Best summer "destination event"?

[archieflies]

So I was thinking of suggesting to the hubby and the trainer that I might like to try an out-of-area event next year, just as a novelty, and I need help coming up with some options. I'm in Texas (Area V) and driving all the way east or all the way west would probably be out of the question... and as a teacher I'm limited to summer if I want to take off more than one day at a time. Besides, I'm in this just for fun, and probably couldn't justify the expense of an out-of-area trip unless I could sell it to hubby as a "summer vacation." So other things to do in the area would be nice. I'll probably be competing Training by then, but not solid enough to be confident, so a challenging Novice course would be nice. Of course, it would be a plus if the event included upper levels, since I've never even seen anything above Prelim.

I've thought of Champagne Run and Maui Jim. Champagne Run doesn't go above Prelim, though, does it? Maui Jim would be awesome, but my barn usually heads up there for Nationals in the fall, so I'm not sure if I could convince others to come along.

Any other good suggestions for "destination events" in June, July or early August?

[denny]

It depends upon the criteria you use.

Mine is simple: Close proximity to delicious food, especially ice cream products, in hot weather. Especially Fribbles, vanilla, strawberry, coffee, chocolate----etc.

Which puts Stoneleigh- Burnham at the top of the list.

Simple criteria, simple minds-------

[carolinagirl191]

You could head to River Glen in Tenn. and then do the whole Dollywood/ Pigeon Forge thing . . .

[Lincoln]

Vermont in the summer and just enjoy being cool and dabbling your (and your horsies') hot feet in the stream. Woodstock Farmer's market for breakfast pastries, Skunk Hollow Tavern for food, music and a good beer, Kedron Valley Inn for a drink on the porch and a swim in the pond... not Dollywood but very nice break from the heat.

[archieflies]

Sadly, I think both Stoneleigh-Burnham and GHMA are a little bit farther than Hubby would ever be willing to drive!

I guess hubby could really find stuff to do anywhere (since, you kow, baseball is everywhere in the summertime!). I would just love to do an event that felt big and important, even at Novice or Training! I don't know much about River Glen, so I'll look into that! Thanks!

[Divine Comedy]

I'm going to have to vote for Maui Jim here. I'm also from Texas and I went last year for the first time. They added a Novice this year and I bet that it will be challenging. I ran Training last year as my third Training and thought it was quite a nice course, so long as your horse is comfortable going off banks into water. It's a gorgeous venue, they run up through CIC3* and A, and it's basically in the city of Chicago. My parents and I were going to try and sightsee a bit this year, but unfortunately I can't do it before the show b/c I am too busy trying to prepare for the show and I have summer school right after. However, it might be a fun chance to explore Chicago. And in 2010, the AEC's will no longer be in Chicago, so your barn won't be going for the Championships.

Colorado Horse Park is also nice, and it is located in Denver. I actually feel it is a pretty similar venue to Lamplight, with lots of rings and arenas. The course for Training is an excellent early course (I ran it as my second Training). They only run up to CCI2*. The downside is that it is the end of May/beginning of June and school may not be out yet.

[CookiePony]

Lexington (Champagne Run) is closer to you and should be challenging. Would your hubby be up for horsey tourism? Because you can go to exhibits at the Horse Park itself, plus TB breeding farm tours. And there are also other things, like bourbon distilleries.

[archieflies]

CHP would be my choice if they would do it a week later next year!!

[deltawave]

If not Maui Jim, then Richland Park would be my next choice.

[WakeRider]

Stuart!

Christmas in July!!! :yes:I've been dying to go for the past four years but gas prices/lame horses/etc etc have all gotten in my way. Ho hum. There's always next year :)

[TB or not TB?]

What's a fribble? :confused:

[JER]

What's a fribble?

Fribble on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alishine/2414016983/)

It's a Massachusetts thing. A milkshake from the chain called Friendly's but somehow, it manages to be not-just-a-milkshake because 'Fribble' is a proprietary trademarked thing.

(And, as the child of two Mass. natives, I've been to Friendly's but have never had a Fribble because I have a strong dislike of milk and dairy products.)

[tuppysmom]

Rebecca Farm. The event is first rate, and

It is just a very short drive to Glacier National Park. GNP is one of the "wonders of the world" that everyone should experience. The view from the Hiway to the sun is one of a kind.

MT has icecream too. And BBQ.

[RAyers]

Rebecca Farms! Glacier, Whitefish, Flathead Lake. Golf, hiking, boating, all sorts of great stuff. There is a cool little reservoir just about 5 minutes from the farm where we go swimming every afternoon.

Reed

[advmom]

Rebecca Farms great facility, course and hosts.
usually very hot but you won't find a better event in the West

[tuppysmom]

I think that you can rent boats at Flathead Lake. There is probably a white water raft company somewhere close for an exciting afternoon of boating.

Hiking in GNP is nice too.

I think you can even rent a horse and go on a trail ride. My kids used to ask to do this!! Can you believe it?

Me, I'll be in the shade by a stall puttering around.

