THANK YOU LEXINGTON: The "I had a blast at WEG" thread

[MelantheLLC]

I just finished watching the show jumping on NBC and came here hoping to join in some group hugs about the thrills, chills, great weather and just overall joy of the past two weeks, but all I find are complaints and accusations for subject headings.

So maybe this will be the only post in this thread, but I went, and I just had the best time in years! I got there for the first Wednesday, weather perfect, park well-attended but not crowded, saw the awesome GP special in the afternoon, some entertaining clinics, spent Thursday taking tours of the stallion division at Three Chimneys and Old Friends.

Friday was all day at the park, stunned by the crowds but it was awesome to be around 50k other people there for the horses. I’ve never been around that many people for horse events before. I thought the food was fine, and with some tactical planning we managed to find a good table at the French tent in the shade.

Everyone we met was friendly (INCLUDING the europeans). Got to talking to one English lady in the food line, and as we were leaving I could tell she was by herself. So I asked her to join us, and all she could talk about was how FRIENDLY everyone was.

Well, I could go on and on. But overall the worst thing that happened to me was I lost the earphones on my WEG radio, and heck I had another pair on me anyway.

Oh, and I did spill a couple of ounces of Kentucky Bourbon ale down my pants while I was trying to video all the crowds streaming over the bridge to see the freestyle, so I smelled like beer, and my WEG t-shirts got anointed.

THANK YOU LEXINGTON. You did a great job.

Nice weather too.

[Peggy]

Also had a wonderful time. Encountered no rude Europeans or rude anyones, for that matter. In fact, after the horses, the people were what I enjoyed the most. Didn’t love the food–it was kind of like showing at LA Equestrian Center–but at least there was an attempt at variety and the pizza was good. Shopping was fun. The shuttles to downtown worked great for us.

Normandy 2014 anyone?

[Beverley]

I’ll add my thanks too! Will maybe weigh in on ‘constructive criticism’ tomorrow, but was happy to be able to see five of the eight disciplines, and on the whole had a grand time with my college roommates on our ‘ladies, week out.’

That Kentucky Bourbon Ale was very tasty. And so, might I add, is the Buffalo Trace bourbon cream (I am not going to get the name right but it is basically like Bailey’s only better.:))

And the Kentuckians everywhere we went were magnificent hosts!

And the KHP is an awesome facility!

And scrootching the itchy spot on Funny Cide’s face was an unexpected bonus! We’re buiddies now, he told me so…

[ReSomething]

Why thank you! Not that I personally had anything to do with it, but I’m glad you enjoyed your visit. There were a lot of “US” there too in the last week, Kentuckians, on the way out we got on one of the little church shuttles, from Dry Run Baptist in Georgetown, to Spycoast and the lady in the team of drivers asked where we were all from? Dead silence. She asks again and finally a little voice in the back says “Lexington”. Then I pipe up and say “Georgetown”, and we all laugh.
I’m glad it worked out as well as it did, and I wish I could have been there more than just the once.

[King_s_Ransom]

I just got back and I had a BLAST, too! I only had one day – yesterday – and it was phenomenal! Got up at 5 a.m., headed downtown. Parked at the convention center, grabbed coffee at Starbucks and hopped a bus for farm tours. I cannot even begin to count how many times I got choked up and almost cried throughout the day, I was so happy and felt so privileged to be there. Claiborne Farm was such a treat!

We got back to downtown Lexington around 1 o’clock, then hit the booths on the green at the Farmer’s Market, then lunch at Da Sha’s. WHERE … we decided it was too hot for the sweater I was wearing and asked a waitress if we could buy one of their uniform shirts. Why yes, as it turns out, they had just ordered some and she would ask the manager. I got a lovely royal blue Da Sha’s uniform shirt for $20!!! That was my souvenir. Oh by the way, lunch was so good that DH and I just kept passing our plates back-and-forth, we could not decide which was better – fried green tomatoes, smoky mountain pasta, shepherd’s pie. mmmmm…

Then we hopped the LexTran for $1 and headed out to KHP. We drank a flight of Kentucky Bourbon at the Kentucky Experience, watched the Ride-a-Reiner, met up with Pony Grandma, headed through the trade show and over to the Equine Village. Made friends with Funny Cide & Cigar. Watched the saddleseat demonstration. Grabbed some shade and some ale. Watched more reiners. Then we headed over for the Final Four.

