I am so tired of whiny, rich horse [people] complaining about WEG

[roseymare]

@Gardenhorse

Except insurance is most needed when something is a financial stretch or a bigger than normal expense for you and you can’t just blow off the cost if something goes wrong. I don’t normally get trip insurance, but I did for the vacation my husband and I took in Australia, which is the most expensive trip we have ever done, and included a non-refundable 7-day tour. Having to eat the cost of that trip if something had gone wrong would have been pretty painful.

But really why would you think a horse event would be cancelled. We ride in most weather conditions. Hindsight is 20/20.

[lmlacross]

@Gardenhorse

Except insurance is most needed when something is a financial stretch or a bigger than normal expense for you and you can’t just blow off the cost if something goes wrong. I don’t normally get trip insurance, but I did for the vacation my husband and I took in Australia, which is the most expensive trip we have ever done, and included a non-refundable 7-day tour. Having to eat the cost of that trip if something had gone wrong would have been pretty painful.

Completely agree, but the reality is that many people don’t pony up for it even given the risk. While they certainly bear sole responsibility for that choice, I know that I often feel most disappointed when I’m disappointed with myself. I also don’t think it’s uncommon to direct frustration with oneself onto others (unfairly). Even given all this, I imagine there are plenty of people who are disappointed that dressage is cancelled from a point of view that’s entirely unrelated to finances. They were just looking forward to a great trip watching the best in the world do dressage. No matter how you slice it, not being able to see the thing you’ve been looking forward to is a bummer, whether or not it could have been helped.

[Tackpud]

@tabula rashah

I still don’t understand why anyone thought it was a good idea to host WEG in NC in September. On record, NC has been hit by 413 hurricanes, 12 considered major since the late 1800’s (aka at least cat 3) and of those 12, 7 were in September. It’s not like a hurricane is a surprise. Not to mention the whole, it’s too hot and humid thing in Endurance (really, hot and humid in NC in summer, dude, here’s your sign). As if the US doesn’t already look like a giant boob to the rest of the world, I guess we needed a good hold my beer moment.

Because Tryon took on the Games when Bromont was cancelled. They moved the event back a couple of weeks, knowing that the weather would be tough, but everyone had two years to prepare their horses for it. If other places (without safety issues) had stepped up to the plate and offered to host, the Games might have been held somewhere else, but no one did. At least the Tryon group tried to make it happen. Would everyone prefer we just go back to discipline championships? That’s what will happen without anyone wiling to host.

How many of those 7 major hurricanes in September that you mention have reached 300 miles inland and moved as slowly as this one is? I’ll be the number is way less than 12! Historically Tryon is a very safe place during hurricane season and a hurricane is way down the list for things that can happen at an event like this. 7 hurricanes in over 100 years of record keeping doesn’t even make a big blip on the radar for it being a huge concern when looking at the site.

Instead of everyone complaining about the “terrible planning” and lack of foresight, how about you step up and host these games the next time they come around? Or at least tell the FEI where the perfect place to have them is and how to host them on a last minute notice schedule.

[walkers60]

This forum is full of complainers, don’t know about the rich part or care but what a disappointment. My horse friends are tough and most of these posts are whiny and wrong. Hurricane hitting Tryon, come on ,rain, heat but get it straight a hurricane did not hit Tryron and only a Cat1 hit the coast. Hardly worth calling it a storm.
Be glad they pulled endurance because of humidity, do you fools not get it . Humidity is what kills .

Or is this all you under 40 's spoiled by easy life you had so far and I don’t mean rich.
Its wet, the foods bad, no parking, hope thats your worst problem. Be embarrassed, I am for you.

[Tiramit]

@lmlacross

Except my understanding is that the actual tropical storm (the prospect of attempting to compete in it) had little to do with the reason for the dressage cancellation. The facility and organizers were willing to delay until conditions improve and footing in the indoor could be changed, but riders and horses already had return travel plans and many either couldn’t or didn’t wish to rearrange them. I imagine it’s a huge disappointment for all concerned (riders, their connections, organizers, and spectators), and I do think that spectators have a right to feel let down-- whether or not the situation can be helped. It’s natural to feel disappointed, whether or not a spectator can get his money back. Travel insurance might be a reach for someone who’s already financially stretching just to attend. Knowing that I couldn’t or didn’t do something that might have gotten me my money back wouldn’t necessarily erase my disappointment. I think TIEC might be bearing the brunt of this understandable disappointment a bit unfairly; they weren’t the only player in the decision to cancel, and it seems they were more than willing to work on a solution.