[three_dayer]

Rebecca farms is definatly a desination event..it is very pretty there and the people that run it are great...there is a lot of other things to do besides the event, especially the swimming in the lake after your ride, very nice(the party on saturday night is a lot of fun too)...It goes through CIC*** and they are having the long format CCN* which is going to be a lot of fun. oh yea the highway to the sun is really neat, but a bit scary to drive up in a 4 door 1 ton pickup :)

[LisaB]

I have heard a ton about Rebecca Farms. People say GO. You must take the trip! And I live in friggin' VA! And the officials LOVE LOVE LOVE it there. So it's definitely on my adventure list.

[pegasusmom]

If not Maui Jim, then Richland Park would be my next choice.

Nice to know as it is our "destination event" this summer. . .

[izzy]

Flagstaff, Arizona AKA Coconino

Not so hot in the summer, great footing, the site is in the trees. Probably not as long of a drive as some of the other suggestions.
You could go up to the Grand Canyon, visit Sedona, etc.

[RAyers]

... oh yea the highway to the sun is really neat, but a bit scary to drive up in a 4 door 1 ton pickup :)


Wuss. We had a rental car last time. Were you able to get under the waterfall at the Weeping Wall (I think that is the name)? It is a place on the road where the waterfall off the cliff literally lands on the road.

We spent the day and went to Lake McDonald on the west side and then to the Sun Point on St. Mary's Lake, including Barring Falls and Sunrift Gorge on the East. It was GORGEOUS! St. Mary's Lake literally looks like the Caribbean Ocean in color. We saw bear, mountain goats, and a few tourists. ;) We did it on Thursday, starting in the morning and there was nobody there. The road was clear and the sites uncluttered so we were able to cover the entire width of the park in the day.

Oh, and to give an idea of how great this event is, it is in the middle of "nowhere" (compared to the rest of the country) and it gets 550 horses consistently!!!! The only other competitions I have seen as big is the AECs.

[archieflies]

OK, so it looks like I'm going to have to break it to my husband that I would like to haul the horses 1888 miles to Montana next summer (I won't tell him that's one way). Today is our anniversary, so he can't get mad. Maybe I'll use a new fishing pole to ease into the conversation.........

[Fence2Fence]

Lexington (Champagne Run) is closer to you and should be challenging. Would your hubby be up for horsey tourism? Because you can go to exhibits at the Horse Park itself, plus TB breeding farm tours. And there are also other things, like bourbon distilleries.

And wineries.

*hiccup*

[RiverBendPol]

A Fribble is a frappe. A frappe or some might say milkshake but milkshake doesn't begin to describe a Fribble. Nor does frappe. A Fribble is mostly ice cream, whizzed on the frappe machine. There is a little bit of milk in there too, along with some vanilla or chocolate or strawberry, etc. syrup. Anyhow, it all whizzes like crazy and gets poured into a giant glass, there's always some left over which they give you in the steel whizzing container. You can have a Fribble of any ice cream flavor-my fave is peppermint stick. The thing is so thick the straw stands up straight. If you try to consume it too quickly, your eye will freeze. You can only get a Fribble at Friendly's, a trip well worth making from Texas in the Summertime. Come on up, make a summer of it:)

[scubed]

Stuart would be ridiculously far for you, so I'll leave it off the list. I would say, if Maui is tough because of AECs (though next year, 2010, AECs will be in Georgia), then aim for Rebecca or Richland Park. The other thought would be Galway. Nice wineries and golfing in the area.

[gottagrey]

I think I'd have to put a plug in for the Mid-Atlantic - Area II as there are usually pretty many events to choose from which would make the drive more worthwhile.. Loch Moy/Maryland Horse Trials has back-to-back events in July as well as a pretty full calendar of other events. In addition, Loch Moy has horse and human accommodations which might be available - stalls probably -they do have several nice apartments there - but I'm not sure if they are rented out full time or not. The horse trials are well run, have good food - maybe not ice cream but I believe a Smoothie station as well as other vendors.

for nightlife - it is about 15-20 minute drive to Frederick, MD which has some great restaurants etc; or across the Potomac River to Leesburg (Outlet shopping and some other good restaurants - a bit further to Middleburg

and probably w/in hour + drive there would be Waredaca, Surefire, Loudoun, Difficulty Run.

If you don't want to drive and take horses - I hear the St. Claire Horse Trial and Country Fair in Scotland is supposed to be very nice

[VicarageVee]

There's really only one des3ination event. It is THE event of the year (besides Rolex).

REBECCA FARM!!!

You have to go. Its worth the drive. From anywhere! The event is gorgeous, the people are amazing, all the competitors have a fabulous time. Best event on the calender. Seriously.

[oldbutnotdead]

Two thoughts:

Rebecca Farms (Kalispell, MT) is first class all the way. Beautiful facilities. Gracious, lovely people. Galloping on turf is heavenly. Fantastically organized. But it is a long drive from Utah, let alone Texas.

Coconino I & II (Flagstaff, AZ) are tremendously fun. Yes, dressage is on the track, at least it was when I was there, but cross country through the enormous pinion pines is magical. And the people are great -- right RAR and rivenoak? As noted, the Grand Canyon is nearby and there are Anazazi/other ruins nearby as well.

Anyway, any event, no matter the location, has to be a great trip!