Tickets
When Breyer puts their tickets up for sale, they usually do so very early in the year, approximately about 6 to 7 months before the actual event. If you buy the Early Bird Special tickets (if you are interested in buying three day tickets), you will get a discounted price on those tickets so it's best to buy early. I would personally keep the envelope and the letter and keep everything in that envelope until you need to get it out. Keep that envelope somewhere safe. Since mine had my single day ticket model tickets in there, I kept it in my backpack, safely tucked behind some plastic bags. Make sure all of your information is correct. This is very important, and it something is not right, you need to contact Breyer.
Single Day v.s. Three Day
This is an age old argument, but it's all up to your personal preference. If you want to show in the youth or open show, then you should buy the three day. (Note: If you have never participated in a Model Horse Show, please don't show in the youth or open show. It is crazy, hectic, and overwhelming and it wouldn't be wise to have that as your first show.) If you want the Celebration Model, you can get it free with your three day ticket, or you can just buy it off of someone if you only have a single day ticket. If you want special runs, you get a special run ticket with each three day ticket you buy, and that special run ticket entitles you to two special runs. I bought a special run ticket off of someone, so you can get them that way as well. I can usually get everything done in a day. Granted, I mostly shop, but I do sit down and watch the shows from time to time. If you want to do the three days, then go for it, but only have a set amount of money to spend each day.
Hotels
The first time I went to Breyerfest, my mom and I stayed in the Four Points by Sheraton, in Lexington. Here's a little word of advice: don't stay in Lexington. It will get really congested in the morning, it's more expensive, and there aren't a lot of restaurants. I would stay in Georgetown. My mom and I stayed there the second time we went, and it was a lot nicer. There were lots of restaurants to choose from, and we were only 10 minutes away from the Horse Park. I would also look for a hotel that offers continental breakfast for free. That way you don't have to spend money on breakfast in the morning, and it's just easier to go downstairs and get breakfast. Note: Rates may be higher. The Georgetown/Lexington area gets a lot of business during Breyerfest, so hotel rates might increase slightly. If you plan on staying in the Clarion, book a year ahead. The Clarion fills up fast, and if you want to sell your horses you should stay in the Clarion; they get the most traffic. The Clarion is most busy from about 5 p.m to 10 p.m, but some rooms have been open to midnight.
Necessities
Plastic bags are your best friends. Seriously. Do you plan on buying horses out of the box? Do you plan on buying horses in the box? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, you will want to bring plastic bags. I brought about 30 plastic bags and they are literally life-savers. You'll want a small-ish cooler. I don't know what the dimensions are that you can take in, but I took a medium sized cooler (with a shoulder strap), and I had snacks and water in there. It was only my mom and I but we went through five water bottles when we were at the Park. You will want something other than plastic bags to carry your horses it. Plastic bags are you're best friends, but you will want something bigger; who wants to carry around 10 horses in 10 different plastic bags. I used an IKEA bag and those bags are HUGE. I fit 6 traditionals in boxes in there so it was really nice to have that. If you have a big bag like that though, you need to be very aware of what you're doing because it's very easy to turn around fast and accidentally knock over something. I would suggest wearing a backpack to the park. I had plastic bags, my tickets, some emergency money, and my single day stablemates in my backpack. At the end of the day I also had my Samba Surprise tucked in there as well. It's a lot easier to just carry all of your necessities in your backpack. I would also suggest wearing sunscreen, just in case. The most important thing to bring is a travel buddy. If you're dead set on going alone, that's fine, but it's nice to have someone to shop with, eat with, and have them hold your horses. My mom isn't really into Breyer, but she goes with me just to help me and be there in case I need here.
Heat
Breyerfest. Is. So. Hot. Stay hydrated, stay in the shade when you can, wear light clothing (shorts, a tank top, and tennis shoes), and if your hair is long, I suggest pulling it up into a ponytail. At some Breyerfest's, it has been rainy, so pack a few ponchos just in case.
