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

[PreppyPonies]

I too had a blast at WEG. Our trip was a last minute decision but everything worked out smoothly and I am so glad we went. I only wish we could have gone for longer! We went to the individual jumping comp, final four and the driving marathon. All were great!

We had no issues with parking (parked in the WEG office lot and had no longer than 10 minute shuttle waits coming or going). Food was better than expected but we weren’t expecting much. The vendors were friendly and I came home with an extra bag full of stuff. There were some great demos and other events (ushja mock derby, mounted games, foxhunt demo, etc), even got to participate in ride-a-reiner which was a ridiculous experience but utterly fun. Our hotel was great as well (comfy beds, friendly service, decent rooms). Lexington and Georgetown were lovely and I wished we could have explored them a bit more but maybe another time.

Overall it was a blast of a trip for us!

[Kementari]

I LOVED it. I can’t say a negative thing about it (OK, other than the dressage judging - but after a day on xc I’d nearly forgotten that! :winkgrin:). I felt like it was worth every penny I spent and more, and as others have noted, my only regret was not staying longer. Should a winning lottery ticket be in my future, you will definitely see me in Normandy! :lol:

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=PreppyPonies;5150332]
I too had a blast at WEG. Our trip was a last minute decision but everything worked out smoothly and I am so glad we went. I only wish we could have gone for longer! We went to the individual jumping comp, final four and the driving marathon. All were great!

We had no issues with parking (parked in the WEG office lot and had no longer than 10 minute shuttle waits coming or going). Food was better than expected but we weren’t expecting much. The vendors were friendly and I came home with an extra bag full of stuff. There were some great demos and other events (ushja mock derby, mounted games, foxhunt demo, etc), even got to participate in ride-a-reiner which was a ridiculous experience but utterly fun. Our hotel was great as well (comfy beds, friendly service, decent rooms). Lexington and Georgetown were lovely and I wished we could have explored them a bit more but maybe another time.

Overall it was a blast of a trip for us![/QUOTE]

Oh, tell more about ride-a-reiner, please.:yes:

I have not heard anyone from the WEG comment on that.

When they had it in OKC and Tulsa last year, it seemed to be a hit, but it was a reining show, so that was to be expected.
I wonder how that would work with experienced riders of other disciplines.

[oldernewbie]

I’ve always loved Lexington and the KHP. Add the WEG to it and you have a great time. I volunteered the first Saturday and Sunday. Everyone who came through the gate was in a good mood. Loved seeing the many ways people dressed to come to the opening ceremonies. Loved doing skunk patrol. Got to watch the winners come in for endurance and walk around the pit area. Got to watch two days of the best dressage on the planet. Got to spend some quality time with my sister and niece.

Even staying at the temporary RV park in someone else’s trailer was an experience. If I ever buy one, I now know what to look for! (It must have a shower bigger than midget size!)

And everywhere - friendly friendly people, all horse lovers, all ready to strike up a conversation, all having a good time. It was nirvana!

[ridgeback]

I live here but I have to say I was surprised how well it went. To put an event on that big was a huge undertaking and they did a great job. :D:D:D

[Holly_Jeanne]

Come back!

Just want to invite everyone back! I loved hearing all the accents and seeing all the great teams. Enjoyed timing cross-country, although would have liked it if there were two shifts so I could have seen some of it as well. Hmmm, wonder if they will need timers in Normandy or London? :lol:

[slp]

My daughter was picked to ride a reiner on our last day there…she had a blast! It was a great ending to a wonderful week!

[ultimateshowmom]

great time too

A friend of mine (non horsey) called at the last minute to go. So we found a hotel (1.5hours outside of WEG). The drive was long but we spent 4 days there, three in the park. We did not get to see everything. What a fabulous trip. Everyone was very friendly, especially the locals. It is truely one place where the crowds were NOT rude. Yeah the bathroom situation needed work and I would have loved to have the resuts posted somewhere in a Kiosk but over all the week was wonderful. We even took a day to do the local scene, wineries, distilleries and horse farm tours. Got to see Tiznow, the Derby winner this year. Thanks Kentucky! Great vacation! (Great Ale in the Park too!)

[Beverley]

@Bluey;5150414

Oh, tell more about ride-a-reiner, please.:yes:

I watched several times on my way from one place to another- they had some lovely schoolmaster reiners and for sure, varying levels of riding ability- all comers were welcome and it looked like all had a grand time. Really a great way to reach out to the spectators and get them hooked on the sport.

Obviously test rides won’t work for every WEG discipline (though maybe driving a single pony cart could be an idea?) but it has me wondering how other disciplines might make an effort to increase their exposure. Maybe some of the dressage riders, eventers, jumpers, could consider posting schooling times in an accessible schooling ring and just do their thing while someone explains a little to the crowd. If I owned Totillas I wouldn’t necessarily make him available for people to line up and pet, but think of the thrill if people could just watch him work informally- and free!

[r3dd0g]

We always have a great time introducing people to the Bluegrass region–it’s such an easy sell. Even our Kentucky-born friends from the western part of the state were amazed when they finally came for a visit. They had never seen the horse farms or the stone fences–let alone the distilleries and all the other stuff! Glad people had a good time at WEG. I know we did. Y’all come back.

