History of the Games

Before the World Equestrian Games

The concept of a World Equestrian Games, at which all the FEI disciplines would decide their World Championships at one time and place, was first proposed to the FEI in 1983. Until that time, the World Championships for each discipline was then accorded the privilege of hosting the next World Championship in that discipline four years later. hist

For example, the Kentucky Horse Park was selected by the United States Federation to host the Eventing World Championship in 1978 after Bruce Davidson won the 1974 title at Burghley and thus earned for the USA, the right to host the Eventing championship.

Previous Host Countries

The very first World Equestrian Games were held in Stockholm in 1990. Six disciplines were involved--Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance and Vaulting. In 1994 the city of The Hague in the Netherlands hosted the Games.

After a late cancellation of the Games that were to be held in Dublin, Ireland, Rome stepped forward to host the 1998 Games on one year's notice. All disciplines except the Endurance were held and beautifully executed considering the very short preparation time. The Endurance was held in Dubai that year.

The next Games were held in Jerez de Frontera, Spain in 2002 and included all six disciplines and Reining for the first time. Following that the Games went to Aachen 2006, again with seven disciplines, and were a fabulous success.

In 2010 the games leave Europe for the first time and come to the United States to the Kentucky Horse Park where, for the first time, Para Dressage, the newest FEI Discipline will be competed together with the other seven.

Hi Everyone:

If you happen to live in Missouri near the small town of Dunnegan, we're having our annual Trail Ride this coming Sunday ( June 20, 2010) at the Dunnegan fair grounds.  Admission for this trail ride is free and we'll be starting at 12 noon.

Hey Everyone:

An exciting three days is scheduled for March 12,13, and 14 of 2010 at the Springfield, Missouri "Ozark Fair Grounds".

They will be presentig Stacy Westfall  and Westfall Horsemanship. Stacy is famous for her bridleless and saddleless reining patterns.

Also, Kerry Kuhn, will share his method of   "Practical Horsemanship" to help area horsemen and horsewomen develop a more satisfying horse-rider relationship.

Both, Stacy Westfall and Kerry Kuhn will be putting on their horsemanship clinics each day of Horsefest.

The Mane Events will include, Youth Horse Judfing Clinc, Couboy Mounted shooting, Ultimate Horsemen's Challenge, Live Horse Displayse, traid show and more.

Find out more... http://www.horsefest.net

The World Games 2010 Foundation is launching its Hospitality Program on April 16, 2009,  providing the first opportunity for individuals to purchase a unique way to experience the World Equestrian Games.

Don't miss the Huge annual Fox Trotter sale in September, located in Ava, MO.