I am not sure amazing is the word I want to use to describe the thought that’s it’s been 10 years since the close of the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games that we all so affectionately called the Games and were so proud of. Ten years really isn’t such a long time, we actually had 5 years before that to prepare for the Games and we thought that was a lifetime to wait. What probably is amazing is how much my memory of the Games remains with me. The Games lasted 16 days, I was there 14 of those days, 12 as a volunteer so I really got the opportunity to be immersed in them. My security badge still hangs here by my desk as a reminder, Lyle Lovett was gracious enough to sign it after his concert closing night. I will always feel sentimental about those Games, and I still hold onto the hope that one day we can bring them back to Kentucky. I realize some of you will say that is probably a long shot, and I would agree, but sometimes long shots are the best kind.
My first day of volunteering was at the main gate leading one of the many teams there overseeing the pedestrian traffic into the park. The weather was about the same as what we are expecting over the next couple of days, but certainly cooler than today. It was certainly a great opening day for the Games and for my experience.
The last three months have really been about figuring out what the new normal is and finding some semblance of solid ground from which to build. Some may say it is too soon to say we know what the new norm will look like, and I will agree I think it will be this time next year before we are sure what that looks like but I at least feel realistic in my belief that we can get it figured out.
Now, what does that mean in regards to something like the World Equestrian Games, as we have known for some time there was no expectation that we would see them in their same format as we did in Lexington in 2010, amazing how much difference the span of 10 years has made! With the economic fall out from the Covid Pandemic I would expect all horse events to feel significant negative impacts for upwards of the next 10 years. So the notion that anyone would broach the idea of trying to reconstitute an event on the scale of the 2010 World Equestrian Games before sometime after 2032 seems unrealistic.
In many peoples minds then, the World Equestrian Games are something in the past, never to be seen again, same was said about many things in human history but as long as a spark of an idea survives it can always be rekindled. I for one will continue to keep that spark alive because I will always believe in the power of the horse to prevail and to unite humankind in a way that is an in-explainable as it is wondrous for as Winston Churchill has been credited with saying, “There is something about the outside of a Horse that is good for the inside of man” and I for one very much believe that.
In closing I will say that I keep everyone in my thoughts and prayers and wish the best for everyone in these trying times. Please take care of yourselves and all your furry family members as well.
Mill Spring, NC – March 25, 2020 – In response to the Governor of North Carolina’s mandate on Monday, March 23 to cancel events with 50 or more people through May 15, 2020, Tryon Resort and Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) are canceling additional events and competitions. The complete list of canceled events includes: Tryon Welcome Series – March 19-April 12Tryon Spring 1 and 2 – April 29-May 10Tryon Spring Dressage 1 and 2 – April 16-19 and May 2-3The Katydid CDE at TIEC – April 23-26Comedy Night – April 3Easter Brunch – April 12 (available for carryout only) Layover stalls and onsite lodging are available by contacting lodging@tryon.com or stabling@tryon.com or by calling 828.863.1015. Decisions about future competitions and events will be made as new information becomes available. Please visit our website for the latest updates related to our venue:https://bit.ly/39OiSup Sincerely, Sharon Allred DeckerCOO, Tryon Equestrian PartnersCarolinas Operations
A decade ago at the close of 2009, the plans were well underway for the 2010 World Equestrian Games here in Lexington, Kentucky. The Aachen Games of 2006, four years prior had been considered a success and so there was much optimism for the success of our Games. Almost ten years later I would say our optimism was well placed in that the investments that were made ten plus years ago continue to pay off and certainly strengthened Lexington’s Horse Capital of the World mantra and so the future for Lexington continues to look bright. The Games in 2014 and 2018 were fraught with a number of issues with the Games at Tryon even being besieged by the remnants of a Hurricane.
Now as we close out 2019 though, the future for the World Equestrian Games is not so bright. For all practical purposes, the Games no longer exist in their single venue form. Now the individual championships are held in separate locations at different times which is simpler to do but takes away some of the grandness of the World Equestrian Games format. This tends to diminish the level of general media attention Equestrian sports get overall but is probably healthier for the individual sports because WEG was starting to suffer from the same sort of bloat that the Olympics are known for.
My hope is that one day, probably 20 years in the future we will bring back the full World Equestrian Games to the Kentucky Horse Park for at least one more go because I do think it is a worthwhile endeavor.
In the near term, I want to wish everyone a Very Happy New Year for 2020, may this new decade bring you great happiness and joy in all your endeavors, equestrian and otherwise.
