When more than 800 equine athletes arrive at the Kentucky Horse Park from all over the world for the FEI World Equestrian Games, their handlers will pay close attention to how well they have endured the stress of travel and are settling in to their new surroundings. These horsemen and their equine charges will have access to one of the most extensive arrays of advanced veterinary services available at a competition.

In addition to providing 24-hour on-site veterinary clinic care ranging from basic medical treatment to high-level diagnostics, the Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, less than six miles away, will be staffed and ready to address any emergency or injury in need of specialized medical care.

As the Official Equine Hospital and Veterinary Partner for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Rood & Riddle will work closely with Kent Allen, DVM, the official veterinary coordinator of the Games. Rood & Riddle partner Chris Newton, DVM, an avid equestrian and eventing competitor, heads the Rood & Riddle team of veterinarians and veterinary technicians assembled to provide medical support to the Games.

During the Games, a minimum of six Rood & Riddle veterinarians with numerous veterinary technician assistants will be onsite daily, including board certified surgeons, internal medicine specialists and equine podiatrists. During the more taxing competitions, such as Eventing Cross-Country, Endurance and the Driving Marathon, the veterinary staff will increase with additional support from the Rood & Riddle medicine and surgery specialists at the on-site veterinary clinic. In addition, two Rood & Riddle veterinarians will be on duty in the barns at all times during competition plus one veterinarian on duty overnight