WEG: Our first look at the arenas

A foggy start to the morning, and a cooler day here in North Carolina, and time to get to work. Media accreditation for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games passed without a hitch, and once I was issued with my pass, it was down the hill from the carpark to the venue.

“Work in progress” is probably the best expression that comes to mind. It certainly is still very much a construction area, but there are people working furiously in all sorts of places to get things finished. Those who have been at the venue for a few days are amazed at how much progress has been made in such a short time. Dirt roads were miraculously sealed overnight, grandstands and seating have sprouted, and tradestands are getting sorted. I think there is a quiet confidence that it will all work out; certainly there’s a lot of support for the organisers to overcome the challenges of putting on such a huge show with such a short lead-up.

Construction zone

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The media centre isn’t yet finished, so we got to use the Legends Restaurant today as a makeshift centre, as work continues in what looks to be a great space. It was lovely to see some familiar faces among the media; from the press team at the Rio Olympics to international photographers and the one-and-only Peter Morris, who has done a great job at Burghley and Badminton running the press conferences and mixed zone for what seems like forever.

Just as I arrived to this new centre, the Kiwi eventing team came out for a quick lap of the main arena on a loose rein, and stopped for hellos and a photo.

Our photographer Libby Law arrived later in the day, so we will have proper photos and I can focus on getting the stories!

Some teams seem to use their opportunity in the main arena for more concentrated work, while others did their workouts in the practice arenas a short distance away.

There were loads of golf carts and buggies flying around the place, and you had to be alert so you didn’t get run over. The health and safety standards seem a little looser than what we are used to in New Zealand, but I didn’t see any accidents, nor get run over, so hopefully that continues!

As I had a walk around the venue trying to sort out where things were, I caught up with lots of New Zealanders out and about. Most of them tolerated having a photo taken.

As to that hurricane, officials are keeping a close eye on the forecasts. This morning, we were advised that “the currently forecasted track of Florence keeps the WEG site well west of the circulation centre.”  Residents on the coast of North Carolina are starting to be evacuated. Currently, it is sunny and hot but thunderstorms are predicted later this afternoon.

Tomorrow the trot-ups start, and the latest schedule is detailed below. Let’s hope it doesn’t have to change because of adverse weather. The draws will be out after the horse inspections so we will have more of an idea of where we have to be and when. It is going to be a juggle those first few days, so bear with us!

Go the Kiwis!

Tryon scenes

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Current schedule for first week (Tryon time)

First horse inspections Tuesday 11 September:

• Dressage:  8.30am (12.30am NZT)
• Reining: 11am
• Endurance: 1500

Tuesday, September 11th	19:30		Opening Ceremony	U.S. Trust Arena
Wednesday, September 12th	06:30		Endurance Team & Individual Ride	TIEC and Surrounding Farmland
	09:00		Reining Team Competition & 1st Individual Qualifying Competition Session 1	Covered Arena
	09:00		Dressage Team & Individual Grand Prix Session 1	U.S. Trust Arena
	14:00		Dressage Team & Individual Grand Prix Session 2	U.S. Trust Arena
	16:00   TBC		Reining Team Competition & 1st Individual Qualifying Competition Session 2 Eventing horse inspection	Covered Arena   TBC
Thursday, September 13th	09:00		Dressage Team & Individual Grand Prix Session 3	U.S. Trust Arena
	09:00		Eventing Dressage Test Session 1	Tryon Stadium
	10:00		Endurance Best Condition Judging	Vet Gate
	12:20		Endurance Medals	Tryon Stadium
	13:15		Eventing Dressage Test Session 2	Tryon Stadium
	14:00		Dressage Team & Individual Grand Prix Session 4	U.S. Trust Arena
	14:00		Reining 2nd Individual Qualifying Competition	Covered Arena
Friday, September 14th	09:00		Eventing Dressage Test Session 3	Tryon Stadium
	10:30		Dressage Individual Grand Prix Special Session 1	U.S. Trust Arena
	13:15		Eventing Dressage Test Session 4	Tryon Stadium
	14:30		Dressage Individual Grand Prix Special Session 2	U.S. Trust Arena

58 Version 4– August 2018