Shopping at the WEG

[paint_hunter]

Thanks mods for our own category!

Now, I know we are all spending a small fortune to attend this event, but let’s not forget the shopping (providing we have a bit of money left after tickets, lodging, etc). The vendors have spent a small fortune to attend and perhaps we should consider it our patriotic duty to help them.

So, what are people looking/shopping for at the WEG!

I’ll start off. I am a tackaholic, especially a bridleholic. I can give Lucasb a run for her money. So I will be drooling over the newest bridles. May also have to splurge and get one of the official WEG-embroidried (sp?) saddle pads as well.

[maudie]

I think I might crack and get some Dubarry’s! I’m at least trying them on for a future purchase ;).

I’m also looking for Dressage gear, because I’m currently looking like a Noob in my cute HJ gear :lol:. I also need a plain blue huntcoat.

Note: I’m probably not getting all of the above, maybe one or two on the list if there’s a good sale

[vineyridge]

I would hope there would be sales, but if the recent Rolex is any indication, prices won’t be very good.

However, there should be lots of exhibitors with new and interesting products to consider for later.

[FRM]

I know that non-retailers think that business owners just rake in the cash but there will be few bargains, if any at the WEG. I have heard estimates of costs from $125,000 to $250,000 for one well-known tack business what with the $15,000 minimum for 1 booth space (how much for 5 or 6?) and then inventory for 2 weeks of competition (what do vaulting fans buy) plus overpriced accomodations not to mention sales help and personal expenses such as 2 weeks of overpriced food. There may well be some fire sale prices at the tail end but face it, in order to make it worth their while they need to be selling lots of saddles and high-end goods, not gloves and hoofpicks.

[nikki_xc]

I think I might crack and get some Dubarry’s! I’m at least trying them on for a future purchase

Go for the Dubarry’s! I saved and saved with the intent of buying them at Rolex. I did get them at this year’s Rolex and absolutely love them. They were outragously expensive. But I wore them everywhere at Rolex; on the xc course and walking around all day. They are waterproof and comfy. I also have a pair of the Dublins. Which are also very nice. My only complaint about the Dublins is (at least my pair) that they stretched out too much.

[poltroon]

I am hoping that there may be a variety of helmets to try. I’d like to consider some different brands but the selection in tack shops within a 200 mile radius is rather thin.

That said, I’m not going to be surprised if there aren’t. I’ve been to the California Horse Expo - which is all vendors - with that mission and gone home disappointed too.

[system]

Agree with you

I am hoping that there may be a variety of helmets to try.

[Equi88]

May also have to splurge and get one of the official WEG-embroidried (sp?) saddle pads as well.

Oh, they have saddle pads? I am going for the Ariat WEG jacket, but might have to buy a matching pad…
Hope to find some high(er) end breeches as well, since I can try stuff on!!!

[system]

I’m also looking for Dressage gear, because I’m currently looking like a Noob in my cute HJ gear . I also need a plain blue huntcoat.

[findeight]

From what I heard lately, it will be mostly large, corporate sponsored and WEG logo item shopping.

Sort of priced it out of the reach of the typical show vendors…and offered space away from the main vendor area.

[Diamond_Jake]

There’s plenty of good stuff to be found downtown at the convention center, too. I think you can even get a shuttle there from the Games…

[Peggy]

[QUOTE=findeight;5050334]
From what I heard lately, it will be mostly large, corporate sponsored and WEG logo item shopping.

Sort of priced it out of the reach of the typical show vendors…and offered space away from the main vendor area.[/QUOTE]So, so much for taking a whack at my Christmas shopping, unless I want to outfit everyone in official WEG gear:lol:. Ah, well, am planning a trip to the Sawdust Festival this week…

The thing I find fun at these sort of shopping experiences is the chance to see new horse/rider equipment in person that you have seen only online or in magazine ads and some of the craft-type places. I got a really pretty ceramic vase at Equine Affaire, but those folks said they were priced out of WEG.

[Dressage_Art]

One of my very favorite saddle pads I bought from a vendor at Las Vegas World cup!

[paint_hunter]

Looking at the list of vendors, it does look like it will be big companies. I was hoping Hadfields would have a booth as I am really coveting a new bridle (didn’t I already say I am a bridleholic). No luck apparently…

[Touchstone_Farm]

Well, I’m a bit gun-shy about buying from vendors I don’t know after my World Cup experience. “Bought” a pair of Latigo breeches, and after a myriad of excuses as to why they were never shipped to me including, “Oh, sorry, we sent them to someone else,” I heard the company went bankrupt and I’m $200 poorer. They kept extending excuses until it went beyond what my credit card company could recover. Never again unless it’s a vendor I know, trust and have done business with in the past!

[pintopiaffe]

For me, the key to stuff like this, is having that wee bit of spending money, and not NEEDING anything. That is when you find the clearance/scratchn’dent/display model etc. type of thing.

I would very much like to be able to try on some of the newer helmets (Ovation, Pegasus) and my weaknesses are pads, browbands and boots. (horse boots.)

HOWEVER, funds are super, super lean, and I suspect I am NOT the demographic the sellers are there for. (unless, of course, WTD has a booth… :uhoh: :winkgrin: )

[copper1]

I will have mere pennies for shopping so most of mine will be the window variety! LOL! My friend is looking for new boots and helmet so at least she will be able to try on a bunch and get a good idea of fit and look so she can order them from home. It is fun just to look and covet and I really don’t NEED anything so it will be fun!

[system]

I know that non-retailers think that business owners just rake in the cash but there will be few bargains, if any at the WEG. I have heard estimates of costs from $125,000 to $250,000 for one well-known tack business what with the $15,000 minimum for 1 booth space (how much for 5 or 6?) and then inventory for 2 weeks of competition (what do vaulting fans buy) plus overpriced mother of bride dresses,
tea length wedding dress,
flower girl dressaccomodations not to mention sales help and personal expenses such as 2 weeks of overpriced food. There may well be some fire sale prices at the tail end but face it, in order to make it worth their while they need to be selling lots of saddles and high-end goods, not gloves and hoofpicks

[TarheelJD]

I bought some WEG logo stuff on line so I would not have to carry it around all day. I may buy one of those walking sticks that fold out to make a little seat for XC day!

[Absolut_Equestrian]

@Diamond Jake;5050542

There’s plenty of good stuff to be found downtown at the convention center, too. I think you can even get a shuttle there from the Games…

http://horsecapitalproductions.com/index.php