WEG Total Chaos

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Rollin

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I will be writing to a number of folk after two dreadful days spent in traffic gridlock, queues and in seats which should not have been sold in the first place.

So I don't have to repeat myself look at the Endurance Horse dies, thread.

More to come. A Management Case Study perhaps on how NOT to run an event.
 
WellI hope they get their act together for next weekend. I am up at 5.00am and have 15 horses to do before I leave and guests to look after.

Don't mind if the Candle is worth the light!! Tis not.

Yeserday I actually got out of my car to go and tell the ciggy smoking, do nothing parking attendants how to do their jobs.

Today I took on the Queue jumpers much to the amusement of the French in the Queue and not a steward in sight.
 
I was planning to go if I could get tickets. But after reading your posts I'm glad I didn't!

I went to Normandy a couple of years ago and stayed at a lovely campsite and visited Haras Du Pin while there so knew where it was etc but glad I didn't get any tickets now!
 
It wasn't perfect but it wasn't that bad either! Queue barging is normal here, nothing personal :-) Concerning the Haras du Pin, I'm just thankful that there were only 50000 tickets for sale otherwise the traffic jams would have been much worse.

Seriously, we've managed to get in to everything so far on time just by leaving early. I think it's best to try and be adaptable for events like this that only happen once in a lifetime on this scale. Not everyone has a perfectly running system like Badminton etc. I wasn't too pleased with the Turkish loos in Caen either but never mind, that's France :-) Other than that the atmosphere there was great, the park attendants were good and pleasant and food was available everywhere even if you had to wait a bit.

Anyway that's my experience of the event so far.
 
OK, sounds as if the traffic jams leading up to Haras du Pin were messy. I can't complain because for some reason we had no difficulty getting in or out. But we did hear that literally thousands were still on the motorway when cross country started which is bad.
 
I live a stone's throw from the Haras du Pin. Saturday I was at an "Anti G.D.E. Stand"(industrial dump 4kms from there, we've been trying to close for over a year...long story;) and met up with other HHO Members later at our place. They were heart broken. Almost all of my French Friends also said the organization, especially traffic and parking, but also food and the way the Haras du Pin Village, AND THE TOILETS were all a joke...

In defence of our little part of Normandy, the organizers sort of bowled everybody over here. I couldn't be involved due to other commitments in Southern France this summer(and I'm just an amateur rider,) but many of my professional equestrian friends, and even my doctor(who breeds TBs and rides) said the organizers were pushy know-it-alls that turned off a lot of locals who tried to help early on.

I was invited yesterday for the showjumping and just preferred to stay home with family than brave traffic jams and disgruntled people.

I hope the region and the oranizers learn a great deal from this because the site(Haras du Pin,) really warrants more international competitions.

richard rider
 
In interesting synopsis, Richard. I was wondering what the comments from a normally accepting and tolerant man would be.

Two points occur to me;

Firstly, and considering the facilities which were on offer, that would simply be a case of poor organisation, and I suspect that many event organisers have the visiting AND PAYING public, at the very bottom of their list of priorities. Has anyone been to a pop concert lately? "We aren't ******* animals you know"!

Secondly, the location of the venue, itself, and it's accessibility by road users, in volume, I suppose that it could be argued that such venues, with suitable access for high volumes of traffic simply don't exist. In the 1970s with our ever growing 'Game Fairs', so entering the sites and parking was an absolute night mare. I understand that improvements have been made, and if there was a know-all and dismissive approach from the WEG committee, then they have lessons to learn.

It isn't the same, I accept, but with an all inclusive Television coverage, then the attendance figures may not have been so overpowering for the venue, and the organisers too. Television rights would have made up for the loss of takings at the gates, I'd have thought.

Alec.
 
We did leave early. After feeding and watering 15 horses, we were on the road at 7.30am and arrived at the motorway exit for Haras du Pin at 9.00am. There was already standing traffic on the motorway, which is very dangerous.

