Besides the chance at a medal and accolades, what draws competitors (and owners) to the WEG? Are there financial rewards as well?
Honestly? Ego…and there ain’t a thing wrong with wanting to prove you/your horse are the best in the world.
Monetarily, although the team foots alot of the expense, you could still be out out of pocket a tidy sum and there is no real and immediate financial reward like in racing or your normal GP type events where they hand you a big check.
The money for the owner(s) is in an increased sale price for the horse, most (if not all) are available, increased stud fee and/or market for similarly bred animals. Increased business for riders who have to ride/train to support themselves. For riders on state supported teams, a more secure spot on that team and a guarantee of getting the good ones to ride.
Endorsements for riders are getting more and more lucrative, particularly if they are good looking and well spoken.
But one of the issues with this type of thing is the cost leaving the home business to qualify and compete versus what you could make staying home competing your client horses for a regular check. That puts the self supporting rider at a disadvantage against state supported teams-always has, always will.
JMO but, great as it is, a WEG or Olympic medal does not necessarily mean that’s the greatest horse and rider out there. Just the best that could get there (after qualifying of course) that week on a sound horse capable of getting the job done. Even if they do get there, it’s a horse show and sh*t happens.
The reining paid out $230,000.
Gold medal team received $23,000.
Gold medal individual paid out $19,750.
More complete info: [URL=“http://wegreining.com/media/pdf/journey_may.pdf”]http://wegreining.com/media/pdf/journey_may.pdf.
