U.S. Endurance Embarks on Mission for Team Finish at FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018

USEF.org

by US Equestrian Communications Department | Sep 11, 2018, 8:37 PM EST
Mill Spring, N.C. – The U.S. Endurance Team will use the home atmosphere and familiar terrain to their advantage when they mount up in quest for a team finish at the FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) Tryon 2018. Led by Chef d’Equipe Mark Dial, the team of Gwen Hall, Cameron Holzer, Kelsey Russell, and Cheryl Van Deusen will set out on the five-loop, 100-mile test on Wednesday, September 12, at 6:30 a.m. EDT. The course will start and finish on the Tryon International Equestrian Center main property and will include mandatory veterinarian checks and rest periods to ensure horse and rider safety. The competition will also determine individual medalists.

Meet the Team

Gwen Hall (Woodland Park, Colo.) and SizeDoesntMatter, her 12-year-old Arabian gelding.

Cameron Holzer (Houston, Texas) and Kong, her nine-year-old Shagya Sporthorse gelding.

Kelsey Russell (Williston, Fla.) and Fireman Gold, Wendy MacCoubrey and Valerie Kanavy’s eight-year-old Arabian gelding. Follow Russell on Facebook (@GoldMedalFarmEnduranceTeam).

Cheryl Van Deusen (New Smyrna Beach, Fla.) and Hoover the Mover, her 14-year-old Arabian gelding.

Van Deusen and Hoover the Mover as well as Holzer and Kong step in as U.S. Endurance Team substitute combinations for Danielle Crouse (Lexington, Ohio) and AM Mysterious Mopsa, Wendy MacCoubrey’s 11-year-old Arabian mare, and Rae Shumate-Tysor (Cumming, Ga.) and DM Michaelangelo, her nine-year-old Arabian gelding.

Under the consultation of the U.S. Endurance Team veterinary staff, and in the best interest of their horses, Crouse and U.S. Endurance Squad reserve combination Erin Champion (Clinton, Tenn.), with Kongtiki, her own 15-year-old Arabian stallion, chose to withdraw their horses prior to the veterinary inspection, due to medical concerns.

Shumate-Tysor’s mount DM Michaelangelo did not pass the veterinary inspection.

Last Time Out

Hall and SizeDoesntMatter won the 2018 Fire Up 100 CEI3* in April.

Holzer and Kong won the 2017 Fort Howes Endurance Rides CEI3*.

Russell and Fireman Gold placed 17th in the 2018 Tryon Cup – WEG Test Event CEI2* in April. Prior to this, they won the 2018 Goethe Gallivant FEI Endurance Rides CEI3* in January and the 2018 Fun in the Sun CEI3* in March.

Van Deusen and Hoover the Mover placed second in the 2018 Fort Howes Endurance Riders CEI3* in June.

Career Highlights

Van Deusen: Completed 20 career races with Hoover the Mover, which included 12 top-five placings; Santo Domino 2011 Pan American Games competitor and member of the silver medal-winning U.S. team at the Costa Azul 2009 Pan American Games; 2007 FEI European Endurance Championship Open competitor, and 2005 FEI North American Endurance Championship competitor.

Hall: Completed 11 of 13 races with SizeDoesntMatter, always placing in the top five. They won the 2017 Ft. Howes CEI2* and the 2017 Lone Star Express CEI1*.

Holzer: Finished six of eight races with Kong, always placing in the top three.

Russell: Member of the U.S. Endurance Team for the Alltech WEG Normandy 2014; two top-10 finishes at the FEI Junior and Young Rider Endurance World Championships (2011, 2013); team and individual gold medalist at the 2011 Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North; won three of five CEI3* events in 2017 and 2018.

Competition Information

The endurance competition begins at 6:30 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, September 12. Watch it live via FEI TV. A subscription is required.

Competition Results

Find out more about the endurance discipline and the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018.

Follow US Equestrian

Stay up to date on the U.S. Endurance Team at WEG by following USA Endurance on Facebook and US Equestrian on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, featuring a daily Instagram Story. Use #USAEndurance and #Tryon2018.

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members.

WEG Severe Weather Contingency Plans

Equestrian.org.au

12 September 2018

This is the contingency plan that is in place for Hurricane Florence should it affect the FEI World Equestrian Games event that is now underway (as distributed by the Tryon Organising Committee);

We have an onsite weather station here at TIEC and the National Weather Service is providing us with weather updates every six hours. If Hurricane Florence, which is currently forecast to stay to the east of the WEG venue, should change course we will receive much more frequent alerts so that we can advise you of any severe weather forecast for the Tryon region.