As most have now heard, earlier this month the FEI announced what is effectively the end of the World Equestrian Games. Instead the FEI is going to go back to the individual Championships format that proceeded the WEG. When I wrote last month, I knew that was coming, the writing was all over the walls so to speak but that still doesn’t mean I wasn’t saddened from the sentimental standpoint when the official statement was made. My 12 days volunteering at the 2010 WEG here in Kentucky is certainly one of those amazing events of my life so to see the likely hood of having that kind of event here again become a long shot causes a level of disappointment.
Now if you didn’t catch it, I said long shot, didn’t say an impossibility primarily because I will continue to advocate and one day if I get the chance, financially support an event of the caliber of WEG here in Kentucky. Not saying it will be the same exact format as what WEG was but I could see putting on a multi-discipline event at the Kentucky Horse Park that would provide a showcase of what the horse represents to the human spirit.
On a more festive note, going to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays now because I am staying quite busy on a number of endeavors and so it maybe the end of next month before I make time to write again. I am thankful for all of you who follow my blog and who support my efforts.
It’s been 8 years since Kentucky hosted the Games and the question I keep getting is will we get the Games again. I am of course optimistic that we will though the clock is running because the longer we wait, we loose the benefits of previously hosting them. When I say them most people figure I am talking the capital investments in that people feel for these kind of events you have to have brand new facilities. I disagree a bit with that assessment but the bigger loss is in personal capital, the people involved in planning the event and all those involved in the actual event, including an army of volunteers that was trained. Certainly the loss of Dr. Lyons early this year was a blow in many ways but there are certainly other Kentuckians who can pick up that torch and carry it so I certainly don’t see his loss as something that should prevent us from ever hosting the Games again, and I am sure he would be disappointed in a number of us if that was ever to be the case. I said this was going to be the short version, so let me get to where I see the Games since the Games at Tryon have completed.
I will say right off the bat that the Games at Tryon did not go as I had hoped. It has always been important to me that the Games be successful no matter where they were held. This has never been a competition between Lexington and any other host city, this has always been a hope that the next Games would build on the prior. That Lexington learned from Aachen and then Normandy learned from Lexington and Tryon learned from Normandy and so on and so on. In my mind that is a key component to how I judge the success of any particular set of Games. In general I believe Aachen, Lexington and Normandy were a success in that the overall sentiment was positive and you had that sense of building something. Now before everyone assumes I am going to say Tryon was not a success and that I am going to pile on to the negative press that did arise from these Games, I am not. It serves no purpose in what I want to accomplish which is the continuation of the Games and the desire to bring the Games back to Kentucky. With that said, let me layout where we are and where we need to go from here.
The first thing everyone needs to remember is that Tryon was not the original host and certainly to get into that would not make this the short version of what I wanted to provide. The reason I bring that up is because if Tryon hadn’t stepped in there may of not been a Games at all but in doing so Tryon was taking on hosting a highly complex event in what was really too short of a time frame. The leadership at Tryon had to be optimistic about what they were promising because to be realistic would of cost them the support to have probably pulled off what they did, which at some level was a bit of a miracle. Now with that said, I will say there were some areas where I think the leadership may have believed their own optimistic PR and didn’t really plan with reality in mind. In those cases I will say they over promised and under delivered and I will not excuse them of that. I am actually going to stop there because my real interest is in where this leaves us going forward.
First I think the FEI needs to have a real hard look at itself and determine if they as an organization have the passion to provide the leadership that is needed for the WEG to continue. Now I am sure a few of you that know me are saying, WTF, that I would suggest that the WEG is not viable because of the FEI, actually, I can’t and I am not saying that, only the FEI can make that determination and it has to on the basis of what is best for the individual sports and those involved. The situation with Endurance is a clear example and there is no way to spin that, that doesn’t leave the sport of Endurance in a tough spot because of some real harm that was done to the sport and I think that will take some time and effort to repair.
As of now no host for the 2022 Games has been selected and this presents a significant challenge for a pair of reasons. The obvious of course is the same problem Tryon found themselves in, lack of time. When Kentucky won the Games early in December of 2005 that gave us a little less then 5 years to get everything done, but what a lot of people never realize is how much planning had already been done at the one of a kind facility that the Kentucky Horse Park already was. The second reason is that who ever would host the 2022 Games has lost the chance to really get a behind the scenes look at the running of the actual event while its going on and you are actually able to take your initial plan and do some simulations against a real event in real time.
So where does that leave us, my recommendation would be that we take a break and not have the Games in 2022 with the intent to make the 2026 Games a true showcase of what Equestrian Sport is, a sport like no other, because no other sport involves the relationship of two life forces like that of a human and a horse.
I appreciate all of you who took the time to read my short version.
