Kendyl Tracy leads Lynn Symansky and Donner into the U.S. Trust Arena for their show jumping round, followed by U.S. Chef d’Equipe Erik Duvander. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

As we digest the results of yesterday’s show jumping finale at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, it’s a harsh reality for the U.S. that the team came within one rail of qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Finishing eighth is still notable for the mere fact that the team finished, a result that eluded the U.S. at both the 2014 WEG and 2016 Olympics, but it’s clear we still have work to do in order to be competitive on the world stage.

EN sat down with U.S. Chef d’Eqipe Erik Duvander to break down the team’s performance at Tryon. Erik took on the role of U.S. Performance Director of Eventing 10 months ago, and since then the overarching goal for the U.S. High Performance program has been to produce the best possible result at Tryon, but first and foremost to qualify for Tokyo.

Erik coached the U.S. in two Nations Cups at Great Meadow and Aachen prior to Tryon, which served as his first championship with the team. (Click here to read his analysis of the team’s performance at Aachen.) In dissecting the team’s outcome at Tryon, Erik echoed the same sentiment: implementing tangible changes in a High Performance program takes time.

“To make changes takes more than 10 months. This year has been about learning about the riders and getting to know them intimately enough to be able to be the best support for them, and also understanding the full structures and what they’re doing in their programs,” Erik said. “You learn a lot about a team at a championships and what the team culture is. It has set me up with a platform for a greater understanding for where we need to go.”

As far as where that direction is, Erik first made it clear that there is a lot going right in the High Performance program. The U.S. team sat in bronze medal position after dressage at Tryon, and Erik said there were a lot of positives to take away from the first phase.

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg (USA). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Boyd Martin led the way for the team after dressage in eighth place with Christine Turner’s Tsetserleg on 27.1, a career personal best for the horse across all levels.  Boyd also improved on Tsetserleg’s CCI4* debut at Kentucky by 4.1 marks, a testament to his diligent hard work with his wife Silva and dressage coach Scott Hassler.

The U.S. team also brought in FEI judge Christian Landolt to work with the riders at team training camps at Bromont last month prior to the mandatory outing in the CIC3*, as well as the final training camp at Will Faudree’s Gavilan Farm prior to shipping to the venue.

All four of the U.S. team horses improved on their dressage scores from Kentucky. Phillip Dutton also trains with Scott Hassler, and The Z Partnership’s Z sat in 12th after dressage at Tryon on 27.6, a 6.1-mark improvement from his CCI4* debut at Kentucky.

Lynn Symansky and Donner. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Lynn Symansky and The Donner Syndicate’s Donner also delivered a CCI4* personal best in dressage of 28.3 to sit in 20th place. Erik added: “I thought Donner produced as nice a test as I’ve ever seen him do — nice and relaxed and loose in his body.”

The Conair Syndicate’s Tight Lines is known for being tricky on the flat, but Will Coleman still improved their dressage score from Kentucky by 2.7 marks to sit in 64th place. As pathfinders for the team, their job was not to produce a competitive dressage mark so much as to deliver key intel as the first pair out for the team on Capt. Mark Phillips’s cross country course.

The U.S. team had an early draw as the fourth to go, which meant there was little time to scout out how the course was riding. Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue d’Argouges, the first pair out of the start box, successfully went direct up the waterfall up-bank at Mars Sustainability Bay, but as the day unfolded, more and more horses took a distinct disliking to the waterfall.

Will Coleman and Tight Lines. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

As fourth out of the start box, Will Coleman and Tight Lines were early guinea pigs — not just for the U.S. team but for how the course would ultimately ride as a whole. Tight Lines firmly said no to the waterfall up-bank, as well as picked up another runout at 14B at the influential CSX Corners.

“The longer route was easier and didn’t take so much time, but the straight route was jumpable, so it wasn’t impossible. In our sport you see a fence and think we understand the horses pretty well and how they will react. The early draw was not an advantage for us, and we changed tactics after Will had his problem there,” Erik said.

“The pathfinder position is tough to have. Often you send someone out who is good on the cross country and you get the information back, and it’s always good information for the team but it’s not the outcome you wish for.”

(Side note: The gold medal British team riders all planned to take the longer route at the water from the start. Gemma Tattersall and Arctic Soul, who were next out of the start box after Will Coleman and Tight Lines, took the long route there and came home 13 seconds inside the time, and soon after other teams started adjusting their plans to going long.)

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg were next out for the U.S. team and were going well until Mars Sustainability Bay, when unfortunately they got into the wrong spot at the boat to result in a refusal. Boyd delivered top 10 results for the U.S. at the last two World Championships and was our only rider to jump a clear cross country round in Normandy. The reality is in a sport with as many variables as eventing, even the best in the world sometimes get it wrong.

“Boyd is for sure a championship rider,” Erik said. “This horse is still pretty inexperienced, and when you turn up to a championship with a less experienced horse, things like that can happen.”

(Case in point: Double Olympic champion Mark Todd, two-time World Champion Blyth Tait, 2014 World Champion Sandra Auffarth and 2017 Burghley winner Chris Burton all had jumping penalties at the water on less experienced horses.)

After Will and Boyd both had problems on course, Lynn Symansky and Donner stormed out of the box on a mission and absolutely delivered, coming home 3 seconds inside the time to move up to eighth place after cross country.

Lynn Symansky and Donner. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

“She was always going to be a bit of a banker in that sort of a space because he’s an experienced horse,” Erik said. “Lynn is comfortable going fast, and she delivered on the day and couldn’t have done a better job.”

Phillip Dutton and Z went out of the start box as our anchor pair with orders to preserve the team score and guarantee a clear round for the team. Z went out of the start box breathing fire and wore himself out a bit early on, which caught up to him at the end of the course and resulted in 6.4 time penalties. But Phillip still delivered the clear result the team needed to stay in the hunt for Tokyo qualification.

“At 10-years-old, Z hasn’t got the maturity yet to know how to pace himself, so he uses himself too much when he leaves the stables and going down to the start box. The horse has already done a fair bit of work before he gets to the start box because he gets a bit lively,” Erik said.

“The horse has a slightly aggressive way of going cross country, so it’s tough to settle him in the beginning. I thought Phillip did a brilliant job of managing that and preserving the horse as best he could. The horse never stopped trying for him, but he got tired in the end and lost time.”

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The U.S. team cruised through the soggy final horse inspection on Sunday and sat in eighth place going into show jumping — only 5.5 penalties out of seventh place. As Japan already receives qualification for Tokyo as the host nation, as long as the Japanese team finished in the top six, the berth for qualification could widen to the top seven teams.

Having a rest day between cross country and show jumping is something we don’t see very often, but it does happen occasionally due to having the cross country in a different location and the practicalities of transporting the horses. (Side note: EN has been told there will be a rest day at the Tokyo Olympics for this reason.)

Still, Erik said this was the first time in his career he has ever had an extra day in the stables due to a weather delay.

“Our horses would have been happy to jump the following day after cross country,” Erik said. “They were all fit and healthy and happy. That was a real plus to take out of it. The riders had really done their homework and done preparation for quite an enduring track.”

As for whether Erik was feeling optimistic about how show jumping would ultimately go for the U.S. team yesterday: “I never think optimistically or negatively because in the end we just take each day as it comes. You come up to the main arena and it is a fact that some horses get a reaction when they go into these stadiums. We don’t practice in stadiums like these that much as eventers, and it’s something that is difficult to practice because you don’t have that many opportunities.

Will Coleman and Tight Lines (USA). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

“A couple of our horses got a a bit of tension in the ring, and that didn’t help them in the jumping. With a tense horse, it’s about managing the situation and getting through it. It was not just our horses that got tense — others did as well. Riding in championships is a definite skill, and you have to be able to get the best out of the horses regardless of how they react.”

Will Coleman and Tight Lines jumped a clear show jumping round at Kentucky this spring and only had one rail down at Kentucky last year, so their past form pointed to one rail or a clear round. Unfortunately, tension got to the horse and three rails came tumbling down. Will was already the drop score for the team, so it was up to Boyd, Phillip and Lynn to produce clear rounds.

“It was an interesting show jumping because you could see a lot of horses having hind-leg faults towards the end of the course,” Erik said, “so the cross country had definitely taken its toll.”

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg (USA). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Boyd and Tsetserleg fell victim to this, having the second to last fence down, as well as two parts of the treble combination. While Boyd said after the round that the horse can be difficult to manage in combinations, three down is certainly well above the average for this horse, who has never had more than one down at three-star or four-star level in his entire career.

“If the horse was going to have any faults, it would be what he had, but it was definitely more than we expected. The horse has a unique way of jumping in the ring, and Boyd is a master riding him in the ring, but it didn’t come off this time,” Erik said. “If a horse has any weaknesses they will show up at a championships. It’s always a little bit different — different tension from the atmosphere and all the small variables.”

Phillip Dutton and Z (USA). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

After Boyd had three down, the pressure was on for Phillip to jump clear with Z. Once again, Phillip proved why he is the anchor of our team and delivered a clear round to finish 13th in the horse’s first major championship.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to work with a lot of fantastic horses, and Z is right up there with the best horses I’ve ever been involved with,” Erik said. “He has come a long way and has more to come. Now it’s about making a long-term plan for the horse. When you get a uniquely talented horse like Z, you have to manage the longevity.”

Alan Wade’s show jumping track continued to shake up the leaderboard. By the time Lynn and Donner went in to jump, they could have one rail down and still secure Olympic qualification for the team. But Donner also fell victim to tension and pulled three rails — well above their average of one rail at this level.

“Donner came in and showed tension, and the way Lynn rode him was trying to nurse him into the ring,” Erik said. “She started off a little bit under-paced, and it’s difficult if you start that way and then try to start moving them up.”

Lynn Symansky and Donner (USA). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The U.S. team ultimately finished in eighth place, 2.8 penalties shy of qualifying for Tokyo.

“It was a margin of a couple of points, which isn’t huge. But if that is the level we’re at right now in comparison to other nations, we just have to suck it up and get better, work harder and be better prepared for next time. That is all part of my thinking and learnings I’ve had over the last 10 months,” Erik said.

“It’s also been highly valuable for me to go to a championship with the team and see how all of the riders function in that type of scenario and under that type of pressure. From now onwards I have absolute clarity in what we need to do and where we need to go with this team.”

The U.S. must now qualify for the 2020 Olympics by winning the 2019 Pan Americans Games in Lima, Peru. (It’s not an unfamiliar scenario for the team, as the U.S. also had to secure qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics by winning the 2015 Pan Ams after failing to qualify in Normandy.)

