Well I have returned home from the World Games in Kentucky and man did I have a fantastic time! It is incredible to see so many of the world’s top riders all in one place. While at the WEG, I learned a lot. The Europeans (and Canadians) will always be ahead of the USA in the fashion department. Sorry John, cowboy hats just are not the answer (I know you really liked them). The WEG is also probably the only horse show in the world where your pets are not allowed so unfortunately I had to leave my squirrel at home. Oh yeah, I also may have learned a thing or two about riding.
The niftiest thing about the World Equestrian Games is the diversity among the different equestrian sports. Of course, we all are reaching saturation point on Eventing results and are aware of how Endurance went, same for Dressage and Reining. However, yesterday saw the beginning of Para-Dressage.
Traditionally, just as in Eventing, Great Britain is a very strong country and looks to be no different this time around. Sophie Wells, 20, of Nottinghamshire, England took individual gold in the grade IV individual test scoring a 71.677% giving her a large lead over the Netherlands’ Frank Hosmar, and Denmark’s Henrik Weber Sibbesen.
In the grade III Hannelore Brenner and Women of the World took the gold. After the last team scoring, USA was unofficially in 8th with Laura Goldman on Carlingford JD as the highest placed America. For more team and individual results check out the Alltech FEI WEG site.
One of the most spectacular sports at the WEG is the vaulting which got underway today.
What country do you think will win the most medals at the World Games? As of now, confirmed country medals (all disciplines) are as follows…
USA- 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
GBR- 1 Gold, 2 Silver
UAE- 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
CAN- 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
GER- 1 Gold, 1 Bronze
NZL- 2 Bronze
NED- 1 Gold
ESP- 1 Gold
BEL- 1 Silver
FRA- 1 Silver
ITL- 1 Bronze
