With the eventing portion of the World Equestrian Games just a few days away, all of Lexington is ready for one of the biggest eventing competitions in history. Ok, well maybe half of Lexington is ready…so mostly just the horsey people really. But who cares that my professors give me blank stares when I ask to rearrange exams around the WEG schedule or my friends think I’m crazy for spending THAT much money on tickets to watch a bunch of horses run around? The World Equestrian Games are finally HERE in our backyard!
The unhorsey people, or “muggles” as I like to call them, are largely unaware of the magnitude of what is taking place–they have seen the billboards and heard the ads, but they don’t understand (see Visionaire’s FAQ post for a typical conversation with a muggle). An important step of improving eventer-muggle relations is to help understand what might deter some of the the muggles.
The only reasons I can think of that the muggles wouldn’t want to come to the Games are:
1. They are petrified that we will clog up downtown with our huge trucks.2. They won’t be able to get into their favorite bars and restaurants because we are better at partying and having a good time than they are.3. They too have been hit by the economy, but they unlike us aren’t crazy enough to blow their lifesavings on going to WEGs.4. They can’t bring their own alcohol (or anything for that matter) onto the grounds.5. They are scared of the sharks at the petting zoo.
The perfect cure for any muggle’s concerns is to meet a good-natured eventer. So, if you meet a muggle during the Games, be sure to smile and strike up a conversation. In just a few minutes I’m sure their concerns will be assuaged as you explain to them that we in fact drive our huge trucks very fast, love partying with everyone, don’t worry too much about being broke, keep our own alcohol by the barns, and finally, who has time to be afraid of sharks when there’s a cross-country course to jump?
In reality, everyone in Lexington is very excited to be hosting the Games even if all the muggles don’t know exactly what that means. The downtown looks wonderful (as does the Park itself) and eventers and muggles alike will see Kentucky hospitality at its finest. Everyone in Lexington is hoping that visitors will discover Kentucky’s beauty not just our beautiful horses. For those of you coming from afar, we can’t too see you and we hope you have a safe trip. For those of you who can’t, keep up with WEG coverage and we hope you’ll come to see us sometime anyway!
And remember, the muggles are more scared of you, than you are of them.