Food
In the park you get fair food, and concessions. Lemon shake-ups are common sights (plus they keep you hydrated!) and the soft pretzels are cheap but filling. In Lexington, there's not a lot to eat, but in Georgetown, there's a Culver's (my personal favorite), Frisch's, McDonald's, Ruby Tuesday's, etc.
Money
Everyone always asks about how much money they should take to Breyerfest, and here is my answer: bring what you think will be sufficient. My first year I took about $250 and spent all of it at the park (I was a single day ticket holder). My second year I took $450 and split it up; $150 for the Clarion and the rest for the park the next day. I spent every last penny that I took. It is your personal preference on how much you want to take, but if you're planning to get special runs, you might want to set aside a certain amount just for that. I would say anywhere in the range of $250 to $700 is fine based on your age, and what you plan on buying. I know people who take $1500 to Breyerfest, but some people don't have that kind of money to spare. You also have to think about paying for a hotel, parking, and food. The amount of money you want to bring is entirely up to you; you take however much you think you will need. Have "emergency" money just in case you find a special model at the last minute and you're running low on funds. Note: Some vendors charge sales tax, but most (including the Breyer store) does not.
"The Game Plan"
The second time I went to Breyerfest, I had what I liked to call my "game plan". I had my money budgets for each day calculated, the amount of raffle tickets I was going to buy, and a few models I wanted to look for. If you're looking for specific models, write them down in case you forget them when the time comes. My game plan really kept me on track and reminded me what I was looking for in case I got distracted.
Special Runs
I've been a single day ticket holder both times I've been to Breyerfest, but my second time, I was approached by a girl and long story short, I bought her special run ticket. Then I panicked. I had never gone through a special run line in my life and I was clueless. I got in line about 25 minutes early, even though the ticket said arrive 15 minutes prior. They call a random number and then the line MOVES. Word of the wise: step out and away from the tent once they call the number. Wait a few seconds to get your bearings, and then go find your place in line. They'll have numbers on yard sticks, and they'll be holding them in different places to help you find your place in line. Go to the general direction of you number, and ask around until you find your place in line. Please be patient. Depending on where you are in the line, you man have to wait longer than others. It may be hot and you'll be in a tent with a ton of other people, so it's going to get hot, but just wait patiently. When it's all said and done, it only took me about 35 minutes to get in line, get in the store, and purchase my special run. Know which special runs you want before you get up there, and have a few backups just in case they run out of the ones you want. The Special Run's name, picture, and price will be in a plastic paper holder, and once they flip that holder down so you can't see the information on the card, they have run out of that model for that specific time slot; this is why it's imperative that you have some backups. For the 2016 Breyerfest, the Estrela do Carnival ran out very fast during each call time.
The Clarion/Room Sales/Swap Meet:
The second time I went to Breyerfest, I went tot he Clarion for the first time. My mother and I had planned to go to the swap meet; she was very leery of going into other people's rooms in the hotel. We drove there and quickly learned that we should have shown up a lot sooner. We ended up having to park in the grass on one of the back sides of the hotel. Let me be the first to tell you; the rumors about the Clarion are all true. It is the most confusing, messed up hotel on planet Earth. My mother and I went to Door/Section E, intending to go to the Swap Meet, but we didn't find it until two hours later. If you are leery about going into random people's hotel rooms, don't be. Their doors are wide open and people file in and out. My mom quickly warmed up to the idea, and the Room Sales turned out to be one of my favorite parts at Breyerfest! Here are some things you need to keep in mind: Do not pick up anything unboxed without the owner's permission, and if there is a sign that says a model is not for sale, don't touch it or ask to see it. Some people will be real personable and talk to you, others will be polite, and some will lay out on the bed and eat Chinese food while watching the Big Bang Theory and not say one word to you unless you're buying something. Please, please, please be polite and watch your step. There might be some very expensive models, and if I were you, I wouldn't want to accidentally knock them over. If a room looks full, wait to go it. Just stand outside the door and wait until there is room for you. Do not be afraid to barter! The people in those rooms do not want to pack up all those horses and take them back home. All of the horses I got at the Clarion, I got for a lower price than what they were originally asking. For example, I got a $100 horse for $75, and it was a really nice pintaloosa custom that had NAN'd several time. But also, please do not low-ball. It's rude and shows that you're devaluing their horse. Cell service in the Clarion is awful. There are so many people there that it took a half hour for me to send one text. I was in the Clarion for almost 4 hours, and I only got through a part of the down-stairs, so make sure you have enough time to shop. The next time I go to Breyerfest, I'm going to go to the Clarion two nights, just so I can hit a lot more rooms.
