2014 WEG Need-to-Know Guide & Quick Links

Ain’t nobody got time to be rummaging around the official Normandy 2014 website when the Games are on. That’s why we put together this short and sweet reference guide. It has all the links you need and none of the FEI blah-blah-blah you don’t, plus some pro tips from THIS GIRL.

Me and whats-his-face, the 2010 WEG mascot.

WEG 101…

WHAT: Held every four years, the WEG is considered by most equestrians to be more prestigious than the Olympic Games. It hosts championships in the eight official FEI disciplines: jumping, dressage, eventing, driving, reining, vaulting, endurance and para-dressage. The upcoming edition also features two demonstration disciplines: horse-ball and polo.

Pro tip: Are you the betting type? Submit your top three picks for each discipline to the FEI’s Great Fantasy Game for a chance to win fun prizes including but not limited to a CWD Sellier Saddle. Eventing Nation also has a Fantasy Eventing contest going with a $100 SmartPak gift certificate up for grabs.

WHO: This year athletes will represent 70 nations, including several first-timers from places you didn’t even realize HAD horses such as Latvia, Kazakhstan, the Virgin Islands and Mauritius. [Team Rosters] [EN’s Interactive Guide to the 2014 WEG Eventing Athletes & Equines]

Pro Tip: Check out the rider mugshots — they’re all over the map. Take these guys for instance… why so sad? You’re competing at WEG! Cheer up!

WHERE: Normandy, France in the regions of Manche, Calvados and Orne.

Venues include D’Ornano Stadium (opening/closing ceremonies, jumping/dressage competitions, eventing’s jumping segment), the Prairie Racecourse (para-dressage and driving), the Zenith (vaulting and reining), Caen Exhibition Centre (reining and equestrian village), Le Pin National Stud (eventing dressage and cross-country) and the Bay of Mon St. Michel (endurance).

Pro tip: Watch this video of d’Ornano Stadium being transformed from a soccer stadium to an equestrian arena.

WHEN: August 23 – September 2. [Schedule of Events]

Pro tip: Take a couple weeks off work/school to watch. Here, we wrote you a doctor’s note.

HOW TO FOLLOW:

GO THERE. If you’re already in France or just a super-spontaneous person with air miles to burn, attending the WEG is a bucket-list experience. Several of the events are sold out but some tickets are still available; check availability here. [Spectator Guide]

WATCH THE BROADCAST. Most events will be livestreamed via FEI TV. Subscription prices are $18.99/day, $44.99/month and $79.99/year.

VIEW RESULTS. Updated live here.

NORMANDY 2014 SOCIAL MEDIA. [Instagram] [Twitter] [Facebook] [Pinterest]

Pro tip: Horse Nation and Eventing Nation will reporting live from Normandy, so keep it locked here for all the latest! We’ll have daily recaps, in-depth reports and social media roundups plus blog updates and much, much more. Go Riding!