WEG Day 10

THE NORMANDY INVASION HAS BEGUN!!

Actually, the invasion began last week when the first set of Frenchies arrived to staff their WEG pavillion. You all know that Normandy is the site of the 2014 WEG, right? So they are totally interested in seeing first hand how this one goes. And for promoting the region so all these horse crazy people fly across the pond in 2014.

Yesterday, the second wave of Normanders (I just made that up, could you guess?) arrived. Cathy P. from the Normandy Horse Council arrived; she was the main contact we have had at the KY Horse Council for our trip over there in June and also the arrangements here for WEG. A real sweetie, but then all of the Normandy Horse Council people are. And the French equine business reps arrived, and the Equine Cluster people too. And the head of French Riding Schools (they are so organized over there), and the Exec. Dir. of Equine Professionals association.

Can you speak French? It would help...

I have to admit that it took all the politeness I could muster NOT to mention to them that the #1 and #2 spots in Show Jumping that just finished this afternoon were -- AMERICANS. (#3 was an Italian) Show Jumping is the main equestrian event in France, and they raise the Selle Francais breed which excels in jumping. So what happened to their athletes? I will ask later, but for now I kept my mouth shut... don't want to rub it in when we are showing them our gracious Kentucky hospitality.

Team Jumping starts tomorrow so maybe they are saving their best horses and riders for last.

The Normanders also were not so happy with the food being offered at WEG. They said they are not used to eating so much junk food. Well, GET WITH THE PROGRAM, this is the U.S.! If you can't eat junk food, you will never survive here. Actually I heard a number of complaints about food from Americans too. Not much variety and prices too high. But no one complained about too much junk food. We are such gourmet eaters in the U.S. -- LOL. (Lots O' Lard)

As you may know, Travelers Agribusiness is the major sponsor for the KY Horse Council booth. The Travelers corporate exec arrived today; he was decked out in jeans instead of a 3-piece suit so I liked the guy immediately. He doesn't own horses, but two of his staff do so he was looking for some WEG souvenirs to take back.

Souvenirs... yet another topic. Lots of WEG shirts, ties, caps, shot glasses, coffee mugs... But OOOOOH the prices! How about $59 for a polo shirt? Maybe I'm just a cheap wad. Sounds like too much for me just for that logo on the chest. Actually at the KHC Gift shop I found a high quality jacket for my husband with the logo.. it was only $95. (OK, so it would have been $65 at Tractor Supply) But he's worth it - he cooks! I broke down yesterday and got out the American Express; he loves the jacket.

Weather forecast is for the sun to show up again tomorrow after three days of clouds.

Every day the hike to and from the Spy Coast parking lot gets longer and longer. I bare my teeth when a golf cart comes whizzing past carrying people who don't look handicapped to me... just lucky, and maddeningly happy. I'm tempted to stick out my thumb and see if I can get a ride, but then the thought of all those calories I'm burning keeps my hands in my pockets. Trudge, trudge, trudge....