We finally entered the event at 11.30am!! One traffic queue approx 6 miles long did not move for an hour. A Frenchman in front walked down the road and found the problem was the meeting of three roads. Not a steward or Gendarme in sight. We and many others turned around and using a map rather than sat nav managed to get there eventually. I do not know what happened to the several miles of people who were behind us and also stationary for an hour.

Our groom arrived this morning to tell us there has been an outcry on French TV partly because of the problems created for emergency services and support staff for the endurance riders who we understand also got caught up earlier in the week.
 
My post was in defence of the little corner of Normandy as I love it, just like Richard, and as I know the area and was warned about jams I arrived with others at about 8:15 so had no problems. Gendarmes and volunteers were there but probably not as many as were needed. If the organisers had listened to the locals more the mess could have been avoided. The Haras hosts cross-country often albeit on a smaller scale and is very successful. So bash the organisation if you will but, please, not the whole of France!
 
We were for the Dressage rather than the crosscountry, so missed the worst of it by the sounds of it. We have a long list of criticisms re the "organisation", and will be composing our email tomorrrow (to allow considered reflection). We rented a house near Mathieu (slightly north of Caen) and had no problems re parking/traffic apart from the Tuesday after all the rain, where the parking we used was allegedly closed cos of the mud with no signs as to where to go instead so with an awd we went in the exit (like many others) and parked anyway. On Thursday they finally put some sort of hard standing down (which anyone who had looked at the weather forecast might have thought of at the start!)
we nearly got food poisoning at the village (chicken so undercooked it was practically still squawking which we refused to eat or pay for) and never ate there again. The rest of the time we ate outside and boy oh boy did we eat well!! Our landlady was horrified by what we told her and INSISTED we write to complain she felt ashamed on behalf of her region. Not enough buses disgustingly unclean toilets (for which there is no excuse, as the French stand up ones should be easier to clean but on Monday morning at 9 am there was (excuse me) **** everywhere. I dont think they'd been ckleaned since the last football match, no control either to stop people traipsing about to their seats during tests, or talking so loudly even Charlotte Dujardin mentioned it. i could go on, but won't!! We had a fantastic time anyway!!!!
 
Well I went to haras le pin for cross country and had a great day. Didn't queue too long to get in Spite of going for nine. Traffic was moving and parking organised and was watching when first horse set off. Plenty of toilets on the course unlike in the uk. And no doubt at the end of the day they would be less than perfect. And I know the badminton toilets leave a lot to be desired. The organisers can't be blamed if someone has fifteen horses to do before they set off!! There were a lot of people but the course was great for viewing. And if you didn't go cos you were put off by all the negative comments then you missed a great day.
 
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Phew I was beginning to think we were the only ones who had had a good day...

Re the toilets: it was a BRILLIANT idea to have toilets that function with sawdust instead of the water ones that invariably stink after a while.
 
Lahouds said:
Well I went to haras le pin for cross country and had a great day. Didn't queue too long to get in Spite of going for nine. Traffic was moving and parking organised and was watching when first horse set off. Plenty of toilets on the course unlike in the uk. And no doubt at the end of the day they would be less than perfect. And I know the badminton toilets leave a lot to be desired. The organisers can't be blamed if someone has fifteen horses to do before they set off!! There were a lot of people but the course was great for viewing. And if you didn't go cos you were put off by all the negative comments then you missed a great day.
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No the organisers not to blame for my horses...but we did not leave late!!! We know the road very well indeed and the time it takes. It should not have taken the time it did to motor the few miles from the motorway to the Haras.

There was only ONE payage on the autoroute exit taking both tickets and telepay which we have. They could have organised two booths by opening up the "Aire" gate on the other side of the Payage and putting a policeman on duty. It was known that 20,000 vehicles would be arriving. Stationary traffic on a motorway is an accident waiting to happen.

The organisers can also be blamed for not knowing/allowing a Vide Grenier to take place on the day of the SJ final. Two pedestrian crossings with lights, people parked on pavements both sides of the road meant it took over 40mins to get off the ring road. Again stationary traffic on the dual carriage way.

They can be blamed for not letting people into the stadium. When my husband went to the front of the queue to ask when the gates would be open, he was met with a Gallic shrug. We arrived in good time and now stood for an hour waiting for the gates to open. Our friends from the USA who have attended many such events, were not impressed.

The organisers can be blamed for selling more tickets than seats, which is why people resorted to sitting on the steps. They can be blamed for selling seats without any view of the screens.

I understand today that some people NEVER managed to see the SJ as they were still stuck outside.

I am dreading next weekend.
 
Several things in the stadium were a pity: the toilets as I mentioned before, and the VIP places which were mostly empty as the the so-called VIP didn't turn up. They might have let those seats go to people sitting on the steps.

You live and learn.

I doubt if next weekend will be a mess: carriage-driving is not nearly so popular as eventing but if in doubt just do as we've done so far, park at the Presqu'île car park early enough and do P+R. Park stewards are efficient and helpful and buses come every 10-15 minutes.
 
kandor said:
Several things in the stadium were a pity: the toilets as I mentioned before, and the VIP places which were mostly empty as the the so-called VIP didn't turn up. They might have let those seats go to people sitting on the steps.

You live and learn.

I doubt if next weekend will be a mess: carriage-driving is not nearly so popular as eventing but if in doubt just do as we've done so far, park at the Presqu'île car park early enough and do P+R. Park stewards are efficient and helpful and buses come every 10-15 minutes.
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Thanks for the advice. We did do P&R yesterday morning. In the evening we walked..just as well as by the time we had found our car, only one bus had been seen.

I would hope that the organisers will have put a bit more effort into some logistics planning. I wonder how tomorrow's crowds will cope with HGV's back on the road and kids back to school, which we did not have on Sunday.

I am not at all tolerant as in my previous life I was responsible for MAJAX planning. When I organised sponsored rides for WHW and BHS one of my helpers was also a MAJAX planner for the Council. We were quite a picky pair.
 
Rollin said:
We did leave early. After feeding and watering 15 horses, we were on the road at 7.30am and arrived at the motorway exit for Haras du Pin at 9.00am. There was already standing traffic on the motorway, which is very dangerous.

We finally entered the event at 11.30am!! One traffic queue approx 6 miles long did not move for an hour. A Frenchman in front walked down the road and found the problem was the meeting of three roads. Not a steward or Gendarme in sight. We and many others turned around and using a map rather than sat nav managed to get there eventually. I do not know what happened to the several miles of people who were behind us and also stationary for an hour.

Our groom arrived this morning to tell us there has been an outcry on French TV partly because of the problems created for emergency services and support staff for the endurance riders who we understand also got caught up earlier in the week.
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There is standing traffic on most UK motorways every day of the year - its called the rush-hour. And then of course you should see the result of the January sales at the out of town shopping centres that the councils thoughtfully allowed to be built right at the bottom of the slip roads!

My mum was on her way to visit my sister who miles inland and got tangled up in the massive queues of traffic going to the start of the Tall Ships race. All local A roads and country lanes. Unfortunately if you plan to drive to an event you have to accept that thousands of other people will have exactly the same idea. People have got so used to jumping in their cars and driving door to door in half an hour that if there is any delay they tend to get a bit wound up about it.
 
Beaulieu P&R is only a ten minute walk from the Ornano stadium so didn't even bother with the buses. Only used them to get back from Village to Parking (walked the 20 minute walk from Stade to Village in between), though could have walked the whole way in half an hour or so if necessary. Buses infrequent therefore full and no extra ones at peak times, despite the oficial blabla saying so.
On the way from the Stade to the Village is a lovely roadside Oyster stall with seating, the people are friendly and helpful, the food fresh and freshly cooked and good prices. They also do pain saucisse if you don't like oysters or mussels. the tapas bar practically opposite the stade exit (a bit to the left) was also very good especially for lunchtime though no alcohol sold without food
 
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Just came back from French Mates in Argentan, National Showjumpers etc and they were horrified and ashamed for the negative feelings that A LOT of people will be taking home with them. They too were stuck in two and three hours of traffic and they'd left their own automobiles and took the shuttles thinking it was the right thing(and smart thing) to do...

