Countdown to WEG 2010

About Jennifer

Jennifer Bryant, of West Chester, PA, has been a full-time freelancer since 1998, during which time she has edited one magazine (USDF Connection), written or co-written three books (Olympic Equestrian: A Century of International Horse Sport; A Gymnastic Riding System Using Mind, Body & Spirit; The USDF Guide to Dressage), written numerous articles, and edited several books. (More information at www.jenniferbryant.net.) Jennifer is a former editor of Dressage & CT magazine and of the regional all-breed publication Hoof Print. A longtime dressage enthusiast and horse owner, Jennifer is a US Dressage Federation silver medalist. Photo Credit: Amy Dragoo/AKDragooPhoto.com

Jennifer also authored the popular book Olympic Equestrian, available at ExclusivelyEquine.com.

Olympic Equestrian book cover

1 Jun 2010, 12:39 PM

TheHorse.com Poll: Wish I Could Afford to Go to WEG, but It's Too Pricey

According to a new poll on this site, TheHorse.com, horse lovers from all over would love to attend the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, this September and October, but they cite high ticket prices and perceived hotel-room-rate gouging as reasons they're going to give the event a pass.

Of the 450-plus respondents, fully 76 percent say they're not attending the WEG in person. About 17 percent say they're going. The rest are undecided.

In a previous blog post, I compared WEG tickets to the price of admission to other major sporting events, including the 2010 Super Bowl and the 2010 winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. WEG ticket prices don't seem too bad at first blush, but then one realizes that the major draws, such as medal finals, are divided into two sections -- and each half requires its own full-priced ticket. That's harsh and, frankly, seems a little underhanded.

WEG organizers may not have control over room rates, but a look at those indicates that local hotel operators are hoping to make a killing. But most nearby or semi-nearby properties appear to be booked, so evidently lots of folks are undeterred. 

What have your experiences been with finding WEG lodging? Is there any to be had? Do you think prices on any unsold rooms will come down at the last minute? What about home rentals? Have you and a group of friends or family members rented a house for the duration?

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Comments

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01 Jun 2010 3:13 PM

I agreed to be a general, tri-lingual volunteer for the games but had to back out because the area hotels/motels were booked solid (some 3 years in advance) and the prices were extreme.  This is very sad because I lost the opportunity to volunteer at the WEG and the WEG is losing people like myself who can make our International guests feel at home.  I could not book in advance because I was not cleared to volunteer until last week. Too late to obtain housing, I'm afraid.  When I phoned to decline the invitation to volunteer, the obviously distressed WEG representative stated that they are losing alot of volunteers because of lack of housing.  Perhaps if the US does this again, local campgrounds, hotels or housing could be held in reserve for volunteers.  



Donna 03 Jun 2010 6:04 PM

A friend offered me a ticket for dressage. I was considering going until I tried to find flights into Lexington or Cinncinati from  southern California, and then a hotel in the area of the WEG. The cost (because of the logistics) became too high. So I'll go to Devon (the same week) instead for the WBFSH meetings and seminars. Sorry to miss the WEG, but I can't justify the cost.    



Alice 04 Jun 2010 11:52 PM

When I first saw the price of the tickets I thought wow!  But after a week or 2 I thought how can I pass up the opportunity to see this so I bit the bullet and ordered the tickets.  I was able to get a very affordablely priced motel room about an hour away.  I'm sure it will take more than an hour to get there with the traffic but that's ok, I certainly couldn't afford anything that was closer.  It won't be an event someone can go to at the last minute and expect to find lodging but I imagine that you wouldn't be able to do that with the Olympics or Super Bowl either.



Carmel 09 Jun 2010 11:57 AM

Hi,

I managed to book some nice B&B accommodation 12 miles from the venue last September. I spoke to the proprietor today and she still has a townhouse available from the 3rd 10th Oct and a cottage from 23rd till 30th Sept about $150 a night.

http://www.cornerhouse.com/



Kathy 17 Jun 2010 4:44 PM


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