World Equestrian Games could bring $400M boost to WNC: 9 things to know

Citizen-times.com - Full Article

John Boyle, jboyle@citizen-times.com
March 11, 2018

MILL SPRING – The biggest horse event in the world is about to happen, and it's going to be right in our backyard.

The FEI World Equestrian Games — which organizers say may become the largest sporting event in North Carolina history — are slated to run Sept. 12-23 at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Polk County. The event is expected to draw participants and spectators from around the world, and it could have an economic impact approaching a half billion dollars.

Equestrian Center founder Mark Bellissimo hopes locals join the international crowd for the games, which draw Olympic-caliber talent and are held every four years.

"We want people to realize that this is not only an event for equestrians; this is an event for people who love horses in any capacity," said Bellissimo, who with his business partners has invested more than $200 million in the TIEC...

Read more here:
https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2018/03/11/world-equestrian-games-could-bring-400-m-boost-wnc-9-things-know/401242002/