[PreppyPonies]

[QUOTE=Bluey;5150414]
Oh, tell more about ride-a-reiner, please.:yes:

I have not heard anyone from the WEG comment on that.

When they had it in OKC and Tulsa last year, it seemed to be a hit, but it was a reining show, so that was to be expected.
I wonder how that would work with experienced riders of other disciplines.:D[/QUOTE]

Well I felt a little ridiculous riding in front of all those people but it did end up being a great experience! The horse I got was a good boy and well trained. The group I was with was all english riders (1 dressage rider, 2 h/j riders and one casual english rider) which was interesting but several of us held our own and managed to do what was asked of us. Personally when I got on I could tell they really thought I wasn’t going to be capable but by the end I think I surprised them which made it more fun;).

I am pretty much an h/j rider with a little dressage on the side. But I’ve been thinking about trying some reining lessons and this kind of gave me that extra push to actually look up trainers and such. Overall I think they did a awesome job promoting their sport and getting other interested in it.

[Kahuna]

I went for the driving marathon and the final four. Every single staff member and volunteer could not have been nicer. Everyone was so helpful! I had a wonderful time. Thank you Lexington!

[Watermark_Farm]

I agree! It was a wonderful time!

A friend and I have planned this for 2 years and we brought our Pony Club daughters ages 15, 14 and 12. Despite the WEG’s flaws, it was the most magical time for us and we will always remember it. We met so many friendly people from all over the world. We literally had to drag ourselves out of there on our last day with a lump in our throats ---- knowing it would all be dismantled and we’d never see the 2010 WEG again.

I loved Lexington so much! It is horse heaven. I could seriously move there, humidity, ice and all. And the WEG was Disnelyland (and then some) for horse people.

My time at the WEG will sit in my memory as an “all time amazing” event, right up there with the birth of my children, and my wedding!

We had so much fun that I’m going to take the kids back so we can see Rolex.

[ridgeback]

[QUOTE=Watermark Farm;5151102]
I agree! It was a wonderful time!

A friend and I have planned this for 2 years and we brought our Pony Club daughters ages 15, 14 and 12. Despite the WEG’s flaws, it was the most magical time for us and we will always remember it. We met so many friendly people from all over the world. We literally had to drag ourselves out of there on our last day with a lump in our throats ---- knowing it would all be dismantled and we’d never see the 2010 WEG again.

I loved Lexington so much! It is horse heaven. I could seriously move there, humidity, ice and all. And the WEG was Disnelyland (and then some) for horse people.

My time at the WEG will sit in my memory as an “all time amazing” event, right up there with the birth of my children, and my wedding!

We had so much fun that I’m going to take the kids back so we can see Rolex.[/QUOTE]

Wow this gave me a lump in my throat:) So happy you had such a great time…We will miss everyone.

[King_s_Ransom]

Bluey – about the Ride-a-Reiner demo – I watched several groups of riders try their hands. One girl said she had only ridden a horse three times before in her life – and she actually did quite well. Those horses KNEW their jobs!!!

Interestingly, I saw one gal who said she rode h/j. The cowboy commented, “I’ll bet you $5 that you lean forward.” Ha!

No … she did not lean forward! She rode very well, in fact, and everybody got a good laugh that the cowboy owed her $5!

[Bluey]

Thank you for the stories on ride-a-reiner program.
I had two horses in some, but never got to go or hear how people participating did.

I wonder if those mechanical horses used for lessons could work for, say, a try-a-dressage-horse, without needing to use a real horse, that may be confused?

They have a mechanical cutting horse for the public to try, that they take to some of the big cuttings.

Maybe the next WEG will have some surprises for all.

[sisu27]

THANKS LEXINGTON!!!

Just got home last night after 3 weeks in Lexington and I already miss it. I have been many times and never tire of the place. I love Canada but I would move to Lexington in a heartbeat

Best bits for me were sitting front row in front of the hitching ring for the final four, many late nights with my Lexington friends who are beyond great, the CET bringing home the silver…AMAZING, watching some of the marathon with DOC, the weather when it was hot…I could go on and on.

There were a few issues here and there but the greatness of the whole experience certainly outweighs any negatives. A very good time had by all in our group.

[LisaB]

GIVE ME MORE WEG X-C!!!

[3Dogs]

I had a blast too :yes::yes: - absolutely fantastic time! I was there for the entire jumper week, met wonderful people and saw MANY old friends - saw driving too - dressage and the marathon! Horse heaven -
I also visited two TB farms that BLEW MY MIND: Three Chimneys and Winstar - swooooon - Tiznow, Distorted Humor, Smarty Jones -

and I brought home a new love for Bourbon :lol::lol::lol:

[vineyridge]

I had a lovely time as well. Even went downtown one evening and enjoyed the downtown festivities. The prices on food and drink there were not much lower than the prices at WEG (except for the Vieuw Cliquot, which I was sadly not able to afford onsite.

Everyone in Lexington was extremely interested in what was going on at the Horse Park, very hospitable, and the competition that I saw was well worth the visit.

I’m looking at the WEGs the way I experienced them as a once in a lifetime experience to be remembered for the rest of my days.