2014 Under the sign of the Horse!
As the year opens, the whole of the Normandy 2014 Organising Committee team is keen to pass on its very best wishes to you. Indeed, it’s a year that promises to be exceptional, in the most literal sense of the term, for the organisers of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy. Billed as the year of the horse in the Chinese calendar, 2014 will be a stand-out year for Normandy, and hence for the whole of France, through the organisation from 23 August to 7 September of the premier and most coveted equestrian competition on the planet. The Games will represent the most significant sporting event on French soil, all sports combined, over the next twelve months.
With a little over seven months to go till the event itself, the organisers can open their road map with optimism. The ticket sales, pinpointed from the start of operations as one of the key sectors of the organisation, reveal some promising figures and with 200,632 places sold since 6 June 2013, the results are positive. In detail, one third of tickets (32.7%) has been purchased by the French ‘equestrian family’. One in five places (22%) has already been snapped up by the general public, despite the ticket office only being opened to them since November 2013. Today the average occupancy for the competitions stands at 46%. Finally, evidence of the appeal of the 2014 edition of the World Equestrian Games beyond France’s borders comes from the fact that half the tickets have been purchased by foreign spectators (National Federations, Tour Operators, partners and the general public). With the opening of phase 3, a further 220,000 places will be put on the market, 80% of which are for the Olympic disciplines… something that is certain to reassure those yet to sign up, that there’s a place for everyone.
“In 2014, Normandy is welcoming one and all! Our arms and our hearts will be opened wide to the veterans and visitors from every country, who will be making the journey here for the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings and the Battle of Normandy, prior to playing host to some 500,000 spectators in the biggest sporting competition in France before the Euro 2016. The 3,000 volunteers at the equestrian event, the thousands of Normans supporting 300 local initiatives to coincide with the Games and the hundreds of partner companies and supporters, will be our best ambassadors. Normandy will be the land of hospitality in a spirit of openness and brotherhood.” Laurent Beauvais, President of the Normandie 2014 Organising Committee.
As we share our wishes for the New Year, Fabien Grobon, CEO of the Organising Committee for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy, expresses his desire for unity and promises an unforgettable competition. “I wish to see Normandy and the equine network come together as one in rallying their energies to provide the region, France and the equestrian world with an historic event, he says. And above all, may everyone who loves horses and equestrian culture get great enjoyment from the festivities.”
“2014 will be another extraordinary year for equestrian sport”, said Ingmar De Vos, FEI Secretary General. “Just two years ago our sport was in the global spotlight at the London 2012 Olympic Games in Greenwich Park, and now we will be celebrating our very own Games. “The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which takes place in the Year of the Horse, is the biggest equestrian event on the planet and appeals to huge global audiences of equestrian enthusiasts and sports fans.
We are all now looking forward to the start of the Games, and to seeing the world’s best riders and horses compete in the heart of Normandy.”
Several dates have been highlighted by the organisers of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy over the coming months. There will be a succession of stages to pave the way for the athletes, their entourage, the media and the public to reach Normandy in August and September 2014.
– 15 January: Offers of hospitality for the Games are now available for sale, to enable private individuals and companies to enjoy a unique experience by attending the greatest equestrian competition in the world in privileged conditions. These offers will be spread over three sites, namely the Michel d’Ornano Stadium, the Games Village and Le Pin National Stud. You can discover all these offers on our website http://www.normandy2014.com/hospitality
– 31 January: Chinese astrology makes this the year of the horse – a good omen?! With the horse, 2014 will be coloured by performance, humour, generosity, sharing and creativeness. We believe in it!
– Early February: opening of the accreditation procedure for the national and international media. This will be done online, via a request sent to the following address: media.operations@normandie2014.com
– On 1 and 15 February – two new dates for the recruitment of Volunteers in the Manche and Orne departments – another chance to be part of the team.
On 1 February: Alençon at the Hôtel du département, 27 boulevard de Strasbourg from 10AM to 5PM
On 15 February: Avranches at the Foyer du Commandant Bindel from 10AM to 5PM
– 4 March: start of the third phase of ticketing. Following on from the members (phase 1) and the general public for the passes (phase 2), this last stage of the launch relates to tickets sold individually. Details: the holders of a JEM (WEG) Box will have exclusive access to all the places prior to them officially going on sale, and the tickets for the famous 4-way final in the showjumping will be marketed in April. It’s also worth pointing out that tickets for the major spectacle of the Opening Ceremony on the evening of 23 August in the d’Ornano stadium are on sale.
http://ticket.normandie2014.com/
– 15 May: 100 days prior to the opening of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy.
– 23 to 26 June: preliminary events in dressage on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 (CDI***), then in showjumping on Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 June (CSI**).
– 23 August to 7 September: Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy