FEI World Equestrian Games: opening ceremony tonight as organisers monitor weather

The World Equestrian Games (WEG) are held every four years between summer Olympics, and feature elite competitions in eight equestrian disciplines governed by the Fédération Équestre Internationale: jumping, dressage and para-equestrian dressage, eventing, driving, endurance, vaulting and reining. In addition, equestrian-focused events and exhibitions will be held throughout the event, notably as part of the World Equine Expo. 

The WEG have existed since 1990, when their inaugural edition was held in Stockholm, Sweden. Prior to that, the different disciplines held their own individual championships. After Stockholm, subsequent Games have taken place in The Hague, Netherlands in 1994, Rome in 1998, Jerez de la Frontera, Spain in 2002, Aachen, Germany in 2006, Lexington, Kentucky in 2010 and Normandy, France in 2014. The 2018 Games were originally destined for Bromont, in Quebec, Canada, before organisers there bowed out due to financial problems. The Games were re-awarded to Tryon in 2016.

To date, Germany has won the most medals at the World Equestrian Games – a total of 87, including 36 golds. Great Britain is second with 49 (19 gold) and The Netherlands follows with 46 (17 gold). Next in the medal table are the United States, France, Belgium and New Zealand. According to organisers, “the largest commercial airlift of horses ever undertaken in the history of horse sport” was done earlier this month, with 550 horses flown in to North Carolina from Liège, Belgium, Dubai and several South American countries – all subject to FEI and national regulations. They are expected to be joined by 270 horses coming overland. In total, 1,300–1,400 human and equine athletes are reportedly taking part in the various disciplines.

Organisers are also closely monitoring the movements of Hurricane Florence over the Atlantic, and planning for potential impacts on the area. There are reportedly back-up plans in place in the event of a major storm, including in the site’s new arena, although conditions are always difficult to predict. The Games are scheduled to kick off this evening, September 11, with the Opening Ceremony, followed in coming days by endurance, reining, dressage and eventing, while other disciplines such as Jumping will be getting underway later. Eurosport will be providing extensive coverage of the 2018 WEG, with broadcast details provided here (scroll down in the text for the Eurosport schedule).