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Two Lane Livin' Your Horse
Country Column archives...
November
2010 - Over
500,000 spectators at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games!
Written by Dawna B. Smith,
Journalist and Reporter, writer of the monthly "Your Horse Country" column for
Two Lane Livin' Magazine
By
the closing day of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, total
attendance topped half a million, averaging 35,000 people per day spread
out over the Kentucky Horse Park’s 1,224 acres,
which includes competition facilities, 260-site resort campground, and
offices of more than 30 national and regional equine organizations and
associations.
No
wonder it didn’t seem crowded, especially with all the wide open spaces
allowing plenty of room for carriages to drive by, proud stallions to high
step past all the pretty mares, and clinicians to warm up their horses
under brilliant blue skies. We spent most of our time in the
Equine
Village
trying to soak up as much information as possible. Multiple demonstrations
were constantly being held, so there was never a dull moment for us, and
we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. But we weren’t exhibitors.
Several
disgruntled exhibitors in the trade show area complained bitterly that
attendance was not to their liking, asking “Where’s the estimated
600,000 people who were supposed to come through?” They apparently did
not see the 500,000+ people who attended. Many had spent well over $30,000
for booth space, not including their travel and lodging expenses, and felt
that WEG did not provide adequate signage, stating that bad planning on
WEG’s part has now caused them financial hardship.
We
understood their frustration, as it took us a while to find things because
the volunteers we asked could not direct us. The maps were basic, not
specific. The volunteers could only tell us who was exhibiting, but not
exactly where they were located. What should have been a fantastic
business opportunity for many trade show exhibitors and clinicians
ultimately left several frustrated by the lack of directory information
and signage that would have directed crowds to their locations. It also
left some with definitely less operating capital than they had before.
With
general admission tickets being $25, parking $20, NO re-entry allowed, NO
food allowed except a bottle of water, event tickets costing extra, any
“poor” WEG spectator that was hungry or thirsty was forced to purchase
food items at exorbitant prices. If many did not dally or purchase items
in the trade show area, it was probably due to lack of energy from not
eating or lack of funds from just attending.
During
the historic experience, we were able to obtain filmed interviews with
several great clinicians including John Lyons, Tommie Turvey, Guy McLean,
Lynn Palm, J. P. Giacomini, Linda and Pat Parelli, and more.
We
also interviewed Kaye Harris, who rescued Molly the Pony after hurricane
Katrina. Several months afterwards, Molly was attacked by a Katrina rescue
dog which had been going through emotional trauma. Molly’s front right
leg had to be amputated and Kaye fought hard to get Molly her prosthesis.
We have some great film of Molly with and without her prosthesis. What an
inspiration!
I
missed being able to interview Lizzy Traband, the “one-armed” eleven
year old equine performer, trainer, and clinician. Apparently one is never
too old or too young to learn how to train horses or give horse clinics.
We were able to film her performance with Tommie Turvey, and he gave us
permission to air it on www.yourhorsecountry.com.
After
seeing first hand what the
Kentucky
Horse
Park
had to offer, we know that with proper organization, infrastructure,
marketing, and clear signage directing horse enthusiasts from all over the
world to our beautiful state,
West Virginia
can become a top world equine destination and reap the many economic
benefits such status would bring.
Bio:
Dawna Smith,
Journalist and Reporter, writes the monthly column "Your Horse
Country" for Two Lane
Livin' Magazine, based in West Virginia, as well as numerous articles regarding pain related medical issues for
LivePainFreeNow.com. A photographer and free lance writer, her op-ed articles have been published regarding a variety of subjects.
She and her husband have been strong advocates for the elderly and disabled since 1998,
and formed the non-profit HEADINGS (helping elderly and disabled in need gain support) to help ensure that legislature, Department of Health and Human Resources, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid heard their voices.
She can be reached at dawna @ yourhorsecountry.com
304-765-0490.
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