Getting a family to the 2010 WEG

Promo video for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Well, with that kind of build-up and historic importance … we had to know that attending an event at the WEG would cost more than a night out at the movies.

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games has released a ticket price list. Tickets go on sale on Sept. 25, a year from the start of the Games.

The cheapest ticket is $25. And that’s for a single event. So, if you want to take the entire family or take in several events, you need to plan and save now.

Because you really don’t have much time. And you’ll see why in a bit.

Cheaper than live theater

After all, this is a rare once-in-a-lifetime event. For all intents and purposes, it’s like the Olympics have come to town. Only more so, because this event has never been held outside of Europe.

If you compare the WEG to other forms of live entertainment, it’s not a bad price. Let’s compare it to live theater.

What will $25 buy you at one of my nearby regional theater companies?

Not a cheap seat at a matinee to see Hartford Stage’s annual production of “A Christmas Carol,” which is an annual tradition for some local families. As of this writing, ticket prices start at $32.

Granted,  I live in a fairly expensive area. Not Boston/New York/San Francisco expensive, but fairly pricey. Even a bit pricier than Lexington, KY, which is considered expensive by usual Kentucky standards outside of Louisville.

Probably a better comparison to the WEG would be a Broadway show. After all, again — the Games are like The Olympics. Or, in this case, more rare. So, let’s see what a ticket to see a big musical like “Wicked” on Broadway costs?

According to Ticketmaster at this writing, tickets to see Wicked, which is the musical “backstory” of the witches in “The Wizard of Oz,” will set you back from $60 to 125.

A ticket to watch Grand Prix Freestyle Dressage at the games will set you back $140.

Forget live “people theater” for a moment. Let’s see what a ticket to see the World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions would cost. Ticket prices for an upcoming performance in Erie, PA, are $26.50 or lower. I have noticed that, depending upon the city and its cost of living, the ticket prices for the white stallions shifts accordingly.

The $25 tickets to the 2010 WEG will get you into the paraequestrian dressage events. Not the big “marquee” events like the show jumping or reining finals.

So, if your heart is set on seeing Anky or Beezie, you’re going to have to pony up at least a C-note per person. The finals of the “major” events will cost more than $100.

Bottom line? Even though the ticket prices for this  world-class event look not-so-outrageous when you compare them to other live performance tickets, that’s not going to help a family with horse-crazy kids trying to get everyone out for a day at the Games.

Unless you plan ahead. And I frankly think you only have the summer to think, plan and save.

Because when those tickets go on sale, I believe that tour companies will snatch them up.  Then, they’ll package them and re-sell them. And they won’t be as inexpensive as they will be when they first go on sale.

Still, I know that buying a ticket for a sporting event for a year in advance  sounds nuts, but remember – this one is even more rare than the Olympics.  The World Equestrian Games has never been outside of Europe.  And it’s coming to the States. To Kentucky.

Now – you should know – although I do have affiliate links on this site, where I get a cut if you buy after you click on that link — I get no compensation whatsoever by encouraging you to buy tickets to the Games ASAP.

Actually, I probably screwed up my chances for press credentials by suggesting that the games might be too expensive for a family to attend.

And I probably blew my chances of beating the rush on Sept. 25 because now I’ve encouraged all of you to buy ASAP once the opportunity arises on  Sept. 25.

Nevertheless, here are my suggestions.

Getting a family to the 2010 WEG economically

Pick one event

Select one of the paraequestrian dressage events ($25 each). Or, if dressage might  be a bit slow-paced for your crew, one of the vaulting prelims (a bit more at $35 each).

Be sure to buy tickets early

I know. A year ahead of time is nutty early. But, if you can’t use them, I’m sure you’ll be able to sell them on eBay. Your tickets will still be cheaper than a tour company’s.

Start saving for other costs

If you don’t live within driving distance of the Kentucky Horse Park or Lexington, don’t forget transportation and lodging costs.

As of this writing, transportation fares are not yet available for fall 2010.

Lodging could be expensive. Early word from my friends living in Kentucky give me the impression that a “gold rush” atmosphere is brewing. You might want to stay in Ohio or Indiana, within a three hours drive of Lexington, to keep prices down. And, again, stick with only one event for the same reason.

Also, if you can, set aside money for incidental fees, like food, parking, souvenirs. Even if you don’t buy souvenirs, you’ll need to park the car. Even when there’s not a special event, the Kentucky Horse Park charges what’s usually a small fee for parking.

I know – it’s still starting to add up. Especially in this economy.

But, if you want to go, now’s the time to begin planning. Because it’s all getting closer.

If you enjoyed or found this article useful, check out these other articles related to the 2010 WEG.

• Airports into Kentucky
• Newbies Guide to Watching Dressage
• Newbies Guide to Vaulting
• Hotel vs B&B Smackdown
  

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Tags: 2010 WEG, 2010 WEG tickets, 2010 World Equestrian Games, 2010 World Equestrian Games tickets