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LEXINGTON, KY. – Come this fall at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, it will be all about the teams, the countries they represent — and the money that will be won.

To increase reining team participation in the Games, the Federation Equestre Internationale has increased the payout. This year, the team reining competition will pay a $100,000 purse to 15 places, while the individual finals will pay out to 20 places. Countries that haven’t yet met the FEI requirements for a full team can still apply for wild-card status. The Games will be held Sept. 25-Oct. 10.

Brad Ettleman, Games reining discipline manager, is working to have as many countries represented as possible.

“Nations that are interested in applying for wild cards should let me know right away so I can help them in the process,” he said.

A second round of qualifying competition acknowledges that good horses and riders can have bad days. The top five competitors in the Second Qualifying Competition earn a berth in the individual reining finals and are guaranteed to earn at least $2,000.

“With this new, far-reaching payback system, we look forward to many competitors who might not otherwise be able to fund their trip to join us” Ettleman said. “Plus, as the Games are in the U.S., there are a great number of quality, show-ready and qualified horses that are available for lease, making the cost of traveling to Kentucky even more economical.”

The new individual purse of $100,000 through 20 places will allow for a minimum of $2,000 for 35 competitors – very deep within the field of starters.

“We want as many full teams as possible,” Ettleman said.

The American Quarter Horse Association is the official breed sponsor of the reining discipline at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. To ask a question about leasing a horse or forming a team, write to Brad.Ettleman@FEIGames2010.org.

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