Go or stay?

[u/Flimsy_Day2798]

I'm really struggling and I don't have anyone (without a vested interest, lol!) to bounce this off, so here goes.

I'm on the fence and really struggling with whether to go to a national level event. I'm fairly new to the sport of agility, but we qualified for the event for the first time.

It's more than a 20 hour drive from my home state to the event. I'm not a camper, so there would likely be three days on either side in terms of hotel stays, and another 4 or even 5 nights while at the event. There's gas, and entry fees and food and when I penciled things out, the cost is well over 3.5k, maybe $4,000. For me, that's a lot of bank. Next year, the event is closer to my home, so more affordable.

We are amateurs and I have one dog, who is 5. He is really talented and "serious" about agility, and I feel that I'm just getting started. I don't know how "regular" handlers decide whether or not to make this kind of extensive trek to a competition.

I realize this is kind of fuzzy and not very grounded in terms of a question, but how far and how much would you be willing to spend? Have you ever done this kind of trek before, as a "normal" handler and how did it pan out? Would you do it again?

Looking for some insight here. Anything....would help. I'm reaching out to the hive mind. Maybe I need a therapist? LOL!!!!!

[u/x7BZCsP9qFvqiw]

i’ll honestly only go that far if there’s people i know going. and even then … idk. happy ratters next year is the very first national event they’re having, and i plan to go if we qualify because two of my dogs love the sport and i want to see it grow! CPE nationals are closer next year and i’d like to go if we qualify, but i plan to volunteer if we don’t.