2018 FEI World Equestrian Games


The 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games were held in Mill Spring, North Carolina, U.S. at the Tryon International Equestrian Center, from September 11 to September 23, 2018. This is the eighth edition of the games, which are held every four years and run by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports. This is the second time that North America is hosting the Games, the previous time being in 2010, when the United States were also the hosts. United States were the first nation to host the Games twice.

Bidding process

The initial bidding process for the 2018 edition of the World Equestrian Games started in 2011 with the initial application stage. Eight countries expressed their interest, and five of them became official candidates in 2012: Rabat, Bromont, Budapest, Vienna and Wellington. Australia, Russia and Sweden withdrew before the official candidature phase.
By 2013, four of the official candidates dropped out, leaving only Bromont in the running. However, instead of awarding the Games to Canada, FEI decided to re-open the bidding process on July 1, 2013, as the Bromont bid was lacking financial support. Bromont remained in the running and was joined by two USA candidates as well as Great Britain.
Great Britain and Wellington dropped out, leaving only Bromont and Lexington in contention. Bromont was finally awarded the hosting rights on June 9, 2014.
Bromont withdrew from hosting in 2016, as the financial support was not secured. Following Bromont's withdrawal, Tryon, North Carolina and Šamorín, Slovakia expressed their interest in hosting the event. Tryon was awarded the Games on November 3, 2016.

Venues

Appointment of officials is as follows:
;Dressage
;Jumping
;Eventing
;Para-Dressage
Horses competing in the championships were flown in and out of Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in Greer, South Carolina. They were then transported by horse trailers up to Tryon.

Schedule

All times are Eastern Daylight Time
Event Competitions1Number of Gold Medal Events

September12
Wed
13
Thu
14
Fri
15
Sat
16
Sun
17
Mon
18
Tue
19
Wed
20
Thu
21
Fri
22
Sat
23
Sun
Gold medal events
Dressage1113
Driving22
Endurance22
Eventing22
Jumping112
Para-dressage321511
Reining112
Vaulting1135
Total gold medal events31113033128329
Cumulative total34569912151618262929

Ceremonies

Dressage

Driving

Endurance

Eventing

Jumping

Reining

Vaulting

Para-Dressage

Participating nations

68 nations are scheduled to take part.

Dressage

Driving

Endurance

Eventing

Jumping

Reining

Vaulting

- individual, - squad

Para-dressage

Medal table

Host nation

Hurricane Florence

Hurricane Florence is expected to hit the Tryon Internation Equestrian Center and the surrounding area during the first week of the World Equestrian Games. Possible impacts could include heavy rainfall and increased gusts of wind. A special contingency plan has been addressed for the situation.
Depending on the severity of the storm, the contingency plan will include accommodating all horses on-venue in permanent barns, moving grooms accommodated on-site to permanent buildings at the venue, advising shelter locations for all personnel, continuing discussions with airports and Emirates airline on any necessary steps regarding horse arrivals/departures, ensuring smaller tents in the vendor area are tie-strapped together for security, carrying out additional drainage/water channeling to prevent flooding, purchasing additional fuel tanks and filling all fuel tanks to run the generators, preparing to remove fence scrim already installed and taking down flags.

WEQx Games

Alongside the World Equestrian Games, Tryon International Equestrian Center will simultaneously host the inaugural WEQx Games. WEQx Games are scheduled to feature nine spectator-friendly equine competitions that should "highlight the accessibility, diversity, athleticism, and passion for horses and horse sport for athletes of all ages".
WEQx Events: