Anyone go south only for a week? Without a deciticated trainer?
A couple of us are considering going to Ocala for a week or 10 days. To maybe try to hit 2 shows? And all the lessons! We aren’t in a “program” so not stuck with a specific trainer.
Tell me all the details! Beginning to start budgeting and planning.
I won’t be of much help except to say that some of my friends who go south most of the season plan waaay ahead of time. Finding a hotel, AirBNB or someplace to stay is as important as finding a trainer to lesson with, place for your horse. Budget can be all over the place from $45 - $100/day just for stabling. Trainer adds at least $90+/lesson, on and on…
Generally- I think a week is too short, especially depending on what state you are in. Last year, we shipped down. I sent him commercial. He ended up getting shipping fever and was out for a few days. If I had only been there for a week it definitely wouldn’t have been worth it to me (I’m in Indy so it was supposed to be 13.5 hours down, add time for stops etc making it 14-15 realistically. It took me 19.5 hours coming home because of a road closure (3.5 hours) in Atlanta and a snow storm in Indy). And my horse travels well and never has had an issue prior.
I shipped him home myself and he was fine.
I hope a week is enough time, is just my point.
We are in north mississippi, so 9.5 hours according to Maps. We have been the layover location for a couple of people coming from ocala going to Oklahoma, so I think it would be 1 full day of travel, unless I decided to layover half way (I have a couple different options half way, but I think we will probably do it in 1 go, as long as I’m not the only driver).
If you think a week is too short, how long do you go for? I’m not sure I can swing much more time off from work, but may be able to send him to a trainer for a month and join him the last week. This is another reason why I want to know how others do it! Thanks!!
I went last year for 5 days from about 9-10 hours away and it was a good experience for my young horse. I did not show but instead went to multiple different venues to school cross country. I did board with a friend who is down there for the winter and she knew all the details about where to go. It would have been easy enough to pick up a lesson or two with a notable trainer, but we opted to intersperse our XC schooling days with a lower key day since I was working with a coming 5 year old.
If you do your research and plan ahead there is lots that can be done in even a very short time. In addition, knowing I’m going keeps me motivated to keep my horses going at even a modest level work through the dark days of winter. I usually schedule to go toward the end of the winter season–this last year in March–so the trip acts like a jump start to my season.
I’ve been for as long as 10 days which is nice but a long time to be away from home/farm/husband/other animals. I do it in one day for travel. Usually go alone. Pop in the airPods, listen to a couple books, and settle in.
This year I’m hoping to go for a week with my now 5 year old and catch a show the last days I’m there. I’m also tentatively sending my coming 4 year old down for a couple months to a trainer with an eye on doing the YEH stuff.
I looked into doing it this past year. I was thinking I’d go for 10-14 days in late Feb / early March to get a jump start on the spring show season. I ended up deciding it wasn’t quite worth the cost, which for me includes horse care at home. I was going to do Aiken, not Ocala, but FWIW this is what I estimated costs to be for 10 nights there, not including horse care for the one left at home:
Gas to and from: ~$300
Airbnb at small private barn: $36/night --> $360 total
Stabling at Airbnb: $30/night --> $300 total
Starter HT: $150
Jumper SS: $60
Recognized HT: $233
Gallop track: $25
TOTAL: $1,428
I would have also done a lesson or XC school with someone down there, but didn’t get far enough to figure out budgeting for that. I decided that was too high a premium to pay for things that I can generally do closer to home, albeit slightly later in the year and spread out across more time, and that if one thing went wrong (like a poorly timed abscess or thrown shoe) it would be too costly. I’m sure I’ll consider it again sometime though because I do think it would be fun and a good break from the winter doldrums.
That’s exactly what I am hoping to do. Honestly my 6 year old needs XC schooling more than anything (and our closest XC schooling location is 3+ hours from home) so getting to ocala and hitting so many different venues would help us soooo much! Hopefully I can make it work.
I’m also looking to do this, but probably for 2-3 weeks in Aiken. Are there forums or Facebook pages devoted to Aiken/Ocala snowbirds? I think I’m pretty set with trainers/lessons but still working on trailering/lodging/boarding.
My guy is going in training with John Michael Durr in Aiken for 3 months in Jan. I am planning multiple trips during his time down there. I would love a lead on where to stay.
There are a few Facebook groups for Aiken area namely Aiken SC Area Dressage, Eventing and Showjumping group and Aiken Life and Sport. Those two groups are a good place to start. There are many AIrbnbs as well but if you’re planning to come early next year, I’d start looking now!
Sunk you MUST let me know when you are in Florida!
Oh thank you! Just joined!
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