World Equestrian Games in Canada a Sure Thing?

Equine Canada announced today that Canada is one step closer to hosting the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Bromont, Quebec.

The list of candidate cities continue to dwindle.  Back in November 2011, the FEI announced a record seven candidates for the Games: Austria, Canada, Hungary, Morocco, Russia, Sweden and the United States. 

And one by one, candidates continued to drop. 

The latest victim is Austria, who apparently did not meet the FEI submission deadline of  December 15th. 

Although being the last country standing doesn't mean that Canada is automatically awarded the Games.  According to the FEI's timetable , bids will be evaluated by the FEI in January with technical presentations made in February. The final decision is then  made/announced in April/June 2013.

And Equine Canada's website makes reference to having  to "secure the necessary funding partnership with the Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec and the cities of Montreal and Bromont."

So while it looks like Canada might have it in the bag, there could be some wrinkles yet. Government funding for a sport that the general public views as for the 'advantaged", in a time where austerity is the buzzword everywhere, might be a tall order to fill! 

But in the meantime, we can get excited about the prospect of seeing the world's greatest athletes together in one place on home soil! oh....and those from other countries too :) 

Bromont Equestrian Park
One of the few Olympic venues in the world still in use today!