“Qualifying in Lima is not a practical way to go and has its own complexities,” Erik said, “but if we’re in this position in being eighth in the world, then we need to practice more with trying to win. We’ll have to use Lima as an experience that is positive rather than a negative.”

As for Erik’s final takeaways from WEG: “There was a lot of talk about Tryon as a championship venue and the difficulties the venue had in the lead-up, but I thought everyone pulled together and it ended up being a super competition. It was fantastic sport all the way through. When you look at the results and how few horses were eliminated — plus only a few rider falls and no horse falls — it’s down to Mark Phillips’s genius as course designer.

“It’s also very exciting to see nations like Ireland and Japan up there at the top. It’s really healthy for our sport. It’s not an easy sport to win medals because you have many countries now who are good, and that’s the challenge. I’m looking forward to the next two years leading up to Tokyo and improving the U.S. team’s performance so we can be competitive with the best in the world.”

Click here to catch up on all of EN’s coverage from Tryon.

From left, Padraigh McCarthy (IRL), Ros Canter (GBR) and Ingrid Klimke (GER). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

With the top seven separated by less than a rail following cross country at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, we knew today’s show jumping finale at Tryon would be an absolute nail-biter.

When Ros Canter and Allstar B jumped clear as the penultimate pair to go, she clinched team gold for Great Britain and guaranteed herself at least an individual silver medal. When cross country leaders Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD had the last fence down, Ros became the new World Champion on 24.6, the second lowest winning score in history according to EquiRatings.

Ros Canter and Allstar B (GBR). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Ros rode Allstar B on the gold medal team at the European Championships last year to win her first senior team medal. Today Ros added another team gold and her first individual medal to the tally, and she was also the only rider on the British team to deliver a clear show jumping round.

“I tried not to watch the last few. I knew what was going on, but I pretended I didn’t know what was going on. I don’t think it’s hit home yet. It was quite a shock when it first happened. It’s just absolutely incredible — not just for me but the whole sport and team behind me and Team GB,” Ros said.

“I was fortunate enough to sit on a horse like Allstar B, where as long as I can get it right, he’ll just keep going higher and higher for me.”

Padraig McCarthy and Mr Chunky (IRL). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Padraig McCarthy and Mr Chunky jumped clear to rise from seventh after cross country and clinch silver on 27.2 — the first individual medal for Ireland since 1978. Ireland added just one rail to their team score today to win team silver. Considering the Irish last won a team medal at a World Championships in 1966, you can imagine there was quite a lot of celebrating.

“I have experience jumping at bigger competitions, and he’s a great jumper. In a previous life I was a show jumper. The horse was jumping brilliant, so I didn’t go in with any pressure since I wasn’t in medal position,” Padraig said.

“I’ve dreamt about a medal for the last six months. With a horse like this, you have to dream big. If you think you can’t do it, you don’t do it. It’s been on my mind since the beginning with him.”

Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD (GER). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD won individual gold at the Strzegom Europeans last year, and her bid to win back-to-back individual gold medals ended at the last fence, but she still took individual bronze for Germany on 27.3.

“If someone would have told me I’d come here before and win individual bronze, I would have been very happy,” Ingrid said. “At the last rail, I was disappointed, but it was our only mistake.”

We saw a 24% clear jumping rate today, with 16 pairs delivering clears over Alan Wade’s course.

Great Britain won team gold on 88.8, which EquiRatings confirmed is the the lowest finishing score for a team in the history of the World Championships. Ireland took silver on 93.0. The French added two rails to their team score to win bronze on 99.8.

Japan finished fourth on 113.9, their best ever team finish at a World Championships. As the Japanese automatically receive qualification for the 2020 Olympics as the host nation, the berth for Tokyo qualification widened to the top seven teams at WEG.

Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand all qualified for Tokyo today. The U.S. finished eighth and will now need to qualify for Tokyo at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.

Phillip Dutton and Z (USA). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Even after yesterday’s cross country did not go to plan, the U.S. was still in the hunt for Tokyo qualification going into show jumping. But rails ultimately tumbled for the team, with only Phillip Dutton and Z producing a clear round to finish 13th on a final score of 34.0.

“Z didn’t get the best ride from me, so I’m a bit embarrassed about that, but he helped me out. It was a really strong track — you had to keep thinking and stay focused all the way around,” Phillip said.

“I think he’s the best horse I’ve ever had. We’ve got to work on his fitness a little bit more — it’s not that natural for him to gallop for 10 or 11 minutes. But I think like marathon runners, over time he’ll get better and better. He loves it, and there hasn’t been a day since I’ve had him that he hasn’t improved. He’s got a great work ethic.”

Will Coleman and Tight Lines (USA). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Will Coleman and Tight Lines added three rails to finish 66th on 99.2. “He got pretty tense in the warmup, and I just never really was able to just keep him settled in there,” Will said. “He kind of lost his shape a little bit, and I just couldn’t quite keep him off the rails.”

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg (USA). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg also added three rails to finish 56th on 70.7. “He just felt a bit overwhelmed (by the atmosphere). It’s a bit of a shame actually; he’s been training very well and the lead-up events were good, but he’s very difficult through the combinations. We just did the best we could and rode our hearts out, and it’s disappointing to have the rails down.”

Lynn Symansky and Donner (USA). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

After Boyd added three rails, Lynn Symansky and Donner could have one rail down and still secure Olympic qualification for the U.S. Unfortunately, Lynn ultimately had three rails down to drop from ninth after cross country to finish 25th on 40.3.

“It was very disappointing. I rode the horse I had today, and I felt he was just a little bit flat and unsettled, and he tried his heart out for me still. This isn’t our easiest phase. … He’s a little bit quieter and easier the day after cross country than two days after,” Lynn said.

“I don’t think you get a lot of opportunities like this, so I’m pretty upset, but I am so fortunate to be here on an amazing horse. I just am really bummed that I let my team down and myself and my horse.”

Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High (CAN). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The Canadian team finished 11th and will also look to qualify for Tokyo at the Pan American Games. Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High added 3.0 time penalties to finish 27th on 41.7 as the highest placed Canadian pair.

“I had the exact same mindset that I had at Fair Hill: that I could jump these clear, I’ve done it before,” Selena said. “I tried my best, I went inside after one, and I galloped where I could. There was one of two verticals where I really had to take a chance and sit him on his butt because those are our nemesis, and it paid off.”

Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me (CAN). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me had two down to finish 40th on 50.6. “Eventing is always a work in progress. You always tweak something, and it helps here and then it’s not so great in another place. He is brilliant at cross country; now we’ve just got to tweak the other two phases a bit.”

Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue d’Argouges (CAN). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue d’Argouges had four rails down to finish 47th on 60.4. “I’m really disappointed in myself. I didn’t ride him well at all. He’s such a good jumper and I just lost my rhythm; I didn’t ride him forward.”

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo (CAN). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo had five down to finish 50th on 63.5. “Everything is a learning experience. She handled the dressage 100 times better than I thought she would. On cross country she didn’t put a foot wrong; she was amazing. And then in show jumping I just need to practice. That’s her hardest phase. She’s brave and bold, and she just needs to get a little more rideable and get a better shape over the jumps. We’ll get it.”

Four pairs in the competition finished on their dressage score, including Ros Canter and Padraig McCarthy. Australia’s Andew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos finished fourth on their dressage score of 29.8. Ireland was the only country to have two riders finish on their dressage score, as Sam Watson and Horseware Ardagh Highlight also delivered a clutch clear for the team to finish 14th on 35.5.

Daniela Mougel and Cecelia (MEX). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

We’ll have comments from the U.S. and Canadian teams and lots of other riders in our quotes report, which is coming your way next. But first, we have to give an extra special shoutout to Mexico’s Daniela Mougel, who had three down today with Cecelia — a horse she found through a sales ad right here on EN! — to finish in 44th place on 57.9.

As for what it feels like to complete the World Championships: “It’s like a dream come true, it really is,” Daniela said. “It’s been my dream since I was a little kid, and it finally is happening.”

Stay tuned for much more from WEG. Click here for individual scores and here for team scores. Thank you to ALL who have followed along with EN’s coverage of WEG. Go Eventing.

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Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

It’s always impossible to predict the exact outcome of cross country day at a major championships, but throw a hurricane into the mix and you really have a plot twist. After much speculation as to how the weather would impact cross country day at the 2018 World Equestrian Games, Florence mercifully postponed the worst of her wrath to give us virtually clear conditions in Tryon.

But it was still a highly influential day on the leaderboard, with the riders agreeing that Capt. Mark Phillips’ course walked deceptively easier than it actually rode. EquiRatings confirmed we saw a 67% clear jumping rate today with 16 pairs catching the optimum time of 10 minutes, but we saw plenty of trouble across the board.

When dressage leaders Julia Krajewski and Chipmunk FRH picked up a runout at 14C at the CSX Junction, Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD had the chance to take the lead. With Wilberry Wonder Pony strapped to her back, Ingrid and “Bobby” delivered a foot-perfect clear bang on the optimum time to sit in individual gold position overnight on 23.3.

“The best thing was that he was so fresh in the finish,” Ingrid said. “He really cantered up the hill and came right in time, so I was very pleased.”

As to whether she thought the track was a true championship course, Ingrid said the outcome on the leaderboard speaks for itself: “Strong riders, good riders, good horses” all had issues, from two-time World Champion Blyth Tait to double Olympic champion Mark Todd.

“(The course) was built that it could happen at different fences,” Ingrid said. “You had to be really focused and everything came quite quick … and you have to do smart thinking.”

Ros Canter and Allstar B. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The British team delivered clear rounds inside the time with all four of their team riders to sit in gold position overnight on a team score of 80.8. Ros Canter and Allstar B jumped clear and inside the time as the anchor pair for the Brits and sit in the individual silver position overnight on 24.6.

“Going fast is out of my comfort zone — I’m Captain Slow if I can be. But fortunately I just made myself keep galloping at the first, and it just set a really good tone,” Ros said. “It was really intense from that moment. After two minutes it just came up really thick and fast, and you found yourself 20 seconds down on the clock without even feeling like you could have gone any quicker.

“We just had to rely on the fact that the horses were fit, and they galloped so well at the end that we all managed to make it back up in the end.”

Sarah Ennis and Horseware Stellor Rebound. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Sarah Ennis and Horseware Stellor Rebound delivered in a big way as the anchor pair for Ireland, with a fast clear boosting the Irish to silver position on a team score of 89.0. “Rocket” lived up to his name and skipped around 7 seconds inside the time to put Sarah in individual bronze position on 26.3.

“We’ve got such an amazing team and a really good team camaraderie,” Sarah said. “I can’t believe we’re actually here and this is happening. This is what you dream about.”

