joe testing

joe testing

Countdown To The Games

About The Games

FEI World Equestrian Games ™ TRYON 2018

Welcome To The Games

Held every four years since 1990 and for the second time ever in the United States, the games are the pinnacle of international English-style horseback riding competition.

By The Numbers

Get interesting stats about the games

Venue Map

Tryon International Equestrian Center Facility Map

DOWNLOAD MAP

PLAN AHEAD!

Organizers offer tips for making the most of your visit

There will be limited on-site parking. Spectators are encouraged to utilize shuttle stops from numerous sites in North and South Carolina. Satellite parking locations and shuttle stops are posted at Tryon2018.com

The spectator parking lot holds 10,000 vehicles and is located at 6881 S. NC Hwy 9, Columbus, NC. There will be continuous shuttles from Hwy 9, beginning 2.5 hours before the competition and ending 2.5 hours after each day's final competition. 

Parking passes are not available for pre-purchase. They are available for day-of purchases only. The cost is $20/day per car and $50/day for oversized vehicles containing 15 or more people. Parking fees include shuttle rides to and from the venue. 

Drop Off: You can be dropped off at the parking lot on the northside of US 74 for free. The lot is reserved for those who need wheelchair accessibility. Shuttles will also run from the venue to this location. 

The NC DOT states it is illegal to cross a state highway or interstate by foot, so walking on any road that crosses underneath or through US 74 is forbidden. Walking from nearby roads is discouraged. 

The Steeplechase property located at 6881 S. NC hwy 9, Columbus, NC offers handicapped parking. Handicapped spaces are located closest to shuttle stops. A current, non-expired issued handicapped parking tag is required for these spaces. The drop-off location on the northside of US 74 also features a wheelchair accessible parking area. 

Grounds passes will be available online and in-person. Tryon spokesperson Kim Beaudoin strongly recommends purchasing a pass in advance. The grounds pass includes access to the grounds, the World Equine Expo, dining, shopping, and entertainment, although it does not include access to events.

Security at the games is very tight. Here's what you need to know:  

1 sealed clear, non-glass bottle of water per person is alllowed. 24 oz or smaller. No coolers. Opaque containers are subject to a security check. 

1 pint-sized (6.625" x 5.875") clear snack bag per person is alllowed. Snacks, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free, will be available on-site for purchase. 

1 maximum camera lens of 70-300mm per person is alllowed. Camera bags are subject to search and will be tagged. 

1 Lawn Chair per person is allowed only for eventing cross country and driving marathon. Lawn chair bags are subject to search and will be tagged. 

Bags larger than 6"x6"x6"  must be clear or will be subject to search and tagged. Bags smaller than 6"x6"x6" do not need to be clear. Camera bags, diaper bags, and strollers are subject to search and will be tagged. 

No dogs permitted. 

Prepare for any weather. Pack sunscreen, raincoat, a warm layer, and comfy shoes.
TIEC has a variety of on-site food and dining options, including The General Store, Legends Grille, and Mane St. Coffee.
Can’t make the games? The Olympic Channel, NBC, and NBCSN will offer more than 50 hours of combined airtime.
Consider launching a career in the industry. Isothermal Community College in nearby Spindale offers courses in equine sciences to prepare students for certifications and jobs in the industry, as well as a two-year associate degree in agribusiness technology with an equine business pathway.

Explore Beyond the Games

Let WNC magazine be your guide

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READY, SET, GO: 24 must-do experiences

24 must-do experiences await! Hit the road this summer for thrills, beauty, history, and local flavor in every county across Western North Carolina

NORTH CAROLINA HORSE COUNTRY

NC HORSE COUNTRY

Tryon's rise as an equine hub and how the town of 1,600 landed the world's largest equestrian event

THE NEW FACE OF TRYON

Mark Bellissimo brings rise to equestrian sports in Western North Carolina

Horse Sports 101

Set the pace by getting to know FEI’s eight sanctioned disciplines

Show Jumping

This fan favorite and Olympic event is perhaps the easiest to grasp. Riders and horses soar over a series of obstacles in an allotted amount of time. The sport evolved in England in the nineteenth century following property rights legislation that led to an abundance of fencing and hedges, compelling fox hunters to hone their vaulting ability.

Learn more about Jumping

Dressage

While show jumping demonstrates the courage of those in the saddle and the power of horses, dressage testifies to a horse’s elegance. “It’s a bit like ballet on horseback,” says Tryon spokesperson Kim Beaudoin. Also an Olympic event, riders and horses perform a series of complex choreographed maneuvers that are judged on their execution.

Learn more about Dressage 

Eventing

Dressage, along with show jumping and cross country (a longer distance version of show jumping), are the combination of disciplines that form eventing, which is an Olympic sport held over three days with the same horse.

Learn more about Eventing 

Driving

Though not among the Olympic events, driving is a three-day progression of competitions that’s the most electrifying of the eight disciplines. The event involves horses hauling a carriage of up to four riders over a range of terrain, including a cross country “marathon” in which horse teams navigate natural obstacles.

Learn more about Driving 

Endurance

This long-distance event tests each competitor’s stamina and fitness. Each phase of the race is divided into stages that are at least 40 kilometers where horses are inspected. Winners are selected based on condition rather than their place at the finish.

Reining

While many of the competitions have European roots, reining dates to the Wild West. The fast-paced event shows off the precise spins and stops required for herding and moving livestock. The discipline is among the fastest growing worldwide.

Learn more about Reining 

Vaulting

This competition displays the centuries-old bond of humans and horses, in which riders perform acrobatic maneuvers—from mounts to handstands—on a saddle while in motion. Valuters compete as individuals, pairs, and teams.

Learn more about Vaulting 

Para-equestrian Dressage

In 2006 para-equestrian dressage was added to the lineup of disciplines regulated by the FEI. Designed for competitive equine athletes with disabilities, its riders are grouped by functional ability and is perhaps among the most inspiring of the eight events.

Learn more about Para-Dressage 

VIDEOS & PHOTOS

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