driving stadium. It is estimated that the first horse will finish the course around 7:30 p.m. Sunday, and the last horses will cross the finish line near 11:00 p.m.