The French rose to the occasion and delivered fast clears with all four of their team riders to sit in team bronze position overnight on 91.8. Thibaut Vallette and Qing du Briot ENE HN jumped clear with 1.2 time penalties to sit in fourth place as the highest placed French combination on 26.8.

Lynn Symansky and Donner. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

We’ll be bringing you a slew of comments from the top 10 and other riders who delivered top performances, but first we have to give an extra special shoutout to Lynn Symansky and The Donner Syndicate’s Donner. They emerged as the heroes of the day for the U.S. with a clear round  inside the time to sit in ninth place on 28.3.

“I trust him and he trusts me, and everything really did ride completely according to plan,” Lynn said. “I was a little bit down on my minutes midway through the course, but I didn’t panic too much. I gave him his time though the middle because I know I can really rely on the fact that he’s a Thoroughbred at the end of that hill. He just dug so deep for me today.”

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Phillip Dutton and Z also delivered a clear round for the U.S. team, coming home with 6.4 time penalties to sit in 21st place on 34.0. “I had to try to catch up at the end and didn’t have a lot of horse left, but we made up some ground.”

While the U.S. sat in bronze medal position after dressage, jumping penalties for Will Coleman and Boyd Martin ultimately dropped the team out of the medal hunt. The U.S. team sits eighth out of 16 teams overnight.

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The Mars Sustainability Bay at fence 10 emerged as the most influential combination on course, with 15 combinations picking up jumping penalties there. Will Coleman and The Con Air Syndicate’s Tight Lines, pathfinders for the U.S. team, picked up a 20 when the horse said no to jumping up the waterfall bank on the direct route.

Teams quickly started sending their riders on the long route instead, but that caused its fair share of trouble as well, with the depth of the water and atmosphere from the crowds colliding to create a tricky question for the horses. Boyd Martin and Christine Turner’s Tsetserleg, the second pair out for the U.S., planned to take the long route but had a runout at the boat in the water to end the team’s chances for a medal.

Will Coleman and Tight Lines. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

“I just got in there completely wrong and tried to add a stride right at the end, and ‘Thomas’ got underneath it and stopped,” Boyd said. “It was a crushing moment because it destroys the team and the momentum we had. I’ve just come up short today. … It was the one jump I wasn’t even worried about, so this will haunt me for a while.”

Will and Tight Lines picked up a second runout on course at fence 14B, the first corner at the CSX Junction, but went on to complete with 40 jumping penalties and 11.6 time penalties.  “My horse was a bit — for whatever reason — not himself today. It’s disappointing,” Will said. “It rode more or less to plan, but for my guy I don’t know what it was — the crowds or what. He was really strong.”

Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus, who competed as individuals for the U.S., parted ways when the horse left a leg at fence 18A, the table at The Land Rover Turn. She made a valiant effort to hang on but unfortunately couldn’t quite save it.

Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The Canadian team sits 11th after cross country, with Selena O’Hanlon and John and Judy Rumble’s Foxwood High leading the way. “Woody” jumped clear with 8.0 time penalties to sit in 29th place on 38.7.

“Being in a team situation you’ve got to get the team through, so it was up to me to take some of the long routes, which I wouldn’t normally take with that horse, but I needed to definitely get home,” Selena said. “I couldn’t be happier with him. He felt great pulling up and cooled out instantly.”

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Hawley Bennett-Awad and The Jollybo Syndicate’s Jollybo are representing Canada as individuals and knocked it out of the park, jumping clear with 10.8 time penalties to move up to 38th place on 43.5.

“She’s a champion. I could have gone a little faster in the beginning, but I just wasn’t sure what I was going to have in the end, so I went as fast and as safe as I could,” Hawley said. “She is unbelievable. You point her at it, she’s gonna go. She came hauling ass up that hill way faster than I thought she was going to go.”

Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue d’Argouges. Photo by Leslie Thelkeld.

Colleen Loach and Peter Barry’s Qorry Blue d’Argouges were the first pair out of the start box this morning and gave us a fantastic show, jumping clear with 10 time penalties to sit 40th on 44.4.

“He had lots of run left at the end,” Colleen said. “I think I had him good and fit. Looking at him you wouldn’t think he’d be much of an endurance horse, but he just keeps on going.”

Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Lisa Marie Fergusson and her own Honor Me also jumped clear for the Canadian team. Adding 8.4 time penalties moved them up from 80th place after dressage all the way up to 48th on 48.6.

She took the direct route at the tricky Mars Sustainability Bay water, and “Tali” was straight as an arrow. “He looked at the waterfall and then he jumped up and was like, ‘Yeah, I see my line. I’ve got it.’ I’m so lucky he hunts flags like nobody’s business.”

Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti were having a cracking round until 18C, the second squirrel brush at The Land Rover Turn, when they got in a bit too close. She tried desperately to hang on but unfortunately couldn’t quite save it.

We thankfully had a very safe day of cross country, way no major injuries reported for horses or riders. We were all very concerned about Anna Freskgård’s mount Box Qutie after the horse pulled up lame at the finish. The mare was transported via the horse ambulance to Tryon Equine Hospital and is being treated for a soft tissue injury.

Norway’s Heidi Bratlie Larsen and Euforian were pulled up by the ground jury after fence 21, and the horse was transported via horse ambulance to Tryon Equine Hospital. He is also being treated for a soft tissue injury.

The final horse inspection will take place at 3 p.m. EST on Sunday, with show jumping still planned to take place on Monday at a time yet to be determined. In the meantime as Hurricane Florence heads our way, all other WEG events scheduled for tomorrow have been cancelled. The media center at the venue has closed as of 8 p.m. tonight and will not reopen until 7 a.m. Monday morning. We will keep you posted as the situation continues to evolve. In the meantime, we are battening down the hatches here at EN headquarters.

We would also like to firmly state for the record that we are PUMPED for the finale of WEG. EquiRatings confirmed that this is the first time since 1996 that all teams have remained in the competition at a World Championships following cross country.

While things didn’t go according to plan for the U.S. team today, we are less than two rails out of sixth place — the threshold for qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. But here’s the plot twist: the Japanese team, which currently sits fourth, is already qualified for the Olympics as the host nation. So, if the Japanese finish sixth or better, the U.S. can actually finish seventh and still qualify for Tokyo.

It’s game on y’all. Keep it locked on EN for much more from Tryon. Go Eventing.

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Photo by Leslie Wylie.

The FEI has just announced that show jumping for the eventing competition at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games has been postponed to Monday, Sept. 17.

“The latest weather forecast from the National Weather Service, which has an onsite weather station here at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), shows heavy rain starting on Saturday evening through Sunday. As a result, it is planned to move the final Jumping phase for Eventing to Monday 17 September (starting time to be confirmed).”

Cross country will still start at 11 a.m. EST tomorrow, with the interval between horses reduced from four to three minutes. The course length will remain the full 5,700-meter length, but two fences will be removed from the course: the double brush at fence 23A and the fruit stand at fence 24B.

EN is waiting for confirmation on the schedule for the final horse inspection.

Keep it locked on EN for further updates.

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Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

We knew Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD were the only pair capable of catching Julia Krajewski and Chipmunk FRH‘s leading day one dressage score of 19.9 at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, and the stands were absolutely packed to watch their test this afternoon at Tryon.

Ingrid and “Bobby,” a 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Helikon xx X Goldige, by Noble Champion) she owns with Andreas Busacker, delighted the crowd to secure a CCI4* personal best score of 23.3 and hold second place overnight at the conclusion of dressage.

Julia and Chipmunk lead overnight on 19.9, the third best dressage score in the history of a World Championships according to EquiRatings. With Julia and Ingrid sitting first and second on the leaderboard, Germany holds team gold position overnight on 73.4, which EquiRatings confirmed is the best team score after dressage in the history of a World Championships.

“He was so relaxed, so calm, so concentrated that I could really ride him,” Ingrid said. “Now he is 14, so he is very mature and knows his job. He did a beautiful job for me, and it was very fun. I love to ride dressage, so for me it was a pleasure.”

Ingrid gave Bobby subtle pats after the stretch circle and flying changes — a beautiful testament to their partnership. She is well known for her prowess in this phase and competes at the Grand Prix level in pure dressage as well, and Ingrid said the key to improving your score is to constantly ask “what can I do better next time?”

“I think you have to be very precise in your training and do everything very accurate and correct,” Ingrid said. “You have to repeat and repeat and really work on it. I have a big belief that you have to train the test with the horse a lot, because they must exactly know what’s coming. Some people think it the other way around, but for sure they anticipate anyways.”

Ros Canter and Allstar B. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Great Britain sits in team silver position at the conclusion of dressage thanks to Ros Canter and Allstar B, who delivered a relaxed, fluid test to sit in third place on 24.6. That just missed their CCI4* personal best of 23.9 from Badminton this year, and Ros said she was delighted with “Alby,” a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Ephebe For Ever X Narenca B, by Ekstein) she owns with Caroline Moore.

“It’s really my job to make sure I get a mistake-free test from him because he’s just so amazing,” Ros said. “In the atmosphere he never changes. I gave him a day off yesterday because he worked so well the day before. He’s just got that temperament where he puts 110% in for me every time, and it’s more the pressure for me really that I want to go and do him proud and everybody else that has helped me get here.”

The U.S. team sits in bronze medal position after dressage with three riders sitting in the top 20. Boyd Martin and Christine Turner’s Tsetserleg did their test yesterday and held onto a spot in the top 10, sitting eighth on 27.1 as the highest placed U.S. combination. (Click here to read Boyd’s comments on his test in yesterday’s dressage report.)

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Phillip Dutton and Z were trending in the 24 range until the flying changes, which shows you just how much more there is to come for this horse. Z, a 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Asca X Bellabouche, by Babouche VH Gehucht Z) owned by The Z Partnership, sits in equal 12th on 27.6, a 6.1-mark improvement from his CCI4* debut at Kentucky.

“He’s such an improving horse,” Phillip said. “He just loves to work and loves to train, and it’s really exciting. I couldn’t be more pleased with the way he went in there. It wasn’t perfect, but you can’t expect him to be perfect with the level of education that he has either.”

The home crowd here at Tryon has been amazing in cheering for our U.S. riders, and when Lynn Symansky entered the ring with Donner — who is very sensitive to noise — she raised her hand in an attempt to quiet the stands. The enthusiastic crowd mistook her shushing motion as a wave, which sent them roaring in response. Cue Lynn moving to a not-so-subtle hand gesture asking the crowd to be quiet (which we captured on EN’s Instagram story).

Lynn Symansky and Donner. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The crowd dutifully quieted right down, and Lynn and Donner, a 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Gorky Park X Smart Jane, by Smarten) owned by The Donner Syndicate, proceeded to delivered a CCI4* personal best score of 28.3 to sit in 20th overnight.

