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Rolex 2008 Event General Information News Previous Years Sponsors

Why Become A Sponsor?
For further information or to customize a sponsorship contact:
Cheri L. Pulliam, Director of Development
(888) 343-0770 (toll free)
(859) 226-9946 (office)
(859) 233-1407 (fax)
 
Participation in the sponsorship program of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Farnam offers excellent opportunities for unparalleled corporate and product exposure and unique entertainment in addition to supporting U.S. efforts in international competition.

Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), the organizer of Rolex Kentucky, is a 501(c)(3) organization as described in Section 170(b)(1)(a)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code. The amount of any sponsorship payment that qualifies as a charitable contribution is limited to the excess of the amount of any money, and the value of any property other than money, contributed by the donor over the value of the goods and services provided by the organization.

CORPORATE EXPOSURE
Rolex Kentucky offers multiple days of exposure to a varied audience of both local and out-of-town spectators as well as visitors from several foreign countries.

In 2007, 96,478 people were in attendance over the four days of the competition. Spectators represented residents of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Foreign attendees were from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Mexico and New Zealand. Kentuckians accounted for 52% of the attendance. The leading state outside Kentucky was Ohio. Other states in close proximity followed in order, including Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Virginia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania,  and Missouri. The first group of states with none bordering Kentucky leads off with North Carolina, followed by Texas, Maryland, California New York and South Carolina. Rounding out the top states, in order of number of spectators, are Georgia, Washington, Alabama, Florida, Minnesota and Iowa.  

Recognition accorded sponsors through the Official Program, signage, promotional materials and the Event public address system, assures that spectators, competitors, horse owners and the more than 2,000 volunteers who put on this prestigious competition are aware of and become familiar with each Event Sponsor. Sponsors are listed on the Sponsor Page of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Website (www.rk3de.org) and where applicable a link is established to the sponsor's Website.

Corporate tents are available in a Sponsor Village for sponsors interested in displaying products to the thousands who take advantage of this once-a-year shopping extravaganza.

The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is covered widely by all forms of media. Local newspaper, radio and television coverage is extensive. Over 200 reporters and photographers from throughout the U.S. and foreign countries, representing a broad range of publications, cover The Event annually.

For the fifth year, a Rolex Kentucky special will be aired on NBC television, affording this landmark event the widest television coverage of any equestrian event outside of the Olympic Games. Commercial spots are available to sponsors on the 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. program scheduled for Sunday, May 4.

ENTERTAINMENT
The Kentucky Three-Day Event is pure athletic competition of the highest order, coupled with the historic and often mystical partnership of man and horse. It takes no knowledge of horses or the intricacies of the competition to enjoy and appreciate it.

Judging of the Dressage Test is basically an evaluation of perfection of movement, obedience to the rider and rapport between horse and rider. Anyone can judge these characteristics, and the spectator's opinion often agrees with the judges. Dressage is held over two days, making the three-day event cover four days, although each horse and rider combination competes only three of the four days.

The Cross-Country Test on the second day is the heart of the sport and is quite straightforward -- the horse and rider either jump the obstacle cleanly or they incur faults. Horses galloping at speed over natural obstacles, virtually flying over ditches, leaping up and down banks and dropping into water provide examples of athletic prowess, and trust between man and animal that can be seen in no other sporting event.

The Jumping Test in a stadium arena on the final day is again simply a matter of jumping the obstacles cleanly. A single rail knocked down can make the difference between winning and finishing far down in the placings.

The U.S. Pony Clubs Prince Philip Cup and other special presentations provide additional appeal. The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Trade Fair, along with the Sponsor Village, offers opportunities to meet all interests and is a favorite place for browsing and buying.

As an opportunity to entertain clients and friends or express appreciation to employees or long-standing business associates, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and its attendant activities offer a unique and thoroughly enjoyable occasion.

SUPPORT OF U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP EFFORTS
Through the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, organizer Equestrian Events, Inc. provides a venue that affords both a training and testing ground for equine and human athletes who are candidates to represent the United States in international Three-Day Event competition.

The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event has always had considerable impact on the selection and fortunes of U.S. teams and individuals in international competition. In addition, Rolex Kentucky has had an effect on the devlopment of a number of foreign horses and riders.
 
The 2008 Event will serve as not only a Qualifying Competition for the Eventing competition of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but also a U.S. Equestrian Federation Selection Trial for the Games.  The equestrian events of the 2008 Olympic Games will be held in Hong Kong.

PROGRAM GRANTS
Having fulfilled its primary purpose through the staging of the Kentucky Three-Day Event, EEI seeks to extend the impact of The Event when feasible through grants to the programs of other charitable organizations, both local and national, so that even more people will benefit from this unique equestrian activity.