The initial bidding process for the 2018 edition of the World Equestrian Games started in 2011 with the initial application stage. Eight countries expressed their interest, and five of them became official candidates in 2012: Rabat, Bromont, Budapest, Vienna and Wellington. Australia, Russia and Sweden withdrew before the official candidature phase.[2]
By 2013, four of the official candidates dropped out, leaving only Bromont in the running. However, instead of awarding the Games to Canada, FEI decided to re-open the bidding process on July 1, 2013, as the Bromont bid was lacking financial support.[3] Bromont remained in the running and was joined by two USA candidates (Wellington and Lexington) as well as Great Britain.[4]
Great Britain and Wellington dropped out, leaving only Bromont and Lexington in contention. Bromont was finally awarded the hosting rights on June 9, 2014.[5]
Bromont withdrew from hosting in 2016, as the financial support was not secured.[6] Following Bromont's withdrawal, Mill Spring, North Carolina and Šamorín, Slovakia expressed their interest in hosting the event. Mill Spring was awarded the Games on November 3, 2016.
With the 2018 games, United States became the first nation to host the World Equestrian Games twice.
Hurricane Florence hit the Tryon International Equestrian Center and the surrounding area during the first week of the World Equestrian Games.[11] Reported impacts included heavy rainfall and increased gusts of wind. A special contingency plan has been addressed for the situation.[12][13]
The contingency plan included accommodating all horses on-venue in permanent barns, moving grooms accommodated on-site to permanent buildings at the venue, advising shelter locations for all personnel, continuing discussions with airports and Emirates airline on any necessary steps regarding horse arrivals/departures, ensuring smaller tents in the vendor area are tie-strapped together for security, carrying out additional drainage/water channeling to prevent flooding, purchasing additional fuel tanks and filling all fuel tanks to run the generators, preparing to remove fence scrim already installed and taking down flags.
WEQx Games
Alongside the World Equestrian Games, Tryon International Equestrian Center was supposed to host the inaugural WEQx Games. WEQx Games were scheduled to feature nine spectator-friendly equine competitions that should "highlight the accessibility, diversity, athleticism, and passion for horses and horse sport for athletes of all ages".[14]
WEQx Events:
U-25 U.S. Open Championship (Jumping)
U.S. Open Speed Horse (Jumping)
DerbyX (Hunter Derby)
Battle of the Sexes (Jumping)
Match Race (Jumping)
Puissance (Jumping)
Six Bar (Jumping)
Pony Jumpers (Jumping)
Gladiator Polo (3x3 Polo)
The program got cancelled amidst Hurricane Florence and various organizational setbacks (delayed construction of venues, budget cuts, low ticket sales).
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