“I love (the cheering),” Lynn said, “and it gets me wanting to perform more, but he just gets a little unsettled by noises and gets a little claustrophobic. … It’s such an honor to be riding here in front of the home crowd.”

Lynn said she was delighted to deliver a personal best with Donner, but made it clear her first focus is the team competition — a sentiment echoed by all the U.S. team riders.

“I think we all are very competitive-natured people, so we’re trying to do our best but also keeping in mind what our goal is here. It is to be as competitive as possible but also complete the team, which we weren’t fortunate enough to do in Normandy where I was a part of that team as well,” Lynn said. “We’re coming back with a vengeance and hope to really represent in front of the home crowd.”

(Quick outburst — USA! USA! USA! — and back to our regularly scheduled programming …)

Will Coleman and The Conair Syndicate’s Tight Lines sit in 64th place on 35.6, and will go out as pathfinders for the U.S. on cross country with a mission to deliver a fast and clear round for the team.

Lauren Kieffer and Jacqueline Mars’s Vermiculus, our individual combination on the U.S. team, sit 48th on 32.6 at the conclusion of dressage. (You can read comments from both Lauren and Will in yesterday’s dressage report.)

Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Canada’s team sits in 13th place after dressage, but this is absolutely not going to be a dressage show. Just 24.7 penalties separate the Cannucks from the leading German team, so it’s all to play for tomorrow on cross country.

Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High, a 15-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding (Rio Bronco X Evita II xx, by Abacus xx) owned by John and Judy Rumble, lead the way for the Canadian team, sitting 37th on 30.7.

Bobbles in one flying change and the final halt proved costly, and Selena said she was a bit disappointed to leave marks on the table.

“As soon as I asked for the (final) halt, he put his head down like an ostrich and trotted into the halt. It was not my best test, but we all know it’s not a dressage show,” she said. “He’s got a heart of gold, and he’s a really elegant horse. I know him really well, and now I’m just nitpicking because now I’ve got a taste of victory and I just want it all the time.”

Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti, a 16-year-old Westphalian gelding (Pavarotti van de Helle X Fidelia, by Foxiland), scored 33.0 to sit in 54th place.

“Pavarotti really had his game face on today,” Jessica said. “He felt amazing in his trot work. I thought his walk was his best ever, and he was really good in the canter work. He’s feeling pretty fit, so his changes didn’t really quite come off the way we had worked through them, but other than that he couldn’t have been any better.”

Hawley Bennett Awad and The Jollybo Syndicate’s Jollybo delivered a personal best of 32.7 yesterday and now sit in 50th place as individuals for Canada.

Colleen Loach and Peter Barry’s Qorry Blue d’Argouges will go out as pathfinders for the Canadian team and sit 60th on 34.4 after dressage.

Lisa Marie Fergusson and her own Honor Me scored 40.2 and sit 80th after dressage. (You can read comments from Hawley, Colleen and Lisa in yesterday’s dressage report.)

As to how the ground jury of Anne-Mette Binder (DEN), Jane Hamlin (USA) and Andrew Bennie (NZL) scored today, they marked 0.49 penalties above the expected average scores for the pairs that went this morning, and 1.14 penalties below the expected average scores for the afternoon session. Overall they marked 0.56 penalties above the expected average scores across both days of dressage.

Stefano Brecciaroli and Byrnesgrove First Diamond. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Click here to view individual scores at the conclusion of dressage and here to view team scores. Every score has a story to tell. Behind every number there is a story of dedication, determination and the sacrifices made to reach the world stage. The family members, friends and support teams who helped the riders get here are an integral part of that story.

If you watched dressage today, you might have noticed Stefano Brecciaroli wiping tears from his eyes following his test with Byrnesgrove First Diamond. His mother passed away today, and Stefano raised his head and hand to the sky in tribute to her after completing his test. We can’t imagine the range of emotions he must be experiencing while competing at WEG an ocean away from his native Italy. Please join us in sending condolences to Stefano and his family.

We still have much more to bring you from WEG, including more quotes from the riders from Friday’s dressage action, as well as their thoughts on Capt. Mark Phillips’s cross country course. Keep it locked right here on EN. Go Eventing.

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Julia Krajewski and Chipmunk FRH. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Germany’s Julia Krajewski and Chipmunk FRH have been tipped as one of the favorites for individual gold in the lead-up to the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, and they showed us exactly why on the first day of dressage here at Tryon.

EquiRatings confirmed their leading score of 19.9 is the third best we have ever seen at a World Championships, slotting in behind Bettina Hoy and Woodsides Ashby (13.9) and Pippa Funnell and Supreme Rock (19.1) at Jerez in 2002. It is also the third time they have scored in the 19 range this season, as we also saw spectacular tests when they won Bramham CCI3* and Aachen CICO3*.

Chipmunk FRH, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Contendro I x Havanna, by Heraldik I) owned by Dr. Hilmer Meyer-Kulenkampff, has been on flying form all year, but with today being his first time performing a CCI4* test, Julia said she wasn’t sure if a sub-20 score would be attainable.

“I’m quite relieved because obviously everybody knows that we can do a 19 in dressage. Nobody tells you they expect it, but secretly they joke about it, and you feel the pressure a little bit,” Julia said.

“It’s all about preparation, and with Chipmunk it’s about preparation until the last day because if he peaks too early then he’s good but not as good. I’m very happy that I obviously did the right thing in the last couple of days. He was so relaxed and calm and with me. I’ve had him since he was 4, so it’s a really nice feeling to feel that your horse is so with you and trusts you.”

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

At the conclusion of the first day of dressage, Julia and Chipmunk have a comfortable 7.2-penalty lead over second place, which is occupied by Boyd Martin and Christine Turner’s Tsetserleg for the home nation on 27.1.

Boyd entered the arena to huge cheers from the crowd just as Julia’s leading score was flashed on the scoreboard, and then the cheers continued as he circled the arena before starting his test. The spectators — the vast majority being Americans judging by their decibel level — were rooting for their home team, and rather than upsetting “Thomas,” the cheers actually seemed to pep him up.

“Your biggest fear is not giving your best in the moment, and Thomas was awesome out there,” Boyd said. “He can fall behind the leg a bit, so I quite enjoyed the cheers. I had to giggle to myself, which probably killed my nerves for a second. Then I sort of had to get tunnel vision, then the bell rang, and you have to do it movement by movement by movement and try not to think ahead of results or past blunders in the test.”

Thomas, an 11-year-old Trakehner gelding (Windfall X Thabana, by Buddenbrock) bred here in America by Tim Holekamp, absolutely rose to the occasion. His score of 27.1 is a career personal best for the horse across all international levels, and bests his CCI4* test at Kentucky by 4.1 marks.

“I’ve been dialed in for this (test) for a long time now, so we’ve gone through those movements for months and months with (my wife) Silva, (dressage coach) Scott Hassler and (U.S. chef d’equipe) Erik Duvander,” Boyd said. “This week I’ve fumbled every movement but also did it well a couple of times, so you just hope that in those seven minutes that you can execute every movement and get it right.”

Piggy French and Quarrycrest Echo. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Piggy French and Quarrycrest Echo, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Clover Echo X Royal China, by Cavalier Royale) owned by Jayne McGivern, scored 27.8 for third place to lead the way for the British team.

“He’s still not the most experienced and there’s still more to come from him, but he’s got an amazing brain, and so you can be quite brave and I always give it a good go,” Piggy said. “We had one mistake at the beginning where he cantered out of the first halt, which is really annoying. It’s quite nice to nail an entry and get the judges thinking it’s good. On the whole I’m delighted. I think he’s given it his all, and that’s all we can do.

At the conclusion of the first day of dressage, Germany leads the team competition on 50.1. Australia sits second on a team score of 58.4 with two pairs in the top 10 in Chris Burton and Kate Walls’s Cooley Lands (fourth on 28.6) and Andrew Hoy and Paula and David Evans’s Vassily de Lassos (ninth on 29.8). France sits third on 59.4.

Tina Cook and Billy The Red round out the top five as individuals for Great Britain on 29.1, a solid test after a bit of an up-and-down run of form in the first phase this season. (He even scored a 10 for one halt in the test!)

As to how the ground jury of Anne-Mette Binder (DEN), Jane Hamlin (USA) and Andrew Bennie (NZL) scored today, they were feeling more stingy in the morning session and marked an average of 1.06 penalties above the expected scores for the riders. They were more generous in the afternoon session, with riders scoring an average of 1.53 penalties below their expected scores.

We’ll be bringing you all the behind-the-scenes details for both the U.S. and Canadian teams here at WEG, plus our North American-based riders who hail from other countries. The U.S. team sits sixth after day one on 62.7, with Canada in 14th on 74.6.

Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus, an 11-year-old Anglo-Arabian gelding (Serazim X Wake Me Gently) owned by Jacqueline Mars, are representing the U.S. as individuals at WEG and scored 32.6 for 20th place.

“It’s easy to forget that he’s still pretty green and that he hasn’t been in a lot of atmosphere,” Lauren said. “He actually didn’t feel hot; he was just a bit of a pony. I think that it’s a long week of just sitting here, and I think that he’s just a bit fed up with it, but the quality of the work is still really good. (The judges) definitely still kept wanting to throw me scores.”

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Hawley Bennett-Awad and The Jollybo Syndicate’s Jollybo are representing Canada as individuals and sit in 22nd on 32.7, a personal best score across all levels for the 14-year-old British-bred mare (Jumbo X Polly Coldunnell xx, by Danzig Connection xx).

“I was really proud of her,” Hawley said. “She handled the pressure like a champ, and she actually just got a little tired in that last canter. I think I was on her maybe five or 10 minutes too long, but I’m not used to riding in heat and humidity, so it’s hard to balance that. She did nothing wrong, so I’m thrilled.”

This is Hawley’s third WEG for Canada, and she gave all the credit to the team behind her for getting here to Tryon. (She also had a certain reporter a bit misty-eyed as she pointed to the blue ribbon she wears on her shadbelly in memory of Roger Haller — “He was really, really special to me and like a mentor.”)

“It’s just having the right people around you at the right time,” Hawley said. “I have an unbelievable family; my best friend is here; I don’t even like to say the word groom — she’s my helper; and (my coach) Buck (Davidson) is only a phone call away. He literally called me five minutes before (my test). That to me is more important than anything. If I can mentally get right then I’m going to be great.”

Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue d’Argouges. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

With Canada drawn as the first to go in the team competition, Colleen Loach and Peter Barry’s Qorry Blue d’Argouges had the honor of being the first pair down centerline this morning. The 14-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Mr. Blue X Hardie Du Bourg, by Count Ivor xx) scored 34.4 to sit in 25th place.

