Mill Spring, N.C. – Sept. 11, 2018 – Top horse-and-rider combinations from around the world have arrived at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina, to vie for the top honors in this year’s FEI World Equestrian Games™. The preliminary day of competition began with the health inspection for the nearly 80 dressage contenders. While all four American partnerships advanced to the first stage of riding to begin on Wednesday, two horses, Australia’s Bluefields Floreno with Alexis Hellyer, and Portugal’s Bariloche with Vasco Mira Godinho, were held for reinspection. The reinspection will take place Thursday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 a.m.
Organized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) and recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the FEI World Equestrian Games™ is held in the middle of the summer Olympic cycle once every four years. First hosted in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1990, this global event combines World Championships in the Olympic disciplines of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing and the Paralympic discipline of Para-Equestrian Dressage, in addition to Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining. Since the inaugural Games in Stockholm, they have subsequently been held in The Hague, Netherlands (1994), Rome, Italy (1998), Jerez, Spain (2002), Aachen, Germany (2006), Lexington, Kentucky in the U.S. (2010) and Normandy, France (2014). This week’s event will mark only the second occasion that the Games have been held on American soil.
Riders from various countries are not only hoping to take home the FEI World Equestrian Games™ top awards but will also aim to secure qualifying spots for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held in Tokyo, Japan by placing in the top six teams.
“Qualifying [for the 2020 Olympics] is what we hope to achieve, but also this is a great group of athletes with an amazing team of horses,” commented Robert Dover, chef d’equipe of The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage team, which consists of veteran riders Adrienne Lyle, Laura Graves, Steffen Peters and Kasey Perry-Glass. “Secretly I am optimistically hopeful for a medal or multiple medals as the week goes on.
“I am thrilled and honored just to be with such a super group of people,” Dover continued. “We are very fortunate to have the best owners, most fantastic grooms, great vets, super physios and the best manager and director of dressage, Hallie Griffin. Will Connell [US Equestrian Director of Sport] and a super staff at USA Dressage are behind us. We’re a really great group of friends, and we’re really very grateful.”
Having passed the jog, all four U.S. riders and their mounts will take part in the Grand Prix team competition on Wednesday and Thursday before they move onto the individual competition, the Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle, if they qualify. Graves brings with her the trusty Verdades, owned by Graves and Curt Maes, and Lyle will ride Betsy Juliano’s 11-year-old stallion Salvino. Perry-Glass will take the reins aboard Goerklintgaards Dublet, owned by her mother, Dianne Perry. Though Peters was originally slated to ride Four Winds Farm’s Rosamunde, upon arriving at the venue he made the decision to substitute his ride for Suppenkasper, an 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding also owned by Four Winds Farm.
“Needless to say, I’m the oldest guy with the youngest horse on the team!” Peters said. “We call him Mopsie. He’s a bit of an inexperienced young horse but just a pleasure to ride, and he’s a very talented horse. [Rosamunde] is doing well. During training camp she was doing just fine. Each day when we trained both horses, Robert [Dover], Debbie [McDonald] and the entire team felt like Mopsie was going better. It was simply a decision where we said if both horses were to put in a clean test over here, we felt like Mopsie could score a little higher. But [Rosamunde] is doing perfectly fine and is healthy.”
Though the impending Hurricane Florence and unfinished construction across the venue has been a note of concern for athletes, organizers and spectators, Lyle stated that the horses have at least settled in well and the facilities for the dressage horses are up to par.
“Over in dressage land, it’s wonderful,” Lyle explained. “The stabling is great. It’s well thought out and every stall has its own fan. There are big matted aisles, and we’re right next to the schooling arenas. Everything is nicely condensed and we’re not running all around the property. The footing is great, the stadium is amazing that they’ve built for this, and it’s really impressive looking.”
Dressage competition will take place over the course of the week, with the team phases beginning Wednesday and team medals given on Thursday. Riders will qualify for the individual competition of the Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Friday from their Grand Prix performance.
To view the FEI World Equestrian Games™ live stream, click here or subscribe to Horse & Country TV to watch daily coverage and one-hour discipline recaps here. Check your local NBC listings to see when NBC Sports is broadcasting dressage coverage in your area. The Grand Pix Freestyle on Sunday, Sept. 16, will air live on the Olympic Channel, part of NBC Sports Group.
To watch the Live@Tryon digital program presented by FEI, click here and subscribe to the FEI Youtube Channel for updates.
