A Brief History of the World Equestrian Games
The concept of the World Equestrian Games with the championships of all major disciplines being held simultaneously at a single venue, is relatively new. The first Games were staged in 1990, when the FEI united six disciplines in Stockholm, Sweden. They included show jumping, dressage, eventing and the non-Olympic disciplines of driving, vaulting and endurance. The bringing together of some the best horses, riders and drivers in the world was a huge success and reinforced interest in all equestrian sports worldwide. (The Olympics host only three of seven main equine disciplines - show jumping, dressage and eventing. Equestrian sports are the only Olympic sports where men and women compete directly.)
In 1994, the World Equestrian Games were held at The Hague, Netherlands. It followed the Stockholm format representing six disciplines. Rome provided the site for the 1998 Games as the world's equestrian elite again experienced the glamour and enthusiasm that had reigned in Stockholm. Competitors in five disciplines met in Italy, with the endurance championships held separately in Dubai.
Jerez, Spain was home to the 2002 Games. In addition to the traditional six disciplines, reining made its debut as an international championship event. The Jerez Games attracted some 300,000 visitors. More than 800 equestrians from 45 countries competed. Press credentials were issued to 1048 media from around the world, and 25 television stations broadcasted a total of 150 hours of the competitions to approximately 100 countries.
In September 2002, the FEI awarded the 2006 World Equestrian Games to Aachen, Germany after a spirited competition between Aachen and the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. The Aachen FEI Games were held from August 20 to September 3, 2006. Over the duration of the event, 773 athletes and 852 horses from 61 nations competed before 570,000 spectators.