“He was awesome,” Colleen said. “I couldn’t have asked for more. Dressage isn’t his strongest phase for sure. Usually our weakness is flow and having all the movements flowing together in the test, and I think this was our best one yet.”

William Coleman and Tight Lines. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Will Coleman and The Conair Syndicate’s Tight Lines are the pathfinders for the U.S. team. “Phish,” an 11-year-old French-bred Thoroughbred gelding (Turgeon X Merindole, by Tel Quel), scored 35.6 for 28th place.

“No one is watching him trot around here and thinking he might be a dressage horse,” Will said. Given the atmosphere and how this would be his weakest phase by a long shot, he was good. He’s going to get better with time, but he’s still relatively green and needs to get stronger. He’s a Thoroughbred and he’s here really for Saturday and Sunday. He’s a good jumper. That’s where we’ll focus now.”

Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me are making their championship debut for Canada and sit 39th on a score of 40.2. “Tali,” a 12-year-old Welsh Sport Horse gelding (Brynarian Brenin X Dream Contessa xx, by Royal Chocolate xx), was bred in Canada by Carol McDonald. Lisa bought Tali as a 4-year-old after owning his full brother, “who was one of the most incredible horses. I thought, I have to go get the next one!”

Dressage would not be Tali’s favorite phase — “if there was a sport with only cross country, that would be his sport” — but Lisa said she was happy with how hard he tried in his test. “He got a little tense but he started coming back to me,” she said. “He’s been a challenge. He teaches you a lot, like how to be patient, but it will come. He’s 12 this year and really just starting to come into his own.”

Daniela Mougel and Cecelia, a 15-year-old Thoroughbred mare (Connecticut X Penny Stock, by Spend A Buck) owned by Aurelio Quinzaños and Jorge Eduardo Mtz. Castrejon, sit 35th on 37.1, the best score ever recorded by a Mexican rider at a World Championships. (Be sure to follow EquiRatings on Twitter for more stats like that!)

Nilson Moreira da Silva and Magnum’s Martini, a 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Magnum X Momos Girl) owned by L & N Equestrian, are pathfinders for the Brazilian team and sit 41st on 41.4.

The action continues tomorrow with day two of dressage starting at 9 a.m. EST. Click here to view start times. Click here for details on how to watch live. Click here to catch up on all of EN’s coverage from Tryon so far and — y’all already know what I’m going to say next — stay tuned for the latest and greatest from WEG. Go Eventing.

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The second water at fence 10ABCDEFG – Mars Sustainability Bay. Yes, it actually goes to G! Photo by Jenni Autry.

Capt. Mark Phillips’s cross country course for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games has been a hot topic of debate over the past few months, and riders finally got their first look at the track yesterday. Eric Bull and his team did a masterful job of building the course here at the Tryon International Equestrian Center. The carvings from Joe Stylos would be more correctly termed works of art than cross country jumps — they are stunning!

The direct route at fence 18 has two skinny squirrel brushes as the BC elements — beautiful fences! Photo by Jenni Autry.

Fence 22 – The Turtles – another gorgeous work of art from Joe Stylos. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Built on the former White Oak golf course, the track features undulating terrain throughout the first 8 minutes, 45 seconds, followed by a 600-meter uphill climb. Friend of EN John Kyle dubbed it “Heartbreak Hill” — and we’re definitely calling it that, too.

The climb will serve as a final test of fitness at the very end of the course before horses and riders enter the U.S. Trust Arena to jump the last in front of cheering crowds. After hearing much discussion about the hill in the months leading up to WEG, I was anxious to see just how substantial it is. CMP was not exaggerating when he said horses would need to be very fit for WEG — this hill is proper.

The view up Heartbreak Hill after fence 21 — still a long way to go to the top! Photo by Jenni Autry.

The optimum time is set at 10 minutes. EquiRatings has predicted that at least six pairs will catch the time, but much of how Saturday plays out will depend on the amount of rain Hurricane Florence brings to the area over the next two days. Severe thunderstorms have already dumped a substantial amount of water on the track so far this week. The footing is holding remarkably well in most places, but other areas are already water-logged.

This galloping lane, for example, is a bridge connecting fences 12 and 13 and was flooded yesterday after a heavy storm rolled through the area …

Impromptu water complex! Photo by Jenni Autry.

As for how much rain Hurricane Florence will bring to the area, we are starting to get a more accurate picture of the forecast. The National Weather Service’s daily update is currently forecasting thunderstorms starting this afternoon and evening, with “cloud to ground lightning, briefly gusty winds, and locally heavy rainfall.” Looking ahead to Friday and Saturday, “very heavy rainfall due to Florence is becoming increasingly likely.”

I spoke to Will Coleman and Sam Watson, pathfinders for the U.S. and Irish teams, respectively, to get their insight on how they think the course will ride.

“The first couple minutes are pretty intense,” Will said, “and then all of a sudden it seems like it’s an onslaught of combinations and difficult turns. I think the middle part of the course will be very testing, especially if you are going for the time, and then you have to climb the hill to come home. How efficiently you can do that difficult middle part of the course without using up your horse will be key.”

Fence 9ABC – Worlds Best Bank. The direct route has riders jump the brush wall at A, followed by three strides downhill to the triple brush at BC (on the left of the photo). Photo by Jenni Autry.

Sam added: “You have to concentrate. It may be a test of fitness — we’ll see what the weather does. You can tell the difference between a 4* championship and a 3* championship, but that’s where the concentration is going to come in. I think there will be a lot of people kicking themselves on Saturday who had a problem because they might have underestimated the course in places.”

As for Sam’s thoughts on the ground, he said it’s “a little soft, but that’s brilliant” — spoken like a true Irishman! “I don’t think we’re going to know exactly how it’s going to ride with the amount of rain that’s in there. It doesn’t feel too bad under foot, but sometimes it can ride a lot softer than it walks.”

The direct route at fence 17ABC, The M&M Mounds, takes riders over the first cabin at A, with a sharp left-hand, downhill turn to a narrow angled brush as the BC element. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Needless to say, we are gearing up for one hell of a cross country day here at Tryon. Scroll through the photos below for a fence-by-fence preview of the course. I walked all the direct routes, so these are the lines you’ll see riders take if they are trying to make the optimum time. The course will end in the U.S. Trust Arena, and the final jump, the NASCAR Finish Line at fence 26, has not yet been placed.

Shoutout to CMP for a fantastic test for the horses and riders, and the entire course building team for a job well done: Eric Bull, Jamie Gornall, Dylan Barry, Joe Stylos, Noll Smith, Jake Wilson and Steve Riley. Janine McClain is the talented course decorator, and we also must thank her for her beautiful handiwork.

Keep it locked on EN for all the latest and greatest from WEG. Go Eventing.

This post has been updated to include additional information as the final fences have been placed on course.

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Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue d’Argouges — our pathfinders at WEG. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Team orders and dressage start times have been released for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games! Canada’s Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue d’Argouges will be first down centerline for dressage and our pathfinders on cross country. Sweden’s Ludwig Svennerstal and Stinger will be our final pair to go.

Dressage starts at 9 a.m. EST/4 a.m. BST on both Thursday and Friday. Click here for details on how to watch live.

Thursday dressage start times

Friday dressage start times

U.S. dressage start times:

• 9:24 a.m. EST Thursday: Will Coleman and Tight Lines
• 1:39 p.m. EST Thursday: Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg
• 4:25 p.m. EST Thursday: Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus (I)
• 10:19 a.m. EST Friday:  Lynn Symansky and Donner
• 4:42 p.m. EST Friday: Phillip Dutton and Z

Canada dressage start times:

• 9 a.m. EST Thursday: Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue d’Argouges
• 1:15 p.m. EST Thursday: Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me
• 4:01 p.m. EST Thursday: Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo (I)
• 9:40 a.m. EST Friday: Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti
• 2:03 p.m. EST Friday: Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High

TEAM ORDERS

Australia: 1) Andrew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos 2) Chris Burton and Cooley Lands 3) Emma McNab and Fernhill Tabasco 4) Shane Rose and Virgil. Individual: Bill Levett and Lassban Diamond Lift

Belgium: 1) Joris van Springel and Imperial van de Holtakkers 2) Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Alpaga d’Arville 3) Karin Donckers and Fletcha van’t Verahof

Brazil: 1) Nilson Moreira da Silva and Magnum’s Martini 2) Marcelo Tosi and Glenfly 3) Marcio Appel and Iberon Jmen 4) Marcio Carvalho Jorge and Coronel MCJ. Individual: Henrique Plombo Pinheiro and Land Quenotte do Feroleto

Canada: 1) Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue d’Argouges 2) Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me 3) Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti 4) Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High. Individual: Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo

France: 1) Donatien Schauly and Pivione des Touches 2) Maxime Livio and Opium de Verrieres 3) Thibaut Valette and Qing du Briot ENE HN 4) Sidney Dufresne and Tresor Mail. Individual: Astier Nicolas and Vinci de la Vigne

Great Britain: 1) Gemma Tattersall and Arctic Soul 2) Piggy French and Quarrycrest Echo 3) Tom McEwen and Toledo de Kerser 4) Ros Canter and Allstar B. Individual: Tina Cook and Billy The Red

Germany: 1) Kai Ruder and Colani Sunrise 2) Julia Krajewski and Chipmunk FRH 3) Andreas Dibowski and FRH Corrida 4) Ingrid Klimke and Horseware Hale Bob. Individual: Sandra Auffarth and Viamant du Matz

Ireland: 1) Sam Watson and Horseware Ardagh Highlight 2) Cathal Daniels and Rioghan Rua 3) Padraig McCarthy and Mr Chunky 4) Sarah Ennis and Horseware Stellor Rebound. Individual: Trish Ryan and Dunrath Eclipse

Italy: 1) Pietro Roman and Barraduff 2) Pietro Sandei and Rubis de Prere 3) Stefano Brecciaroli and Byrnesgrove First Diamond 4) Arianna Schivo and Quefira de l’Ormeau. Individual: Simone Sordi and Amacuzzi

Japan: 1) Kazuma Tomoto and Tacoma d’Horset 2) Ryuzo Kitajima and Queen Mary 3) Toshiyuki Tanaka and Talma d’Allou 4) Yoshi Oiwa and Calle 44

Netherlands: 1) Alice Naber-Lozeman and ACSI Harry Belafonte 2) Renske Kroeze and Jane Z 3) Merel Blom and Rumour Has It N.O.P. 4) Raf Kooremans and Henri Z. Individual: Theo van de Vendel and Zindane

New Zealand: 1) Blyth Tait and Dassett Courage 2) Mark Todd and McClaren 3) Tim Price and Cekatinka 4) Jonelle Price and Classic Moet. Individual: Dan Jocelyn and Grovine de Reve

Spain: 1) Carlos Diaz Fernandez and Junco CP 2) Maria Pinedo Sendagorta and Carriem van Colen Z 3) Gonzalo Blasco Botin and Sij Veux d’Autize 4) Manuel Senra Chover and Cruising. Individual: Albert Hermoso Farras and Nereo CP

Switzerland: 1) Patrizia Attinger and Hilton P 2) Robin Godel and Grandeur de Lully CH 3) Felix Vogg and Colero

Sweden: 1) Niklas Lindbäck and Focus Filiocus 2) Anna Freskgård and Box Qutie 3) Louise Svensson Jähde and Waikiki 4) Ludwig Svennerstal and Stinger. Individual: Sara Algotsson Ostholt and Wega

USA: 1) Will Coleman and Tight Lines 2) Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg 3) Lynn Symansky and Donner 4) Phillip Dutton and Z. Individual: Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

All 83 pairs presented to the eventing ground jury of Anne-Mette Binder (DEN), Jane Hamlin (USA) and Andrew Bennie (NZL) were accepted at this afternoon’s first horse inspection here at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games at Tryon.