Again, I could walk there Saturday, but yesterday even with an invitation I preferred not to go to Caen...rr
 
I see that they are opening the stadium at 7.40am for the SJ as from tomorrow, with the morning session starting at 9.10, so early risers should be OK but will catch the school traffic - French secondary schools start at 8!
 
There was certainly queuing traffic on the motorway for badminton this year on XC day! I have never arrived any later than 8 am for an 11 am start or you will get stuck.
 
amymay said:
Badminton XC isn't much different, in regards the sheer volume of traffic on the road.
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Afaik people don't spend the entire day stuck in traffic and miss the event which is what happened on Saturday, going by the reviews on the WEG fb page.

50K had tickets for Saturday and some didn't even make it to the venue; how many make it to Badminton on the Saturday? 200K?
 
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Lahouds said:
Well plenty of people did get there and probably haven't posted on fb.
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I know they did - it looked packed, but an attitude of 'well x amount just about managed somehow, sod the rest of you' isn't exactly sporting of the FEI and WEG now is it?

Organisers of the big events in the UK, (which on XC day attract far more than the 50K at Haras on Saturday, without the running of shuttle buses and trains to the closest station), I'm fairly sure would be pretty apologetic if people missed the entire event and then went onto social media to moan about it.


Just one of the comments on the WEG facebook page: "Absolutely pathetic. Arrived in the locality of Haras Du Pin at 9.15am for an event that started at 10.30. At 1pm when we were still 9km away from the car park we gave up."
 
ester said:
There was certainly queuing traffic on the motorway for badminton this year on XC day! I have never arrived any later than 8 am for an 11 am start or you will get stuck.
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Actually that was one answer I was given at Haras. Badmington was chaotic so we are no worse.

Personally I don't want to spend a great deal of money on tickets, very expensive toll fees and then sit for three hours in a very uncomfortable seat waiting for the action.

It is not a Brit abroad moaning about the French, we love our life here. The French people we spoke to were just as furious.

The motorway queues have nothing to do with the fact they did not open the gates for the stadium, so people were queuing almost back to the P&R. Not enough thought was put into planning.

30,000 people attend Lion D'Angers each October and it is wonderfully well organised. We have never had a problem with parking or accessing the site AND they put kiosks all over the course with soft drinks, wine, beer, coffee and snacks. If you want a cup of coffee, you don't need to join a long queue, service is great.
 
I'm amazed people think Badminton is chaotic. I always think it runs like clockwork. They have narrow lanes also, but still manage to get 250,000 people in, parked and packed off home in one day. you do have queues but they crawl along at peak time, people don't sit for hours, and if you go early enough you don;t queue at all.
What people have written on the WEG FB page, is appalling, People buy tickets and fly to the event from the other side of the world, but are unable to actually get in too the event despite having tickets, it's completely unacceptable.

The course was absolutely packed. How much more packed would it have been if everyone got in it's rather bizarre really.
 
siennamum said:
I'm amazed people think Badminton is chaotic. I always think it runs like clockwork. They have narrow lanes also, but still manage to get 250,000 people in, parked and packed off home in one day. you do have queues but they crawl along at peak time, people don't sit for hours, and if you go early enough you don;t queue at all.
What people have written on the WEG FB page, is appalling, People buy tickets and fly to the event from the other side of the world, but are unable to actually get in too the event despite having tickets, it's completely unacceptable.

The course was absolutely packed. How much more packed would it have been if everyone got in it's rather bizarre really.
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I usually go in by the back lanes have never really queued despite leaving to arrive at the start of xc rather than getting there early, it is really well organised considering the huge numbers involved.
 
I have missed the start of Badminton once, the first time I went, through queuing traffic, I had expected to arrive an hour early, but had to queue for an hour and a half. I remember Capt Mark Phillips playing hell in his column about having to queue for the 2012 Bramham too because traffic was so bad. I always aim to arrive at 8am for an 11am start nowadays, and have a coffee watching everyone queue in.

That said, the chaos in France sounded more than just general queues, more like bad planning. Shame because the course looked as though it would be good for a regular event.
 
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