Note: My understanding of spectators’ disappointment is markedly different, though, from validating those who blame the facility for something they can’t control. They can’t reasonably ensure that a suitable indoor alternative is concurrently available for every scheduled outdoor event when there are many different disciplines needs and schedules to consider; it seems here that, groom and endurance issues to one side, TIEC was willing to make an effort save dressage. They just weren’t the only players in the mix. Unfortunately, I think they’re shouldering most of the ire about dressage a bit unfairly because of their earlier bungles.

OP, your lumping all disappointed spectators as “whiny, rich b!tches” seems not only unfair, but also reflects a pretty serious misunderstanding of the diverse audience attending an event like WEG. It really undercuts your point when you attack a person not for their position, but for who you believe they are right out of the gate. If you think people are being unreasonable in their criticisms and voicing of disappointment, maybe don’t join the party by calling people names.

ETA: Maybe we need to revisit the conversation of whether or not WEG should just fade away. It’s a lovely idea, but a logistical and cost nightmare that few venues and locales seem willing to take on. Unless we’re going to award it permanently to KHP (should they want it), maybe we should just acknowledge that WEG is a concept that has run its course?

Great post. I purchased the top of the line trip insurance policy for WEG and it was $70 per person. Considering the many thousands of dollars of non-refundable expenses this trip has cost me, that didn’t seem like an unreasonable add-on.

[sixteenhands]

@tabula rashah

I still don’t understand why anyone thought it was a good idea to host WEG in NC in September. On record, NC has been hit by 413 hurricanes, 12 considered major since the late 1800’s (aka at least cat 3) and of those 12, 7 were in September. It’s not like a hurricane is a surprise. Not to mention the whole, it’s too hot and humid thing in Endurance (really, hot and humid in NC in summer, dude, here’s your sign). As if the US doesn’t already look like a giant boob to the rest of the world, I guess we needed a good hold my beer moment.

are you in Tryon?

[Denali6298]

They irony of people complaining on a thread about people complaining that was started by someone sick of the complaining:lol::lol::lol::lol:

[tabula_rashah]

@Tackpud

Because Tryon took on the Games when Bromont was cancelled. They moved the event back a couple of weeks, knowing that the weather would be tough, but everyone had two years to prepare their horses for it. If other places (without safety issues) had stepped up to the plate and offered to host, the Games might have been held somewhere else, but no one did. At least the Tryon group tried to make it happen. Would everyone prefer we just go back to discipline championships? That’s what will happen without anyone wiling to host.

How many of those 7 major hurricanes in September that you mention have reached 300 miles inland and moved as slowly as this one is? I’ll be the number is way less than 12! Historically Tryon is a very safe place during hurricane season and a hurricane is way down the list for things that can happen at an event like this. 7 hurricanes in over 100 years of record keeping doesn’t even make a big blip on the radar for it being a huge concern when looking at the site.

Instead of everyone complaining about the “terrible planning” and lack of foresight, how about you step up and host these games the next time they come around? Or at least tell the FEI where the perfect place to have them is and how to host them on a last minute notice schedule.

Actually yes, I don’t really see any need for an event like WEG.

[Palm_Beach]

Vacation season is summer in the US and for many other countries due to schools being out. Coincides with hurricane season, so the entire Carribean, Central America, the East Coast, the Gulf Coast, and sometimes the West Coast and many other place that are really good vacation spots are also hurricane prone. Mother Nature happens. You get trip insurance, or not, and facilities in those areas that host events make contingency plans, or not.

From what I understand, the weather in Tryon is nowhere near hurricane like and some riders even feel that they could have competed today.

[yaya]

@Palm Beach

Vacation season is summer in the US and for many other countries due to schools being out. Coincides with hurricane season, so the entire Carribean, Central America, the East Coast, the Gulf Coast, and sometimes the West Coast and many other place that are really good vacation spots are also hurricane prone. Mother Nature happens. You get trip insurance, or not, and facilities in those areas that host events make contingency plans, or not.

From what I understand, the weather in Tryon is nowhere near hurricane like and some riders even feel that they could have competed today.

Hindsight is always 20/20. No way to tell ahead of time if it would have been safe for horses, riders, volunteers and spectators. Some of the winds we got this morning would have been pretty miserable (and I’m west and a little south of Tryon, so they would have gotten worse).

[neigh]

@tabula rashah

Actually yes, I don’t really see any need for an event like WEG.

A major European facility was ready, willing and able to take the WEG at the last minute and the FEI wouldn’t step up to the plate.

[sascha]

@tabula rashah

Actually yes, I don’t really see any need for an event like WEG.

it’s about the only event that allows us junkies to see so many sports at top level. It is a shame that the financial implications are not positive for the hosts. It is certainly a wonderful thing for spectators.

