The relationships between the Kentucky equine industry and the Normandy equine industry will be strengthened when the Kentucky Horse Council and the Normandy Horse Council jointly announce an International Equine Cooperative Partnership between the two organizations on Oct. 8 during the World Equestrian Games.

France will be the site of the 2014 World Equestrian Games, and Normandy is the center of the French equine industry, much as Kentucky is the capital of the U.S. horse industry. The focal points of the French equine industry are the disciplines of thoroughbred racing, harness racing, and show jumping.

Kentucky has been recognized worldwide for its Thoroughbred and harness industry, and recently has experienced growth in the sporthorse industry. This sporthorse expansion is due in part to the advent of the World Equestrian Games as well as the improvements to the Kentucky Horse Park, which now provides a year-round venue for horse shows and competitions.

"We are working to further internationalize the French Horse Industry. That project starts with the signature of a partnership between the Normandy Horse Council and the Kentucky Horse Council," explains Laurent Beauvais, President of the Basse-Normandie Region and President of Normandy 2014