Volunteers from 49 states and 46 countries have signed up to work at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010, the foundation organizing the event said Wednesday.
The missing state is North Dakota, also the last state to have residents reserve tickets for the Games during a test sale in November.
The World Games 2010 Foundation said nearly 4,000 new volunteers have registered since Jan. 30 when its new Web-based volunteer registry system was activated.
More than 1,300 are from Kentucky and an additional 700 from nearby states, the foundation said. About 400 live in other countries, including Russia, France, Chile, South Africa, Thailand, Iran, China, the Virgin Islands, Venezuela, Switzerland, Germany, Israel, Hungary, Finland and Colombia.
"This is the highest response of international volunteers that we have experienced on TRS, The Registration System," said Florence May, president of Simply Hospitality, coordinator of online event management.
"It's amazing the number of people and where they are coming from," said Cathy Rutter, director of community and volunteer relations for the foundation. Volunteers also are offering "some incredible services," she said. Examples include free legal services before and during the Games, health care for horses and people, and language translation services.
"The thing that's really amazed me" is that people in other countries are volunteering to speak to groups in those countries about the Games and what to expect when they get to Kentucky, Rutter said. It's like having "satellite speaker's bureaus."
Many volunteers say they will do any job. "They just want to be part of the games," she said.
An estimated 6,000 volunteers will be needed before and during the 16 days of competition at the Kentucky Horse Park that will decide eight world championships.
Thousands signed up before the new registration system was installed. They will not have to register again, but they are being asked to update information in the new system.
"Several thousand" more volunteers are still needed. They can register at www.feigames2010.org by clicking "Get Involved."
Volunteers will attend an orientation and training program, the foundation said. Benefits include official Games apparel and volunteer credentials.
The foundation said those volunteering to help with a specific discipline Ð dressage, eventing, jumping, driving, endurance, reining, vaulting or para-equestrian Ð must list their experience related to the event when filling out the online profile.
