Additional Housing for World Equestrian Games Grooms Being Installed at Tryon, Organizers Apologize for Shortfall

Dressage-news.com

September 9 2018

TRYON, North Carolina, Sept. 9, 2018–Additional housing “pods” for some of the hundreds of grooms taking care of horses at the World Equestrian Games were being installed at Tryon International Equestrian Center Sunday.

Sixty manufactured housing “pods” were already in use and 10 more were being added Sunday, a spokesperson for the WEG organization said.

Delays in providing enough housing for grooms required accommodating many at hotels with shuttles needed to get them to and from Tryon International Equestrian Center. Some others moved into cabins that had been assigned to national federation officials.

A total of up to 900 grooms–about 450 this week and 450 next week–are expected in Tryon over the next two weeks to care for horses for the championships of the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines Housing on-site has been considered vital for grooms who care for their horses around the clock...

Read more here:
http://dressage-news.com/2018/09/09/additional-housing-for-world-equestrian-games-grooms-being-installed-at-tryon/

Mark Bellissimo Responds to Public Outrage Over WEG Groom Housing

Temporary groom housing at WEG. Photo via Facebook.
EventingNation.com

By Leslie Threlkeld on Sep 9, 2018

As the athletes and their teams began to arrive and settle in at the Tryon International Equestrian Center for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games last week, there was an immediate concern regarding inadequate accommodations for the grooms who traveled with them.

It was expected that on-site, permanent housing would be available for grooms, but instead grooms were offered bunk beds in temporary tents. With Hurricane Florence expected to bring heavy rain to the Mill Spring, North Carolina area later this week, concerns have also been raised over the safety of the tents.

Following negative feedback on social media, Mark Bellissimo, co-founder and CEO of Tryon International Equestrian Center, released a statement today.

“I made a personal commitment to housing grooms on-site and I underestimated the demand. I was too optimistic. I made a mistake and I apologize. We are doing everything we can to rectify the situation,” Mark said. “Our organization has always been committed to recognizing the importance of grooms. They are a critical component to the success and well-being of these equine athletes and we have the utmost respect for their daily work...”

Read more here:
http://eventingnation.com/mark-bellissimo-responds-to-public-outrage-over-weg-groom-housing/

Definite Entry List for WEG Endurance

www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018WEG/

September 5 2018

The Definite Entry List for the World Equestrian Games endurance event has been posted.

You can see the entries, and more information here:
http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018WEG/

2018 World Equestrian Games athletes meet fans in Landrum

Goupstate.com - Full Article

By Chris Lavender
Staff Writer
September 7 2018

Jenny Champion of New Zealand is eager to compete in next week’s World Equestrian Games at the Tryon International Equestrian Center.

She and with other members from her team will compete in the endurance competition Wednesday. Champion was among several of the games’ athletes who met with fans Friday at an event at the Landrum Depot, just 14 miles from where the games will take place in Mill Spring, N.C. The opening ceremonies are Tuesday night, which features a free concert at 6 p.m. featuring country music artist Hunter Hayes.

The games are expected to draw 500,000 people to the region and pump $400 million into the regional economy. Champion said excitement continues to build among the athletes.

“We arrived about two weeks ago in Shelby,” she said. “The fans have been just so fantastic so far, and it’s been overwhelming. We are lucky just to be here...”

Read more here:
http://www.goupstate.com/news/20180907/2018-world-equestrian-games-athletes-meet-fans-in-landrum

WEG will be a tick-free zone

Tryondailybulletin.com - Full Article

By Leah Justice
September 7 2018

FEI veterinarian: No way disease will spread to local horses

COLUMBUS — While some have expressed concern over more than 60 horses coming to the World Equestrian Games who have tested positive for a tick-borne disease, WEG officials say they have taken every precaution and then some to ensure the local horse population is protected.

To answer questions of if equine piroplasmosis could be spread to local horses, Tryon International Equestrian Center Chief Operating Officer Sharon Decker brought Fédération Equestre Internationale Veterinary Director Göran Akerström, of Switzerland, to Tuesday night’s county commissioner meeting.

