What to Expect at WC?

[Arizona_DQ]

This will be my first time at the WC. Can some experienced visitors give us some helpful hints? :winkgrin: I.E. I heard that you can buy or rent head phones to hear commentary during the rides. Are they worth it? Do they have one of those Jumbotrons some where by the arena for those in the “Cheap seats”. Is it a good idea to eat before going? Food vendors bad/crowded, etc. Shopping at the vendors? Worth it? bathrooms? Are there intermissions or do you just leave when you feel like it and miss something? Will there be a program sold so you can see who is who? How long does each session (I am going for the dressage only) last 3 or 4 hrs??? The evening session must run late?

Ahh, so many questions… TIA.

[Dun_Ciarain]

The Thomas & Mack Arena is primarily a college sports arena, so food and bathrooms are more similar to what you would find at a typical college or NBA basketball arena rather than what you would find at some of the newer baseball or football stadiums. I’d definately suggest eating elsewhere - unless you prefer the typical sports stadium food. I’ve been to T&M, but not for the World Cup, so I can’t answer any of your other questions.

[canyonoak]

<< I heard that you can buy or rent head phones to hear commentary during the rides. Are they worth it? Do they have one of those Jumbotrons some where by the arena for those in the “Cheap seats”. Is it a good idea to eat before going? Food vendors bad/crowded, etc. Shopping at the vendors? Worth it? bathrooms? Are there intermissions or do you just leave when you feel like it and miss something? Will there be a program sold so you can see who is who? How long does each session (I am going for the dressage only) last 3 or 4 hrs??? The evening session must run late?>>

SFAIK, they will rent headphones again for commentary during the rides. Last time, it was Axel Steiner; don’t know who it is this time (yet);

Are they worth it? The clarity etc is good; whether you want to hear that particular commentator,whover it is, is up to you. They did run out of the headphones last time, so once you find out who is doing commentary, you might want to reserve a set.

Jumbotrons are everywhere: all along the hallways, in the vendor areas, by the elevators.

There are planned intermissions, like ‘bathroom breaks’ for the audience.

I really enjoyed shopping at the vendors, but did not feel that prices were any bargain–just a lot of stuff all in one place so you could comparison shop.

Oh yes, there will be a program sold, to be sure.

The schedule will be up online at www.worldcuplasvegas.com
and they keep adding to info on that website, as well as willing to answer questions.

hope this helps!

[dressage_fan]

The schedule has a “showcase” on Friday afternoon. Is that the B-final? Thanks!

[Hazelnut]

@dressage fan;3928947

The schedule has a “showcase” on Friday afternoon. Is that the B-final? Thanks!

The dressage showcase is National Grand Prix Riders who ride, if I remember correctly, just before the B finals.

Food - subway with a line 40 deep at all times and very bad hamberger and hot dog vendors. We brought snacks in our purses - like gold fish, etc.

There is security and on freestyle night they did check all bags before we entered,

Wine, beer and fruiti alcoholic beverages as well as soft drinks are available.

Bathrooms…expect a line.

Vendors…very nice, not cheap…a couple of good buys throughout.

Seats - they all have room underneath for your purchases.

Jumbotron - YES. Also, if you’re high up bring binoculars.

There is a program.

One of the best things in 2007 was walking out the back where you could see the riders goingfrom the arena back to the stabling through a fenced shute. After the freestyle we saw Isabelle Werth sitting on Hanes with his champion cooler on talking with people. You could watch grooms hand walking and see riders moving about, but the warm up is in a closed tent. :no:
I think it should be open…but I am not in charge;)

go early on Wednesday and there are plenty ofopen seats for the jumping warm up and you can sit in and watch that.

Have fun!

[MEP]

They sell day sheets with the order of go each day.

Also be forewarned, in past years they’ve had VERY LOUD entertainment! So LOUD we’ve gone out and bought earplugs. For some reason, the show management confuses the World Cup with the National Finals Rodeo = let’s hope this time they’ve clarified that the two crowds might be a tad different :lol: (same with the lousy food - at the end of the 2007 WC, they handed out questionnaires asking how they could improve - Let’s hope they read and understood.)

[Hazelnut]

@MEP;3930389

They sell day sheets with the order of go each day.

Also be forewarned, in past years they’ve had VERY LOUD entertainment! So LOUD we’ve gone out and bought earplugs. For some reason, the show management confuses the World Cup with the National Finals Rodeo = let’s hope this time they’ve clarified that the two crowds might be a tad different :lol: (same with the lousy food - at the end of the 2007 WC, they handed out questionnaires asking how they could improve - Let’s hope they read and understood.)

That’s right - day sheets. I love them!

[dray]

This is really helpful. We’re World Cup “virgins” - lol

anything else we should know?

[system]

Now way like a new way!
http://sourceradix.com/h22.html
Hardly anyone minds.

[tangledweb]

@MEP;3930389

They sell day sheets with the order of go each day.

Sell?

Do many horse shows get away with charging for them?

[MEP]

[QUOTE=tangledweb;3955489]
Sell?

Do many horse shows get away with charging for them?[/QUOTE]

I think I remember paying a couple of bucks for the day sheets - anyone else remember this?? And no, most horse shows don’t charge for them.

[Ainsley688]

One of the coolest parts I experienced was after the show was over, and we were waiting to catch our bus back to the hotel. The riders came out and were standing about 10 feet away from us also waiting for rides in their britches, tall-boot socks, and clogs. My sister and I were too shy to go and ask for autographs, but some other people did. Man, do I wish I had the courage to go ask!

[ButterflyIris]

I recall the day sheets were free in 2007.
You had to buy the program, but the single sheets of paper with the riders and order of go for that competition (Day sheet, right?) was free.

How do you reserve head sets ahead of time?

[MEP]

[QUOTE=ButterflyIris;3959469]

How do you reserve head sets ahead of time?[/QUOTE]

Last time we bought the headsets at the booth on the concourse. I don’t know of anyway to reserve ahead of time although you might check the website to see if they have any advertising or instructions there.

[Hazelnut]

I sure am hoping we can expect Anky and Isabelle.

[Gunnar]

One thing to note is that binoculars are essential for anyone sitting upstairs! :yes::lol:

[Pirateer]

I sat in the low section of the “cheap seats” for the SJ.
None of us had earbuds- Kind of a non-essential for SJ- maybe better for dressage.

There is a big ole Jumbotron for better viewing- if you are up in the cheap seats you will be looking at it.

We always ate before going but couldn’t resist things- I didn’t think the prices at the snack bar things were BAD for a sports arena- certainly on-par if not cheaper than my local movie theatre. I don’t remember what food there was besides the “sports arena fare”.

The vendors were good but not a lot of stuff to just pick up on impulse. There was a lot of great stuff, but only a few that seemed to be the full “tack store” type- Marys Tack, etc. Last day sales were great if you weren’t rushing to get out of Vegas.

There are tons of bathrooms, its a huge place. Intermissions but I didn’t feel like people got angry if you got up in the middle- but again, SJ vs Dressage

Some of the “entertainment” was less than entertaining, but the Hunter Challenge was fantastic. Pavoratti being limo’d in? Not so much.