After a heavy downpour earlier in the afternoon, Mother Nature mercifully held off for the duration of the horse inspection. A sizable group of spectators gathered to watch the horses and riders parade down the jog strip and cheer for their countries, with especially exuberant support for the home team. Go USA!

Two horses were sent to the holding box: Joris Vanspringel’s mount Imperial van de Holtkakkers for Belgium and Merel Blom’s mount Rumour Has It N.O.P. for the Netherlands. It was an especially tense moment for the Belgian contingent, as they only have three horses in the competition and would be unable to field a team if one was not accepted. Thankfully, both horses were accepted upon re-presentation.

Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

That sends 83 total combinations and 16 teams forward to dressage, which starts tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. EST. The deadline to declare final starters is at 5 p.m. EST. Chefs d’equipe are set to meet at 6 p.m. EST to declare the starting orders for their teams, as well as which pairs will serve as individuals. Start times will be released for dressage soon after.

The U.S. has already confirmed that Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus will serve as the individual combination.

While we anxiously await other team announcements, we’re cautiously optimistic in bringing you the latest update on Hurricane Florence. The National Weather Service has pushed back the timeline for when heavy rains will reach the WEG venue.

The latest weather update released this afternoon by Tryon “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.”

Pietro Roman and Barraduff. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

We are absolutely going to see more rain between now and cross country day on Saturday, but the timeline for Florence’s heaviest impact has now been pushed back to Sunday evening. While the track has already endured quite a pounding from severe thunderstorms, the footing is holding up well overall. With more rain on the way, we can definitely expect the footing to be impacted come Saturday.

Stay tuned for a full photo gallery from the first horse inspection, plus EN’s full cross country course preview coming your way later today. Keep it locked on EN for the latest and greatest from WEG. Go Eventing.

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The U.S. Trust Arena pictured today at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games hosted a press conference this evening with Sharon Decker, COO of Tryon International Equestrian Center, and Sabrina Ibáñez, FEI Secretary General, to address the venue’s contingency plan as Hurricane Florence approaches the Carolina coastline.

The WEG venue is located in Mill Spring, North Carolina, which is about 350-400 miles (560-640 kilometers) west of the mandatory evacuation zones along the coast — far enough inland that Tryon is unlikely to experience the full force of Hurricane Florence.

“We are kind of a safe zone in a lot of ways,” Sharon said. “It doesn’t mean we wouldn’t get some wind and rain, but typically storms like this do not impact us in a significant way.”

North Carolina evacuation orders as of 7 p.m. EST Sept. 11 – red is mandatory, green is voluntary, blue is mixed orders. Purple designates Polk County, location of Tryon International Equestrian Center.

That said, Hurricane Florence will absolutely bring heavy rainfall to the Tryon area. The key question at this point remains how much rain, and it is still too early in the week for forecasters to make an accurate prediction on rainfall amounts. Hurricane Florence is expected to reach the East Coast of the United States on Friday.

The National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg office is releasing daily updates on how Hurricane Florence will specifically impact the Tryon area, and said “uncertainty remains too high to be specific about the exact impacts or precise timing.”

“The track of Hurricane Florence will need to be closely monitored by interests across the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia throughout the week,” the NWS said. “Some impact from this system in our area will be possible late in the week, perhaps from late Thursday through the weekend, but uncertainty remains too high to be specific about the exact impacts or precise timing.”

In the meantime, Sharon said Tryon has a “strong, robust emergency plan” in place and is working closely with local law enforcement and emergency services to be prepared for what Hurricane Florence brings to the area.

There are 1,288 permanent stalls on-site at Tryon, and all barns are built in conformance with the
International Building Code to withstand winds up to 90 mph (144 kph). The venue at Tryon served as an evacuation site for horses during Hurricane Irma last year, and Sharon said their first priority will once again remain the safety of horses and riders.

Tryon is working with three different electrical suppliers during WEG and has numerous generators on-site. There are also two high-volume wells on the property, both of which are attached to the emergency generators and supply drinkable water. There are multiple shelter options on-site to ensure human safety, including the 300,000-square-foot indoor arena, the new Johnson Controls Center and the basement of the Legends Club.

The Johnson Controls Center, pictured in this photo, is designated as a shelter option. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Depending on the severity of the storm, the contingency plan will include:

• 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 (through Peden Bloodstock/Dutta Corporation) on any necessary steps regarding horse arrivals/departures
• Ensuring smaller tents in the vendor area are tie-strapped together for security (large tents are designed to withstand winds of up to 90 mph)
• 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
• Taking down flags

Click here to read the full text of Tryon’s severe weather contingency plan.

As for what happens when the storm does hit, activity at the competition will be halted if lightning strikes within 5 miles (8 kilometers) of the venue. FEI General Regulations, Article 109.12, allow the FEI to alter the schedule of the competition if necessary to ensure safety of horses, riders, spectators and all involved:

Subject to the unanimous agreement of the Tryon2018.com, President of the Ground Jury, Technical Delegate and President of the Veterinary Committee in consultation with the Organiser, a Competition (either before or during) can be postponed and/or cancelled, not only due to force majeure, catastrophic occurrences, extreme weather conditions but also for non-compliance with FEI Rules and in specific situations where the welfare or safety of the Horses, Athletes, Officials or the public is compromised.

“This is an outdoor sport,” Sabrina said. “When it comes to contingency plans, we have those in place. This is not the first time we have had adverse weather situations. … This is something we are used to. It’s what we do.”

If a sport at WEG is delayed in any way by the weather, Sharon clarified that all tickets for spectators will still be honored.

As for how eventing’s schedule might be impacted, Sabrina said it “depends on the amount of rainfall. We could make the cross country shorter or decide to move the date of the competition itself.” Any changes to the cross country course or schedule will be communicated “well in advance,” she said.

No specific timeline was provided as to when a decision will be made on the length of the cross country course or when the final schedule for eventing will be determined. It truly does depend on exactly how much rainfall Hurricane Florence brings to the Tryon area.

Tryon is working with the National Weather Service to release twice daily weather advisories, as well as updates on schedules and programming. Updates are being posted on the WEG website here, as well as on Facebook and Twitter. Text “WEG2018” to 888777 (U.S. phones only) to receive immediate notifications. EN will continue posting all the latest news on Hurricane Florence.

The press conference concluded with a question-and-answer period. In response to why much of the planned construction at the venue, such as on-site hotels, was not completed ahead of WEG, Sharon explained that Tryon quite simply ran out of time.

“When we took on the Games we did have big ideas and big dreams and still do. This is not a one-time event for us. This is a long-term facility with a grand vision for bringing horse sport here from around the world forever. We started down that path. We had less than 22 months to prepare, and we just couldn’t quite accomplish what we set out to do,” Sharon said.

“We knew that sport was first and foremost, so the priority was given to the preparation of the courses. That became very challenging for us this winter. We had more rainfall in the first five months of this year than is typically here in 12 months of the year. We lost a tremendous amount of time in construction during these winter months, and it put us behind. Then we had a real challenge this summer with heat and limited hours we could work during the day out in open space.”

The lack of on-site hotels meant Tryon faced a dilemma in where to house grooms, and their solution of a temporary tent with bunk beds received backlash on social media. “We have very few people in the tent,” Sharon said. “We’ve offered options to everyone.”

Some grooms are staying in two-bedroom cabins, while others are housed in recreational vehicles on-site. An additional 12 recreational vehicles were brought on-site today, Sharon said, and the goal remains to move all grooms out of the tent as soon as possible.

In response to the plan to manage flooding on the property, Sharon said, “One of the challenges we may face is that it will be difficult for folks who are traveling in to us, or those who are leaving during that time period. … If any of our guests have concerns, we want to hear about that.”

As Tryon braces for Hurricane Florence, construction continues full speed ahead at the venue. The Opening Ceremony is underway with a free concert for the community featuring Hunter Hayes. The competition officially begins tomorrow with endurance, dressage and reining.

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The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team, from left: Chef d’Equipe Erik Duvander, Boyd Martin, Phillip Dutton, Will Coleman, Lauren Kieffer, USEF Managing Director of Eventing Joanie Morris and Lynn Symansky. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The venue is buzzing here at the Tryon International Equestrian Center as we count down to the start of the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games. Riders will get their first look at Capt. Mark Phillips’s cross country course tomorrow morning, followed by the first horse inspection in the afternoon.

U.S. Eventing Team Chef d’Equipe Erik Duvander and our five team members, Will Coleman, Phillip Dutton, Lauren Kieffer, Boyd Martin and Lynn Symansky, sat down today to chat about their strategy and goals for the week ahead.

Erik Duvander on the team’s key goal: “It is important for us to qualify for the Olympics, so a top six finish is where we need to be as the team. The riders and myself are quite competitive and we will try to go for a lot more than that, but at the end of the day we feel (qualifying for Tokyo) is what we must do first.”

Boyd Martin on the venue: “There’s a lot of wingers and whiners saying this place isn’t ready. Barring a bit of wet paint and the driveway still being built, it’s fantastic. I think we should all give credit to Mark Bellissimo and the team that put on this championships. They only had 18 months to  pull it together. I think they’ve done a wonderful job working 24 hours a day.”

Lynn Symansky on the team: “We all know each other very well. It’s a really good, cohesive group of people. We all respect each other. It’s a very competitive group of people to be on a team with, and we’re going into it very excited to see what we can produce.”

