The World Equestrian Games at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina is underway, but already suffering from the effects of wet weather and high humidity, some of which is directly attributable to the impact of Hurricane Florence.
The Endurance competition, a non-Olympic event, was canceled because of the danger to the horses. The schedule of the remaining events is subject to change as more rain is forecast for the area.
Two events did get completed in the middle of the week:
∙ Reining (non-Olympic): The Reining Team event was won by the U.S. over Belgium and Germany, the fifth World Equestrian Games gold for the American squad. The event was introduced in 1998 and the U.S. has won every time.
∙ Dressage: Germany defended its 2014 title, with the peerless Isabell Werth the only member of the winners from four years ago. The U.S. finished second and Great Britain third.
The Germans have medaled in this event in all eight editions of the World Equestrian Games and Werth has been a part of six of those in 1994-98-2006-10-14-18. It’s the third straight medal in the World Equestrian Games for Britain, but the first in Team dressage for the U.S. since 2006.
The remaining schedule (as planned) of the medal sessions:
∙ Dressage:
14 September Grand Prix Special
16 September Grand Prix Freestyle
∙ Jumping:
21 September Team Competition
23 September Individual Competition
∙ Eventing:
16 September Jumping segment
∙ Driving:
23 September Team and Individual
∙ Reining:
15 September Individual Competition
∙ Vaulting:
19 September Team Freestyle Final
20 September Pas-de-Deux Final
23 September Freestyle Finals for Men, Women, Squad
In terms of the Olympic disciplines, the individual favorites are indicated by the most recent championship finals and current FEI World Rankings:
∙ Dressage:
○ 2016 Olympic Games: 1. Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) 2. Isabell Werth (GER)
○ 2017 World Cup Final: 1. Isabell Werth (GER) 2. Laura Graves (USA)
○ 2018 World Cup Final: 1. Isabell Werth (GER) 2. Laura Graves (USA)
○ 2018 FEI Rankings: 1. Isabell Werth (GER) 2. Laura Graves (USA)
∙ Jumping:
○ 2016 Olympic Games: 1. Nick Skelton (GBR) 2. Peter Fredricson (SWE)
○ 2017 World Cup Final: 1. McLain Ward (USA) 2. Romain Duguet (SUI)
○ 2018 World Cup Final: 1. Beezie Madden (USA) 2. Devin Ryan (USA)
○ 2018 FEI Rankings: 1. Harrie Smolders (NED) 2. McLain Ward (USA)
∙ Eventing:
○ 2016 Olympic Games: 1. Michael Jung (GER) 2. Astier Nicolas (FRA)
○ 2018 FEI Rankings: 1. Oliver Townend (GBR) 2. Tim Price (NZL)
NBC has extensive coverage of the WEG, with 65 hours of total coverage planned on NBC, NBCSN and the NBC Olympic Channel; the schedule is here. Look for results here.
