The 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™ will run from September 11-23 at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Mill Spring, NC. The sprawling 1,600-acre facility will be hopping daily with multiple competitions involving 1,000 athletes, 1,500 horses and 500,000 spectators and is expected to be one of the biggest sporting events on US soil this year.

This two-week event encompasses the world championships of eight disciplines:

DRESSAGE – Will be held in the new 20,000-seat stadium.

DRIVING – Richard Nicoll (USA) is the course designer for the exciting Marathon phase.

ENDURANCE – Will be a 100-mile test that winds around the beautiful North Carolina countryside.

EVENTING – Captain Mark Phillips (GBR) is the cross-country course designer; the layout of the XC track over the former White Oaks golf course will share some of the same sites as the driving marathon.

JUMPING – Will take place in the new 25,000-seat stadium being constructed on the former Derby Field at TIEC. Alan Wade (IRL) will be setting the tracks.

PARA-DRESSAGE – Riders are divided into five competition grades based on functional abilities.

REINING – The only FEI western discipline, reining will take place in the new 5,000-seat indoor arena.

VAULTING – Will take place in the new 5,000-seat indoor arena.

 

Pre-WEG Qualifying Action

The following are results from major recent global events leading up to the 2018 World Equestrian Games.

The qualifying period ends August 13th; any events after that date may be used as observation/selection trials for teams. The qualification criteria can be found here.

Teams to be named on or around September 1st.

SHOW JUMPING

CSI5* Grand Prix Winner
July 4-8 Spruce Meadows, AB Eric Lamaze (CAN), Fine Lady 5
July 5-7 Paris, FRA Sameh El Dahan (EGY), Suma’s Zorro
July 12-15 Chantilly, FRA Nicola Philippaerts (BEL), H&M Chilli Willi
July 19-22 Ascona, SUI Penelope Leprevost (FRA), Gain Line
July 27-29 Berlin, GER Alberto Zorzi (ITA), Fair Light van T Heike
Aug. 2-5 London, GBR Scott Brash (GBR), Hello Mr President
Aug. 2-5 Dinard, FRA McLain Ward (USA), Clinta
Aug. 9-12 Valkenswaard, NED Frank Schuttert (NED), Chianti’s Champion
CSIO Grand Prix Winner Nations Cup
July 12-15 Falsterbo, SWE Billy Twomey (IRL), Kimba Flamenco Netherlands
July 17-22 Aachen, GER Marcus Ehning (GER), Pret A Tout Netherlands
July 26-29 Hickstead, GBR Kevin Jochems (NED), Captain Cooper Ireland
Aug. 8-12 Dublin, IRL Kevin Jochems (NED), Captain Cooper Mexico
Aug. 9-12 Budapest, HUN Max Kühner (AUT), Cielito Lindo 2 Austria
CSI-W World Cup Winner
July 5-8 St Petersburg, RUS Rein Pill (EST), Alfons RA
July 26-29 Riga, LAT Results not posted
Aug. 9-12 Budapest, HUN Luis Sabino Gonçalves (POR), Dominka VD Lucashoeve

DRESSAGE

CDIO5* Grand Prix Winner
June 29-July 1 Fritzens-Schindlhof, AUT Isabell Werth (GER), Bella Rose 2
Isabell Werth (GER), Emilio 107
July 3-8 Leudelange, LUX Steffen Peters (USA), Rosamunde
Steffen Peters (USA), Suppenkasper
July 17-22 Aachen, GER 1. Isabell Werth (GER), Emilio 107
2. Kasey Perry-Glass (USA), Goerklintgaards Dublet
Dressage Champion
July 22 Aachen, GER Cathrine Dufour (DEN), Atterupgaards Cassidy
July 12-15 Falsterbo, SWE Patrik Kittel (SWE), Deja
CDI3*
July 20-22 Caledon, ON Megan Lane (CAN), Zodiac MW
July 19-22 Deauville, FRA Estelle Wettstein (SUI), West Side Story
July 26-29 Hickstead, GBR Pierre Volla (FRA), Badinda Altena
Spencer Wilton (GBR), Super Nova II
NC Team: France
CDI4*
Aug. 9-12 Cappeln, GER

Isabell Werth (GER), Bella Rose 2

Patrik Kittel (SWE), Well Done De La Roche

CDI3*
Aug. 1-5 Verden, GER Jan-Dirk Giesselmann (GER), Real Dancer FRH
Aug. 2-5 Nice, FRA Isabelle Steidle (GER), Long Drink 2
Aug. 10-12 Crozet, FRA Anne Sophie Serre (FRA), Vistoso De Massa