Now, about the Swap Meet, I didn't care for it, but that's just my personal preference. For all the talk surrounding it, it was kind of small. I much preferred the room sales than the Swap Meet.
NPOD (aka, the Ninja Pit of Death)(aka, The Breyer Store)
I have never actually experienced the NPOD, but I have heard horror stories about it. Some people are just flat out rude, and some have pulled hair or table blocked. The majority of people camp out outside the park on Thursday night just to get a good number. The NPOD is such a big deal because Breyer puts in special runs and rare horses from years past. I would advise you not to go to the NPOD if it's your first Breyerfest.
Miscellaneous
- Budgets are important! Have a budget plan and stick to it.
- If you bought raffle tickets, make sure to stick around for the raffle. Only those who are present can win!
- Please carefully watch all young children, and please do not bring a dog to the park unless it is a service dog.
- Ask permission before you pet a horse, and always follow proper horse etiquette (no walking behind the horse, sneaking up on the horse, etc.)
- When the park is first opening, stay behind the mounted policemen. They know you want to go it, but to stay safe -and out of trouble- you must stay behind them until you get the all clear.
- You will probably run into some truly unpleasant people. Don't let them ruin your day!
- The park closes at 5, so it will be a madhouse trying to get out of the park. Please let a car or two pull out in front of you! It's the polite thing to do, and please be patient. If you see a car trying to back out, leave some space and let them pull out. They are just as desperate to get back into their airconditioned hotel room as you are. (Side note: It took my mother and I almost 40 minutes just to leave the parking lot, so be prepared.)
- Most importantly, have fun and enjoy your time at Breyerfest!
NPOD (aka, the Ninja Pit of Death)(aka, The Breyer Store)
I have never actually experienced the NPOD, but I have heard horror stories about it. Some people are just flat out rude, and some have pulled hair or table blocked. The majority of people camp out outside the park on Thursday night just to get a good number. The NPOD is such a big deal because Breyer puts in special runs and rare horses from years past. I would advise you not to go to the NPOD if it's your first Breyerfest.
Miscellaneous
- Budgets are important! Have a budget plan and stick to it.
- If you bought raffle tickets, make sure to stick around for the raffle. Only those who are present can win!
- Please carefully watch all young children, and please do not bring a dog to the park unless it is a service dog.
- Ask permission before you pet a horse, and always follow proper horse etiquette (no walking behind the horse, sneaking up on the horse, etc.)
- When the park is first opening, stay behind the mounted policemen. They know you want to go it, but to stay safe -and out of trouble- you must stay behind them until you get the all clear.
- You will probably run into some truly unpleasant people. Don't let them ruin your day!
- The park closes at 5, so it will be a madhouse trying to get out of the park. Please let a car or two pull out in front of you! It's the polite thing to do, and please be patient. If you see a car trying to back out, leave some space and let them pull out. They are just as desperate to get back into their airconditioned hotel room as you are. (Side note: It took my mother and I almost 40 minutes just to leave the parking lot, so be prepared.)
- Most importantly, have fun and enjoy your time at Breyerfest!
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