Through the Lens: The Fork and WEG Test Event

Apr 21, 2018

Through the Lens: The Fork and WEG Test Event

By Leslie Mintz - USEA Staff

Dressage was ridden in the shadow of construction. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

In July of 2016, Bromont pulled out from hosting the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) and in November the FEI announced the Tryon International Equestrian Center as the new hosts. This timeline gave Tryon less than two years to pull together what will be the fourth largest sporting event in the world in 2018. The Mill Spring, N.C. facility is now under construction around the clock, but that didn’t stop them from hosting the WEG Eventing Test Event in the first week of April. The Fork CIC3*, an Adequan USEA Gold Cup event, served as the test event and it was Phillip Dutton and Z who took the top honors. Can’t remember what happened? Get a refresher by re-reading the dressage day 1, dressage day 2, cross-country, horse inspection, and show jumping coverage, and scroll down to relive the week through the lens.

The Fork CIC3* dressage took place in the George Morris Arena and featured the same live scoring system which will be utilized at the WEG. Spectators were able to see movement by movement scores from the judges. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

Eventing dressage will take place in the George Morris Arena, but show jumping and the finish of cross-country will be held in the 20,000 seat stadium to be constructed on the 12 acre derby field. It will be a temporary structure that construction will begin on following the Pony Club Championships in July. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

There will be several hotels on the Tryon property, but the first one under construction will house the grooms during WEG. It is just a short walk to the barns. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

Friends and competitors: Lynn Symansky and Katherine Coleman share a laugh following dressage. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

Do you think the extra tail swish gave OBOS O'Reilly the edge to take the Advanced dressage lead? USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

Is that a smile I see? Phillip Dutton shares a rare grin following his dressage test with Z. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

The WEG cross-country course will share elements with the driving competition, but for this weekend spectators used the driving hazard as a good viewing spot. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

The cross-country course winds through several different fields which are divided by streams so Tryon had to construct quite a few bridges – each completely covered in arena footing to ensure safe passage for the horses. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

How do those knees taste, Crossy? USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

Joe Meyer and Johnny Royale are framed by trees on course. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

A flying unicorn! USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

Could you ask for better color coordination? Sharon White perfectly matches the sunshine table. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

Splashing through the WEG water. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

Ronald Zabala-Goetschel gives all credit to Wundermaske after their show jumping round. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

Katherine Coleman reassures Longwood that it is almost their turn to show jump. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

The Fork

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