Ingrid Klimke (GER) and SAP Hale Bob OLD compete at the World Equestrian Games at Tryon in 2018, the last time all FEI disciplines were together for a World Championship. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
The FEI sent an update to National Federations and stakeholders earlier this week officially opening up the bidding process for a 2030 World Championships host site. The FEI indicated a preference for host sites that could stage a venue for multiple disciplines, but said that single-discipline bids would also be considered.
What this means: We have’t had a true World Equestrian Games since Tryon in 2018, which was put on with mixed results (some self-imposed, others – like hurricane weather – uncontrollable). This summer’s World Championships at Aachen nearly got there, hosting every discipline except for endurance. Unifying the seven sports (eventing, jumping, dressage, para dressage, vaulting, driving and endurance) would be a truly exciting accomplishment but represents a large logistical challenge.
Especially for eventing and endurance. Eventing requires enough space to build a 9-10 minute course, and World Championship endurance length is about 100 miles (typically done in loops).
The FEI’s update said that it would consider bids to host a full FEI World Equestrian Games, but did not indicate a direct preference for this option.
Laura Collett (GBR) and London 52 at the iconic Aachen venue for this year’s World Championships. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
What are the scenarios? Three scenarios, most likely.
- Option A: A similar makeup to 2026, which had 6/7 disciplines at Aachen. Endurance will have its World Championship in the United Arab Emirates in December; the discipline underwent venue reallocations that delayed the Championships, which had initially been slated to be held in Saudi Arabia. Option B: A single- or dual-discipline Championship, similar to 2022. In this case, it’s likely eventing would end up on its own again given its need for acreage.
- Option C: A reunified World Equestrian Games that hosts all seven under one roof.
Could North America host another World Championship? No doubt. The USA has hosted two World Equestrian Games – 2010 in Kentucky and 2018 in Tryon. Both venues have the infrastructure to repeat the feat. It was thought that the World Equestrian Center in Ocala would eventually submit a bid after the ownership group affiliated with the facility purchased the Ocala Jockey Club in 2021, but there hasn’t been much public movement on that angle.
What are the next steps? Expressions of interest, which are not binding, are due by December 11. The opening of a formal bidding process will follow in January, and in order to be eligible to submit a bid, an entity or National Federation must have submitted an Expression of Interest. Bids will then be due at the end of March 2027. The allocation will then be given at the June 2027 FEI Board meeting.
