NOT going to Nats? Why

[Pasogirlz]

For those who aren't going....tell us why?

[Heidi]

I'd love to go but my health is on a roller-coaster right now...
I want to check out the vender's stalls...
Heidi

[Carol Nelson]

I voted "personal reasons" because finances are a problem, but mostly I have no one that can care for these critters for that long a time. I would LOVE to go to Nationals...I have never been there...although a couple of my horses have been. Just can't spare the time nor the money. :(

[Abejita]

Personal also ..mainly money .I have one horse in training and another to go ..and I am having to borrow money from my sister and pay her back over time to do that :oops: ..The 2 years I got to go to Nats was because the boss paid when he had horses showing ...I miss not being able to socialize and of course like Heidi said VENDOR BOOTHS ohh well Plus it seems to be getting harder and harder to get away without some supposed emergency popping up :roll:

[Laura S]

Personal reasons. I work in a public school system and there is no way I could get the time off, especially in September! One of these years I'm going to have to lie so I can go! 8-)

[Linda Y]

I hope the vendor booths are better than they were at the Magnolia Classic! Only 2 vendors were there...usually there are lots. I would love to know what happened to keep them away.

[reuben T]

It's iffy, would love to but too many projects to do and not sure i want to spend the time and $ to drive 600 mi just to sit and watch a couple days.
The dream is to someday take a horse that's trained to do unusual things,
I don't think I'd be satisfied to show in the normal way. (like have a horse trained to ride bridaless and then enter a show class with bridal on and a special release string on it, and when judges arn't looking drop the bridal and keep going as if nothing was wrong, and see how long it takes for someone to notice.) I love watching the show but i think it'd be boring to do it myself without inventing some harmless but skill requiring stunt too pull off as calmly and unassumingly as posible, as if it were every day life as usual. Another reason I don't want to show myself in the normal way is because winning means nothing to me. I see the show as a game breeders play with one another to try to increase the percieved value of their horses, with a few other individules taking part to try to have fun.
I ask myself, "is the winning horse actually better than all the others?
Possibly so in the judges opinion. But what are they basing their judgment on? and do I value the same things in the horse?" not nessasarily.
I just watched a reginal paso show, on more than one occasion there were 3 entries in a class and the two judges placed them in opposite directions. like 1-2-3 for the first judge, and the second judge placed 3 as 1 and 1 as 3. So the different judges have their differing opnions too.
And with so many rumers that float around concerning biased judging, it makes it less appealing to base the value or quality of my horse on their opnion.
If I were a judge and had some connections in the breed, I'd have to be super honest and super careful to not let either politics or money influience the placements. And I'm not sure all judges are that honest, even though they're supposed to be.
What i really enjoy is riding beautiful places and campin out by a mountain stream. RT

[Monty]

Money and time mainly - Someone has to stay and do the horses - Debate is - drive ? takes at least 2 days down and 2 more back - or fly and rent a car - And not sure what days I would want to go -
It is on my "to do" list before I die ;-) - Along with going to a Packer Football game :D

[PattiB]

Only taking two horses, both have riding classes on Monday, one has Bella Forma on Wed. Then I'm done unless we do Championships. Going to relax and watch the classes.

[CarolU]

I clicked distance and location. It is a three week commitment for me to take horses to Nationals...8 days of just driving. I would only do the speciality classes since that really is all I care about. I am like Reubin, I like training a horse to DO things.

[PasoVicki]

I'm putting "personal reasons" just as a catch-all: distance, finances, time commitment (mostly because of the distance but also because of kids and animals needing care at home), etc..... I'd love to see a show sometime, though.

[PasoPerson]

I put "financial" as the reason I'm not going this year; wasn't able to go last year either.

Fuel's not too bad for me, only a four hour drive. The motel where I stay when I do go is still reasonable enough. Food up in Perry is wonderful and affordable. And the time away from home is precious - a time of refreshing.

But the main reason I don't go is because it makes me wish I was still showing to watch certain classes. It just "makes my heart ache" that I'm not in there. My friend Kathie got me addicted to Costume class. If one show at Nationals in Costume, you can be sure that "mucho dinero" has already been spent on the Costume (horse and rider) you're looking at. Then there's that one class in particular which gets me angry all over again at time I wasted trying to preserve a class that represents something "normal" most of us still do ... largo. I thought selling Appeal, my largo mare, would help, but it doesn't.

As long as it costs $200 for a stall and $100+ per class/championship, I can't afford it anymore. They have priced themselves right outta my bracket.

And of course, there's a little thing like Hepatitis C that has broken me: financially, physically and mentally. Nothing can take God away from me, but the rest has taken a toll on me I didn't think possible.

I wish one and all who attend a marvelous time. Enjoy - enjoy.

[TrueStepPaso]

Weeeellllll....I had no one to go with, so I didn't book it & now its too late....can't get it off/afford it.....Waaahhhh!
There's always next year though...

[pasofantasy]

Why is it too late? There's still a month left to make arrangements! I've just driven there at the last moment with not problems.

While reservations are important, motels try to leave room for walk-ins. It takes a bit longer to get into a room as you have to check a few, as some do fill up by the time you arrive.

[TrueStepPaso]

Its too late because I wouldn't be able to get the time off.....and I'd be scared to go alone. I'm a big chicken.

[dana]

Its too late because I wouldn't be able to get the time off.....and I'd be scared to go alone. I'm a big chicken.
is this the same woman who rode in the PR parade?

[Barbwire]

I'm going alone, ya big wuss!

[baileyholc]

Personal reasons. I work in a public school system and there is no way I could get the time off, especially in September! One of these years I'm going to have to lie so I can go! 8-)

Ditto! :( Plus, someone has to take the kids to school. :roll:

[hast]

I hope to be moving to SC right about then... and since I don't show it's not important enough for me to work my rear off for. But next year I'll be a whole lot closer. ;-)

[baileyholc]

Hast, What part of SC are you moving to.

[CarolU]

Sooooo, why doesn't Abbie go with Barbara???

(inquisitive minds want to know!)

[Barbwire]

My flight's booked, it's been for a while, I don't think she could go with me if she wanted to.

[Kerry W]

Well rats! I'll have to call WWE, and cancel the camera crew they were going to set up at Jamie's stalls! :evil:

[TrueStepPaso]

OMG! You mean the farrier guy? :shock:


Um...as much as I'd LOOOVE to go with Barb & terrorize the town...I just didn't plan it enough - its a no-go. Flying absolutely horiffies me....and the thought of doing it alone sends me into a tailspin :roll: . Point me at anything else (except heights), and I'll do it. ;-)

[Centauress]

Plus - don't forget Abbie, you'll be living in NC next year so we can drive! :twisted:

[TrueStepPaso]

HA!!! Thats right, baby!!! We'll be terrorizing NC on a daily basis instead..... :twisted:

[Centauress]

Did you see the post by LynnG today?? It shows the trail ride on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate. We are SO there next year! Piedmont Assoc. seems to have so much fun...I guess we can focus most of our terrorizing on them! :twisted:

[TrueStepPaso]

HA! Yes...its beautiful there! ....PJ took Manhattan, now he takes Biltmore.... :twisted: