I asked our Irish Village Demo Team and Volunteers to email me some of their favorite moments from WEG. Here's what they shared:
Connie Arthur, Demo Rider of Bridon Beale Street RID:
"The last day of the first slot (Day 4 of WEG) I thought we (Bridon Beale Street, myself and the crowd) were a bit bored by the normal routine, so Fleur and I cooked up a bit of excitement... We got into a bit of a "quarrel" during the performance. She asked me to jump again and I refused! Then she told me to just go back to the barn, so I turned a short circle and jumped out over the arena fence. Very fun! Of course, Fleur then apologized and I jumped back in, over the "Fazolis" sign this time! Other than that we had a great time -- Fleur was a doll, the other owners, riders and helpers were wonderful. The barns were nice and it was an honor to be included."
Connie Arthur, Demo Rider of Bridon Beale Street RID:
"The last day of the first slot (Day 4 of WEG) I thought we (Bridon Beale Street, myself and the crowd) were a bit bored by the normal routine, so Fleur and I cooked up a bit of excitement... We got into a bit of a "quarrel" during the performance. She asked me to jump again and I refused! Then she told me to just go back to the barn, so I turned a short circle and jumped out over the arena fence. Very fun! Of course, Fleur then apologized and I jumped back in, over the "Fazolis" sign this time! Other than that we had a great time -- Fleur was a doll, the other owners, riders and helpers were wonderful. The barns were nice and it was an honor to be included."
Jayne Whitton, Demo Rider of Grace's Star IDSH:
"The 1st demo when we had a full crowd , everything worked out & the Meet & Greet was there & really interested. Drew & Buddy trying their hearts out - impressive as Buddy had only been jumping a few weeks. Connie & Liam jumping in & out of arena. Having a beer with Fleur when she told me Pudges story. Getting to watch all the awesome demos - I loved the 2 Dans from OZ. Moira's genorosity sharing dressage seats. Wacky weather - 90's to 40' unbelievable. X/C day - Perfect."
"The 1st demo when we had a full crowd , everything worked out & the Meet & Greet was there & really interested. Drew & Buddy trying their hearts out - impressive as Buddy had only been jumping a few weeks. Connie & Liam jumping in & out of arena. Having a beer with Fleur when she told me Pudges story. Getting to watch all the awesome demos - I loved the 2 Dans from OZ. Moira's genorosity sharing dressage seats. Wacky weather - 90's to 40' unbelievable. X/C day - Perfect."
Jess Walker, Booth Volunteer and Board Member as Northwest Region Chair of the IDHSNA: "For me being a booth volunteer, there are two things that stick in my mind as being fantastic. The first is during the first show I saw, Fleur was announcing, she had such an enthusiastic voice, the Picnic table...horses jumping that was such a hoot! The fast pace of the demo, and the air of impulsivity....I walked away from that demo in tears, I was just thrilled at what I had just viewed. With the horses intermingling, yet staying focused on their line of jumps. I was proud to be an Irish horse owner and view them at their best.
The second thing was the team work from day to day. As many, many problems, coordination needs, and unexpected events, between Fleur, Debbie, Sarah, and the riders, ideas flowed quickly and solutions came fast. The only reason this all worked was the team. Knowing the extreme stress on all of you, and granted, all the volunteers to help put team plans into play, I am just amazed that you all lived through it. Though I have rarely ever been that tired day after day after day, I so looked forward to each and every day up before dawn and not back in bed until 1-3 am. Wow what a ride! The memory of WEG will be with me as long as I live. What I saw at WEG, is what the IDHSNA should be.......I'll leave that right there."
Wouther van Voorthyesan, Demo Volunteer via Holland:
"It was one big moment."
Cheryl Stephens, mother of Demo rider, Gaby Stephens on Glenlord's Laralie RIDSH:
"My WEG moment was the first day of Gaby’s and Lara’s demo. Seeing my 13 year old daughter come galloping into the demo arena on her her dream horse RIDSH Glenlord’s Laralie to the sound of exciting music as Fleur announced her and the audience clapping and cheering.What a proud day and a proud moment for this horse mom! I cried tears of happiness and joy all the way back to the barn!"
