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Tuesday, January 10 2017 / Published in General

Mike West: Bringing the FEI World Cup Finals to Omaha

Mike West
Photo courtesy of Omaha Equestrian Foundation

 Mike West, CEO of the Omaha Equestrian Foundation (OEF), which is producing the 2017 FEI World Cup™ Finals, brings enthusiasm, marketing expertise and a whole lot of big ideas to the table. Mike, a longtime Omaha sports marketing stalwart, brought a strategic element to the growth of International Omaha, an annual top-level jumping and dressage competition run by the OEF. The founder of MTT Management, a consulting firm that works with sports organizations and community events to expand brands and build support, Mike previously served as the senior advisor for the Omaha Lancers hockey team. From 1997-2002, Mike served as tournament director for the Cox Classic golf tournament. Under his guidance, the Cox Classic grew into one of Omaha’s premier annual events and one of the top stops on the PGA-sanctioned Web.com Tour.

Following his time with the Cox Classic, Mike spent 11 years as the assistant athletic director of marketing at Creighton University. Under Mike’s guidance, Creighton’s seven major sports enjoyed unprecedented fan growth and by 2011, Creighton stood as the only Division 1 University to rank in the nation’s top ten in attendance in three different sports. 

What should riders and spectators expect during the 2017 FEI World Cup™ Finals in Omaha?

The Omaha Equestrian Foundation is pulling out all the stops as promised when we won the right to host the FEI World Cup™ Finals. It’s the first time the Midwest has hosted an FEI World Cup™ competition and it will be the first professional world sports championship ever held in the city of Omaha. The CenturyLink Center is a world-class, state-of-the art venue that offers superb equestrian facilities and comfort for the spectators. The OEF has already held five successful international caliber events there, all of which received rave reviews by the competitors, spectators and even the horses!

We’ve created a unique Boutique Shopping Village that will feature over 140 vendors plus the new Tailgate Lounge that will offer great dining options and entertainment. All of these were designed specifically around the warm-up arena so visitors will be able to browse, shop and eat — all while watching the world’s best riders warm up their top horses.

People know about Las Vegas and Paris and other previous locations where the FEI World Cup™ Finals have been held … can you tell them more about what makes Omaha special?

Not only will visitors be impressed with the venue and competition, but also with the city of Omaha itself. It’s an energetic, breathtaking metropolis with a bounty of attractions including beautiful hotels, top restaurants, museums, art galleries, antique shops, entertainment and so much more.

Finding fun in Omaha couldn’t get any easier for visitors to this dynamic city. The top 15 attractions have already been mapped out and visitors just have to follow the Giant Blue Push Pins to really make the most of their trip. Each location offers year-round, unique Omaha experiences and there’s something of interest for everyone. Some of the must-see attractions include the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, aka Bob, the first and longest pedestrian bridge to link two states — Nebraska and Iowa. The 3,000-foot-long walkway stretches across the Missouri River and gives pedestrians a spectacular view of Omaha’s skyline. The 28-acre Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium features the world’s largest indoor desert and America’s largest indoor rainforest, offering breathtaking panoramic views and long vistas teeming with African wildlife. Who would’ve thought that a trip to Omaha would be the next-best thing to actually being in Africa!

Just a short walk from the CenturyLink Center is the Old Market Entertainment District, where visitors can stroll down cobblestone streets lined with shops, pubs, art galleries and distinctive Omaha restaurants while enjoying the sounds from street musicians. The legendary Omaha steakhouses will satisfy the most finicky carnivores and it’s worth sampling a Reuben on its home turf, as Omaha is credited for inventing the popular sandwich despite what New Yorkers may say. For something different, hop on an Omaha Culinary Tour for a unique culinary sampling experience or take a sip out of one (or many) of Omaha’s famous craft breweries — among the most talked about in the beer world. In addition, there are high-end restaurants, sidewalk cafes, burger joints and ethnic eateries in every flavor and tradition.

What drew you personally to the Omaha Equestrian Foundation and thus the FEI World Cup™ Finals?

I was excited by the opportunity to run an international sporting event in Omaha on a level that had never been done before. To be a part of a “first” is exciting and challenging.

For people who are interested in being part of the Finals, what should they do?

A variety of ticket packages are still available for each of the Finals, but the VIP tickets are the best seats in the house and include access to the VIP Hospitality Lounge throughout the event! The VIP Hospitality Lounge will feature full meals, open bar and other amenities, all included with each VIP ticket. There are also All-Session tickets available and each All-Session package includes admission to five sessions.

Hospitality Packages are also available. The elegant suites are spacious, comfortable and overlook the entire arena with seating for 20-25 people. Wait service, food, drink and access to the VIP Lounge are included throughout the event. Ringside tables get you up close to the action in comfort and style with In-Arena seating for eight people, complimentary wine and heavy hors d’oeuvres along with access to the VIP Lounge throughout the event.

