August 2, 2016 
Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) is working with the USEF to ensure the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games remain in North America, Tryon Equestrian managing partner Mark Bellissimo confirmed today. The USEF communicated its support of the initiative to the FEI for the 2018 WEG.
The WEG, which is administered by the FEI, the worldwide governing body of equestrian sport, occurs every four years in the middle of the Olympic cycle. It is the major international championship event for Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining. The 2018 games were originally awarded to Bromont in Quebec, but it was announced last week that they were withdrawing from their hosting arrangement with the FEI due to financial constraints.
The 12 competition rings with the Blue Ride Mountains in the background. ©Jennifer Wood Media
The USEF has communicated via letter to the FEI their strong support of the bid to host the 2018 Games in North Carolina.
“While it is unfortunate the games will not be able to take place at Bromont, the USEF believes it is critical that the WEG remain in North America as intended so that the globalization of the sport can continue,” said William Moroney, Chief Executive Officer of USEF.
State and local governments in North Carolina and South Carolina have expressed support of the bid. In 2010, the WEG were held in Lexington, Kentucky, the first time the games took place outside of Europe. The games had an economic impact of $201.5 million over the event’s 14 days, according to a financial study commissioned by the state. Last week, officials in Kentucky announced they were not pursuing the 2018 Games, and would instead focus on bidding for the 2022 WEG.
“North Carolina’s infrastructure and natural beauty make our state a natural fit to host the 2018 World Equestrian Games,” said North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory. “We will support efforts to host the Games in our state which will provide not only a positive experience to all those attending, but a significant boost to North Carolina’s rapidly growing economy.”
S.C. Governor Haley echoed support for the WEG. “We have a long and rich history in equestrian competition, and welcome the opportunity to showcase our state’s world-renowned hospitality and tourism assets to the attendees and participants of this prestigious event.”
Local rider Doug Payne takes a spin around the TIEC ring.
Tryon Equestrian Partners (TEP) has invested over $125 million dollars over the last two years developing 1,500 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains to create what they believe to be the premier equestrian lifestyle destination and resort in the world. The Tryon International Equestrian Center is the centerpiece of that effort. This venue includes 1,200 permanent stalls, 12 competition arenas, a lighted international arena that seats 6,000 (expandable to 12,000) with multiple VIP areas, a large covered/indoor arena that seats 5,000, as well a world-class cross country course which will support both Eventing and Driving. TIEC is nestled within North Carolina horse country which is accessible to hundreds of miles of equestrian trails to support Endurance.
Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) is strategically located between Charlotte, NC, Asheville NC, and Greenville/Spartanburg SC. Asheville and Greenville GSP airports are within 35 minutes from the venue and Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is approximately one hour from the venue.
On the commercial side, Bellissimo believes its portfolio of 130 sponsors is one of the strongest in the industry. Many sponsors have already expressed encouragement and interest in the WEG event since Bromont’s withdrawal as host of the 2018 games.
“The WEG is a very challenging and complicated event,” Bellissimo admitted. “With the exception of Aachen, Germany, most venues are forced to spend many years and tens of millions of dollars investing and developing the venue infrastructure, developing the personnel, attracting sponsors, and managing logistics for the WEG. This takes a financial and operational toll by consuming scarce resources on the venue construction and team building efforts for a one-time event. We have a fully functional equestrian venue, the management team and operational staff, and the sponsor pipeline in place, so the bulk of our energy will be on operational execution and showcasing the event and the sport to the world.”
