Tropical Storm Florence causes postponement of Sunday’s competitions at The World Equestrian Games – Today’s Eventing Cross Country goes ahead as planned

The organisers of the FEI World Equestrian Games, which are taking place at Tryon in North Carolina, USA, have announced changes to tomorrow’s (Sunday) schedule as a result of Tropical Storm Florence.

The latest weather forecast from the National Weather Service, which has an onsite weather station at the World Equestrian Games venue at Tryon in North Carolina, shows heavy rain starting on Saturday evening through Sunday. As a result, it is planned to move the final Jumping phase for Eventing to this Monday (starting time to be confirmed).

Today’s Cross Country remains unaffected and will start at 4pm Irish time 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).

Sally Corscadden’s Irish Eventing team are in a strong position individually and in the team competition heading into today’s Cross Country, with Sarah Ennis and Padraig McCarthy both inside the top 10.

Today’s Cross Country start times (Irish time) for Irish riders are as follows:
Sam Watson with Horseware Ardagh Highlight (ISH) 4.24pm
Cathal Daniels with Rioghan Rua (ISH) 5.27pm
Padraig McCarthy with Mr Chunky 6.45pm
Patricia Ryan with Dunrath Eclipse (ISH) 7.06pm
Sarah Ennis with Horseware Stellor Rebound (ISH) 7.48pm

FEITV will broadcast the entire competition live while BBC Red Button coverage will run from 5.30pm to 10pm.

Depending on further official weather updates, it is the intention to reschedule Sunday’s Dressage Freestyle to Monday. Kildare’s Judy Reynolds and Vancouver K last night became the first Irish combination in history to reach the final of the Freestyle to Music at a World Equestrian Games.

Starting times for the Dressage Freestyle, Eventing horse inspection and Eventing Jumping will be confirmed as soon as possible.