United States Eventing Association

The start of the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC), Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final, and Adult Team Championships is drawing near. For some, the trip to Texas may seem like a daunting journey, but we’ve collected some cost- and stress-saving tips from the experts: last year’s travelers!

- Use the USEA Ride Share Listings to find a travel partner and share a trailer. In addition to splitting gas costs, your horse will have a travel buddy and so will you!

- To keep your horse overnight without breaking the bank, look into local or state fairgrounds. There are lots of stalls that are typically very cheap, and there is plenty of peace and quiet when the facilities aren’t being used for a fair or horse show. Most fairgrounds have arenas where you can let your horse stretch his legs. If you are up for camping in your trailer or RV, you can also inquire about a hookup.

- Check out sites like www.horsetrip.com or www.horsemotel.com for more ideas on where to keep your horse overnight, including layover farms. Some layover farms have accommodations for the two-legged travelers as well.

- Consider buying the Nationwide Overnight Stabling Directory & Equestrian Vacation Guide: www.overnightstabling.com.

- If you need somewhere cheap or free to hang your hat overnight, www.CouchSurfing.com has become a popular resource. For a cheap hotel room, avoid tourist or metropolitan areas because high demand drives up prices. Call the hotel directly; they may have a less expensive room than what is advertised online.

- Enter the event on opening day via Xentry and you will be automatically entered into a drawing for gas cards to ease the strain on your wallet.

- If you have several horses, consider contacting a shipping company. Shipping costs decrease per horse when you are able to fill a rig, and this is often less stressful than hauling a rig full of horses yourself. Several shippers have offered special deals for USEA members that are able to fill a rig (typically 8 or more horses). Contact Rob Burk at [email protected] for more information.

- Make a trip out of it! There are plenty of sights to be seen on the way, and the “largest prairie dog in the world” is, at least, a good photo op.

- To save some cash on lodging once you arrive, stay in one of the USEA-sanctioned hotels for the best deals. Some of the hotels require you to book early to receive the special rates! Camping and RV hookups are also available. Learn all about AEC lodging.

Before you hit the road, listen to some travel tips from the 2013 Gold Cup Champion Laine Ashker on the USEA Podcast. For hauling long distances, Laine stresses knowing your horse. While her 2013 Gold Cup Champion Anthony Patch, or “Al,” is a frequent traveler and takes the long trips in stride, she has known of other horses that will not drink while traveling and may even need intravenous fluids administered upon arrival. Another tried-and-true tip is bringing your own water from home for finicky drinkers.

“Every time I stop to get diesel, I try to not be in and out, but to stop for a while, whether its 10 or 20 minutes, just to give the horses a break,” she says. A well-ventilated trailer can be made even more comfortable on hot days if the trailer has fans installed. Laine also recommends the use of a trailer camera (a camera in the trailer that feeds to a monitor in your truck) for the safety of the horses and peace of mind.

Some preparation and planning ahead can go a long way in reducing both the cost and stress of travel. Get familiar with your route, plan your stops, and arrange your overnight layovers in advance. Should the unexpected occur, be familiar with what kind of roadside assistance is available to you. Check your tire pressure before hitting the road, fasten your seatbelts, and we’ll see you in Texas!

The 2014 Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships, Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final, and USEA Adult Team Championships would not be possible without our sponsors.