The WEG is held every four years and occurs two years after (or before, depending on how you look at it) the Summer Olympics. It has become the ‘equestrian only’ version of the Olympic games and for the spectator, offers a great view of the horse world, with western riding, driving and vaulting included, rather than just the traditional cross-country, jumping and dressage of the Olympics. The Kentucky 2010 WEG will be the first time para-dressage will be contested.
The WEG has had its share of ups and downs. The 1998 WEG was scheduled in Dublin, Ireland, but was held in Rome, Italy with the endurance riding portion being held in Dubai. Reining made an exciting debut at the 2002 Jerez de la Frontera, Spain WEG. The Auchen WEG was plagued by rainy weather. Certainly, many of us here in North America complained of lack of television airtime although the televised portions of the opening ceremonies were spectacular.
Lexington, Kentucky USA is the host of the 2010 WEG. The horse capital of the world will welcome competitors from more than sixty countries. The Kentucky Horse Park has been renovated and expanded in readiness. Some test events were held during the summer of 2009. The 2010 Kentucky Alltech WEG will run over 15 days from September 25 through October 10, 2010.