We already have robust contingency plans in place for use in the event of severe weather conditions and this includes sheltering plans for personnel and horses.

There are 1,188 permanent stalls onsite and all barns are built in conformance with the International Building Code to withstand winds up to 90mph (144kph), so the horses are in the safest place here on-site. TIEC became a refuge for horses from five states ahead of Hurricane Irma in August/September last year.

We are working with the USDA to ensure that, in the event of extreme weather, all horses in PAQ will be stabled in Barn 5, not in the tent extension.

We are working with three different electrical suppliers and have numerous generators on-site. We also have two high-volume wells on property, both of which are attached to the emergency generators and which supply drinkable water.

For personnel, there are multiple sheltering options on-site to ensure human safety.

In the event of severe weather that will impact TIEC, the contingency plan will include:

• Accommodating all horses on-venue in permanent barns

• Moving grooms accommodated on-site to permanent buildings on-venue

• Advising on secure sheltering locations for all personnel

• Continuing discussions with airports and Emirates airline (through Peden Bloodstock/Dutta Corporation) on any necessary steps regarding horse arrivals/departures.

• Ensuring smaller tents in vendor area are tie-strapped together for security (large tents are designed to withstand winds of up to 90mph)

• Carrying out additional drainage/water channeling

• Purchasing additional fuel tanks and fill all fuel tanks

• Preparing to remove fence scrim already installed

• Taking down flags

Any decision on delays to competitions or potential cancellation, would be made in accordance with FEI General Regulations, Article 109.12: Subject to the unanimous agreement of the President of the Ground Jury, Technical Delegate and President of the Veterinary Committee in consultation with the Organiser, a Competition (either before or during) can be postponed and/or cancelled, not only due to force majeure, catastrophic occurrences, extreme weather conditions but also for non-compliance with FEI Rules and in specific situations where the welfare or safety of the Horses, Athletes, Officials or the public is compromised.

For immediate National Weather Service updates, text “WEG2018” to 888777 (US phones only) or check out the Tryon2018.com website and on Facebook and Twitter at @Tryon2018. Any potential updates to schedules and programming will also be posted to the Tryon WEG channels.

WEG 2018 – Team NZ Blog, Day One

NZEquestrian.org.nz - Full Story

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison

Welcome to our first WEG blog from the 2018 Games. I’ll be bringing you daily updates on all that is happening here in North Carolina.

It’s a cooler day today at the Tryon International Equestrian Centre. The beeping of heavy-duty machinery is constant and there are small armies of high viz vests everywhere but otherwise it is business as usual.

Riders are doing their arena familiarisations, out hacking or just boxing on with their preparation for what will undoubtedly be a highlight of their career.

I arrived via Houston – surely one of the best trips I have had on Air New Zealand. Spent the night in Greenville and then on to TIEC. The weather is a real mixture – hot and muggy, rain, thunder and lightning and everything in between.

The surrounds are gorgeous even if they haven’t quite got everything finished. The future TIEC will be incredible.

I have caught up with the dressage, endurance and eventing riders – most only briefly. Everyone is in good spirits and ready to get things underway proper.

We had a BBQ with the endurance team and their incredible local hosts Joe and Nancy Talley last night. Kiwi farrier Rodney King again showed what a dab hand he is at cooking the BBQ.

The remainder of the endurance crew flew in late last night – missing a bit of their luggage but all still smiling...

Read more here:
https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2018/09/weg-2018-team-nz-blog-day-one/

Meydan backs endurance at WEG 2018

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Group enforces commitment to equestrian sport and horse racing at Mill Spring event

Published: 16:43 September 10, 2018 Gulf News
Staff Report

Dubai: Meydan Group will be the title sponsors of endurance event at the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018 (WEG), set to take place at the Tryon International Equestrian Centre in Mill Spring, Carolina, USA, from September 11-23.
The sponsorship reinforces Meydan’s ongoing commitment to equestrian sport, building on its position as a leading supporter of international horse racing and equestrian events. Meydan Group has a long-term affiliation with equestrianism, particularly endurance riding, and is dedicated to growing endurance riding through ongoing initiatives around the world.

As part of the sponsorship agreement, the WEG Endurance competition will be renamed ‘Meydan Endurance’, taking place on Wednesday (September 12), with the final circuit of the Meydan Endurance course named ‘The Meydan Loop’...

