The organizing committee issued a statement around 6:00 p.m., local time, citing a “potentially dangerously high combination of heat and humidity,” along with trail conditions following heavy rains earlier in the afternoon. | Photo: FEI/Martin Dokoupil

The team and individual endurance championship competitions at the 2018 Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Equestrian Games, currently taking place at the Tryon International Equestrian Center, in Mill Spring, North Carolina, have been called off.

The organizing committee issued a statement around 6 p.m., local time, citing a “potentially dangerously high combination of heat and humidity,” along with trail conditions following heavy rains earlier in the afternoon.

“The decision to cancel, which is in accordance with FEI General Regulations, Article 109.12 was unanimous between the president of the ground jury, technical delegate, and president of the veterinary commission, and the organizing committee,” the statement said. “The decision is also in line with the FEI Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse, which states: c) Extreme weather: Competitions must not take place in extreme weather conditions that may compromise welfare or safety of the horse