Also thinking about it. Still on the fence...but I probably will... or maybe I won't and will just enjoy myself
Siena and I muled some fish to Louisville last year (and won 3 firsts, and some seconds and thirds).
It's honestly a huge PITA...especially if you bring your own water (as we do). We made the trip without any losses but it's a lot of work and added anxiety.
The water in Springfield is similar in pH but much softer than our local tap water. Shouldn't be a hard transition for the fish (vs. dumping them in liquid rock, as they have in say Cinci).
In the end, what wins or doesn't wins is really a roll of the dice. It's really like what I tell my kids, "You get what you get and you don't get upset"
And I do my very best to judge all fish on their merits when I'm a judge!
Matt