The 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon #Tryon2018 , North Carolina are officially open. Of course on this the 17th anniversary of 9/11 plus the impending disaster that is Hurricane Florence the Games are not making the cut for the news networks beyond the local talk of the potential impacts of Hurricane Florence on the Games, which based on the latest forecast has the potential to be significant and I could see it causing postponements of some events this weekend. At the moment though everything is still on schedule with Endurance kicking things off at 6:30 AM followed by Dressage at 8:45 AM and Reining at 9 AM tomorrow.
The one negative I have heard and seen posted has to do with the Grooms Housing, but as of tonight it is being reported that additional RV’s and other accommodations have been made for any of the Grooms who want out of what has been referred to as the “Shambles” or on par with military barracks out in the field. If you want additional background on this story check out what the British Grooms Association had to say on the matter, Grooms Accommodation at WEG.
We will of course be keeping up with all the news coming out of Tryon and will be praying everyone, human and horse alike stays safe, has an incredible time and that the Games themselves are a great success.
Free Community Day Presented By Mars, Incorporated Set For September 17 During World Equine Expo™ And FEI World Equestrian Games™
The Organizing Committee is proud to announce that Monday, September 17, 2018 will be Community Day presented by Mars, Incorporated. Open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., both parking and admission to the World Equine Expo™ will be free as a thank you to the regional North Carolina and South Carolina communities that have supported Tryon International Equestrian Center’s efforts to host the WEG this September 11-23. Click here to register to attend now!
I ran across a recent article discussing the ongoing positive impacts of the 2010 World Equestrian Games on Central Kentucky. The article just published this week in the Blue Ridge Now out of Hendersonville, North Carolina was titled, World Equestrian Games: Kentucky still feeling impact from 2010 event.
What was interesting was the fact that just 2 weeks before I had been to the Kentucky Horse Park for the Junior League Horse Show and had remarked on how I felt the Horse Park continued to benefit from WEG. The Junior League Horse Show had previously been held at the Red Mile in downtown Lexington since the early 20th Century and is the longest running outdoor Horse Show in the United States. It was moved to the the Rolex Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park to maintain that record and though there were many concerns raised about it being moved I for one found that it was an improvement in multiple ways having it at the Kentucky Horse Park. The Rolex Arena had been upgraded for WEG and continues to pay dividends in the events it attracts and should do so for years to come. So check out the article in Blue Ridge Now for a good perspective on the impact of the Games now that enough time has past to provide a more objective view on their impact to the Central Kentucky Area.
Download our official FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 (WEG) Destination Guide to plan your stay in North Carolina this September! Everything you need to know about visiting the Carolinas is there: what to do, where to explore, how to find the best food, and so much more!
Tryon, NC USA – May 10, 2018 – The World Equine Expo™ featured at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) alongside the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 (WEG)September 11-23 has announced a Nonprofit Vendor Program with applications now available. “Nonprofit Row” will be clearly marked for high visibility and consist of 9’x10′ booths shared by two non-profit organizations at a 20% discount.
Each booth includes:
(2) 4’x2′ tables (one for each nonprofit organization)
(2) chairs (one for each nonprofit organization)
(2) waste baskets (one for each nonprofit organization)
Booths will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. An initial inventory of ten booths has been set aside for a total of twenty available spots, but more inventory may be added to suit demand, and organizations can select a full-sized booth as well.
Nonprofits will be responsible for providing their own table coverings that reach the floor, brochures and marketing materials, banners, and signage.
Nonprofits are required to apply as a vendor using the online Vendor Application, agree to terms and conditions, and provide a valid credit card. Booths are not assigned until payments have been received in full. All applicants must provide a copy of their IRS determination letter designating 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
Login if you have an account, or click “Register” to create a new account. Follow the online instructions.
Once your account has been created, you will receive an invitation to apply as a vendor. Click the link, login, and begin completing the Online Vendor Application.
The three-page application process is easy and straightforward, and includes:
Organization information
Booth selection
Payment and submission
Pricing:
9’x10′ Full Booth – Non-Profit Organization: $6,084
Additional benefits for Nonprofit Row vendors includes a listing in the World Equine Expo™ Online Marketplace as well as a directory in the World Equine Expo™ program.
Advertising is also available in the World Equine Expo™ Program and the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Commemorative Program. For more information, visit https://tryon2018.com/page/advertise or email advertise@coth.com.
Like the @Tryon2018 Facebook page to stay informed on the most recent news.
To start planning a trip to the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018, visit www.Tryon2018.com.
Media Inquiries For media inquiries about the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018, please contact one of the following press officers:
For more information from the FEI, please contact Shannon Gibbons at shannon.gibbons@fei.org or 0041-78-750-6146.
