The 2018 World Equestrian Games competition starts today and what a doozy! From the largest commercial airlift of competition equines, to the controversies over ongoing construction, to the impending hurricane, the one guarantee is that it won't be boring!
From what I've seen on social media the airlift went flawlessly and was an amazing logistical feat. There has been grumbling about unfinished construction but most of the social media by prominent riders has been positive, saying that there is some finish construction going on but nothing in the horse traffic areas or barns. Most reasonable people seem to be able to appreciate that pulling this thing together after Bromont pulled out 18 months ago has been a real challenge. Honestly, the facility looks AMAZING given the time constraints.
That said, the hurricane is another matter. As of this morning it looks like Tryon will at least get heavy rain and wind. No one knows how the hurricane will pan out this far inland, but the facility has been very proactive to explain their emergency planning, loss of power, and potential evacuation plans. Now it is just a matter of waiting it out. I feel for everyone involved, the riders who busted their asses to get there, the people who paid a lot and are coming from all around the world to spectate, and the host facility that stepped up when the previous host stepped down. Such bad luck to have this happen.
I'm really pretty glad I decided a year or so ago that I would rather spend money on my own riding rather than go spectate live, but I will be watching everything I can find online and through social media. The dressage should be something special and I am rooting for team Price(what a year!) to take an eventing gold for New Zealand. I love being able to have the behind the scenes access that social media provides.
Who are you rooting for and what have you heard or seen about the conditions at Tryon?
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