Its a privilege just to be there at WEG and also Normandie in general but it sounds like the OC dropped that the ball multiple times, FEI has too. People travel long distances and pay $$$ to be there, they shouldn’t have to be dealing with such issues. Hopefully they will learn from their mistakes and do better next time.
If you invite people into your home you should put your best face on. The Chinese are great at that, maybe they could offer some tips.
I don’t mean to make light of it but had this happened in Kentucky, oh we’d so be hearing about the hillbilly outhouses 
If it makes anyone feel any better, things are just as chaotic on the volunteer side. I had an all day training today for the Endurance race - less than half of the volunteers had assignments, the rest of us had to wait all day to be individually dealt with (so those assigned left at noon, the rest of us were there until after 3:30; training started at 9:30, and was an open forum/lecture until 11:30 when they started handing out assignments). The other girl who is volunteering the spot down the road from me and I have no idea what we are suppose to do, if we are suppose to have any special equipment (i.e. whistles, etc) and are just planning on showing up at our spots tomorrow at assigned time and hoping it works out.
I was also the only American volunteer for the endurance portion - due to a miscommunication during interview, I was originally placed for all 16 days in horse village but couldn’t commit to missing work as a recent college grad for 20 days (travel included), so I think they just slotted me in where they could. They offered no help in finding transportation or lodging until the very last minute nor many other benefits besides seeing a small portion of the endurance race and free admission to village, i.e. I took a taxi this morning and found a carpool for ride back and tomorrow (which I am so grateful for), have already paid for tickets etc. Given, I’m fairly fluent in French, it still has been a very overwhelming experience.
So, as I have heard from other volunteers, it seems that the games themselves are organized very well but when it comes to the organization of volunteers (by volunteers!) is when it all falls apart.
Re: the toilets - a friend uses this type of device when she goes camping.
http://www.amazon.com/Go-Girl-Female-Urination-Lavender/dp/B003BEDUS6
I remember Kentucky DID have problems with toilets, mostly getting overwhelmed. They did pretty quickly designate several men’s rooms as ladies’ rooms, so it eased somewhat.
They also had a problem with kicking people out between sessions, but after a near revolt from the spectators, they changed that policy.
This!!! It’s very very frustrating. I did notice they brought in bigger guys yesterday afternoon but didn’t really do anything.
[QUOTE=oldernewbie;7734313]
There are no reserved seats. Your ticket gets you into a section but then it’s open seating. The big tours like Equestrian Tours have an entire section reserved but people with tickets for other sections keep taking our seats so that people from the tour don’t have anywhere to sit. We almost had a rumble yesterday. I don’t blame the volunteers - they have no authority, but I hope the tour operators have some extra help on hand tomorrow so that everyone who paid for a ticket can sit where they paid big money to sit!
ETA - I mean Friday for the freestyle. Show jumping tickets are even more expensive so I’m sure there will be issues there too. Tour operators said they told the WEG committee they were crazy not to have reserved seats but they blew them off.[/QUOTE]
The “no specific seat” policy is a real pain. Nobody came to blows near us, but there is definitely unnecessary tension and some ugly words in the stands over seating.
Some things were done better for eventing dressage today at the stud vs straight dressage at the stadium: better signage to find parking and to find the route out on departure, there was a large screen showing the ride from a different angle than you could see from your seat (not done for the Grand Prix), the live scoring showed each individual judge’s score for each movement, and there were porta potties near the arena. You could even view the warmup ring, which we couldn’t do at the main arena (but I’ve been able to do at previous WEGs). It did not feel like a world championship, though. I’ve been to Atlanta Olympics, three WEGs, multiple Rolexes, and one Burghley, and the arena and the energy at the venue today didn’t have the same feel. The gorgeous manor above the ring is an amazing backdrop, though.
Because of the rain, it’s a sea of mud getting around and one of our group has already decided not to venture back for XC. It’s going to be a crazy day Saturday, I just hope the going isn’t to heavy for the horses.
Is it a huge walk out there??? I admit to getting worn out with all the walking. I can do it if I go slow, but when you’re running to save a seat, or even get one,…it’s tough.
Where are you staying???
[QUOTE=Badger;7735591]
The “no specific seat” policy is a real pain. Nobody came to blows near us, but there is definitely unnecessary tension and some ugly words in the stands over seating.
Some things were done better for eventing dressage today at the stud vs straight dressage at the stadium: better signage to find parking and to find the route out on departure, there was a large screen showing the ride from a different angle than you could see from your seat (not done for the Grand Prix), the live scoring showed each individual judge’s score for each movement, and there were porta potties near the arena. You could even view the warmup ring, which we couldn’t do at the main arena (but I’ve been able to do at previous WEGs). It did not feel like a world championship, though. I’ve been to Atlanta Olympics, three WEGs, multiple Rolexes, and one Burghley, and the arena and the energy at the venue today didn’t have the same feel. The gorgeous manor above the ring is an amazing backdrop, though.
