2002 World Equestrian Games

History in the Making:
The US 'Reins' in First WEG Reining Event

By Karen Robinson

The FEI's newest discipline made its World Championship debut at WEG 2002 and, predictably, the US dominated the competition from beginning to end. The number of horses was very encouraging for a first time appearance on the world stage: thirty-nine horses from eleven nations competed on the first day of team and individual competition.

Full teams represented nine countries: The USA, Canada, Italy, Great Britain, Germany, Brazil, Austria, Japan and Switzerland. Individual riders carried the flag for The Netherlands and France. A quick look at the list of horses' names revealed an overwhelming presence of American quarter horse bloodlines - it should come as no surprise that there was no other breed than quarter horses in the competition.