WEG 2010: I'll be watching it on video...

I bought my WEG 2010 t-shirt in 2007, when I was at the Rolex 3 day event. In a Scarlett O'Hara moment, I told Bob, "God as my witness we're GOING to the WEG!"

It looks, though, like we'll be watching it on DVD.

I appreciate that it takes a lot of preparation and sprucing and renovation and staff and planning. But, when I saw the ticket prices, an old southern expression came to mind: "That's enough money to burn a wet mule." If you haven't yet experienced the sticker-shock, here is a rundown...

Date	Event	AM Low High	PM Low High	Daily Total
Sept 27	Grand Prix Team part 1	$60-$90	$60-$90	$120-180
Sept 28	Grand Prix Team part 2	$60-$90	$60-$90	$120-$180
Sept 29	Grand Prix Special part 1	$90-$125	$90-$125	$180-250
For a grand (prix) total of...				$420-$610

Bring a spouse, and you could be spending $1220 just for tickets!!! Throw in a four night stay at Super 8 in Georgetown, KY ($660), a rental car ($120), and you're at about $2000ish plus air travel for two ($700?) and food, for a total of *$3000 let's say. The park and ride is free, at least.

By contrast, an seven day riding tour in the Exmoor National Park in jolly old England, including all accommodations, meals, riding, and taxes for two people is $2,000. Plane tix for two runs about $1200 on Priceline, so we're at $3200 for a vacation.

So if you have about $3,000 you can choose between...

• a 4 day domestic vacation at a crowded, overpriced venue
  
• a 7 day tour on horseback through breathtaking landscape
  

May you choose wisely.

The WEG also has a list of prohibited items, which includes bags larger than 12X12X12, anything that looks like a lunchbox or icebox, and food/beverages. Do they mean you can't bring your own food? Geez. That's how I got through Rolex!

My backup plan...
Well, there's always the General Admission tix to the Trade Fair. And, I have a surprise for those of you who are in the same boat as I am. Stay tuned!

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*I'm pretty sure you can buy packages that make it cheaper....

Winter shopping spree: An ode to Ariat

Marimekko fabric
(ties into the story)

“Lead us not into temptation. Just tell us where it is; we'll find it.” --Sam Levenson
For the last few months I've been pouring time and money into Riley. Vet bills, meds/supplies, extra handwalking, hauling expenses, you don't even want to know. Throw in a little marital strain (missed vacation, no time for spouse or recreation) and lack of sleep, and the result is inevitable: an unbridled shopping spree (so to speak).

"Just add it to my tab"
Last weekend I went to Chaar Saddlery -- an innocent errand to pick up Himalyan salt licks for Riley and Harv. Bob was out of town, I had a little time, and like a fool I ventured into the apparel section.

My first temptation was an the Ariat Jacket (below). It may not look all that tempting, all traditional and austere. But the lining! It's totally whimsical and fun, reminiscent of the old Marimekko fabrics. Actually the top right swatch is close to the lining on this jacket.

"Oh, Stacey, that's not so bad"
Hah! I didn't stop there: Add to that a pair of lycra-infused Wrangler jeans with sufficient stretch for me to wear a size FIVE. A must-have based on size alone. The last of the ladies apparel is a taupe microfiber turtleneck (Kerrits) with zebra stripe inserts.

Oh, yeah, the horses
At the checkout I ran into a friend buying a Saxon waterproof sheet. Harvey needs a sheet, I realized, as a top layer this fall. So I ran up and pulled one in a lovely blue and grey combination. Oh, and the salt licks.

Screw you Susie Orman! I handed an already over-used credit card to the cashier and instructed her not to announce the final amount. The good news, is, no buyers remorse! Inspired by my own self-indulgence, I wrote a poem. It's posted on Facebook, but here it is for those who haven't seen it...

Ode to an Ariat Jacket (a poem)
I went on a spending spree,
At a local saddlery,
A phone call is for me?
A collection agency!
Why can't this stuff be free?

For the want of a screw...

You know, I was embarrassed last week when I lost that screw to Riley's hospital plate -- felt like such a bozo. It's the worst kind of stupid mistake, the kind you have to reveal to half the planet because you can't fix it yourself.

I'm happy to report that the Internet has offered me some vindication. By chance the other day, I was googling hospital plates to see if I could find a type that Riley could be turned out in (hope springs eternal).

Click on this image (a Web page from the NCSU Vet school) and notice the part that I've highlighted/enlarged. Yippeee!



Never mind that it says to provide extra screws in case they get worn (not lost).

An inside look at Totilas (back at the stable)

Last night I was talking with a friend about Totilas, and we wondered aloud about "what he's really like to ride," "what's he like around the barn," etc.. By sheer coincidence, Horse Hero sent me this video interview -- Fiona Price poses just those sorts of questions to Edward Gal, with Totilas in his stable rug behind them.



Can I put in a plug for Horse Hero? Their videos are informative and entertaining, and registering is free. I'm a member, and can view all the videos -- the subscription fee is totally worth it. Fiona Price gives a relaxed, fun interview, and she has an intuitive sense of what people want to know. Kudos to Horse Hero!