Will Coleman on being called up to the team: “There were a lot of emotions that came on Saturday morning when I found out I would be joining this group at the games. Firstly, you’re incredibly disappointed for Marilyn and her connections. That horse has done a lot of incredible things this year, and she was incredibly deserving of this spot. It’s sad for any of us to see a fellow competitor have to bow out at the last minute because of an injury. … My attitude has been to come in prepared and let it rip.”

Erik Duvander on the team’s camaraderie: “It was wonderful to see how supportive everyone was of each other at training camp. When Marilyn stepped down it was powerful to see how well the other riders backed her up and wished her well for when that horse will be back. There are a lot of emotions and a lot of excitement in these sorts of environments.”

The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at this afternoon’s press conference, from left: Phillip Dutton, Lauren Kieffer, Lynn Symansky, Will Coleman, Boyd Martin, Chef d’Equipe Erik Duvander. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Lynn Symansky on Donner: “In America now we announce our team a little bit earlier, so we are really able to do what works for each of our individual programs leading up to WEG. All the heavy work was done before we went into our final training camp. For Donner he has a lot of fitness underneath the years that he’s been going, so it’s keeping him happy in his body. It’s a really competitive group, and we’re not just here as a team. We want everyone to bring their absolute best to it.”

Lauren Kieffer on Vermiculus: “He has a lot of blood to him, being part Arabian. We’ve really worked hard on the fitness to make sure we left nothing on the table there. Being a young horse, we’ve really challenged him since Kentucky with jumping harder questions. I hope the course suits him because he is a nippy, small type and very fit, so I’m optimistic it will be a good track for him.”

Phillip Dutton on Z: “He’s a real improver and he’s getting better all the time — maybe improving more than I am, so I need to keep up with him! We understand the challenges of being here at a world championships and being up against all the best in the world. Hopefully we can keep up the great institution of eventing in this country and have a great result for everyone.”

Boyd Martin on Tsetserleg: “He’s in sizzling form. I’ve got plenty of hills in Pennsylvania; we’ve got unbelievable gallops in Cheshire foxhunting country. We’re very lucky that the landowners allow us to gallop there. I’ve been trying to mix it up a little bit with swimming him, and I’ve also utilized the AquaTred.

“I’ve tried to get the horse as fit as I possibly can since we know there will be a long, grueling hill at the end (of the WEG cross country course), and we want to feel like we got a bit left in the tank. With the rain forecast it all could get even harder with the heavy ground, so I think it’s going to be important to know how to pace your animal and know not to use them up too early in the course and feel like you have a bit left for the last minute or two, and show jumping the next day.”

Erik Duvander on the home field advantage: “I think it is a definite advantage in that our horses haven’t traveled that far to get here. Especially with horses that traveled from Europe and into the climate we have right now where it’s hot and humid, the horses tend to react to that in the first few days. Our horses are better acclimatized I believe.

“We know what the job is ahead of us. When you have your home crowd around you when you’re galloping around the track, it does make a difference — that support. I’ve said it many times but I hope that as many people as possible will come for cross country day to cheer the team on.”

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Go Canada! Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Canada has been drawn first to go for eventing at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, with the U.S. drawn fifth to go. There are 23 countries represented in eventing at WEG, with 16 teams and 83 total combinations.

The drawn order is as follows:

1st – Canada
2nd – China
3rd – Spain
4th – Germany
5th – USA
6th – Great Britain
7th – Poland
8th – Belgium
9th – South Africa
10th – Australia
11th – Brazil
12th – New Zealand
13th – Norway
14th – Ireland
15th – Italy
16th – Mexico
17th – France
18th – Japan
19th – Netherlands
20th – Ecuador
21st – Finland
22nd – Sweden
23rd – Switzerland

Click here to view detailed age, breeding and ownership information on all the horses competing in eventing at WEG.

The eventing action starts tomorrow with the first horse inspection at 3 p.m. EST. The inspection will take place next to the U.S. Trust Arena and is open to the public.

The competition schedule for eventing at WEG is:

• Thursday, Sept. 13: Dressage from 9 a.m.-4:40 p.m. EST
• Friday, Sept. 14: Dressage from 9 a.m.-4:40 p.m. EST
• Saturday, Sept 15: Cross country from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. EST
• Sunday, Sept. 16: Show jumping from 3:15-5:45 p.m. EST

Click here for full information on how to watch live on TV and online.

The EN team is working closely with Tryon to monitor the potential impact of Hurricane Florence on WEG. The FEI has scheduled a press conference for 5 p.m. EST today to discuss the venue’s inclement weather plan. Stay tuned for a full report.

Click here to follow along with all of EN’s coverage of WEG. Go Eventing.

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The countdown is on! Photo courtesy of Tryon International Equestrian Center.

NBC Sports will broadcast nearly 65 hours of coverage from the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, including 57 live hours, beginning Wednesday, Sept. 12, from Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina.

All the action will also stream live on FEI TV and can be viewed anywhere in the world. For eventing fans in the U.S., NBC will air cross country and show jumping live, but not dressage. If you want to watch both days of eventing dressage live, you will need to be an FEI TV subscriber.

The competition schedule for eventing at WEG is:

• Thursday, Sept. 13: Dressage from 9 a.m.-4:40 p.m. EST
• Friday, Sept. 14: Dressage from 9 a.m.-4:40 p.m. EST
• Saturday, Sept 15: Cross country from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. EST
• Sunday, Sept. 16: Show jumping from 3:15-5:45 p.m. EST

If you live in the U.S. and have cable: Coverage will be shown on NBC, NBCSN and The Olympic Channel. You can also login through you cable provider and watch on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. The NBC Sports app is available on Apple iOS, Android and select Samsung devices, as well as on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Win10, PlayStation and Xbox.

If you live in the U.S. and don’t have cable: You can watch all the action online via FEI TV, which is currently offering a special discounted WEG pass for $26.99. If you have an annual FEI TV subscription, got to to “Subscriptions” and you should be able to add the pass for free.

If you live in Canada: We believe the only option to watch live is via FEI TV. If you know of another option, please let us know in the comments.

If you live in the UK: Our friends at Horse & Hound have all the details on the BBC Red Button schedule here. H&C TV will also be airing a daily review show and highlights.

If you live in France: ChevalTV is providing coverage.

If you live in Germany: ClipMyHorse.TV is providing coverage.

If you live elsewhere in the world: The FEI TV live stream can be viewed anywhere in the world. Leave a comment and let us know how to watch WEG where you live. We will continue updating this guide with viewing information for other countries.

StreamHorseTV is keeping an up-to-date list of how to watch WEG around the world, so keep checking back to this link for the latest information.

Following is the NBC Sports television schedule for WEG. All times are listed in EST and are subject to change. Check your local listings for channel numbers.

The countdown is on for WEG 2018! Photo courtesy of Tryon International Equestrian Center.

Definite entries for eventing at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games closed on Sept. 3, and we now have a final look at the horses and riders set to compete at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina.

All individual combinations will be denoted with as asterisk.

Keep it locked on EN for all the latest and greatest from WEG. Go Eventing.

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WEG 2018 EVENTING DEFINITE ENTRIES

• 83 total combinations
• 23 countries represented
• 16 teams

AUSTRALIA

• Chris Burton and Cooley Lands, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Cavalier Land X Clover Light Girl, by Clover Hill) owned by Joe and Kate Walls
• Andrew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos, a 9-year-old Anglo-Arabian gelding (Jaguar Mail X Illusion Perdue, by Jalienny) owned by Paula and David Evans
• *Bill Levett and Lassban Diamond Lift, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Easy Lift xx X Lassban Chow Bella, by Diamond Chin) owned by Elisabeth Murdoch
• Emma McNab and Fernhill Tabasco, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Tabasco Van Erpekom X Dinan Rhoda, by Porter Rhodes xx) owned by Kevin McNab, Dom and Poppy Worcester, Julia and Jamie Dougall
• Shane Rose and Virgil, a 13-year-old bay Australian Warmblood gelding (Vivant X North Pole xx, by North Star xx) owned by Michelle Hasibar

BELGIUM

• Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Alpaga d’Arville, a 12-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding (Wunder Boy van de Zuuthoeve X Mooney Raaphorst xx, by Shamaraan xx) owned by Larga SPRL
• Karin Donckers and Fletcha van’t Verahof, a 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Vigo D’arsouilles X Southern Queen xx, by South Gale xx) owned by the rider, Joris de Brabandere and Carl Bouckaert
• Joris van Springel and Imperial van de Holtakkers, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion (Quidam de Revel x Ava vd Holtakkers, by Argentinus) owned by the rider and Holstrust and Catharina Speerstra

BRAZIL

• Marcio Appel and Iberon Jmen, a 16-year-old Brazilian-bred gelding (Indoctro X Landina Jmen, by Landino) owned by Samatha Tonello
• Marcio Carvalho Jorge and Coronel MCJ, an 11-year-old Brazilian-bred gelding (Fugitisso X Cotton Girl) owned by the Jorge Family
• Nilson Moreira da Silva and Magnum’s Martini, a 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Magnum X Momos Girl) owned by L & N Equestrian
• *Henrique Plombo Pinheiro and Land Quenotte do Feroleto, a 15-year-old Holsteiner mare (Landritter X No Limit, by Caretino) owned by Ana Paula Arósio
• Marcelo Tosi and Glenfly, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Presenting X Dorans Glen, by Over The River) owned by the rider

CANADA

• *Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo, a 14-year-old British-bred mare (Jumbo X Polly Coldunnell xx, by Danzig Connection xx) owned by The Jollybo Syndicate
• Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me, a 12-year-old Welsh Sport Horse gelding (Brynarian Brenin X Dream Contessa xx, by Royal Chocolate xx) owned by the rider
• Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue d’Argouges, a 14-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Mr. Blue X Hardie Du Bourg, by Count Ivor xx) owned by Peter Barry
• Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High, a 15-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding (Rio Bronco X Evita II xx, by Abacus xx) owned by John and Judy Rumble
• Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti, a 16-year-old Westphalian gelding (Pavarotti van de Helle X Fidelia, by Foxiland) owned by the rider

CHINA

• Alex Hua Tian and Ballytiglea Vivendi, a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (ARS Vivendi X Polly Pepper, by Lord Americo) owned by John Lewis and Amelia Mortimer

ECUADOR

• Nicolas Wettstein and Meyer’s Happy, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding (My Happy Guest xx X Nottfelderin, by Caletto I) owned by the rider, Frank Wettstein and Monique Deyme
• Ronald Zabala Goestschel and Wundermaske, a 15-year-old Hanoverian/Thoroughbred gelding (Weltbekannt X Deer Rose, by Deerhound) owned by the rider, Fernando Villacis and Fabian Zabala