[ladyj79]

Yeah just rotate it between aachen and khp. Drop endurance.

[RockingJ]

The logistics of pulling off an event of this size seems prohibitive - I love all horses and would try to see as much as possible at event like this. But how many more people go to just see one thing (which isn’t a bad thing)? The cost of traveling, tickets, food/lodging etc. seems like it would weed out most “casual” equestrians.

Personally, I hate lines/crowds, especially in the summer months. I would prefer to attend an event that is a more manageable size. I am glad to read about the positive experiences that people actually at WEG have had, despite a few hiccups that are likely due to having only 2 years to get ready, and the weather (yes, it’s hurricane season and hot in the south. How do people survive horse show season in the US?)

It is disappointing, and I feel for those who have planned for this. I would have loved to see how Charlotte Dujardin’s and Carl Hester’s young horses handled the freestyle, along with everyone else that qualified. I hope there is a solution for ticket holders.

[SolarFlare]

@Tiramit

Great post. I purchased the top of the line trip insurance policy for WEG and it was $70 per person. Considering the many thousands of dollars of non-refundable expenses this trip has cost me, that didn’t seem like an unreasonable add-on.

Can you get a refund through trip insurance if the entire event isn’t cancelled? To give an example: a friend of mine bought an all-inclusive trip to Cuba, and trip insurance. A couple weeks before her departure date, Cuba got walloped with a hurricane. Her resort, along with most of that part of Cuba, had no running water, no reliable power, etc AND the Canadian gov’t issued an official travel advisory to NOT go to Cuba. Friend couldn’t get trip insurance to pay out because the resort was technically open and was accepting guests.

So, if WEG was still a go, but traveller decided not to go due to weather or other concerns, would trip insurance pay out?

[amb]

@ladyj79

Yeah just rotate it between aachen and khp. Drop endurance.

You could have it at Šamorín, too, and keep endurance. None of the three actually want it, though. (At least not on the FEI’s terms; according to news reports, Šamorín bailed on 2022 when they saw the FEI host city contract.)

[Prime_Time_Rider]

@Tiramit

Ding, ding. When it’s expensive and the general rule is, “non-refundable,” protect yourself.

Trip insurance doesn’t cover events being cancelled due to weather. It covers the insured if they are unable to travel due to illness or other unforeseen circumstance,

[Edre]

@Prime Time Rider

Trip insurance doesn’t cover events being cancelled due to weather. It covers the insured if they are unable to travel due to illness or other unforeseen circumstance,

There are forms of trip insurance that will cover weather related issues. Different policies will cover different things though, so it’s always savvy to double (and triple) check what your concern is & then ensure the policy covers it!

[Tiramit]

@Prime Time Rider

Trip insurance doesn’t cover events being cancelled due to weather. It covers the insured if they are unable to travel due to illness or other unforeseen circumstance,

No, that is not true in my policy’s case. I called and specifically asked about event tickets for this policy. Fully covered. This was through World Nomads. My entire trip is covered if I can’t make it (per their list, major weather being one), my tickets if the event is cancelled (again, weather being an acceptable cause), my rental car if someone hits it, or any of a long list of things that would require my being reimbursed. I chose their top policy and it was $70 per person.

[buschkn]

@Tiramit

No, that is not true in my policy’s case. I called and specifically asked about event tickets for this policy. Fully covered. This was through World Nomads. My entire trip is covered if I can’t make it (per their list, major weather being one), my tickets if the event is cancelled (again, weather being an acceptable cause), my rental car if someone hits it, or any of a long list of things that would require my being reimbursed. I chose their top policy and it was $70 per person.

This is very good to know, thanks! I am not sure why people think TIEC owes a refund for a hurricane. I am going to be out about $2500 if I can’t make it this week and that really sucks. That being said, it is not anyone’s FAULT that the weather went to shit and I may or may not be able to get there. I am so sick of the American victim mentality. It is always someone’s fault and you are owed something, call the lawyers. Sometimes sh*% just happens and that is life. It’s not WEG’s fault that Florence showed up. It’s not Wal-Mart’s fault that you ventured out in an ice storm and broke your ankle. Etc etc. Everyone please stop complaining. If you don’t think the world needs a WEG, don’t go! I LOVE the idea and am very excited to go and had an awesome time in 2010. I will understand if they stop doing it, as it is very expensive and difficult to pull off, but I think it is a fabulous showcase of top talent and a great way to enjoy the best of the best and learn about other disciplines. Negative Nancy’s are welcome to stay home and complain on their keyboards. I hope to make it there and plan to have a fabulous time. Life, including the WEG, is what you make it!