Horse Illustrated Magazine

There are a few ways to get into the 2018 World Equestrian Games. You can qualify as an athlete in one of the eight equestrian sports represented there, if you and your horse(s) happen to be at the very top of your chosen sport. You can purchase tickets and attend as a spectator, although you’ll have to wait as ticketing hasn’t yet opened for the event. If you want to attend the event and be a part of making it a success, consider volunteering. The initial volunteer application is available now.

The WEG have been held every four years since 1990, and the 2018 games in Tryon, North Carolina, will be only the second time they’ve been held outside of Europe. Volunteers don’t have to be local to the area—in fact, volunteers typically come from around the globe—but having the games hosted here provides a unique opportunity for North American equestrian fans to get involved with a world-class equestrian competition.

The WEG will be held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center, a new facility located in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the North Carolina/South Carolina state line. The event will run from September 10-23, 2018 and includes eight different equestrian sports: show jumping; dressage; three-day eventing; para-dressage; combined driving; vaulting; reining; and endurance.

For past World Equestrian Games, volunteer tasks have included directing traffic (horse, human, and motorized), taking tickets and helping spectators find their seats, assisting with press conferences, and assisting with specific disciplines. The organizers will be looking to fill positions before, during, and after the games. Volunteers typically receive official apparel and may have access to lower-cost accommodation options.

If being part of one of the biggest events in the equestrian world interests you, you can fill out the volunteer inquiry form now at tryon2018.com to get started.

Leslie Potter is a writer and photographer based in Lexington, Kentucky. www.lesliepotterphoto.com