MAGNIFICENT! Breathtaking. Unbelievable. What a privilege just to be there.

We hopped the LexTran (another $1) back to downtown, where we discovered we did not have to pay for our full day of parking. From stadium to our hotel room took 1 hour and 20 minutes, total. FANTASTIC!

Our hotel room was over-priced. But it was clean and well-located.

We fell in love with Lexington. EVERYone we talked to was friendly and helpful, full of smiles and warm hand shakes. We got good advice, good directions and legendary southern hospitality.

We can’t wait to go back.

A big shout-out and THANK YOU to CoTH as well. We could not have pulled this off last-minute, would not have had nearly as much fun, without all of the great advice we got right here. Thank you so much.

It was just one day, but honestly, a trip of a lifetime for me and DH.

[King_s_Ransom]

I also wanted to add that I found the many many HUGE maps posted all around, everywhere I turned, with great big YOU ARE HERE stickers to be incredibly helpful. I tend to be navigationally challenged, but I had absolutely no trouble figuring out where things were. I mean, even I could look at the map, see the YOU ARE HERE sign, look around, and then figure out not only where I was … but also where I wanted to be … and pretty much how to get there. It was not rocket science. I mean, if you can read.

[Stormgsd]

I didn’t go, but, I enjoyed two Sundays of laying on my very comfy bed watching horse stuff:D I am getting a little sick of the complain about everything threads. Some people didn’t like anything, nada, zip, not even the commercial on TV that they aired during WEG:eek:

[Jeito]

I didn’t get to go . . .too many work and family obligations . . . but I’ve had a blast catching as much of it as I could from home. I’ve been feeling mighty sorry for those poor people who just had to go and had a miserable time :lol: Whew, it’s nice to know some of you had fun. I’m sure I would have too.

[SmplySweet1021]

Yeah!!! Happy to hear you all had a great time!

I have lived here for the past 7 years and I quite love Lexington. When I lived abroad for a year I terribly missed Lexington and it’s normally…green…beauty. I’m sure you all noticed our drought conditions

I’m sure I probably passed a few COTH-ers when I was running around the park every day for the past week. I had the privledge of being part of the Language Service team and had an amazing time with the Dutch athletes. Lots of pictures and even more memories. I will never forget the great time at WEG and all the people I have met.

Thanks for coming everyone! I’m so glad you had a great time!

[MimsEppi]

I too had a fantastic time. The first day we were there we took the LexTram, both Saturday & Sunday of Eventing we parked at Spy Coast and walked in - I thought things on the whole were well done, or as well done as you can do with that many people crammed into one place!

I wish I could make it to 2014

[redhorse5]

Love Lexington. DH and I retired here three years ago. We love the KHP. Our farm is just perfect for our little herd and sport horses are more common now than 10 years ago. I even had one of mine in the opening ceremonies.

I’m afraid we’ve all been spoiled by WEG. I went to every day of dressage, The Vienna Philharmonic concert, and shopped to my heart’s content. It was wonderful. The only reason I didn’t go to more is that I had to have a heart procedure on October 5th.

It’s a great town in which to retire. Great opportunities at the University so you won’t get bored.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/real_estate/1009/gallery.best_places_retire.moneymag/3.html

I hope you all will come to visit more often now that you know how much fun we have here.

[risingstarfarm]

Just got home from a fabulous trip to Lexington! We went primarily for the show jumping, but found ourselves loving the Marathon. What a blast.

Since hubby was with me, I tried to do things outside of WEG too. However, he was cheering louder than I was at the Final Four

Our trip included a visit to Woodford Reserve Distillery (and yes, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale - using the Woodford Reserve barrels is amazing), a visit to Three Chimneys-love me some Smarty Jones, opening meet at Keeneland, the Headley-Whitney Museum, and a couple of super dinners in Midway (what a great little town). Everyone, from our Kentucky hosts, to our Canadian friends who met up with us there - finally meeting some COTH friends face to face - to the nice Australians ladies at the hotel bar and the sweet German couple whose Iphone we tried to program - were super. Definitely a trip of a lifetime.