Read more here:
https://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/meydan-backs-endurance-at-weg-2018-1.2276787

For Horses, Like Elite Athletes, It’s All About the Training

NYTimes.com - Full Article

By Hannah Wulkan
Sept. 9, 2018

Some athletes are good at lifting heavy weights. Some are flexible, with great balance. Some can run for miles. The same is true of horses.

They have a wide variety of skills, and within equestrian sport there are disciplines designed to showcase them, including riding intricate patterns in reining, leaping over high obstacles in show jumping and running up to 100-mile races over tricky terrain in endurance.

The full range of the horse’s ability will be on display at the F.E.I. World Equestrian Games in Tryon, N.C., from Tuesday through Sept. 23, during which horses and riders from around the world will compete. The games, held by the Fédération Équestre Internationale, the sport’s governing body, happen every four years and represent the top level of competition for many disciplines...

Read more here:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/09/sports/horse-training-equestrian-games.html

Meydan Group Announced as Title Sponsor OF 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™ Endurance Competition

Tryon2018.com

By: WEG Admin
Sep 9, 2018

TRYON, NC, USA – September 9, 2018 – Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) is pleased to announce Meydan Group as the title sponsor of Endurance at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 (WEG), taking place this September (11 – 23).

The sponsorship further reinforces Meydan’s ongoing commitment to equestrian sport, building on its position as a leading supporter of international horse racing and equestrian events. Meydan Group has a long-term affiliation with equestrianism, particularly Endurance riding, and is dedicated to growing Endurance riding through ongoing initiatives around the world.

As part of the sponsorship agreement, the WEG Endurance competition will be renamed “Meydan Endurance,” taking place on Wednesday, September 12, with the final circuit of the Meydan Endurance course named “The Meydan Loop.”

“We are very pleased to be title sponsor of Endurance at the World Equestrian Games this September,” said Munther Muheisen, Vice President Strategy & Investment and acting Head of Corporate Communication Department of Meydan Group.

“We are committed to ensuring the sport receives the support necessary to grow and progress on a global scale. This event is a great opportunity to communicate our dedication to the sport, as well as the visionary approach of Meydan.”

Mark Bellissimo, Co-Founder and CEO of Tryon International Equestrian Center said: “We are thrilled to have Meydan on board as title sponsor of Endurance at this year’s FEI World Equestrian Games. Meydan Group’s support will be extremely beneficial, particularly for spectator experience through the enhancement of facilities such as the HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Royal Pavilion. This is a very exciting partnership for Tryon 2018.”

The FEI World Equestrian Games™ is expected to attract as many as 500,000 spectators to the largest equestrian event in the world, hosting eight disciplines and over 70 nations. For more information on the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018, please visit www.tryon2018.com.


ABOUT MEYDAN GROUP

Meydan is the visionary concept of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. The project is the culmination of his vision to create an integrated city that is innovatively sustainable, environmentally responsible and strategically positions Dubai at the centre of the competitive global business stage.

Meydan Group aims to link the world with the Emirate of Dubai through international equestrian events and a range of commercial developments, including hospitality, sports, entertainment, state-of-the-art business parks, residential villa communities, world-class educational and medical facilities, business towers with luxury waterfront developments and contemporary shopping destinations.

Meydan Racecourse and Grandstand are marvels of architecture and entertainment, hosting the world’s richest day in horseracing and the region’s premier sport and social event, the $35 million Dubai World Cup, which is topped by its $12 million namesake race and organised by Dubai Racing Club. Equine athleticism is further on display at Dubai Equestrian Club, which organises and hosts a series of international events, including the disciplines of endurance, dressage, show jumping and eventing at the purpose-built Dubai International Endurance City and its subsidiary Emirates Equestrian Centre. The former features the apex of endurance riding, the His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup, while the latter hosts the Dubai Show Jumping Championship.

Meydan’s real estate ventures include Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City, which covers approximately 45 million square feet of prime freehold development in the heart of Dubai, as well as Meydan Avenue, a mixed-use retail and residential development that incorporates the iconic Grandstand, The Track Meydan Golf, Meydan Tennis Academy and 285-room The Meydan Hotel at its heart. Multiple award-winning Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa is the Middle East’s premier venue of its kind, while Meydan Heights is home to premium Emirates Airline housing. Meydan One will offer an exceptional lifestyle to more than 83,000 residents with remarkable amenities and facilities, including the record-setting 711m Dubai One Tower, Meydan One Mall, a five-star hotel, civic plaza with dancing water fountains, indoor sports facility, 4km canal and marina, while the centrally located Meydan Free Zone offers a prime commercial location for high technology, superior telecommunications and business space flexibility.

For more information about Meydan, please visit www.meydan.ae.

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/