Schedule of Events
Tues., Sept. 11
19:30 Opening Ceremony in the U.S. Trust Arena
Wed., Sept. 12
09:00 Dressage Team & Individual Grand Prix Session 1 in U.S. Trust Arena
14:00 Dressage Team & Individual Grand Prix Session 2 in U.S. Trust Arena
Thurs., Sept 13
09:00 Dressage Team & Individual Grand Prix Session 3 in U.S. Trust Arena
14:00 Dressage Team & Individual Grand Prix Session 4 in U.S. Trust Arena
Fri., Sept. 14
10:30 Dressage Individual Grand Prix Special Session 1 in U.S. Trust Arena
14:30 Dressage Individual Grand Prix Special Session 2 in U.S. Trust Arena
Sun., Sept. 16
08:30 Dressage Individual Grand Prix Freestyle in U.S. Trust Arena
Sun., Sept. 23
17:30 Closing Ceremony in U.S. Trust Arena
Jog Photo Gallery
Dressage Definite Entries
Individual Representing Argentina
Maria Florencia Manfredi and Bandurria Kacero, her own 13-year-old Argentine gelding
Team Australia
Mary Hanna and Boogie Woogie 6, her 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding
Alexis Hellyer and Bluefields Floreno, a 13-year-old Warmblood stallion owned by JJ Fuchs (held for reinspection)
Kristy Oatley and Du Soleil, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Rosalind & Robert Oatley
Brett Parbery and DP Weltmieser, a 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Susan Duddy
Team Belgium
Isabell Cool and Aranco V, a 13-year-old KWPN stallion owned by Cool
Jeroen Devroe and Eres DL, 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by Daniel Lousberg
Fanny Verliedfen and Indoctro van de Steenblok, a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion owned by Fanny Verliefden
Laurence Roos and Fil Rouge, 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion owned by Laurence Roos
Individual Representing Bermuda
Annabelle Collins and Joyero VG, a 10-year-old PRE stallion owned by Barcelona Horses S.L.
Team Brazil
Leandro Aparecido Da Silva and DiCaprio, a 16-year-old Dutch stallion owned by Ricardo and Patricia Villela Marino
João Victor Marcari Oliva and Xiripiti, a 15-year-old Lusitano gelding owned by Roberta Pass & PCI Paulo Caetano Internacional
Giovana Prado Pass and Zingaro De Lyw, a 14-year-old Dutch stallion owned by Sucandi Brasil Com Imp Exp Cavalos LTDA
Pedro Manuel Tavares De Almeida and Aoleo, a 15-year-old Dutch stallion owned by Luiza Tavares De Almeida
Team Canada
Brittany Fraser and All In, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Fraser and Marc-Andre Beaulieu
Jill Irving and Degas 12, a 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Irving
Megan Lane and Zodiac MW, a 14-year-old KWPN stallion owned by Deer Ridge Equestrian
Belinda Trussell and Tattoo 15, a 15-year-old Westphalian gelding owned by Mark and Belinda Trussell
Team Denmark
Daniel Bachmann Andersen and Blue Hors Zack, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by Blue Hors APS
Anders Dahl and Selten, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding he co-owns with P. Bigwood
Betina Jaeger and Mane Stream Belstaff, an 11-year-old Hanoverian stallion owned by Rowan O’Riley
Rikke Svane and Finckenstein TSF, a 16-year-old Trakehner stallion owned by Rebecca and Rikke Svane
Individual Representing Ecuador
Julio Cesar Mendoza Loor and Chardonnay, a 13-year-old Dutch gelding owned by Mendoza and Sheila M. O’Keefe
Individual Representing Finland
Emma Kanerva and Heartbreaker, a 14-year-old Hanoverian owned by Gert Saborowski
Team Germany
Isabell Werth and Bella Rose 2, a 14-year-old Westphalian mare owned by Madeleine Winter-Schulze.
Sönke Rothenberger and Cosmo 59, an 11-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Rothenberger, Gestüt Erlenhof GmbH and Ralph Uwe Westhoff
Dorothee Schneider and Sammy Davis Jr., a 12-year-old German Sport Horse gelding owned by Matthias Herbert
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB, an 11-year-old Trakehner mare owned by Beatrice Burchler-Keller
Individual Representing Georgia
Joanne Vaughan and Elmegardens Marquis, a 19-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding owned by Vaughan
Team Great Britain
Charlotte Dujardin CBE and Mount St John Stud’s Mount St John Freestyle, a 9-year-old Hanoverian mare
Emile Faurie and Hof Kasselmann KG’s Dono Di Maggio, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding
Carl Hester MBE and Lady Anne Evans, Ann Cory and his own Hawtins Delicato, a 10-year-old British Hanoverian gelding
Spencer Wilton from Reading and Jen Goodman and his own Super Nova II, a 15-year-old British Hanoverian gelding
Individual Representing Hong Kong
Jacqueline Wing Ying Siu and Ferrera, a 15-year-old Dutch mare owned by Siu
Individual Representing Ireland
Judy Reynolds and Vancouver K, a 16-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Joe and Kathleen Reynolds
Individuals Representing Italy
Riccardo Sanavio and Glock’s Federleicht, a 14-year-old Westphalian mare owned by Gaston Glock Ing.