For more information about the 2017 FEI World Cup™ Finals, hotels and ticket information, please go to www.OmahaWorldCup2017.com.

 

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: dressage fei 2017, fei finals, mike west, show jumping

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It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is. It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is...

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You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

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Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses—in a way, she was born into her career. She grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where her parents ran a farm. Her mother taught, and her father had a jump business and then created one of the first horse show software programs: Ryegate Show Services, Inc.

Riding all her life, Annette spent many years as a groom and loved it, but knew it wasn’t what she wanted to do as a career. After she finished college, Annette’s father recruited her to help process entries at Ryegate. Since her father, Lloyd Longenecker, founded it in 1981, Ryegate has provided show management and office staff for some of the largest shows in the country. Now, Annette has taken over from her father and directed the company as it focuses on managing memberships and rankings for organizations such as the North American League, WIHS Championships and Equitation, Rolex/USEF Computer Ranking and National Medal Series (THIS NCM and Ariat NAM). Ryegate also provides scoring software for use with video walls, and production teams for hunter and jumper shows.

“Besides running Ryegate Show Services and its various organizations, I can be found in the show office, running a scoreboard or judging jumpers at most shows,” Annette said. “I love getting to wear a few different hats at the show.”

When she’s not busy at a show, Annette lives in Annville, Pennsylvania, with her “fur-baby,” Maggie Mae, and enjoys spending time with her many godchildren. Though she doesn’t currently own any horses, Annette rides when she can at Rolling Acres Farm with Patty Foster, Ashley Foster-Worthington and Mary Lisa Leffler.

Read this month unbridled with Annette Longenecker by clicking the link in our bio. Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine! 🦄
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A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself The spor A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself 
The sport of eventing is a demanding and mentally challenging discipline that requires a combination of physical and mental fortitude from both the rider and horse. While having a coach can be incredibly beneficial, self-coaching can also play a crucial role in a rider’s success.

I think that given the opportunity, most riders would like to be coached every day. The reality of life in the horse world, however, is that the majority of us need to absorb as much from the lessons we have on a limited basis and then practice those skills at home to improve.

When I am riding, I try to have a plan for the horses each day and focus on what I’m looking to achieve. It’s important to be aware of the steady improvements rather than trying to solve everything all at once. This is especially important when teaching horses new movements or exercises that they might struggle with, and we need to give them time to learn and understand what we are asking for.

I have a couple of quotes that I use regularly when I’m teaching, and these are mottos that I hold myself to in my daily work as well.

The first is, “If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten.” This is a quote that was said to me many years ago when I was still motor racing and I keep it in the back of my mind each day. It’s easy to get stuck doing the same thing every day with your horse and bad habits are hard to break, from both riders and horses!

This leads me to my next quote, which is, “If what you are doing isn’t working, try something else.” It really is as simple as that! Many riders I see keep asking a horse to do something the same way over and over with an ongoing negative response and they wonder why things don’t get better. In these circumstances, I recommend that the rider change something, even if it’s wrong.

Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio! Don’t forget to keep your eye out for our April subscription!
📸Photo by Alex Banks Photography
The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here and we are so excited to feature three-day eventer Liz Halliday on the cover! Big thanks to photographer Melissa Fuller for the beautiful photo of Liz and Cooley Nutcracker- Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing. Liz and her horses have taken the eventing world by storm - and find out how Liz is at the top of the sport as a female eventer! As the horse world gears up for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2023, it's the perfect time to enjoy our eventing issue!! We also feature eventer and woman entrepreneur Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who is not only an eventer, but also runs Athletux and FRANKIE CAMERON handbags and accessories. And don't miss our eventing story on Robert "Bobby" Costello, who will be leading the US Eventing team to the 2024 Paris Olympics- and US Equestrian has named Bobby the eventing technical advisor/chef d'equipe!! Liz, Frankie and Bobby all have GREAT stories - don't miss any of them and don't forget to get your tickets for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event! We are also excited to introduce you to hunter-jumper rider Casey Lorusso Smith, who is not only a talented rider but also a psychotherapist and incorporates horses into her career. If you are up for adventure, then read the story on dressage rider Priscilla Baldwin who certainly doesn't let any grass grow under her feet! We also head to the west coast to catch up with hunter-jumper trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar Farm, we feature beautiful art by equestrian artist Tammy Tappan, and we get to know Miranda Jones and her family. Miranda is not only an attorney who spends a lot of time in the courthouse, but she's a rider and spends lots of time riding, and is joined by her daughters also! We are excited to feature Stephanie Lightner in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists George Williams, Robert R.L. Jacobs and Margie Sugarman! It's a great issue - and you can read it online, but don't forget to go to the website and order a subscription and get every issue delivered to your mailbox!! Enjoy this issue and enjoy the ride: Link in bio!!
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