Bromont 2018 mark 1,000 days until World Equestrian Games

Bromont 2018 have held a public information session to mark 1,000 days to go until the Canadian city stages the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) World Equestrian Games.

Held at the St-François-Xavier church, the session enabled the organisers to inform the public of preparations for the Games, which will see nearly 1,000 riders from 65 nations compete in eight disciplines.

The city was announced as the host in June 2014 having seen off the challenge of Lexington in Kentucky, with the Games scheduled to take place from August 11 to 26 at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park, a venue at the Montreal 1976 Olympics.

Luc Fournier, chief executive and director general of Bromont 2018, addressed attendees at the event to discuss issues related to the staging of the Games, including the region’s economic development and restaurants, housing and transportation, as well as the well-being of the horses.

Insufficient amenities and services, along with traffic problems, were noted to have caused frustration for some spectators at the 2014 edition of the Games in Normandy, with the FEI considering making alterations to ease the pressure on future hosts including reducing the size of the competitor field and length of the competition.

"These Games will be a success if the residents of Bromont and the surrounding area are on our side from the start because we need your support and trust to succeed,” Fournier said.

“One thousand days is both a long and a very short time, and the job before us is huge.”

Bromont 2018 chief executive Luc Fournier sought to reassure residents regarding transport at the event, which had been cited as an issue at the 2014 event — Bromont 2018 chief executive Luc Fournier sought to reassure residents regarding transport, which had been cited as an issue at the 2014 event ©Getty Images

The event was also attended by the Mayor of Bromont Pauline Quinlan and Denis Paradis, Member of Parliament for the riding of Brome-Missisquoi, who both reiterated their support for Bromont's staging of the eighth edition of the Games.

Bromont 2018 President François Duffar marked the 1,000 days to go milestone at the event by unveiling the Games logo, which they say is based on a giant letter B to emphasise the host city and the colour red, to represent the Canadian flag.

Additionally the logo includes a rider's head merging with the shape of a horse, in a continuation of the branding established by Normandy 2014, which was designed to reflect the close, harmonious relationship between the rider and their horse.

Following the presentation Duffar remarked that the Games, which are set to take place outside of Europe for only the second time, will be held “by determined people, with an entrepreneurial spirit and the passionate hearts of champions."