EVENTING

Winner(s)
July 5-8 CIC3* Barbury Castle, GBR Nicola Wilson (GBR), Bulana
Thomas Carlile (FRA), Upsilon
July 6-8 CICO3*-NC The Plains, VA, 2018 CICO3* – William Coleman (USA), Off The Record
Team: Great Britain
July 12-16 CIC3* Jardy, FRA Karim Florent Laghouag (FRA), Triton Fontaine
Alexander Bragg (GBR), Zagreb
July 18-22 CCI3*/CIC3* Kalispell, MT, 2018 CCI3* – Frankie Thieriot Stutes (USA), Chatwin
CIC3* – Tamra Smith (USA), Fleeceworks Royal
July 17-22 CICO3* Aachen Julia Krajewski (GER), Chipmunk FRH
Team: New Zealand
July 25-29 CCI/CIC3* Minsk, BLR CCI3* – Raman Varanko (BLR), Dervish
CIC3* – Maksim Vakin (RUS), Veseliy Rodzher
July 25-29 CCI/CIC3* Cappoquin, IRL CCI3* – Cathal Daniels (IRL), Sammy Davis Junior
CIC3* – Padraig McCarthy (IRL), Mr Chunky
July 27-29 CIC3* Alnwick-Burgham, GBR Oliver Townend (GBR), Ballaghmor Class
July 27-29 CCI/CIC3* Tamborine, AUS CCI3* – Matthew Gaske (AUS), Thymes Too
CIC3* – Tanya Schmidt (AUS), Laurentino
Aug. 3-5 CIC3* Gatcombe Park, GBR Christopher Burton (AUS), Polystar I
Aug. 8-14 CICO3* Le Pin au Haras, FRA Maxime Livio (FRA), Pica D’or
Aug. 9-12 CIC3* Hartpury, GBR Kristina Cook (GBR), Billy The Red
Aug. 9-12 CIC3* Strzegom, POL Sandra Auffarth (GER), Viamant Du Matz
Aug. 17-20 CCI/CIC3* Wooroloo, WA

CCI – Kathryn Ingham (AUS), Asti Aspiration

CIC – Belinda Isbister (AUS), Here To Stay

Aug. 17-19 CIC3* Tamworth NSW, AUS Hazel Shannon (AUS), Willingapark Clifford
Aug. 18-19 CIC3* Bromont QC, CAN Selena O’Hanlon (CAN), Foxwood High

PARA-DRESSAGE

Freestyle Winners
July 3-8 CPEDI3* Hartpury, GBR Gr. I – Mari Durward-Akhurst (GBR), Sky O’hara
Gr. II – Georgia Wilson (GBR), Midnight
Gr. III – Natasha Baker (GBR), Mt St John Diva Dannebrog
Gr. IV – Isobelle Palmer (GBR), Touchdown M
Gr. V – Sophie Wells (GBR), C Fatal Attraction
June 15-17 Somma Lombardo, ITA Gr. I – Sara Morganti (ITA), ROYAL DELIGHT
Gr. II – Pepo Puch (AUT), Sailor’s Blue
Gr. III – Roberta Sheffield (CAN), Bailaor
Gr. IV – Vladislav Kolosov (RUS), Laurentio II
Gr. V – Natalia Martyanova (RUS), Zamperoni
May 15-15 CPEDI3* Ottawa, ON Gr. 1 – Winona Hartvikson (CAN), Ultimo
Gr. II – Jason Surnoski (CAN), Phoenix
Gr. III – Sarah Cummings (CAN), L. Dorado
July 23-27 CPEDI3* Bishop Burton, GBR Gr. I – Michael Murphy (IRL), Rohan
Gr. II – Suzanna Hext (GBR), LJT Enggaards Solitaire
Gr. III* – Amanda Shirtcliffe (GBR), New-Princess
Gr. IV – Isobelle Palmer (GBR), Touchdown M
Gr. V – Sophie Wells (GBR), Diadeem
* Roberta Sheffield (CAN) and Fairuza won the Indiv. III Test

REINING

CRI3* Winner
June 8-9 CRI3* Red Deer, AB Austin Seelhof (CAN), Lipstick Jungle
Sean McBurney (CAN), Chics Loaded Gun
June 16 CRI3* Cadereyta, MEX Ruben Pacheco Cuevas (MEX), Jacs Lil Spook
June 21-13 CRI3* Avare, BRA Marcos Pardie (URU), Dont Whiz WRB
June 28 Kreuth, GER Oliver Stein (GER), Litn Up
July 2-3 CRI3* Givrins, SUI Gina Maria Schumacher (GER), Gotta Nifty Gun
July 20-22 CRI3* Mexico City, MEX Ruben Pacheco Cuevas (MEX), Sofisat
Jose Vazquez Hernandez (MEX), Gun O Lena Colonel

ENDURANCE

CEI3* Winner
July 14 Argentan, FRA Mohd Bulkhari Rozali (MAS), Unpeck Du Castel
July 13-15 Euston Park, GBR Ghanim Said Salim Al Owaisi (UAW), Sacha El Kandhaar
July 10-13 Padise, Est Olga Maksimenko (EST), Avalon No Mad
July 7-8 Escuintla, GUA Pedro Jose Moran Godoy (GUA), Forte
July 6-8 Kings Forest, GBR Nicola Thorne (GBR), L M Bolena
July 4-7 Padise, EST Buti Ali Saif Ali Al Nuaimi (UAE), Oswald TE
June 30-July 1 Bellis, AB, CAN Lexi Vollman (CAN), Alwayz Fame PW
June 29-July 1 Rio Frio, POR Elisabeth Hardy (BEL), Cardoa de S. Jose
June 29-July 2 Coates Creek, CAN Holly Corcoran (USA), Authentika
Aug. 4-5 Euston Park, GBR Ghanim Said Salim Al Owaisi (UAE), Maison Blanche Vengai
Aug. 11-13 Simlangsdalens, SWE Sara Henriksson (SWE), Elopolda
Aug. 17-18 Euston Park, GBR Ghanim Said Salim Al Owaisi (UAE), Maison Blanche Vengai

