Eventing boss to lead British bid for glory at World Equestrian Games
British Eventing (BE) chief executive David Holmes is to lead the British challenge at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) this September.
The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) has confirmed that Mr Holmes will be Great Britain’s chef de mission in Tryon, US, for the Games, which run from 11 to 23 September.
A BEF spokesman said that with Mr Holmes’s previous experience in this role, at WEG 2010 with the Italian team, he has a “wealth of knowledge of the FEI disciplines”.
BEF chief executive Nick Fellows added: “Following the departure of the BEF’s performance director earlier this year, we have been looking closely at the interim support required for this year’s championships with our member bodies, while we formalise the recruitment process for a new performance director, and I am delighted to confirm that David has agreed to undertake the chef de mission role at these championships.
“His experience and knowledge will be invaluable in enabling him to fulfil the role for the GB team.”
Mr Holmes will take up the role in early September, travelling to Tryon just before the opening ceremony.
“I am thrilled to be supporting the British team as chef de mission for WEG 2018,” he said. “The BEF’s World Class Programme has been working hard on the planning for the Games, and I look forward to working closely with the team to ensure we deliver the best environment for the British squads heading out to Tryon.”
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Continues below…
Take a sneak peek at the 2018 WEG venue (it’s not your average equestrian centre…)
With the countdown now on for the 2018 World Equestrian Games at Tryon International Equestrian Centre in Mill Spring (11-23
Irish eventing squad named for WEG — ‘Jonty Evans is in our thoughts’
The five-strong squad which will represent Ireland in the eventing at WEG has been selected and the team will ‘wear
Bluffers’ guide to eventing at WEG
Horse & Hound explains all you need to know to enjoy the eventing competition at WEG
Mr Holmes’s taking on the role is with the “full support” of the BE board.
The Games feature all the FEI disciplines: eventing, showjumping, dressage, para dressage, vaulting, reining, driving and endurance. This year’s championships takes place at Tryon International Equestrian Center, North Carolina.
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.