2018 World Equestrian Games in Bromont, Que. in jeopardy

There is a cloud of doubt hanging over the planning for amajor world equestrian event set to be held in Bromont, Que.in 2018, after five members of the organizing committee quit in recent days.

The World Equestrian Games areto bringtogether the best horses and riders internationallyto compete atthe 1976 Olympics equestrian facility.

The five members,CEOLuc Fournier andchairman Franois Duffar, along with board membersJulie Payette, RenPerreault and Linda Heathcott, quit last weekend.

It's not clear how the resignationswill affect the games, but some fear they could be in jeopardy.

"We're very concerned about this situation," said RichardMongeau,general manager of the non-profit organization Cheval Quebec. Hisgroup backedthe bidding process and is to promotethe games, starting in 2017.

He said the controversy is over the federal government's financial commitment to the games.

Mongeau said $9 million is coming from the province, and the federal government was expected to match thatbut hasn't yet made a commitment.

If this situation were to continue, it would be hard to imagine another result than the cancellation of the event,- Cheval Qubec'sgeneral manager,Robert Mongeau

"That seems to be the crux of the situation which iscreating this turmoil," he said.

The outgoing CEOtold Radio-Canada the issues involve several partners.

"Without a major change in direction and concrete and affirmed support from the group of partners, we cannot deliver the games in2018," Fourniersaid.

Fourniersaid the committee has to pay for international rights among other expensesand that they are already struggling to survive.

Fears of cancellation

Mongeau said if something doesn't change, the games are in trouble.

"If this situation were to continue, it would be hard to imagine another result than the cancellation of the event" he said.

Bromontwonthe bid to host the World Equestrian Gamestwo years agoand is set to be the first Canadian city ever to host the games.

"There is an important legacy behind infrastructure like that, that would position Eastern Canada as a top venue for equestrian and other sporting activities as well, which is a very important factor in this file."

The event is set to takeplace over two weeks,involves 50 countries and more than 750 horses and athletes.

The total bill for the games is estimated at $95 million.

"It's a pretty big affair because what we're talking about is world championships but in eight different equestrian disciplines being hosted at the same time," Mongeau said.

He noted that hundreds of thousands of spectators have attended previous games in other countries.