Because of the rain, it’s a sea of mud getting around and one of our group has already decided not to venture back for XC. It’s going to be a crazy day Saturday, I just hope the going isn’t to heavy for the horses.[/QUOTE]
Is it a huge walk out there??? I admit to getting worn out with all the walking. I can do it if I go slow, but when you’re running to save a seat, or even get one,…it’s tough.
Where are you staying???
[QUOTE=Badger;7735591]
The “no specific seat” policy is a real pain. Nobody came to blows near us, but there is definitely unnecessary tension and some ugly words in the stands over seating.
Some things were done better for eventing dressage today at the stud vs straight dressage at the stadium: better signage to find parking and to find the route out on departure, there was a large screen showing the ride from a different angle than you could see from your seat (not done for the Grand Prix), the live scoring showed each individual judge’s score for each movement, and there were porta potties near the arena. You could even view the warmup ring, which we couldn’t do at the main arena (but I’ve been able to do at previous WEGs). It did not feel like a world championship, though. I’ve been to Atlanta Olympics, three WEGs, multiple Rolexes, and one Burghley, and the arena and the energy at the venue today didn’t have the same feel. The gorgeous manor above the ring is an amazing backdrop, though.
Because of the rain, it’s a sea of mud getting around and one of our group has already decided not to venture back for XC. It’s going to be a crazy day Saturday, I just hope the going isn’t to heavy for the horses.[/QUOTE]
We are staying in Caen. Took about 1hr15min to drive there. I’d factored in about 45 mins to park and walk to seats. Probably took longer. Lots of walking and very muddy. They put down some mesh padding later in the day a couple places. It kept you out of the mud in a few spots but was very slick and I saw an athletic young man fall and not be able to regain his footing until he got off the mat. Our group didn’t even walk XC today as just navigating the parking, arena, and shopping village (not worth the effort) was pretty exhausting on our collection of previously injured joints. Big hill, uneven ground, ankle deep mud, it adds up. Course looks beautiful, what I saw. They do have big screens in arena, in shopping, and I think elsewhere.
For anyone that’s interested, here’s a behind the scenes look at WEG: http://www.thehorse.com/articles/34456/a-look-behind-the-scenes-at-weg?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
[QUOTE=Badger;7735591]
The “no specific seat” policy is a real pain. Nobody came to blows near us, but there is definitely unnecessary tension and some ugly words in the stands over seating.
Some things were done better for eventing dressage today at the stud vs straight dressage at the stadium: better signage to find parking and to find the route out on departure, there was a large screen showing the ride from a different angle than you could see from your seat (not done for the Grand Prix), the live scoring showed each individual judge’s score for each movement, and there were porta potties near the arena. You could even view the warmup ring, which we couldn’t do at the main arena (but I’ve been able to do at previous WEGs). It did not feel like a world championship, though. I’ve been to Atlanta Olympics, three WEGs, multiple Rolexes, and one Burghley, and the arena and the energy at the venue today didn’t have the same feel. The gorgeous manor above the ring is an amazing backdrop, though.
Because of the rain, it’s a sea of mud getting around and one of our group has already decided not to venture back for XC. It’s going to be a crazy day Saturday, I just hope the going isn’t to heavy for the horses.[/QUOTE]
Oh, they put porta potties near the stadium? I guess they got tired of hearing complaints about the squat toilets!
Eventing Nation is reporting that there is also a lack of food at the eventing dressage, and due to the mud the cars are stuck in the car park and being dragged out via tractor.
What a mess! :no:
It seems like some of the $ that was spent on the opening ceremony could have been better allocated to more practical things.
http://eventingnation.com/home/starving-to-death-in-a-mud-pit-weg-2014-is-the-woodstock-of-eventing/
EN is calling this the least spectator-friendly event ever: http://eventingnation.com/home/starving-to-death-in-a-mud-pit-weg-2014-is-the-woodstock-of-eventing/
Secret Dove: eventing dressage was a totally different stadium almost a 90-minute drive from the main stadium. There is no permanent stadium where the eventing is held, so temporary arena with bleachers and portable potties had to be brought in. At least these seats had backs. 
I was planning to go, but had to cancel due to some surgery. Hearing all of this has made me way less bitter about that cancellation!
Gotta say I think I’m glad that I was too lazy to get my passport in time for Normandy. I’ll look forward instead to Bromont, where I may still need a passport but I will at least be assured that my civilized northern neighbors will provide something a bit better than a Turkish toilet! And Timmies!!!
Want to ditto the warning about food at the eventing venue. Word from those that were out there today was to bring your own. Fortunately we have a market near us so we can throw some food together for the xc.
I don’t have a vast WEG experience but Lexington was mixed up with the volunteers, it was cold, etc etc. In spite of the issues, I wouldn’t have missed Lexington or Normandy for anything. We have had a great time - I love meeting so many horse people and knowing that no matter who you sit next to or are in line with - you always have something to talk about. We’ve already decided that Montreal is a go.
Beside toilet paper, looks like you better pack your rubber boots too. I am ashamed of my home country for NOT thinking the weather could not cooperate… Normandy is GREEN… there is a reason!! duh!!
Now I think I will cheer on for Canada and Bromont to pull it off… and I have never seen Turkish toilets here… some very nice porta-potties though, with sink to wash hands too.
