I’m think about taking my pony to the Pony Dressage Cup this year and have a few questions about the facility.
It looks huge, should I plan to rent a golf cart?
Are all the classes indoors? Is the warmup?
Thanks!
I did Pony Cup last year with my horse. The facility is really big, but it will depend on where you are stabled and where you are staying if you want a golf cart. We originally didn’t get one, but once we got there we realized it would be easier if we got a golf cart instead of driving the truck across the road every day. We stayed across the street in the cabins. If you are stabled farther away from the rings, a golf cart might be more convenient. We were close-ish to the indoors, but there was still a lot of walking.
Warmup will depend on which ring you’re showing in. My classes were all indoors and I warmed up indoors, but another person I was showing with had one class indoors and one class outdoors and warmed up inside and outside. There are designated warmups for each ring. When you’re two to three horses out they will let you into the little warmups right outside the rings. The show had the most attendees it ever had last year, and my indoor warmups were quite crowded.
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When you get the entry information or it gets posted online, there will be a tentative schedule along with it which will include which class will go in what ring,
Will there be a map to show with the rings and stabling labeled?
You need either a bike or a golf cart. It’s a huge facility. There are maps available online and everything is labeled. Once a schedule comes out it typically tells you which building or ring things will be held in. If your test is outside you will have a warm up outside.
If you are in the temporary building, barn J (I think) it is almost impossible to get your trailer close enough to unload so I’d plan on bringing something to tote your tack to your stalls. It can be pretty crazy on move in day as well. Also be aware that trailer parking is WAY across the road. I used a hook up for my trailer so I was on the show grounds but I still needed a bike. We actually ended up buying hay there because they delivered it (and shavings) directly to you like magic.
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I feel like that’s how a lot of things get done at the WEC facilities. Lol.
Here’s a map:
Echo the comment above about knowing where you are staying. If you have a reservation on the grounds (including the Home Aways) it’s much easier to get around with a golf cart. If you are staying at a hotel or AirBnB in town, the golf cart will still be a help because you’ll have to park on the grounds. Parking for a big show there is a real pain. Once you find a place to park you probably wont want to move. Therefore the golf cart is a big help.
Side note: if you haven’t already, get accommodations asap. Id be surprised if any of the WEC properties are still available.
Pony Cup is a really fun show, you will be glad you decided to attend!
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I’m actually staying in my trailer with my trainer. Another rider and our groom will be staying nearby, hopefully on the grounds. I’m going to see about booking a cabin tomorrow.
Guess we will also book a golf cart.
If you look at the map you’ll see that the RV lot is in the furthest northwest corner of the show grounds. It is far away from just about everything except maybe the back barns. This is a long way of saying getting that golf cart is a good idea!!
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Don’t wait on that, cabins book up early. Though better then it used to be theres not a huge selection of hotels nearby as the area is still pretty rural. Some of the ones listed on show information packets/websites are 20-40 minutes away…in Mason on the north side of Cincy.
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