About Tryon International Equestrian Center
Tryon International Equestrian Center at Tryon Resort, host of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018, is one of the world’s premier equestrian lifestyle destinations. From carousel to competition, the mission of Tryon Resort is to celebrate the magic of the horse, grow equestrian sport, and increase access to this majestic animal. With first-class facilities for hunter/jumper, dressage, and eventing competitions, the facility will soon accommodate all eight equestrian disciplines. Tryon Resort is a spring, summer and fall haven for equestrian competitors and enthusiasts, and a year-round destination for connoisseurs of diverse cuisine and shopping, lodging getaways, and family entertainment. Learn more at www.Tryon.com.
About the FEI World Equestrian Games™
The FEI World Equestrian Games™, held every four years in the middle of the Olympic cycle, is the property of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the world governing body for horse sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It is one of the biggest events on the global sporting calendar, combining World Championships in the Olympic disciplines of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, the Paralympic discipline of Para-Equestrian Dressage, as well as Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining.
The inaugural FEI World Equestrian Games™ were hosted in Stockholm (SWE) in 1990. Since then the Games have been staged in The Hague (NED) in 1994, Rome (ITA) in 1998, Jerez (ESP) in 2002, and Aachen (GER) in 2006. The first Games to be organised outside Europe were the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky (USA) 2010. The Games came back to Europe for the 2014 edition, the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Normandy (FRA), which attracted more than 500,000 on-site spectators and a worldwide television audience of 350 million, as well as delivering an economic impact of €368 million to the French economy.
The FEI World Equestrian Games™ History Hub can be viewed here:
Mill Spring, NC – February 22, 2018 – Mark Bellissimo, Managing Partner and CEO of the International Equestrian Group and Tryon Equestrian Partners, announced today the inaugural annual World Equine Expo™ that will include the WEQx Games™ and World Horse Day™ and will run concurrent with the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 (WEG) between September 11-23rd, 2018.The collective event theme is “Celebrate the Horse, Celebrate the Sport,” which honors and highlights the unique connection between horses and humans across the world. The Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) team, location of the 2018 WEG, will release its #Together video highlighting this powerful connection between the World Equine Expo and the FEI World Equestrian Games™.
Happy New Year everyone, 2018 is here and it looks to be an exciting and great year with Tryon hosting the 2018 Games, ticket sales opened 2 weeks ago and with the 2022 Games back up for bidding hoping to see Kentucky back in the hunt for those.
The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has been forced to re-open the bidding process for the 2022 World Equestrian Games after sole candidate Šamorín withdrew from the contest.
The Slovakian city had been due to stage the event after American city Lexington pulled out of the race in January.
But Šamorín refused to sign the host city contract despite “lengthy discussions” with the FEI.
A host city for the event will be announced at the FEI Bureau meeting in Manama in November of next year.
Šamorín’s decision to withdraw was announced by FEI President Ingmar de Vos at the governing body’s General Assembly in Montevideo.
Their withdrawal marks the latest difficulty for the FEI and the World Equestrian Games but De Vos, who became a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in September, claims he is confident a suitable host will be found.
“We are confident there will be candidates, but these are complex Games and we need to make sure we do it right,” he said.
Šamorín hosted last year’s FEI World Endurance Championships after stepping in to replace Dubai.
The United Arab Emirates city was axed due to horse welfare concerns.
The 2018 World Equestrian Games are due to held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina in the United States between September 10 and 23.
The city replaced Bromont in Canada, which had been selected to host but was then hit by financial issues.
Šamorín pulling out was among a number of key decisions announced at the General Assembly in the Uruguayan capital.
The FEI’s membership approved the qualification process for the sport’s three Olympic disciplines: jumping, dressage and eventing – at Tokyo 2020.
An initial deadline achieve minimum eligibility requirements to compete at the Games was due to be May 18 in 2020 but that has been altered to five weeks before the sports entry deadline, due to be confirmed by the IOC next year.
Plans to introduce a new scoring system for international dressage tests were also scrapped by the FEI following a mixed response from the organisation’s members.
It would have seen the implementation of a “hi-lo” drop score, which removes the highest and lowest scores for each movement so an average mark is formed.
De Vos claimed during his opening address that the sport was “expanding at an amazing rate” and was continuing to grow and develop.
“In 10 years the number of events have more than doubled and we are now seeing a steady and annual increase of around eight per cent in terms of events and four to five per cent in terms of registered athletes,” he said.
“These are incredible statistics – especially in this very diverse and competitive sports market.
“And not only is our sport growing but the quality and the presentation is better than ever.”
Since joining insidethegames.biz, in 2015 Liam Morgan has covered a variety of international multi-sport events and conferences, including the Baku 2015 European Games, the Lillehammer 2016 Winter Youth Olympics, the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby and the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa. He has also reported from the FIFA Extraordinary Elective Congress in Zurich. He graduated from Southampton Solent University in 2014 with a BA First Class honours degree in Sports Journalism.
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