VAULTING

Winners
June 29-July 1 Rugby, GBR Squad: Great Britain
Pas de Deux: Rachel Polati & Siddartha Kreaden (USA)
Female: Chelsey Krystin Gertenbach (RSA)
Male: Theo Denis (FRA)
July 13-22 CVIO4* Aachen, GER Team: Germany
Squad: Sweden
Pas de Deux: Germany
Female: Kristina Boe (GER)
Male: Thomas Brüsewitz (GER)
Aug. 1-5 CVI3* Kaposvár, HUN

Pas-des-Deux: Anna Pakott /Blanka Németh (HUN)

Female: Anna Cavallaro (ITA)

Male: Giovanni Bertolaso (ITA)

DRIVING

Winners
June 29-July 1 Bromont, QC James Fairclough (USA)
July 13-22 Aachen, GER Nations Cup: Netherlands
Four-In-Hand: Ijsbrand Chardon (NED)
Aug. 2-5 Goshen, KY CAI2* Allison Stroud (USA)
Aug. 2-5 Nebanice, CZE CAI3*-P4 Benjamin Aillaud (FRA)
Aug. 9-12 Beekbergen, NED CAI3*-H4 WCupQ Chester Weber (USA)

 

Interesting Facts About the 2018 World Equestrian Games

Flying Horses
WEG 2018 has appointed Peden Bloodstock GmbH and The Dutta Corporation as the official international shipping agents, who will coordinate the import and export of all non-US origin horses between the five ports of entry (Greenville, Spartanburg, Miami, Chicago, and New York) and the Tryon venue. Following post-arrival quarantine, all horses will be vanned to TIEC.

Area Attractions
The TIEC grounds are home to a variety of shops, entertainment options, and restaurants offering fare from sushi to deli to fine dining. A five-minute drive away is Tyron Resort’s Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club and the Cleghorn Gun Club. The lovely lakeside mountain retreat Lodge on Lake Lure (where scenes from Dirty Dancing were filmed) is just a 20-minute drive from TIEC.

Other area attractions include wineries, breweries, golf courses, and zip-lining through the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are 41 state parks (including nearby Chimney Rock) and four national forests to explore in North Carolina where visitors can kayak, hikes, bike, camp, and fish.

WEQx Games
The WEQx Games ‒ nine spectator-friendly equine competitions that highlight the accessibility, diversity, athleticism, and passion for horses and sport for people of all ages ‒ will take place following WEG competition each day between 8:00-10:00 p.m. Events will include show jumping features such as the U-25 US Open Championship, US Open Speed Horse, Battle of the Sexes; Match Race; Puissance, SixBar, Pony Jumpers, plus the Derbyx Hunter Derby and Gladiator Polo.

Security Measures
Because of the sheer magnitude of these Games, Tryon has an emergency operations plan in place in case of a crisis during the event. This includes FEI serious incident management as well as responses to specific hazards including fire, severe weather, bomb threats, active shooters, equine emergencies, evacuation, accidents, illness and injury. Federal agencies involved include the FBI, Homeland Security, the National Weather Service and the United States Department of Agriculture. Initial screenings will take place at the off-site parking to prevent spectators from coming to the main arena with prohibited items and bags; once on-site, everyone will go through metal detection prior to entry, including fans, staff, volunteers, athletes, teams, and media.

Weather Report
During September, Mill Spring has an average daily high of 23-27°C (73-79° F) and an average low of 16°C (61° F). Rainfall averages 137mm (5.4″) rain during the month; thunderstorms are common.

#BeOne
The FEI campaign for the Games is #BeOne – asking equestrian fans to come together and show their love of the sport at one of the biggest events in the world.

Follow the Action
Global TV sports producer and distributor Sunset+Vine have been named the host broadcaster for WEG Tryon and promise to provide over 100 hours of live coverage including the opening ceremonies and a daily highlights show. Pierre Obadia, senior manager Broadcast & Media Rights for the FEI, states, “The best way to watch the WEG will be on FEI-TV, no matter the location. All the competition will be produced and streamed live according to the competition schedule available on the FEI website.” As FEI-TV is a subscription channel, you will have to pony up to watch.

WEG Swag
Need to get your WEG on before the Games? Head to shop.tryon2018.com website to get outfitted.

For tickets, hotel and rental contacts, or more information about the World Equestrian Games, go to tryon2018.com.

Be sure to follow the action during the Games here with on-site daily reports and updates.