Keith Douglas, owner of Demo horse Steeped in Luck RID via wife, Elizabeth:
"I just want to go back to the WEGS and just live there forever. It was a happy time."
It began as an idea in Ireland, and after over two years, became a reality. Throughout, Fleur’s Irish brogue and heavy wit helped us all get through each day. 
We could write a book full of her colorful sayings, which we referred to as "Fleurisms." A true lover of horses, especially Irish ones, and a friend to everyone who meets her. 
Thank you, Fleur, for dragging me kicking and screaming into this unforgettable experience. 
And a special thanks to her other half, Debbie, for keeping our whole contingency fed, full of caffeine, and holding down the fort for 16+ days (she already deserves a medal for putting up with Fleur!).
This duo brought the house down the four days they performed their musical dressage freestyle. 
There wasn’t even standing room during their performances, and folks could be heard talking about them all throughout the park. 
We were honored to have an Olympian and Pan Am competitor in Tom Dvorak performing on a purebred Irish Draught stallion to spotlight the caliber and versatility of the breed. 
Tom’s wife, Ellen, and 
(Photo credit: 
We were also thrilled to have FEI Dressage rider Leslie Bean 
and FEI World Champion Driver Sterling Graburn of 
Gina stuck around to sign autographs and say hi to the demo team as well. What a delightful person, superb athlete, and a special treat it was to have her come by.
He stayed for a few minutes to visit with us and congratulated us on a good job promoting the Irish horses and Ireland. 
Amidst the chaos, I would find peace each day when the demo’s were over and our team headed into the “Meet & Greet” corral. 
I would stand at the rail and watch as hoards of kids and adults alike came to the fence to pet our horses and talk with the riders. 
So many people don’t know about the Irish horse breed, and this was an unbeatable chance for them to not only see, but interact, with the horses and really appreciate their versatility, athleticism, and temperament. 
It was a moment of great pride for me, for the breed and my demo team, and made me remember each day why we took on this bear of an event.
Ashley Bailey-Classen brought three of her Irish Sport Horses from Texas, two of which showed their stuff, soaring over the top of the standards. If we’d have had bigger wings, they could’ve done 5 feet+! 
In the last block, Amy Hunter and Cradilo put on an extremely impressive jumping demonstration, showing what a purebred Irish Draught stallion can do! 
The crowd was floored and interest abounded over this great duo who are currently competing on the Grand Prix circuit. What a special treat to watch these horses fly.
Not to be outdone, the Irish Draught/Sport Horse demo team decided to take it on as well. Several of our brave demo team horse and rider combinations took on the picnic table jump, to the delight of the crowd!
Horses were jumping giant ditches, riders were falling in the water, children to grandpas alike were out there. This video made so many people stop to ask and talk to the folks in our booth, and you could hear people around the park saying, “you need to go by that Irish booth and see that video.” So, and big thank you to Jim for that contribution, and for all those who made the booth a resounding success. 
So, on a daily basis we rubbed elbows with the likes of Clinton Anderson and Pat Parelli and John Lyons, amongst a crazy variety of other demonstrators like the Icelandic horse and the Indian tent peggers. 
It wasn’t unusual to see a man come around the corner standing on two horses who were dressed in metallic armor, or a train of miniature horses. 
We saw it all! Clinton Anderson took a particular interest in our demo horses, stopping Connie Arthur to talk to her about Bridon Beale Street, 
Pat also was even nice enough to invite us to his evening BBQ on several occasions. Fun times. 
I’m standing there with my jaw on the ground; Fleur is begging Connie to come back. She does turn around, and jump back into the arena, to the cheers and laughter of the crowd. After the demo, Fleur tells me they had secretly planned the whole thing, they just forgot to let me in on it …. Cause why would the coordinator need to know?? Ha!