Pierluigi Sangiorgi and Gelo Delle Schiave, an 11-year-old Italian mare owned by Stefano Brecciaroli
Team Japan
Kiichi Harada and Egistar, a 15-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Haruka Nakada
Shingo Hayashi and Exquis Clearwater, a 20-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding owned by Tsunehiro Shimoda
Kazuki Sado and Barolo, a 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by the Japan Racing Association
Masanao Takahashi and Rubicon Unitechno, a 15-year-old Rhinelander gelding owned by Unitechno Inc.
Individual Representing Korea
Dongseon Kim and Bukowski, a 19-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding owned by Kim
Individual Representing Morrocco
Ismail Jilaoui and What A Feeling, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Solange Besset Jilaoui
Team Netherlands
Edward Gal and Glock’s Zonik NOP, a 10-year-old Danish Warmblood stallion owned by Glock HPC Holding BV
Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Dream Boy, a 10-year-old KWPN stallion owned by Glock HPC Holding BV, TC Dutch Sporthorses, Stal Brinkman VOF and Palmar BV
Madeleine Witte-Vrees and Cennin, an 11-year-old KWPN stallion owned by N.F. Witte and JEJ Cuppen
Emmelie Scholtens and Apache, a 13-year-old KWPN stallion owned by A. Valk.
Individuals representing New Zealand
Julie Brougham and Vom Feinsten, a 15-year-old Rheinland gelding she co-owns with Nicholas Brougham
John Thompson and JHT Antonello, his 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding
Individual Representing the Philippines
Ellesse Tzinberg and Triviant 2, an 18-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Sennett and Ellesse Tzinberg
Individual Representing PLE
Christian Zimmermann and Roble, a 15-year-old KWPN gelding
Team Portugal
Maria Caetano and Coroado, an 11-year-old Lusitano stallion owned by Juan Manuel Cordeiro
Vasco Mira Godinho and Bariloche, a 12-year-old Lusitano owned by Christine Jacoberger
Miguel Ralao Duarte and Xenofonte d’Atela, a 15-year-old Lusitano owned by Ana Paula Lemos Figueiredo
Manuel Veiga and Ben Hur Da Broa, a 12-year-old Lusitano owned by Veiga
Team Russia
Evgenija Davydova and Awakening, a 13-year-old KWPN mare owned by Tatiana Miloserdova
Tatyana Kosterina and Diavolessa VA, a 10-year-old Hanoverian mare owned by Josef Scheele von Alven
Inessa Merkulova and Mister X, a 14-year-old Trakehner gelding owned by Merkulova
Elena Sidneva and Fuhur 6, a 9-year-old Russian Warmblood gelding owned by Sidneva
Individual Representing Singapore
Caroline Chew and Tribiani, a 14-year-old Norwegian Warmblood gelding owned by Melanie and Tony Chew
Individual Representing South Africa
Gretha Ferreira and Lertevangs Lavinia, her 13-year-old Danish Warmblood mare
Team Spain
Beatriz Ferrer-Salat and Delgado, a 17-year-old Westphalian gelding owned by Deliber S.L
Claudio Castilla Ruiz and Alcaide, his 13-year-old stallion
Severo Jurado Lopez and Deep Impact 3, a 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Helgstrand Dressage A/S
Juan Matute Guimon and Quantico Ymas, a 12-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by Juan Matute
Team Sweden
Patrik Kittel and Well Done De La Roche CMF, a 10-year-old Swiss Warmblood mare owned by Francoise Trembley, Brigitte Bigar and Muriel Perret
Therese Nilshagen and Dante Weltino OLD, an 11-year-old Oldenburg stallion she co-owns with Dressurpferde Leistungsz
Juliette Ramel and Buriel KH, a 12-year-old KWPN gelding owned by La Pomme HB
Tinne Vilhelson Silfven and Don Auriello, a 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Lovsta Stuteri and Antonia Ax:son Johnson, or Paridon Magi, a 15-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding owned by Lovsta Stuteri AB
Team Switzerland
Caroline Hacki and Rigoletto Royal CH, a 16-year-old Swiss Warmblood gelding owned by Hacki and Hildegard Rindlisbacher
Antonella Joannou and Dandy de la Roche CH, a 13-year-old Swiss Warmblood gelding owned by Leana and Antonella Joannou
Estelle Wettstein and West Side Story, a 10-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by Marie-Line Wettstein
Birgit Wientzek Plage and Robinvale, an 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Theodora Livanos
Individual Representing the Ukraine
Inna Logutenkova and Fleraro, a 15-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding owned by Vian Group LLC
Team United States
Laura Graves and Verdades, her 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding she co-owns with Curt Maes
Adrienne Lyle and Salvino, an 11-year-old Hanoverian stallion owned by Betsy Juliano
Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet, a 15-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding owned by Diane Perry
Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper, a 10-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Four Winds Farm