United States Eventing Association

One Year Until FEI World Equestrian Games™ Comes to North Carolina, USA

The one year to go countdown to the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 (WEG) was launched today. With more than 500,000 people expected to attend the 2018 Games, the 12-day spectacle of equestrian champions is one of the biggest events on the global sporting calendar and will be the largest equestrian event in North Carolina's history. Mark Bellissimo, CEO of host venue Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Tryon, NC, announced today that tickets will go on sale to the public on Monday, October 16, 2017. Competition action at WEG 2018 runs from September 12 through September 23, 2018, with the Opening Ceremony scheduled for September 11.

A variety of ticketing types and prices will be offered such as an All Games Pass for each week of competition or both weeks, an All Session Day Pass, All Session Discipline Pass, as well as individual event tickets, and opening and closing ceremonies. Ticket prices vary, but include an inexpensive Day Pass that gives attendees access to event grounds and expo only. A complete list of ticketing options will be available online at www.tryon2018.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

In addition to announcing ticket sales, TIEC has today released a "Destination Tryon" video to showcase the region where the 2018 Games will be held. Prior to winning the bid to host WEG 2018, Polk County, North Carolina dwelt as a hidden gem, tucked away in the bucolic Blue Ridge Foothills, bordering South Carolina. Surrounded by bold mountains and scenic foothills, the area is conveniently located within an hour of top cities including Asheville and Charlotte in North Carolina and Greenville in South Carolina. The rural community now joins the league of iconic destinations around the world - like Normandy, Stockholm, Rome and Aachen - to host equestrian sport's most distinguished championships.

For WEG 2018, Bellissimo is focusing on the love of horses to bring added attention to equestrian sport and touch a broader audience of horse enthusiasts globally, highlighting the important role horses have played throughout history.

"All of our nations were discovered on the back of a horse and these amazing animals continue to provide livelihood, transportation, security, entertainment, friendship, therapy, and sport around the world. The love of the horse is universal and profound. The Games is an incredible stage to show the world how important and valuable this creature is and celebrate our relationship with them," said Bellissimo.

Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) President Ingmar De Vos shared his excitement about the forthcoming Games at TIEC.

"Marking one year to go to the FEI World Equestrian Games is always a very exciting time and we're really looking forward to the spectacular event that Tryon will bring," De Vos said. "The Games are the greatest gathering of the best athletes and horses from across the globe and hundreds of thousands of people will have the opportunity to enjoy the magic of equestrian sport as world champions are crowned across the eight FEI disciplines. The USA is renowned as a country of horse lovers and is also hugely successful in the sport so we are delighted to have this, the FEI's flagship event, back in America once again."

United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) President Murray Kessler is pleased that the WEG is coming back to the United States for 2018 and will be hosted all at one venue at TIEC.

"We are confident that Mark Bellissimo and his team at Tryon will host an exceptional World Equestrian Games next year. Having the Games in the U.S. gives us an opportunity to celebrate the joy of horse sports with millions of Americans in a way that will help grow engagement and participation in all equestrian sports in this country." said Kessler.

The Games are expected to have tremendous economic impact to both Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. The previous WEG held in Normandy (FRA) in 2014 had an estimated economic impact of $400 million and attracted 575,000 spectators. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper praised the organizers' success in bringing the Games to the Carolinas.

"The World Equestrian Games are an incredible opportunity for North Carolina, and we are pleased to host this event in our state," said Governor Cooper. "We applaud the efforts of Mark Bellissimo and the organizers at Tryon International Equestrian Center to bring this global event to North Carolina and stimulate tremendous economic growth for our state as a result."

Held every four years alternating with the Olympic Games, the FEI World Equestrian Games™ combines the world championships for jumping, dressage and para-dressage, eventing, driving, reining, vaulting, and endurance into one massive 12-day event.

Click here to watch the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 promo video!

ACCOMMODATIONS

Accommodations for the 2018 WEG are being managed by Connections Housing, a full-service sourcing, housing and event management company. With 30 years of experience serving events in a range of industries, Connections has two full-service, fully-owned call centers and will oversee all aspects of the housing process from contracting and room block management to reservations and post-event analysis. Accommodations will be open to the public on Monday, September 18. For more information about accommodations, please visit www.tryon2018.com.

MEDIA INQUIRIES

For media inquiries, please visit www.tryon2018.com or contact one of the following press officers:

National Media - Carly Weilminster at [email protected] or at (828) 863-1144.

International Media - Niki McEwen at [email protected] or at 0044(0)203 176 0355.

For more information from the FEI, please contact Leanne Williams [email protected] or at 0041-21-310-4747.

ABOUT THE TRYON INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTER

Tryon International Equestrian Center at Tryon Resort, host of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018, is one of the world's premier equestrian lifestyle destinations. From carousel to competition, the mission of Tryon Resort is to celebrate the magic of the horse, grow equestrian sport, and increase access to this majestic animal. With first-class facilities for hunter/jumper, dressage, and eventing competitions, the facility will soon accommodate all eight equestrian disciplines. Tryon Resort is a spring, summer, and fall haven for equestrian competitors and enthusiasts, and a year-round destination for connoisseurs of diverse cuisine and shopping, lodging getaways, and family entertainment. Learn more at www.tryon.com.

ABOUT THE FEI WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES™

The FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG), which are administered by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the worldwide governing body of equestrian sport, is the major international championship event for the eight core equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage and para-equestrian dressage, eventing, driving, endurance, vaulting and reining. For more information, visit www.tryon2018.com and www.fei.org/tryon-2018