Two fences have been removed from the course
Hurricane Florence is starting to have an impact on the FEI World Equestrian Games at Tryon, North Carolina with eventing schedule changes being announced
The latest weather forecast from the National Weather Service, which has an onsite weather station at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), shows heavy rain starting on Saturday evening through Sunday. As a result, it is planned to move the final Jumping phase for Eventing to Monday 17 September (starting time to be confirmed).
Saturday’s cross country remains unaffected and will start at 11am as planned, but the interval between horses will be reduced from four to three minutes. The cross country distance is unchanged at 5,700 meters but there are modifications to two fences (23A and 24B).
Starting times for the Dressage Freestyle, Eventing horse inspection and Eventing Jumping will be confirmed as soon as possible and ticket holders are being notified by email and social media.
The FEI also provided additional information to media at today’s press conference regarding the cancellation of the Endurance competition which resulted in one horse, Barack Obama ridden by Team New Zealand’s Jenny Champion being euthanised following the end of competition
FEI President Ingmar De Vos, FEI Veterinary Director Göran Akerström and President of the Endurance Veterinary Commission Thomas Timmons addressed media with the following update:
“Regarding the false start, the FEI President advised that two members of the independent Equestrian Community Integrity Unit are conducting a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding misdirection of some teams and interviewing all the relevant persons, including athletes, chefs d’equipes and officials. The conclusions will be made public once the FEI Board has seen the report.
The Officials’ decision to cancel Wednesday’s Endurance competition was based on three parameters:
- The very high reading on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index, which measures heat and humidity and other factors that create challenging conditions for competing horses
- The high number of horses that were displaying clinical signs of metabolic issues
- The additional exertion required of the horses following the heavy rainfall
An unusually high number of horses had already been sent to the Endurance Treatment Clinic. Of 53 horses in the clinic, 52 were for metabolic issues, and only one for lameness. Almost all 53 were dehydrated from excessive sweating and fluid losses and required fluid therapy”
