US drops bid for 2018 World Equestrian Games

A US bid group has dropped out of consideration for hosting the 2018 World Equestrian Games, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) announced yesterday. The move came due to a change in local government officials, according to the president of the company that had assembled the US bid and cited benefits from the 2010 Games to the state of Kentucky of $233 million. “We have a responsibility to the local community, equestrian sport, and the FEI World Equestrian Games not to waste the time, effort and resources of all parties involved in the international selection process,” bid president Michael Stone said. Three bid cities remain in the shape of Vienna, Rabat and Bromont, Canada, with officials set to meet with FEI executives this week in Switzerland. “We are sorry Wellington will not be pursuing their bid but we have three other candidates that have all put in very strong bids for 2018, so there is still plenty of excitement about the bidding process,” FEI secretary general Ingmar De Vos said. From arabnews