GEORGIA INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS

August 6, 2003
GEORGIA INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH FLOYD MEDICAL CENTER

Georgia International Horse Trials (GIHT) announced today that it has formed a partnership with the Floyd Medical Center of Rome, Georgia to provide medical services for this new CCI**** event in the USA to be held October, 2005.

Jack Pollard, GIHT Executive Director, said, “Safety and medical support are vital aspects of event organization for both competitors and visitors. We’re delighted that Floyd Medical Center has agreed to become a partner in providing these important services. It's wonderful that the local community is so enthusiastic about this world-class event that's still two years away. They realize it's not too early to prepare and plan for an event of this scale. The cooperation, support and enthusiasm are telling signs of a quality competition in the making.”

Professionals are crafting a comprehensive plan to provide standard medical support for such a large community event, as well as specialized services specific to the sport of eventing. Floyd Medical Center personnel are learning about the sport by attending other international events. Training and drills will be held to ensure that the plans are functional. A team concept will be utilized with paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), physicians, nurses and other medical professionals.

“A medical provider has to be willing to plan and grow with an international event of this size and the Floyd personnel have expressed their sincere interest to be involved from the ground up,” added Rusty Lowe, EMT-P Safety Coordinator and Medical Officer. “The medical services have to be specific to the layout of the event for rapid response to any emergency involving competitors and spectators. This requires intense planning, preparation and resources."

“We are very excited to become a partner in an event of this caliber,” stated Stanley Payne, director of Emergency Medical Services at Floyd Medical Center. “Our staff has considerable experience in providing emergency coverage at many different venues for community events. We are able to bring a variety of access vehicles for medics to use to quickly provide medical care and transport, if it is needed.” The EMS Service at Floyd Medical Center was recently chosen as EMS Service for the State of Georgia for 2003. This is the third time this EMS service has been so honored statewide.

Kurt Stuenkel, President and CEO of Floyd Medical Center, commented, “This event will provide many economic and tourism benefits for our community and we are proud to have been chosen to play such a vital part in the Georgia International Horse Trials at Kingston Downs.”

Ends

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

**** Floyd Medical Center's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is the primary 911 provider for Floyd County, with an average response time of 6.8 minutes-an excellent time for the 514 square mile county. Our EMS is staffed by 42 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics, including five "bicycle" EMTs. Eight ambulances are ACLS units with advanced on-board medical and communications equipment. Floyd Medical Center's Emergency Medical Services have a long history of supporting community events and works well with community and state emergency organizations. Floyd Medical Center is the official provider for first aid for the Rome Braves Baseball. For additional information about the Floyd Medical Center, please visit the website www.floydmed.org.

Floyd Medical Center is a 304 bed regional referral medical center offering Level II Trauma Center and Emergency Care; a full range of surgical, medical, orthopedic, neurological, pediatric, and maternal care; a full range of inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services; as well as a primary care network of physician offices and Urgent Care Centers. Other key services include a home health agency, hospice, psychiatric and chemical dependency services. Floyd Medical Center provides post-doctoral training to family medicine physicians and is supported by a medical staff of over 300 physicians. Floyd Medical Center is fully accredited by state and national organizations, including the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and the Commission for Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities.

**** Georgia International Horse Trials will be the only competition in the fall to take place in the U.S. at the highest level in the sport of eventing and one of only five in the world. The other CCI **** (Concours Complet Internationale, four star) events are Lexington, KY (USA), Badminton, (GBR), Burghley, (GBR) and Adelaide, (AUS).

For more information, please contact Chris Stafford, Media Director, H&N Equestrian Productions at media@necomms.com or (859) 552-5705.

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