I pay 275/mo to keep mine. I'm a second year and while I'm not going to lie and say I ride all the time, it's been worth it to have a little piece of stress relief. My mare is older though and not in any type of competing condition. I just ride for fun when I can!
Same here as far as riding for fun. I rode IHSA in college but those few shows a year are the most competing I've done in my life. I have boarded at any type of facility, from self care to full care boarding, never at show barns though. I just like having him. I'm not in love - I could sell him. But I don't really want to.