FINLAND

• Pauliina Swindells and Ferro S, a 15-year-old Polish-bred gelding (Talent X Fantazja, by Fanimo) owned by the rider, James Swindells, Sharon Graves, Jari Martilla and Pirjo Martilla

FRANCE

• Sidney Dufresne and Tresor Mail, an 11-year-old Selle Francais stallion (Jaguar Mail X Nocturne Mail, by Iowa) owned by Iris Fleurieu and Agnès Trouble
• Maxime Livio and Opium de Verrieres, a 16-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Ultra de Rouhet X Rosiere II, by Fragile) owned by S.C. Soixante Seize et Compagnie
• *Astier Nicolas and Vinci de la Vigne, a 9-year-old Selle Francis gelding (Esterel des Bois X Korrigane de Vigne, by Duc du Hutrel) owned by the rider and Philippe and Marie-José Gerard
• Donatien Schauly and Pivione des Touches, a 15-year-old Selle Francais mare (Nykias X Kanelle des Touches, by Elf d’Or) owned by the rider and Anne-Sophie Schauly
• Thibaut Valette and Qing du Briot ENE HN, a 14-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Eolien II X Henriette, by Etalon OR) owned by L’institut Français du Cheval et de l’Equitation

GREAT BRITAIN

• Ros Canter and Allstar B, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Ephebe For Ever X Narenca B, by Ekstein) owned by the rider and Caroline Moore
• *Tina Cook and Billy The Red, an 11-year-old German Sport Horse gelding (Balou du Rouet X FBW Simply Red, by Stan The Man xx) owned by Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson
• Piggy French and Quarrycrest Echo, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Clover Echo X Royal China, by Cavalier Royale) owned by Jayne McGivern
• Tom McEwen and Toledo de Kerser, an 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Diamant de Semilly X Ariane du Prieure II, by Papillon Rouge) owned by the rider, Jane Inns and Ali McEwen
• Gemma Tattersall and Arctic Soul, a 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Luso X Dream Cocktail, by Roi Danzig) owned by the rider and The Soul Syndicate

GERMANY

• *Sandra Auffarth and Viamant du Matz, a 9-year-old Selle Francais stallion (Diamant de Semilly X Heralina, by Voltigeur le Malin) owned by Nikolaus Prinz von Croy
• Andreas Dibowski and FRH Corrida, a 9-year-old Hanoverian mare (Contendro I x Expo, by Espri) owned by BG Corrida
• Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD, a 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Helikon xx X Goldige, by Noble Champion) owned by Ingrid Klimke and Andreas Busacker
• Julia Krajewski and Chipmunk FRH, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Contendro I x Havanna, by Heraldik I) owned by Dr. Hilmer Meyer-Kulenkampff
• Kai Rüder and Colani Sunrise, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Chico’s Boy x Larissa, by Laudatio) owned by Bernhard Reemtsma

IRELAND

• Cathal Daniels and Rioghan Rua, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Jack of Diamonds X Highland Destiny, by Flagmount King) owned by Frank and Margaret Kinsella
• Sarah Ennis and Horseware Stellor Rebound, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by VDL Ricochet and owned by Horseware Products, Niki Potterton and Orla Ennis
• Padraig McCarthy and Mr Chunky, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Jumbo X Avin Fun Bar, by Sergeant Drummer) owned by Christopher and Sarita Perkins, Huw Lloyd and Lucy Wiegersma
• *Trish Ryan and Dunrath Eclipse, a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Chinook Eclipse X Aoife Baby, by Rame Z) owned by Tom and Carol Henry
• Sam Watson and Horseware Ardagh Highlight, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Puissance X Gentle Servant, by Kings Servant) owned by the rider and Belinda Keir

ITALY

• Stefano Brecciaroli and Byrnesgrove First Diamond, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Carrick Diamond Lad X Christies Lass, by Amazing Bust) owned by Andrew Nicholson and Mary Channer
• Pietro Roman and Barraduff, a 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Carroll House X Crested Vesta VII, by Sea Crest) owned by Antonella Ascoli
• Pietro Sandei and Rubis de Prere, a 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Fedor de Seves X Cina du Logis, by Quandy du Mayne) owned by the rider
• Arianna Schivo and Quefira de l’Ormeau, a 14-year-old bay Selle Francais mare (Iolisco de Quinhon X Isabella du Brulot, by Beausejour IV) owned by the rider and Thomas Bouquet
• *Simone Sordi and Amacuzzi, a 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Marcuzzi X Amara, by Maizauber) owned by Maria Giovanna Mazzocchi

JAPAN

• Ryuzo Kitajima and Queen Mary, a 10-year-old Holsteiner mare (Quality X Limone III, by Landgraf I) owned by Riding Club Crane
• Yoshi Oiwa and Calle 44, an 11-year-old Holsteiner mare (Cristo 5 X Sara IV, by Quebec) owned by the rider
• Toshiyuki Tanaka and Talma d’Allou, an 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Opium de Talma X Belle de l’Etang, by Prince Ig’or) owned by Riding Club Crane
• Kazuma Tomoto and Tacoma d’Horset, an 11-year-old Selle Francais mare (Sandro X Palm Beach d’Horset, by Trophee du Rozel) owned by the Japan Racing Association

MEXICO

• Daniela Mougel and Cecelia, a 15-year-old Thoroughbred mare (Connecticut X Penny Stock, by Spend A Buck) owned by Aurelio Quinzaños and Jorge Eduardo Mtz. Castrejon

NETHERLANDS

• Merel Blom and Rumour Has It N.O.P., a 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Esteban xx X Onara, by Candillo) owned by J.M.J. Blom and M.C. Blom-Muilwijk
• Raf Kooremans and Henri Z, a 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Heraldik xx X Rozina van de Hertogen, by Landaris) owned by Marc Rigouts
• Renske Kroeze and Jane Z, a 12-year-old Zangersheide mare (Johny Boy II X Tendre Rose, by Hornet Rose) owned by Beemdhoeve B.V.
• Alice Naber-Lozeman and ACSI Harry Belafonte, a 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Heraldik xx X Zamira, by Zamiro) owned by R. van Reine & S. van Reine
• *Theo van de Vendel and Zindane, a 14-year-old KPWN gelding (Kreator X Oriflame, by Kingston) owned by T. van de Vendel, J.J. van de Vendel and G.J. van de Vendel

NEW ZEALAND

• *Dan Jocelyn and Grovine de Reve, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Hermea de Reve X Erkina Jane, by Rimilis xx) owned by Therese Miller, Jo Preston-Hunt, Philip Hunt and Dan Jocelyn
• Jonelle Price and Classic Moet, a 15-year-old British-bred mare (Classic xx X Gamston Bobbles, by Bohemond xx) owned by the rider and Trisha Rickards
  Breeding:
• Tim Price and Cekatinka, an 11-year-old KWPN mare (King Kolibri X Katinka, by Julio Mariner xx) owned by Joanne Pullan
• Blyth Tait and Dassett Courage, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Courage II X Cruseings Girl, by Cruising) owned by the rider, Thomas Barr and Sally Grant
• Mark Todd and McClaren, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Clarimo X Toni I, by Landjunge) owned by David and Katherine Thomson

NORWAY

• Heidi Bratlie Larsen and Euforian, a 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Camaro M X Evelina, by Willibald) owned by the rider

POLAND

• Pawel Spisak and Banderas, an 11-year-old Polish-bred gelding (Moravia X Babilonia xx, by Jape xx) owned by Marek Jodko

SOUTH AFRICA

• Victoria Scott and Valtho des Peupliers, a 9-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Tinka’s Boy X Etna Pierreville, by Rosire) owned by the rider

SPAIN

• Gonzalo Blasco Botin and Sij Veux d’Autize, a 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Urban X Novia d’Autize) owned by Marta Botin Naveda
• Carlos Diaz Fernandez and Junco CP, a 14-year-old Anglo-Arabian gelding (Ebene de Montagne X Dunabell, by Nilgaut A) owned by Campeagro Sat
• *Albert Hermoso Farras and Nereo CP, 11-year-old Anglo-Arabian gelding (Iod’Pom X Avutarda CP, by Nilgaut A) by Miquel Alemany Hospital
• Maria Pinedo Sendagorta and Carriem van Colen Z, a 15-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Canabis Z X Sexy Vergoignan x, by Garde Couer xx) owned by Santillana Paddocks S.L.
• Manuel Senra Chover and Cruising, a 12-year-old Westphalian gelding (Calido I X Gina, by Geralshuter) owned by Yeguada la Horcajada

SWITZERLAND

• Patrizia Attinger and Hilton P, a 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Heraldik xx X Quickly P, by Quasi Roi) owned by Denise Egger and Peter Attinger
• Robin Godel and Grandeur de Lully CH, a 10-year-old Swiss Warmblood gelding (Greco de Lully X Miola, by Apartos) owned by Jean-Jacques Fünftschilling
• Felix Vogg and Colero, a 10-year-old Westphalian gelding (Captain Fire X Bonita, by Bormio xx) owned by Jürgen Vogg

SWEDEN

• *Sara Algotsson Ostholt and Wega, 17-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare (Irco Mena X La Fair, by Labrador 588) owned by Margareta Algotsson
• Anna Freskgård and Box Qutie, 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare (Quite Easy X Lady Like KLT, by Little Boy 756) owned by Therese Örup
• Niklas Lindbäck and Focus Filiocus, 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Feliciano 823 X Blue Bells xx, by Be My Chief xx) owned by Tun Albertson
• Ludwig Svennerstal and Stinger, 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Spender S X On a Pedestal xx, by Waajib xx) owned by Skånegårdar AB
• Louise Svensson Jähde and Waikiki, 12-year-old Holsteiner mare (Quinar X Sila, by San Patrignano Cassini) owned by the rider and Hans Thomsen

UNITED STATES

• Will Coleman and Tight Lines, an 11-year-old French-bred Thoroughbred gelding (Turgeon X Merindole, by Tel Quel) owned by The Con Air Syndicate
• Phillip Dutton and Z, a 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Asca X Bellabouche, by Babouche VH Gehucht Z) owned by The Z Partnership
• *Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus, an 11-year-old Anglo-Arabian gelding (Serazim X Wake Me Gently) owned by Jacqueline Mars
• Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg, an 11-year-old Trakehner gelding (Windfall X Thabana, by Buddenbrock) owned by Christine Turner
• Lynn Symansky and Donner, a 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Gorky Park X Smart Jane, by Smarten) owned by The Donner Syndicate

[WEG 2018 Eventing Definite Entries]