Recently returned from WEG as a volunteer for the endurance event. First assignment was during the initial vet check on Saturday. I was one of the folks putting numbers on the horses' rumps......fun to be able to see alot of the horses "up close and personal." Attended a number of the speaker events in the afternoon, including John Lyons and Clint Anderson. Also heard retired jockey Chris McCaron discuss the one and only jockey school in the U.S. that he founded. Sunday was the Endurance Event, and as a Vet Scribe, I again had the privilege of seeing and briefly interacting with the horses, riders, and crew members. The power and money of the United Arab Emirates did not secure a first place win for them. The honor of winning went to Spain! Pardon me for my bias, but the Emirates had an ostentatious display of wealth and power, with 3 temporary structures, some situated so the royalty had a fine view of the vet area. These were complete with chandeliers and couches on an outside deck. At the trials last year in Lexington, they had a two story structure ("tent" is not an appropriate word) at the end of the trot out area of the vet check. No other country was accorded such accomodations, and may not have wanted them. Yes, I know the UAE donated lots of money to the event....but that should not give them license for such privileges....yes, I know that is a naive comment! I also learned more than I wanted to know about what some do to "win."

Yes, it was at the horsepark. There were 6 loops, all on private, adjacent land. Each loop ended at the polo field area of the horse park, which is where the vet checks were held.

It is my understanding that the grooms stay at the Kentucky Horse Park Campground, which is adjacent to the horse park. We stayed at Boonesborough State Park in the horse trailer. It was an easy 30 minute drive to the park. We made the reservations over a year ago, but they did not appear to be full.

Some of your comments remind me of the 2002 Olympics in Utah. I worked the downhill race and we had to arrive at the parking area at 5:00am, They then bussed us up to the venue, where we went through Metal detectors etc to gain entrance. As a course worker on a downhill ski course, I had skiis and other equipment. Which we left inside the secured area each night rather than try to bring them through security each day. Food was outrageously expensive at the concession, luckily the workers were provided a sack lunch that we packed in our back packs.  You just had to like what they served. Certain companies had bought the advertising rights, and you could not be seen with a competitors product.

I just remember how many LONG hours the volunteers put in so the games go happen.  You watch the individual downhill race and it's over in 2 minutes. But preperation went on 16 hours a day for weeks prior. The only time in my lif when I've been up on the ski slopes before the sun came up and was often still skiing back to finish area in moonlight after a long day of work.

And just like me, I bet you remember your volunteer efforts 10 years from now.  Glad you had a great experience.

So you were one of the volunteers making the 2002 Olympics so wonderful? Thank you! We were there for a number of the skiing events, as well as others. It was very well planned and seamless in organization. I loved the entertainment by small groups as we waited in line.

Very fond memories!