Posted 2010-09-28 9:47 AM (#125276) Subject: World Equestrian Games
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Posts: 282
Location: southcentral pennsylvania
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."
Posted 2010-09-29 7:07 AM (#125313 - in reply to #125302) Subject: RE: World Equestrian Games
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Posts: 282
Location: southcentral pennsylvania
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.
Posted 2010-10-04 8:20 PM (#125466 - in reply to #125276) Subject: RE: World Equestrian Games
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Posts: 178
Location: Richmond, Ky
I'm volunteering at WEG, working security, the games are awesome, got to meet MANY competitors from different countries and grooms as well. It is hard to believe that they bring there own grooms and provide a place to stay to boot. The Ky horse park has 1200 acres in it, the different stadiums are a sight to see. The jumping horse's blew me away I got to get real close to them, and I'd put them somehwere around 17.2 hands, all the horses are treated like royality, only the best will do, and when you see them here will not be a speck of dirt or a hair out of place even during their morning workout sessions.
Posted 2010-10-05 11:06 AM (#125487 - in reply to #125466) Subject: RE: World Equestrian Games
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Posts: 201
Location: Lincoln, NE
I have heard the following:
--spectators are charged $100/day for parking. Is that right?
--there is a bus from Lexington but that it drops you at the gate which is over a mile away from the action and you have to walk.
--people are renting out their homes because it's impossible to find a place to stay.
I watched the Sunday coverage. The horses are beautiful and so well trained. I should have made my horses watch so they could learn how to up their game!
What a huge job to coordinate and manage such an event.
Posted 2010-10-05 8:24 PM (#125506 - in reply to #125276) Subject: RE: World Equestrian Games
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Posts: 178
Location: Richmond, Ky
regular parking is $20, they have premimum parking at $100, you do have to do alot of walking, the grounds pass is $25 this doesn't get you in to see any of the events they will cost more. Don't come hungry, and don't bring food with you you will be stopped at security no coolers allowed, I personally turn a blind eye to someone sneaking in a sandwich or 2, I'd refuse to pay the stupid prices for the food too.
Posted 2010-10-06 5:59 AM (#125516 - in reply to #125507) Subject: RE: World Equestrian Games
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Posts: 282
Location: southcentral pennsylvania
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.
Posted 2010-10-06 10:42 AM (#125523 - in reply to #125516) Subject: RE: World Equestrian Games
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Posts: 201
Location: Lincoln, NE
Lordy, lordy! I haven't heard of Boonesborough for years. It brings back great memories from my wild youth. I had some fun times swimming on the river at Boonesborough.
I hadn't realized it was so close to the horse park. When we would drive there from Paris it seemed it took over an hour.
Posted 2010-10-06 3:34 PM (#125536 - in reply to #125276) Subject: RE: World Equestrian Games
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Posts: 186
Did you see Tim Hakkaido from Japan - trot out at the end, he was Diquilified. I watched the video on Utube several times, his horse was paceing but didn't look at all lame to me, but the utube video is not a very good one. I heard they said he had a head bob?? I have a pacer and he bob's his head alot..goes with the gait. Whats the inside scoop?
Posted 2010-10-07 11:06 AM (#125567 - in reply to #125536) Subject: RE: World Equestrian Games
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Posts: 282
Location: southcentral pennsylvania
I LOVED that Japanese horse......he was the epitome of a laid back horse. I have a picture a friend took of me putting the number on his rump at the pre-race check on Saturday. I did not see him trot out at the vet check. However, I happened to be in the crew area (portapotty time!) after his DQ. They were trotting him while some folks watched. It was a no brainer to me he was lame.
Posted 2010-10-08 6:16 PM (#125597 - in reply to #125276) Subject: RE: World Equestrian Games
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Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah
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.
Posted 2010-10-09 6:48 AM (#125610 - in reply to #125597) Subject: RE: World Equestrian Games
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Posts: 282
Location: southcentral pennsylvania
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.