August 24, 2010--The popular show MythBusters tests the validity of urban legends and myths—and now we’re going to do the same. We are going to challenge some of the biggest rumors and myths about the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. This is the fifth in a series.

Myth five:

“You have to buy both a Competition ticket and a Grounds Pass ticket.”

We have heard people saying this and we have heard people passing this misinformation along. If you purchase a ticket to any competition it will act as a Grounds Pass ticket for that day… you do NOT have to buy both.

Upon entering the Park, spectators will have their tickets scanned at the gate. Both a Grounds Pass ticket and a Competition ticket will allow spectators into the Park, and will allow them access to activities such as the Kentucky Experience, Alltech Experience, Trade Show, Equine Village and more.

A separate ticket checkpoint will be located at each competition venue. Only those with a Competition ticket for that specific event will be allowed inside the venue. Grounds Pass ticketholders will not have access to any competition venue. In addition, most competitions will not be visible from outside of the venue.

If you want to watch any competition during the 2010 Games, you must have a ticket to that competition. That also grants you access to all activities on the Park. If you only want access the activities, a Grounds Pass ticket is all you will need.

The only exceptions to this occur on Sept. 26 for Endurance, Oct. 2 for Eventing Cross-Country and Oct. 9 for Driving Marathon. Because these three competitions take place on courses that run throughout the Park instead of in an arena, there is only one ticket option available. This ticket is listed as a Competition ticket, as it give the spectator an up-close view of the competition because there are no assigned seats and the venue is the open grounds of the Park.

In conclusion, a Competition ticket is = to a Grounds Pass ticket, but a Grounds Pass ticket is ≠ to a Competition ticket unless it is on the three days mentioned above. Reviewing this information, it is safe to say the myth “spectators have to purchase both a Competition ticket and a Grounds Pass ticket,” is busted.

Get more information about tickets here.