AERC President Pens Letter to USEF Regarding Concerns about WEG

August 14 2018

The August 14, 2018, letter from AERC President Paul Latiolais to USEF officials voices concern over the Endurance event at the upcoming World Equestrian Games in September in Tryon, North Carolina.

Going by past equine neglect and abuse, poor sportsmanship and cheating in certain previous FEI endurance races, AERC is concerned that any perception of abuse at WEG will have a backlash on the sport of endurance riding in the USA.

AERC also expressed disappointment that FEI chose to advertise the endurance event as "Meydan Endurance," when Meydan is a business arm of the UAE, which is the center of many FEI endurance controversies.

AERC asked that USEF spare no effort in ensuring a level playing field for all participants and place a supreme emphasis on equine welfare, since all the world will be watching.

The letter can be seen here:
2018AERCLettertoWillConnellReWEG.jpg

Fear Grows About Endurance Scandals at Tryon

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

August 21, 2018
by: Pippa Cuckson

Fear over a horse welfare scandal in endurance on the opening day of the World Equestrian Games have come to a head in recent days. A letter setting out the concerns of the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) to USEF has been widely shared on social media, while a top French endurance vet has announced he is giving up after 33 years, in protest about the ongoing crisis in the sport. “The unacceptable fact I have had to see since these last years are peanuts comparing with what is coming next,” warns Dr Pierre Romantzoff.

With endurance having its roots in the US, the AERC had hoped Tryon would showcase the classic sport, using a natural, technically demanding trail. However, recent pictures from the venue show a 30ft-50ft wide manicured piste which, while designed to fulfil USDA’s tick-control requirements, will undoubtedly favour the racing style of the Group 7 countries.

AERC members have also taken to social media in recent weeks, aghast that Sheikh Mohammed’s Meydan corporation is title sponsor of the ride. At WEG 2014, Meydan stood itself down as sponsor because UAE controversies were at the centre of a media storm.

In his letter, AERC president Paul Latiolais points out the reputational damage to the national sport if there is a “mishap” in front of thousands of public with cameras...

Read more here:
https://horse-canada.com/horse-news/fear-endurance-scandal-weg/

Follow the USA Endurance Team on the Road to the WEG

HorseReporter.com - Full Article

by Pamela Burton

7 August 2018, USA ~ Horsereporter interviewed US Endurance Chef d’Equipe, Mark Dial, with added comments by the US Equestrian Marketing on members of the USA Endurance Squad and their qualifications. We also learned some details on how to watch the Endurance Venue on 12 September 2018.

How many years have you been involved with International Endurance and in what countries?

The first major international competition I went to was in 1997. This was the Pan American Championships in Canada. Over the years, I have been able lucky enough to travel to the Middle East, Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Costa Rica, and Slovakia, just to name a few...

Read the article and meet the competitors here:
http://www.horsereporter.com/follow-the-usa-endurance-team-on-the-road-to-the-weg/

Sign Up Online to Volunteer at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018

Tryon2018.com

While more than 1,100 people have already signed up, TIEC is still in need of volunteers to help make the event experience exceptional for all attendees and participants.

By: WEG Admin
Aug 9, 2018

TRYON, NC, USA – August 9, 2018 – Volunteer applications continue to be accepted for the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 (WEG) to fill more than 9,000 positions, one-third of which are still available. The Games are held every four years in the middle of the Olympic cycle, and are the major international championship for all eight disciplines administered by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the worldwide governing body of equestrian sport. Volunteers will have the opportunity to experience this global sporting event firsthand from September 11-23, 2018, at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Tryon, North Carolina.

The WEG will welcome athletes from 70 countries and host almost 1,000 top equine competitors and horses. Volunteers will play an important role in ensuring the Games run smoothly for athletes, spectators, and operational staff, and the WEG Volunteer Recruitment Program is seeking enthusiastic, friendly volunteer candidates to join the team.

An estimated 2,500 people are needed to cover the 7,500 volunteer positions available over the three weeks, with two to three six-hour shifts available per day for operational positions ranging from greeters, ushers, and golf cart drivers to marketing and media positions, information services and more.

While more than 1,100 people have already signed up, TIEC is still in need of volunteers to help make the event experience exceptional for all attendees and participants. Many of the people who have signed up for WEG are from TIEC’s current volunteer roster and speak of the personal fulfillment they receive as a volunteer at the venue.

Volunteer Mary Taylor explains, “It is wonderful to be a part of something so fun and exciting: to watch the glimmer in a child’s eyes as they participate in fun activities, to see the excitement in the rider’s face after a great event, to hear an equestrian describe TIEC as an ‘the most unbelievable venue you can imagine’. It is a fantastic opportunity to be a part of the complete experience at Tryon International Equestrian Center.”

