What's Happening at WEC: Winter Classic 14

Welcome to Week 14 of ‘Winter in the Midwest’ at World Equestrian Center. We’re excited to bring you another week of great equestrian sport and family-friendly fun. Head to the Sanctuary Arena on Thursday and Saturday to watch exciting jumper classes. On Friday and Saturday, watch elegant hunters compete in the derbies at both the R+L Arena and the Roberts Arena. Join us outside of the show rings this week for T-shirt tie-dying sponsored by Dragonfly Academy and Mona’s Monograms, as well as a Sip & Shop in Vendor Village sponsored by Mona’s Monograms.

What to Watch

Thursday | $5,000 Welcome Stake 1.35m – Sanctuary Arena

Friday | $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – R+L Arena

Saturday | $25,000 WEC Grand Prix – Sanctuary Arena

$7,500 Futures Prix 1.30m – Sanctuary Arena

$2,000 Non Pro 2’6” Derby – Roberts Arena

Where to Eat

The Paddock Club is offering a tasty build-your-own Asian bowl buffet on Friday for an all-you-can-eat price of $19.99. Friday’s menu includes protein options of chicken or shrimp, along with fried rice, pad thai noodles and Asian grilled vegetables. A delicious egg drop soup is also available. Cap off your evening with a delicious mini cheesecake. Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day buffet includes lamb stew, shepherd’s pie, Guinness mac ‘n cheese and maple-glazed carrots. Colcannon soup is also available. Dessert will include Black Forest cake and lemon bars.

Enjoy ringside popcorn and a cash bar in the Sanctuary Arena on Thursday during the $5,000 Welcome Stake 1.35m and in the R+L Arena on Friday during the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. The Sanctuary Arena is hosting an exhibitor party on Saturday during the $25,000 WEC Grand Prix, offering sumptuous hors d’oeuvres including Brazilian steakhouse skewers, crab and Asiago stuffed mushrooms and raspberry brie in a phyllo purse.

The International Grille and Café offers bountiful options for breakfast and lunch. Start your day off right with a breakfast burrito, eggs or a variety of breakfast sandwiches. Enjoy a lunch break with a made-to-order sandwich, or grab a salad or wrap in the cooler for lunch on the go.

Need a snack in between meals? The Junior Rider’s Lounge also provides snacks throughout the day. Stop by the Rider’s Lounge each morning for complimentary pastries and a hot cup of coffee.

What to Do

Purchase raffle tickets at the show office for a chance to win a limited edition linocut print of Kevin Babington and Shorapur by Sarah Lockwood-Taylor. Raffle tickets are $5.00 each or five tickets for $20.00. All proceeds benefit the Kevin Babington Foundation. Friday, March 13 is the final day to purchase tickets. The raffle will take place this Saturday, March 14 at World Equestrian Center (you do not need to be present to win).

Activities kick off on Friday with a Sip & Shop in Vendor Village from 2:00-4:00 p.m. sponsored by Mona’s Monograms. Enjoy some treats and visit all of your favorite shops.

The Cadets Horsemanship Clinic will be hosted upstairs in the Sanctuary Arena on Saturday at 7:00 a.m. The clinic is open to everyone, but only junior riders are eligible for a horse show credit. Each week, 40 junior riders chosen by random drawing will receive a horse show credit. Thirty-nine Cadets will receive a $250.00 horse show credit and one lucky Cadet will receive a $500.00 credit! Please check in by 7:00 a.m. with the attendant. Attendance is strictly enforced. Only those that are entered in the show office by 5:00 p.m. on Friday and check in upstairs in the Sanctuary by 7:00 a.m. on Saturday are eligible for the random draw.

Create your own wearable piece of art! Join Dragonfly Academy in the Paddock Club starting at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday for T-shirt tie-dying, sponsored by Dragonfly Academy and Mona’s Monograms.

Each horse show week, Chaplain Larry Speelman holds worship services on Sunday at the ingate of the Sanctuary Arena from 7:30-7:45 a.m. and in the Chapel in Vendor Village from 11:00-11:15 a.m. Join Chaplain Larry for an uplifting message. If you are unable to attend, but would still like to listen in, Chaplain Larry’s sermons are available as podcasts on WEC.net. This week’s sermon is titled “Victimization” and is the last sermon of the seven-week series “Trojan Horses.” Chaplain Larry describes the sermon:

Taking responsibility for life choices can be a difficult pill to swallow. It can be embarrassing and, at times, require accepting the ramifications that come with owning one’s actions. It’s somewhat natural, wanting to avoid the pain associated with admission of guilt. Children often blame one another to avoid discipline, a trait which may carry over into our adult life. In the Garden of Eden, Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent for the decision to eat forbidden fruit. The Trojan horse of “Victimization” is constantly working to make us play the blame game instead of coming to terms with our own responsibility. It’s time to see yourself as a victor and not a victim! To find true forgiveness and freedom, we must first begin by admitting our faults and shortcomings. The Trojan Horses series concludes with its last sermon this week, helping you become the person God designed you to be. Meet us in the Sanctuary Arena at 7:30 a.m. where free coffee and pastries are available or 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel. We look forward to seeing you there.

Where to Shop

Andrew Ryback Photography will be ringside, capturing the action in every class. Stop by his trailer to view and purchase your show photos, plus some special gift items he has available.

Need time to relax during the show? Look no further than A Bit of Class Salon & Day Spa, World Equestrian Center’s on-site boutique salon. Diane Bayless offers haircuts, styling, color, manicures and pedicures during normal show hours. Licensed Massage Therapist Katrina Hale is also at A Bit of Class Salon & Day Spa, so stop by for a relaxing massage.

In need of new gear for yourself or your horse? Chagrin Saddlery, Riders Boutique and The Custom Fox offer a selection of show clothing and tack while CWD and Antarès are on site to help with saddles and custom tack needs. Dandy Products, The Apothecary and Farm Vet are here to bring the barn essentials to the horse show, so stop by for treats, medications or even custom barn padding. Get your new goodies personalized at Mona’s Monograms. From jackets to brass nameplates, they do it all. While you’re in Vendor Village, bring your four-legged friends to Shaggy Chic for a quick and easy bath that will keep them looking and feeling their best. Be sure to visit A Sudden Impulse before you head home so you can get your WEC branded merchandise including clothing and accessories.

Don’t forget to see Saek’s Chiropractic and Pulse Equine to help get your body ready to horse show — or recover from a week of riding.

Want to know what’s on your horse’s mind? Visit the Equimist in the R+L Arena for a free five minute reading of your horse, or schedule a full reading with Jenna Mayer.

Thank you to our Event Sponsors

We want to extend our thanks to all World Equestrian Center sponsors for their continued support: Antarès Sellier, Buckeye Nutrition, CWD, Dandy Products, EquiJet, Horse First Supplements, MARS Equestrian, Perfect Products, R+L Carriers, Tribute Equine Nutrition, Sport Data, Inc. and Voltaire Design. Many sponsors and their products are on-site weekly at World Equestrian Center, so be sure to stop in and say hello.

We look forward to fun both in and outside the arena during another exciting week at World Equestrian Center.