That better not be the prize. It sounds like a punishment! :lol:
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:lol:
Jokes aside, I debated whether it was worthwhile for a decent chunk of the summer and ultimately decided to go. As others have mentioned, you never know what the next season will hold, and last year really did not go to plan. This year, my horse has been consistently quite good, and AECs sound like fun. Iām in Area II, so I never get to actually talk to people at shows. I hope to do well, but the chance to take my time and enjoy each phase is worth it to me. Bonus points for venue!
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Yep.
Iād rather take the money that it would take to compete and put it towards airfare and tickets and go spectate at Burghley or the Royal Dublin Show.
Im going! This will be my 4th trip to AECs (went in 09, won in 11, went in 12) and I have always told everyone that asked - if you have the opportunity to go once, then do it. For the experience! Its a fun event. Donāt go expecting to be competitive, but be pleasantly surprised if you are. (Donāt ask me how I managed to win on a draft horse)
The horse I am taking this year is in his first season eventing, has never stabled at an event, so Iām a little worried his poor little brain is going to be overwhelmed by the atmosphere, but heās proven to be a pretty chill guy and I think heāll learn from it. I doubt we will be competitive, but for the start of his career, I think itās a good chance for him to get out there and see things. Itās not exactly an environment you can recreate! Also, Ive never competed at the KY Horse Park, so Iām just going to buy all the photos no matter what. 
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As far as the goodie bags, Iād say if youāre showing up there not expecting one, it feels like a nice little bonus. But, to me at least, it wouldnāt be a motivating factor. Iām all for free stuff, and I do NOT want to sound ungrateful, but in my experience, itās mostly been small things that were donated by sponsors, sample sizes, etc. Itās always fun to get free stuff, and some of the stuff is great/useful, but again, definitely NOT something thatās going to make you say, āYes, the $1000+ I spent to get here was definitely worth it.ā All that to say, I havenāt been in a few years so it may be a totally different ballgame now.
I went when my guy was retiring and it was worth it for that reason alone. But it was also held at Texas Rose Horse Park, where we go a lot anyway so the travel wasnāt a huge deal. I just had to take some extra days off.
The swag wasnāt anything that I would drive 1000 miles for. It was fun while I was there but not AMAZING.
The prizes however, my friend won Jr BN and she got SO. MUCH. STUFF. If you think you have a shot, itās worth it. They even gave away a saddle for closest to OT in some division. Coolers, helmets, sheepskin half pads, etc etc etc
Supposed to be a big dog show in the Alltech Arena that weekend. Thatāll do wonders for traffic for those of you unfamiliar with the KHP.
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