The organizing committee of the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games announced Sept. 8, that Adequan will be the official discipline sponsor of para-dressage at the Games. Positioned to be the largest sporting event in the United States this year, the Games will be hosted at Tryon International Equestrian Center Sept. 11-23 and will welcome an international audience to the venue to enjoy horse sport over the course of two weeks.

The epitome of partnership between horse and rider, para-dressage made its debut at the WEG in 2010 and was introduced as an official FEI discipline in 2006. The sport offers an opportunity for equestrian athletes with impairments to compete at an equal and meaningful level. Classified by “grade,” each competing athlete is required to perform a specific test. Each test may include movements at the walk, trot, and canter, depending on the athlete’s grade, which is selected based on a variety of criteria established through a classification profile. Competitors with similar profiles are grouped into their specific grades.

“These athletes epitomize the passion, focus, and courage of every equestrian striving to be a champion,” said Allyn Mann, director of strategic partnerships for Luitpold Animal Health. “It is our distinct honor to support their journey in representing the best in the world at the FEI World Equestrian Games. For nearly 30 years, we’ve shared this commitment to excellence and passion in equine sport by delivering the industry’s only FDA-approved product proven to reverse the destructive processes of equine degenerative joint disease—a problem that athletes at this level know too well.”

Athletes from 23 countries have been named to the FEI nominated entries list for Adequan Para-Dressage, which will take place in Tryon Stadium, spanning the course of five days from Sept.18-22. The schedule includes individual competition on Tuesday, Sept.18, and Wednesday, Sept.19. Team competition will be held on Thursday, Sept.20, and Friday, Sept. 21. A crowd favorite, featuring the ever-popular individual freestyle, will close out Adequan Para-Dressage on Saturday, Sept.22.

As a continued supporter of the equestrian community, Adequan is a familiar name to horse enthusiasts from around the world.

“We are thrilled to welcome Adequan as a discipline sponsor at the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018,” said Mark Bellissimo, managing partner of Tryon Equestrian Partners and CEO of Tryon International Equestrian Center. “Through their support of para-dressage, Adequan has played an instrumental role in the success and expansion of the equestrian sport across North America and beyond. We look forward to their continued involvement in the growth of this inspiring discipline.”