The spectators at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Tryon, North Carolina got their first official peek at the eventers this afternoon during the first horse inspection. 

All 83 horses who were presented to the ground jury were deemed fit to compete this weekend with just two being sent to the hold box. Belgian Joris Vanspringel’s Imperial van de Holtakkers was represented as was Dutch rider Merel Blom’s Rumour Has It N.O.P. Both horses were accepted upon second presentation. 

The first day of dressage kicks off tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. EST. The chefs d’equipe will meet this evening to declare the starting orders for their teams and also which riders will be competing as individuals. The start times will be available afterward. 

Fast Facts on the Eventers:

• 16 teams will be competing
• 23 countries are represented
• Sir Mark Todd is competing in his 8th World Championship (he’s also the oldest rider at 62-years-old)
• Switzerland’s Robin Godel is the youngest rider (age 20)
• This is Phillip Dutton’s 7th World Championship
• The average age of the U.S. riders is 38.8 (the average age of the Kiwis is 48.4!)
• As of right now, Canada has the only all-female team
• There are 15 mares, 6 stallions and 62 geldings
• 17-years-old is the oldest horse age (Wega, a mare ridden by Sweden’s Sara Algotsson Ostholt)
• There are more Irish Sport Horses competing than any other breed (14 total)
• 60% of the riders are male, 40% are female

Helpful Links: Results/Order of Go, Official #Tryon2018 website, PH #2018 coverage, PH Facebook, PH Instagram, PH Twitter

Update on the Weather 

The possibility of tumultuous weather from Hurricane Florence has been on everyone’s mind, but late this afternoon, the event organizers sent around an update:

Today’s update from the National Weather Service, stationed onsite at TIEC for the duration of WEG, shows that Hurricane Florence is now expected to make landfall near the North and South Carolina coastal border on Friday evening. The projected weather pattern here at TIEC will be heavy rain on Sunday evening into Monday and possibly Tuesday, with winds peaking on Sunday evening at 30mph with gusts of up to 40mph.

Thunderstorms today and tomorrow afternoon are not related to Hurricane Florence.

Currently there is no change to the arranged flights for competing horses.

Click here for complete eventing coverage, event highlights, and a behind-the-scenes experience during #Tryon2018. Eventing coverage of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 is brought to you by Soft Ride.