Is a 2 week trip to school and compete in Aiken worth it?

[JJKeen]

Hello. I’m an experienced rider who spent took a 15 year hiatus from the show ring (used to do HJ) into my late teens. For the last 10 years I’ve been competing in Endurance and been fairly competitive. Over the last year I’ve moved over into Eventing to continue to challenge myself. I did a couple local HT on an experienced horse last year. I now have an OTTB who is coming along nicely and he’s in a full time training program. He’s schooling stadium jumps now, but we are talking about a 2 week trip to Aiken to train and compete. I can’t make the first week and my trainer would be competing the first week at Intro with him. I’d then join up to school the second week and compete BN that weekend. What is everyone’s thought/experience with this? Do you feel that getting south to school XC in the season gives your green horse a value leg up into the summer season? As a second question, those who travel with a trainer for something like this (or travel with clients), what do you typically see the cost being?

I should note, I’m an Adult Amateur. Thanks for the insight!

[bip]

I think so! Two years ago I went to PA (I’m near Boston) over spring break in April. It was a huge production because it meant taking my 1-year old and 5-year old human kids, and finding them a sitter (Area 2 FB group set me up with someone amazing), and I had to get a suite so there would be somewhere for the big kid to play while the little one napped.

I think I only rode 4 days? I drove down on Monday, rode Tue-Fri, then I had to take the kids home Saturday so my trainer hacked her around then drove her home for me Sunday. But still sooo worth it. I would do it again in a flash.

Last spring I did an adult riding camp in Aiken and it was too short. I was riding my very green OTTB who was already down there for the winter. It would have been even more fun to have sent my going horse down. I might have thrown up a fortress in Hitchcock Woods and refused to leave!

[simc24]

I used to live only a couple of hours from Aiken and would haul there monthly for lessons or schooling or a horse show. One winter I decided to take a week off and go there for the full week and it was one of the best weeks of my life! It was sooooo much fun to ride and watch people ride all day. Surely there will be an event you can go watch XC and/or volunteer at, and maybe go to Hitchcock Woods one or two days (even if just for a walk for yourself- you’re sure to run into a string of polo ponies being exercised and plenty of horses to see )

Aiken is just such an awesome little town. Tons of great places to eat and drink, fun things to do and see, plus I just love walking into a breakfast place downtown and half the customers have boots and breeches or farrier and vet trucks parked out front. Not many people get to live in a real “horse” town so it’s very fun. Highly recommend spending a week there.

[gottagrey]

I think you have to look at it as a training vacation and not just training. The costs vary with every trainer so it’s hard to tell. My trainer has property there and rigs so when she takes clients down she can make it quite economical them, I’ve yet to hear anyone say that Aiken was a waste :). Your horse can get in 2 good outings down there too so that’s a plus. Besides your horse is in full training so that would be 2 weeks trainer is away where he could be there continuing his education. The only drawback I could see would be affordability for you - and again, that’s between you and the trainer.It’s hard to do cost comparisons since you have to also factor in accommodations, meals and your travel (fly vs drive?).

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Yes. Some of my young horses are going down for two weeks (trainer will ride them if I can’t get down). Not sure I will get down or not but I have in the past. It gives you a nice break from the indoor and/or Frozen ground. You get in a few schools/competitions and just can motivate you for spring. The horses seem to enjoy it too! I think March is a great time down there. February can be more hit or miss. Ground isn’t frozen so you can ride but it can be cold/wet!

have fun!

[L00kAtMeN0w]

Our barn does a 2 week Aiken trip each year. Although, I haven’t gone because of work/life/money, I would 100% do it if I had the chance. The weather can be iffy, but the footing in Aiken holds up better to the wet than the mud in KY! Its a great opportunity to get horses legged up and starting their season just a bit early. The ability to go to multiple locations to school, show, train is a huge benefit that can be hard to do depending on where your “home” location is.

But definitely a training vacation. Enjoy it! Have fun! Play with your pony for 2 weeks!

[Wojjie]

If you would not otherwise be able to ride and train over actual courses due to your location, weather, mud, snow, ice or whatever, I think the opportunity is a great one. As expressed by others, a training vacation mind-set would be a great way to approach this. I am so envious! We here in MN have 3-6 inches of snow on the ground, and all of the frost that needs to come out of the ground before anyone can do any outside schooling. Good luck!

[Hej]

Yeah, but two weeks in Aiken is a textbook gateway drug.

The first year you do two weeks.

The second year, a longer trip or two trips.

Then you start thinking about a six week rental with stabling.

