I also love reading the discussions, even if I'm not going!
But you should totally try to go, it's so much fun! I've been to 3 so far. My dog isn't competitive enough in his group to make finals, and that doesn't bother me one bit, we go for the fun! My other dog actually placed in several rounds of pre elite last year, and that was really neat to me
Long drives are a pain, but it really is worth it. I even contemplated flying out this year just to watch (it's really too far for me to drive (I'm in Az, can't get the time off work) but it falls on the week I work (I work 7 on/7 off) and it's pretty difficult for me to get time off, so I save those favors for years I can compete
Hoping to go again next year. Takes me 2 days to drive to Wy, but it's worth it (and helps that my best friend lives half way, so I can stay with her on the way!).