Akerström said there are 63 horses total who have tested positive for equine piroplasmosis and 39 of those are scheduled to run in the endurance race on Wednesday. The endurance race is a 100-mile course, with the trails going through private property.

Akerström explained the process of testing, saying all horses are tested 30 days before arrival. He said if a horse on the same flight tests negative as horses that tested positive, the negative horses are also treated, just to be sure...

Read more here:
https://www.tryondailybulletin.com/2018/09/07/weg-will-be-a-tick-free-zone/

In my mind I’m gone to Carolina, for WEG

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

September 8, 2018
Neil Clarkson

To quote the talented song writer, James Taylor, “I’m gone to Carolina in my mind.”

Yes folks, the final hours are counting down to the opening of the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina.

My Facebook feed has been serving up images of friends wending their way across the planet for the latest incarnation of the Games, which will run from September 10-23.

It is only the second time that WEG has been held in North America, after Lexington, Kentucky, hosted the event with considerable success in 2010.

We cynical types tend to take a different view of the FEI’s showcase event, held every four years.

It’s not that I don’t enjoy seeing the world’s finest riders and horses vying for the title of world champion in their respective disciplines.

But WEG always has a habit of throwing up some great curveballs...

Read more here:
https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2018/09/08/in-my-mind-carolina-weg/

Endurance at WEG: What You Need to Know

FEI.org

Who will be the partnerships with the speed and stamina to secure Endurance glory at the FEI World Equestrian Games?

Endurance tests the partnership between horses and riders over a marked 160 km course.

Speed and stamina of the horse and rider are challenged as they use pace and navigation skills while racing against the clock. Endurance riders use the slogan, To Finish Is To Win, priding themselves on the fitness of their horses over the course.

The WEG endurance competition is Wednesday, September 12 on the grounds of the Tryon International Equestrian Center and the surrounding area, utilising private land. An elite field of competitors will challenge for team and individual medals, and you can watch it unfold on FEI TV on Wednesday, Sep 12, with the winners to be crowned at around 8.30pm EST (2.30am CET).

Who are the favourites to make the podium in Tryon?

Spain is looking to defend their team gold from the 2014 WEG. Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton and teammate Jaume Punti-Dachs both have Individual and Team medals to their names, and are looking to lead their team to another gold.

France and Switzerland earned silver and bronze respectively in 2014 and want to move up the podium. At least 15 riders from eight countries – Ireland, US, Sweden, Great Britain, United Arab Emirates, Spain and Lithuania – furthered their preparation by competing at the WEG test event in April.

Riders from Mexico were training in the mountains of Vermont, Bermuda’s rider competed in North Carolina, and New Zealand’s riders arrived early to acclimate their horses.

Hamdan Bin Mohd Al Maktoum (UAE), Marijke Visser (NED), and Abdulrahman Saad A.s Al Sulaiteen (QAT) won Individual gold, silver, and bronze at the 2014 WEG and are representing their countries again. Penny Toft of Australia is competing in her fifth WEG and is part of a talented Aussie team.

Equestrian fans will also be excited to see teen sensation Pilar Saravia of Uruguay, as well as Bermuda's Marvin Brangman, an ordained minister who only took up the sport in 2015.

Many steps are taken to ensure the safety of the horses during these challenging races.

Mandatory veterinary checks take place between each of the five phases. Horses must be presented to the team of veterinarians with a heart rate of 64 bpm or lower, and pass lameness and metabolic exams.

They have a timed rest period before starting the next phase. Crews assist horses and riders at the checks and designated places on the course. Treatment veterinarians are also available for horses.

What about the 160km course?

Sue Phillips (USA) designed the course and is a four-star technical delegate, course designer, judge, and FEI steward. She also designed the course for the April test event.

Trails are nestled amongst the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and a mixture of dirt, sand, and crushed stone dust. Technical aspects of the course will limit speed. Trails have been groomed to ensure safety, clearing all rocks, holes and tree limbs.

Tune into FEI TV to watch the WEG Endurance competition from 7am - 8.30pm CET on Wednesday, Sep 12...