[Bluey]

All I will say is that I am green with envy, very jealous.
I spent the last two weeks in surgery and recovering, not fair.

Sounds like that was a great trip for all of you, how wonderful.

[baythoroughbred]

Add me to the list of people that had an amazing time at WEG. I used to live in KY and have in-laws in Lexington so I visit quite often and I LOVE Lexington. It’s a beautiful city full of wonderful, kind and friendly people. I thought the volunteers at WEG were super friendly and helpful.

There was nothing negative about my WEG experience at all except that I wish I could have stayed longer to watch the final 4 jumpers and I wish my husband could have driven one of the Range Rovers.

Great job Lexington!

[Zevida]

Other than my ridiculously crappy hotel (which I refused to let ruin the week), I had an amazing time. Definitely a huge success in my book! When it was time to leave I did not want to go.

[00Jumper]

Ugh they practically had to drag me out of the park kicking and screaming last night - I had a great time at WEG and did NOT want to leave!! I watched the eventing and showjumping, my comfort zones :lol:, but I also watched freestyle dressage and the driving marathon and WOW! :eek: I have great memories to carry with me of Fuego and of some really, really cool carriages and horses . . . Also, even BETTER that the marathon was free to anyone with a college ID - whoo hoo free driving/shopping! :D:lol:

Except for the food at the park and terrible management at the hotel we stayed in (and one terrible front desk person, the rest of the staff was amazing), it was a perfect vacation. SO sad to leave! We’re already planning Rolex in the spring though, and I do have my eye on London . . .:winkgrin:

[alter12345]

I too had a great time.

Was there from Wednesday through Friday of this past week. Although I spent most of the time working in our breed association booth and our related demos, it was great. I did get just enough shopping done.

We raise TBs so Lexington is one of our “second homes” so maybe that explains it but I had NO trouble finding anything. Considering the very large Alltech pavillion was right at the beginning of the vendors I find it hard to believe that anyone missed them if they went “anywhere” on the grounds. Seemed to be the center of the whole thing to me.

I have realized over the years that I am brassy- comes from my occupation with a great sense of direction so what doesn’t bother me in the least does sometimes bother others.

As someone who has spent many years at QH Congress, the WEG vendors are much more central than they are at Congress. Of course the years of consistency help with Congress. But still…

I thought the volunteers ( parking, dining etc) were fabulous just like everyone in Lexington always is…

I had an excellent time. Wish I could have stayed longer as more of a “tourist”.

[alter12345]

PS - I too thought the maps were GREAT.

[poltroon]

We had a incredible time.

Friends and I had plotted this trip since WEG at Lexington was first on the radar, what, 6 years ago? We agreed that if it came we would go. And so we did, even though now we no longer live in the same city. A reunion!

My daughter, now 10, sat avidly through two days of eventing dressage. Truthfully, she sat through more than I did, because I slipped out for Bit of Britain.

Today I heard my daughter explaining one of the cross-country obstacles to her dad, and I heard a piece of Jimmy Wofford’s course walk come out of her mouth, nearly verbatim, explaining the complexity of the striding and the question. Wow. This kid DOES pay attention.

It was so exciting to watch the streaming before we went. It was wonderful to be there. And it was kind of neat that it was still going when we came home, and we could see the same arena and remember what it was like to be there.

I am only sorry that we did not have the opportunity devote a few ticketless days to the horse park, to the other WEG goings-on, and to Lexington and the like. And I am sorry that we had to sleep, though we did little enough of that.

I got to see many good friends, not just the ones I brought but so many others who also came, and to have dinner with our old trainer that originally brought my group together, and generally enjoy all kinds of people as we ran into each other at KHP.

The volunteers were stupendous and friendly; the competition was intense and top-flight; the atmosphere superb. Even waiting in line, we were waiting with other horse people and with members of the various national teams. It was like going to a party with 40,000 of your closest friends.

When can we do it again?

[Tornado_Run_Farm]

I’d also like to add a big Thank You! Personally, I heard absolutely no negative comments. We met a wonderful Dutch family at the driving dressage competition and chatted quite awhile. I asked if they were enjoying themselves. They were quick to say, “We’re having an asbolutely marvelous time! So glad we’re here!” I felt the same!