LeRoy Neiman Painting for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Unveiled

By Amy Walker

The World Games 2010 Foundation unveiled the Official Image of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, created by internationally renowned artist LeRoy Neiman.

The painting features each of the eight equestrian sports that comprise the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, illustrated in Neiman’s style of brilliantly-colored, energetic imagery. As the Official Commemorative Artist of the 2010 Games, creating the piece was a return to a subject, and a place, with which Neiman has had a lifelong love.

“The horse has always been a favorite subject of mine, from the work horse to race horses,” said Neiman. “Kentucky is horse country, where this noble animal is prominent and appreciated. It has been a joy to paint the eight different disciplines for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. I’m looking forward to attending in 2010 with sketchbook in hand.”

The painting will initially be stored and displayed at the International Museum of the Horse at Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park, the site of the 2010 Games. A traveling schedule for the painting is in development. In addition, Cobalt Artworks of Louisville, KY, hopes to present a retrospective exhibition featuring Neiman’s collection of equestrian work in downtown Lexington during the 2010 Games.

“When it comes to sports, and particularly sport in America, Leroy Neiman has been an icon for more than a half century. We are extremely pleased and honored to know that he will now be represented in our collections,” said Bill Cooke, Curator of "A Gift from the Desert" exhibition and "The Arabian Horse Galleries." “That his wonderful painting depicts all aspects of the most significant event in the history of the Kentucky Horse Park makes this even more special.”

Official merchandise including signed and official posters and notecards of the print, are now available at the 2010 Games online store, at www.feigames2010.org or at Cobalt Artworks gallery site, www.cobaltartworks.com. Merchandise featuring the individual disciplines as depicted in Neiman’s painting is also in development.

“Having a LeRoy Neiman painting is a special achievement for any sporting event, and we are honored that the 2010 Games will be another great canvas to join his great body of work,” said John Long, Chairman of the World Games 2010 Foundation Board of Directors.

Best known for his images of sporting events and leisure activities, Neiman is considered one of the most popular living artists in the United States. He has been the official artist of five Olympics, four Super Bowls, as well as the Breeders’ Cup and the Kentucky Derby. He has most recently been in Kentucky to attend the 37th Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville and was the Official Commemorative Artist for that prestigious event. Neiman was commissioned as the Official Artist of the 2010 Games and began research on the work in October of 2007.

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and are held every four years. The Games have never before been held outside of Europe; nor have all eight disciplines competed at a single site—both firsts that will be achieved at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million, and other current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, and Ariat International, Inc. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.feigames2010.org.

Cobalt Artworks is a Louisville-based publishing and licensing company and is currently hosting a year-long retrospective of Neiman’s work entitled “LeRoy Neiman – Five Decades.” The exhibit is comprised of paintings, prints, drawings, books and posters curated from the artist's personal collection and will be on display through December, 2008. For more information about the Neiman retrospective, please call (502) 584-0020 or visit www.cobaltartworks.com.