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| Midge says the stall doors at that venue were too tall anyways! |
Schooling and show miles are great...schooling at $600 a pop, not so much. I'd love to go to the Topline Back to Back Horse Trials the first weekend of July. Appealing because I love the area (it's Bridget's hometown!) and honestly, it works out to the same cost as the ones in Vancouver. Most importantly, if I screw up (and the chances of that are high with it being both pony and my first ever ever) I get a second chance the same weekend, no sitting around thinking about it for a month or two :) Anyone been to Topline, (or any 4 day event with two separate horse trials) and have any input as to that plan? Here's the event overview, if you care to read. We could also hold out for MREC event in mid July (as mentioned, main selling feature to this one is the relatively close to home location and the on site pub), which still leaves us space in the calendar and $ in the bank for another event in August and a final one in October.
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| Please, we want some more! |
I'm not too worried about erasing some of the more expensive outings off my calendar - we still have a dressage show in two weeks, and another hunter/jumper show in a month. We also have a xc schooling day planned at an area farm. All are local, low key, fun events...and cost on average about $60. I like that price! Maybe I'll have some spare cash to get a sweet blue coat like Emma's, or a bridle that actually fits the pony. Random side note (does Stubben even make cob sized brown hunter style bridles? I can only find black dressage ones...and am attached to the idea of bridle matching saddle)
I remember EC saying earlier in the year, that for the lower levels for the first year or so it's smarter to just attend the local stuff and get cheap miles. I was like "How boring! I want to do all the things!" I guess I'm finally seeing her logic. I'm super grateful that our local club puts on really well run and well attended shows all spring and summer. This month alone, there is a hunter/jumper show, an english hack show, a western show, a western games day, and a dressage % day. The huge bonus is that they bring in great judges, the same ones I'll find at the bigger, rated shows.
So, for the time being the plan is to stay over here in my little corner of the world for a couple more months :)
When you just need mileage, you might as well do your best to save some cash when possible :) It's not as much fun to break the bank AND still struggle through the classes.
ReplyDeleteYes, somehow I think even free tickets on the struggle bus would be a hard sell :)
DeleteI'll let you know how the Chase Back to Back HT goes. It's a first for me as well! Why don't more venues have an on-site pub? I feel like this is a new must-have
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I think even if someone had a little cooler on wheels selling beverages around the show grounds they'd get rich :) Can't wait to hear how Chase goes, everyone I talk to says it's the best event! I'm hoping next year we'll have the necessary mileage to get there!
Deletegetting eliminated last weekend at a $100 entry ($75 coaching, womp) stings a LOT less than if it had been much more expensive than that - i hear ya loud and clear!! save the cash, buy the jacket, and tear the local schooling circuit up!!! the big expensive stuff will still be there later too ;)
ReplyDeletealso - i'm super intrigued about these 'on-site pubs'?!? why don't our shows have those???
Sounds like a good plan. You guys will ace all this mileage :)
ReplyDeleteStill envious of the pub. I think that you made a good decision though- miles are great and cheap miles are even greater. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen you knock out some of the more expensive shows you have more money to get cheaper experience under your belt and that will help you guys out a lot in being more confident and having more fun :)
ReplyDeleteIt's totally awesome that you have great local shows to help with the mileage while still keeping the bank account intact for pub visits!
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