World Equestrian Games Closing Roundup

The Closing Ceremonies featured a performance by Lyle Lovett, a special thank-you to volunteers and parting words from some of the organizers and sponsors, and were watched by 8,682 spectators at the Kentucky Horse Park. The Games attracted a total of 507,022 visitors over the 16 days of competition.

The Para Dressage competition ended with the Grade IV Individual Freestyle, which was won by Sophie Wells of Great Britain, with Michele George of Belgium in second and Frank Hosmar of the Netherlands in third. The Driving World Championship concluded with the last phase of competition on Sunday – the Cones phase. The Netherlands took home the gold medal after the three phases of competition, the United States earned the silver medal and Germany took the bronze. Meanwhile, at the Indoor Arena, Vaulting wrapped up with the Freestyle Final for teams. The United States earned the gold, Germany took the silver and Austria took the bronze.

Overall, the United States led the medal count, with 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal. Germany came second with 2 gold and 2 bronze medals, and Great Britain came third with 1 gold and 3 silver medals. Other countries of the 58 competing nations that won medals were United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, France, New Zealand, Spain and Italy. Only four nations – Australia, Canada, Germany and the United States – fielded athletes for all 8 disciplines.

The World Equestrian Games are held every four years, two years prior to the Olympic Games, and are governed by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). 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.

Photograph courtesy 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games