Next thing you know you’re looking at property and convincing your boss that you can work “from home” all winter and getting
your SO to visit on weekends.

So watch out with that two week starter drug ----’ I mean training vacation.

:lol:

[RSEventer]

My friend is going there on her spring break for a week with her horse! Aiken is such a cool place to ride! That being said,if your trainer takes the horse starter or entry level, I would stick with that, too. I would do either the same or a level below what the trainer does with the horse- better safe than sorry! Have fun!!! I am jealous!!!

[CaptainCrown09]

Yes! I sent my horse to Ocala last winter with my trainer and visited for a few days. This month I’m taking him down myself for two weeks. I’m just an amateur doing this because I love my horse and sport. We will be doing our first recognized beginner novice in Ocala at the end of this month.

aiken… never been 🤣

[Bif]

I would say “maybe”. I think it is a great thing to do if you can afford it, but I would ask myself if this is the right time.

1. It sounds as if it is very early in your horse’s post-track career? If you’ve had him less than 6-9 months, I would wait until next year. You’ll get more bang for your buck when you’re horse is more established in the fundamentals of all three phases, if getting bang for your buck is a concern. If he just started schooling stadium fences, I think planning a possible BN start is a lot of pressure for a young horse.

2. Is it the kind of situation your horse would find stressful? If so, next year may be better as he’ll be more confident in the relationship and more established in what your asking of him. I’m not saying don’t leave the property and never go anywhere ever… I would just assess how the horse may see it depending how far along he is.

You may have a wonderful time, and accomplish all you hope to in those two weeks. You may also end up shipping him (theoretically) some distance, which increases chances of ulcers, change in turnout conditions, lots of new sites and venues… and he doesn’t get as much out of the trip as you would want, and which you may well get later. Save up and spend both weeks next year!

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Interesting BIF…I have the opposite opinion. I am sending a couple of green horses (as well as more schooled). Why…because they can go visit a lot of schooling venues. See a lot of schooling shows. Goal isn’t to compete them…but get them more exposure. There is a lot going down there and you can go with more of a focus than you may have at home. Yes…I do worry about changes causing ulcers so they all go on GastroGuard, with their normal feed and hay. But I’ve not had issues doing this short training trip with many young horses before, including several green OTTBs.

But I never go with a goal to compete these green horses…we go just for an intensive 2 weeks of training that involves hacking out at new places…going to schoolings and shows (where we may not even ride them but let them just hang out). I’ve found it very beneficial for their training. It’s a bummer that my horses get to go this year without me, but I’m sending them with people who I trust…and I will try and get down because it really does take time with these green beans.

[mvp]

@Hej

Yeah, but two weeks in Aiken is a textbook gateway drug.

The first year you do two weeks.

The second year, a longer trip or two trips.

Then you start thinking about a six week rental with stabling.

Next thing you know you’re looking at property and convincing your boss that you can work “from home” all winter and getting
your SO to visit on weekends.

So watch out with that two week starter drug ----’ I mean training vacation.

:lol:

Yup. Another COTHer is at the “talk to your boss” stage.

I will say, however, that one would do well to schedule a two-week visit the last week in July/first week in August before succumbing to a full-blown addiction in Aiken.

[JJKeen]

Thanks for sharing all of your thoughts and perspectives. I made the commitment to go yesterday. Realistically we will be lucky to get on a XC course here till late May and it seems like an awesome Training Vacation as someone put it.

BIF & BornFreeNowExpensive - Interesting differing perspectives. I’m of the mindset that it really depends on the horse to determine when they are ready. I’m a big believer in letting OTTBs experience their second job and getting them out there, especially if they show the mental maturity and aptitude to do so. I should also mention that my boy isn’t a “baby OTTB” but a war horse just turned 8. He’s traveled extensively and is mentally mature enough. He’s also RRP bound this October as well. I’m also trusting my trainer’s perspective that he is ready for this trip and it will only benefit him.

[BraveSC]

Say a prayer it stops raining before your trip here as we are underwater… We have been so wet all winter but the footing is holding up and you will have a blast here! Welcome!

[dr_j]

As most everyone has pointed out, and you have taken their sage advice, absolutely worth it! And consider it indeed a “training vacation” - I mean you can only ride a couple of hours each day and there is so much to do for horse people in Aiken.
We went for a week a couple of years ago and we have sent horses every year since. It give us a huge jump on the season for those of us in northern climates.
Have so much fun! Go to Harry’s Local.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Check out Whiskey Alley for dinner.