Show help! Do you think I'll have enough?

Question

I really really want to compete in my breeds Nationals in October st the Kentucky Horse Park (yes I am qualified). I am trying to figure out if I can afford it. Need your opinion, do you think $1000 will be enough to cover all fees (assuming I make the first deadline), and gas (planning to set half aside for gas)? Also I'll be camping at the park but I'm gonna see if the horses owner will cover camping and food (if I go they go and we stay in their horse trailer that had living quarters).

It is one person competing in one class. None of the "other class fees" apply that are listed on the site as I won't be showing in any if those. 

Here is the site with the info: http://www.pfha.org/news-and-events/2013-grand-national-show

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I would at least have a thousand but I would try to bring a little more just in case. Also congrats on qualifying

zephania666 · Answer

Congrats on qualifying!  That's awesome.

How far from the Park are you?  Crucial datum in discussing gas costs.

Hmmm... 650 miles @ 10 miles/gallon ->  65 gallon X $4/gallon -> $260 (very roughly)  But I suspect you'll get more like 5 mpg...  so I'd figure $520.

Then there's the time involved...  325 miles each way, or about 8 hours each way (again roughly) so you can get there one day, show the next day, get home the next day...  2 nights camping and stabling -> $30/night campsite, $220/night stall -> $500.

Class:  $100

Plus food and incidentals, like water, which are expensive at KHP.

So...  we're up to $860 (10 mpg figure) or $1120 (5 mpg) before we even buy food.  If the owners cover the food and camping, you're still at  $800  (or $1060) for the obvious expenses.  There are no doubt other expenses I haven't thought of, since I've never taken a horse to KHP and don't know your particular circumstances; these are just the obvious ones.

I'd want to budget some reserve.  Like $1500, so I'd have a reserve if anything went wrong, if I forgot an expense, if for some reason a campsite wasn't available, or if there was some item I just HAD to have.  If you don't need it, great, but if you do, it's there.

I'd want to ask the owners how much they think it will be in gas before I decided - that's the biggest variable.

The other big variable:  number of nights at the park.  You might be able to get out the same day you show if your class is in the morning, which would be a big help.  Or the owners might want to stay longer, and your stall fee would go up drastically.

Anyways...  that's my thoughts on costs.  Good Luck!  I hope you get to go!

Show help! Do you think I'll have enough?

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