This piece from a Lousville paper raises the idea of having the WEG come back to Kentucky in the future, although it’s never been held in the same place twice.
Thoughts? Opinions?
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20101012/OPINION01/310120010
I would LOVE to have it back here! I believe we would learn from this experience and really do it well next time. But after having only two days off between Sept. 9 and Oct. 10 (working for both KHP and WEG), it may take me that long to recover.
I don’t think anything happened at this WEG that would prevent it from coming back permanently. However, I think it may be a while because of the high transportation costs for the Europeans. I also think an Asian country might want to host - which could bump us further down the line.
I hope it does come back in my lifetime, I would definately go and stay even longer next time!
[QUOTE=MHM;5154881]
back to Kentucky in the future, although it’s never been held in the same place twice.
/OPINION01/310120010[/QUOTE]
Consider there have only been 6 WEGs, including KY. I don’t think they’ve exhausted the horse complex locations yet. 
It’d be great to have them back, but I too think they’re going to bump around a bit until everyone has had their shot to hold them.
I think I read somewhere that at one time the only bid for 2018 came from Wellington.
Well then, I guess we’re all set for an Olympic Bid.
Wellington, Florida??
In September??
During hurricane season??
In 90 degree sticky weather??
:eek::eek::eek:
[QUOTE=MHM;5155759]
Wellington, Florida??
In September??
During hurricane season??
In 90 degree sticky weather??
:eek::eek::eek:[/QUOTE]
Maybe Wellington, New Zealand??
I think there are a number of areas that would have to be looked at again before the WEG would return to the USA.
From what I’ve heard, the competitions themselves ran fairly optimally, but there were many areas in which things did not go so smoothly.
Some required intervention–a few Americans stuck their necks out to make sure these were addressed.
Rather backwards was the way in which tickets were sold, charging top dollar for early offers, then discounting the seats as they failed to sell out. Hotels anticipated a bonanza, and likewise discounted heavily, leaving those who had committed early feeling rightly that they had gotten a raw deal. Housing for grooms and some WEG officials was simply sub-standard, and that is a first-hand observation.
It could have been done better in those areas and probably others I don’t know about–but whether the US will get a chance to improve on this WEG is problematic. I’m really glad we went–it was a wonderful experience and I’ll cherish the memories…but I will certainly understand the reasoning if we are made to wait till hell freezes before we have another crack at it.
Hmm.
I’ve been to both places, but I was in Gothenburg in the spring, not the fall. I doubt they have hurricanes in Sweden though.
It will be interesting to see what happens.
Does anyone know when bids are (or were) due? I know the decision is made in 2012, but I have no idea if anyone else could still throw their hat in the ring.
How about that Meydan place in Dubai, or wherever it is? 
I would expect the next bid for KHP to be the World Cup. I always assumed that’s why they built the new indoor.
[QUOTE=MelantheLLC;5155955]
How about that Meydan place in Dubai, or wherever it is? ;)[/QUOTE]
[URL=“http://www.meydan.ae”]
http://www.meydan.ae
I’d love to see the HP as the base for later international competitions. What I’d really love to see is a WEGs for the Americas–maybe something like the European Championships for North and South annd Central America that would be qualifiers for the Olympics, since I think I read that the Pan Ams were to be downgraded. The Equestrian Games of the Americas would be held in Non-Olympic, Non-Pan Am and Non-WEG years, which would then give us an international competition every single year. We’d have a chance to practice, much as Brazil did with the last Pan Ams that then gave them the next but one Olympics.
We could have the first ones in 2013 at KHP.
Follow the money, or lack of it.
Unless very generous sponsors are found to help foot the bills for bringing overseas teams to the US I think it unlikely that the World Equestrian Games will return to the US.
Many countries’ participation in the 2010 WEG was limited by financial considerations. They couldn’t raise the funds necessary to send full teams, participate in all disciplines or come at all.
That seems rather unfair, as the Americas, the Down Unders and the Asians are somehow always expected to send teams to Europe. I was thrilled at the number of Latin Americans who competed here. Would they have gone to Europe?
[QUOTE=His Greyness;5157635]
Unless very generous sponsors are found to help foot the bills for bringing overseas teams to the US I think it unlikely that the World Equestrian Games will return to the US.
Many countries’ participation in the 2010 WEG was limited by financial considerations. They couldn’t raise the funds necessary to send full teams, participate in all disciplines or come at all.[/QUOTE]
I sure hope it does! I will certainly stay longer next time.