Jane Lynch mirrored Taylor’s sentiments stating, “It’s been a good experience. I’ve done volunteer hospitality for both Forks, the AECs and the WEG Test Events [at TIEC]. It’s a really happy job.”

How to Apply

To apply, visit the WEG Volunteer Portal at volunteers.tryon2018.com and complete the following process:

1. Create a profile or login to a pre-existing account.
2. Complete all required components of a Volunteer Profile, including: entering security information and answering vetting questions.
3. Select “Upcoming Events,” then select “Event Days.”
4. Volunteers will not receive a call or email confirming placement, but will be able to view the status change on the Volunteer Portal.Upon approval, login to the TIEC Volunteer Portal to check or make updates to your schedule. An email will be sent notifying all volunteers when the online orientation is available.The uniform package includes a complimentary hat, “Team Tryon” pin, and several branded uniform shirts dependent on the duration of consecutive days scheduled per volunteer. Volunteers will also receive credentials and parking pass, as well as access to the Volunteer HQ for snacks and meals for the days they are working. Access to watching events is limited and seat access based on availability during the week(s) volunteers are working.
Volunteers who have been approved for three shifts can request complimentary housing at the Shelby Mission Camp or secure a rental through the lodging portal on Tryon2018.com here. The Community Hosting Initiative Host Application is available at Tryon2018.com under the Volunteer tab for home owners interested in hosting WEG volunteers.

“We have already received an immense amount of interest, so please take a moment to apply today,” said Director of Community Outreach Kathryn McMahon. “Volunteering is a brilliant way to get involved in this phenomenal event that will surely make incredible new connections and memories for all. We hope you will join us as we form a strong volunteer team of exceptional individuals for the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018.”

For more information, please visit www.Tryon2018.com.

For the most updated WEG information, please sign up for the newsletter online at www.Tryon2018.com or follow @Tryon2018 on social media.

Great Britain: Huge Weekend of Endurance at Euston Park's H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum UK Endurance Festival

Endurancegb.co.uk - Full Article

SUFFOLK UK, 19 AUGUST:

Euston Park in Suffolk, UK, welcomed an incredible 580 horses and ponies from 33 nations over three days of International and National competition this weekend.

The event, the largest held in Europe this year, boasted everything from a Nations Cup CEIO2*120km to a Pony Club Championships, and everything in between, with prize money and a rider travel and expense allowance totalling £1millon.

Day one of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum UK Endurance Festival saw some fabulous riding conditions and 194 riders taking to the tracks in CEI1* 80km, CEIYJ1* 80km and CEIYJ2* 120km classes. In particular it was a great day for both the UAE and France (one first place and two top placings in Best Condition) but there was a notable British success for Sophie Moorhouse riding Crystal Wissam (Sam) in the CEIYJ1* 80km who scooped second place in both the ride and the Best Condition competition...

Read more at:
https://endurancegb.co.uk/main/news#2018082001

Endurance Nominated Entries for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games at Tryon

Endurance.net

August 19 2018

Nominations are in for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games Endurance event at Tryon, to be held on September 12rh.

The list can be seen here:
http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018WEG/

Uruguay: Pilar's Long Road to Glory

FEI.org stories

August 19 2018

Pilar Saravia of Trienta Y Tres, Uruguay, was world No.1 in Endurance racing last year.

This year, her sights are set on next month’s FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina.

The 16-year-old and both her chestnut gelding Baraka Nasim and grey mare Rayla will #BeUnited on the 100-mile course when they compete in WEG’s opening event on Wednesday, September 12.

We chatted with her about her goals, preparation, career highlights, and more.

Pilar, what are your goals this year? Also, what are your long-term goals?

Pilar Saravia: It will be an honour to represent Uruguay at WEG with a horse owned by my family. Long-term, I want to be an elite rider, which is something I’ve started achieving through several top ten placings at CEI3* competitions.

How are you preparing for the WEG?

Pilar: We’re training two horses with the possibility of qualifying for the Uruguayan team. Those two horses are Baraka Nasim and Rayla. Both are happy and well-cared for, so we’re trying to take one of them to the Games! Baraka Nasim is a 14-year-old Arabian gelding, he’s competed in Endurance since 2012, so he’s very experienced. In October 2017, we finished fourth in the Pan-American Endurance Championships held in Punta Del Sente (Uruguay). Rayla is an eight-year-old Arabian mare, she isn’t as experienced and has only been competing in Endurance races for two years, however, in that time, she’s shown she’s a very good mare with a promising future!...

Read more here:
https://www.fei.org/stories/pilar-saravia-weg-endurance