How To Prepare For A Horse Show

Prepare For A Horse Show

Whether you are showing your horse for the first time in Dressage or Western Pleasure, or you’re a seasoned competitor in Reining or Jumping, getting ready for a horse show can be a nerve-wracking experience. There’s a lot to do to prepare for a horse show and so much to remember to bring with you – and usually on the day of the show you’re running late, scrambling to find that last minute safety pin or your favorite blue halter. And you might end up at the show only to realize that you’ve forgotten something important such as your riding boots! Cleaning, packing and organizing your tack and equipment for the show is important, so here are some ideas that can help you get better organized and easily prepare for a horse show.

Selecting Your Show

Horse shows can (and should!) be fun. It’s an opportunity for you and your horse to demonstrate what you’ve learned and to receive feedback from the judges. Chances are you’re working with a trainer who can help you select what classes are best for you to show in, depending on your level of experience. You can prepare for a horse show by attending several local shows in advance so you can get a feel for the show environment and also observe some of the classes that you’re especially interested in. Schooling shows are a great place to start since they are less stressful and the setting is usually more relaxed. If your horse is new to showing, it’s a great idea to bring him along with you and not enter in any classes – this way he, too, can get accustomed to what a horse show looks and feels like. You can just let him relax, spend some time in a stall, and also walk him around the show grounds so the two of you can watch the others ride in the warm up pen or arenas. Also, talk to friends and trainers about what shows and locations they recommend for you – the more you know in advance, the better prepared you will be and are more likely to have a positive experience.
 
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Once you’ve picked a show and have the dates set, make a list of what you need to bring with you to the show. Attached is a pdf that you can print and check off as you start packing – this will help you stay organized and take some of the stress out of the show day prep. Write down any additional grooming equipment, tack, clothes, first aid supplies – anything you think you may need while you are there. Take note of what documentation you’ll need to bring with you such as a Coggins test, registration papers, insurance, etc. Also send in your entry fee with the required paperwork well before the date of the show. Remember, the best way to prepare for a horse show is to start planning early!

2-3 Days Before the Show

Pull out the clothes you are going to take to the show and make sure they are clean and well pressed. Check for holes or tears and see if your shirt is missing any buttons and still fits properly. You might want to bring a few choices just in case you have a mishap and spill something on your shirt. Hang your clothes on a hanger and place them neatly in a garment bag. Also clean and polish your boots and place them in a boot bag or wrap them in a soft cloth so they, too, will stay clean. For English riders, brush your helmet so that the velvet goes in the same direction – then pack your helmet (or Western show hat) in its hard case so that it can stay clean and intact.

Clean out your truck and trailer and check to see that the lights of the trailer are working properly. Sweep out the trailer so that it is free of any manure and if you use shavings, put in fresh shavings on the side where your horse will ride. Also, fill up your truck’s tank with gas if needed, and hook up the trailer to the truck. As a precaution, double check that the chains and the hitch are safely secure.

The Day Before the Show

This is the time when you are going to want to give your horse a bath using a good, quality shampoo and conditioner specially designed for horses. Use a soft natural sponge when you’re bathing your horse as they tend to hold more water. Work on one section at a time from the front of your horse to the back, and from the top to the bottom. When hosing your horse off, hose from the front to the back so you don’t accidentally squirt his face. Spend some extra time and care on your horse’s mane and tail, and add extra conditioner for a soft, smooth shine. Rinse out all the soap from his mane, tail and coat since leftover soap could make his hair look dry and dull. Use a mane and tail detangler to help get rid of any knots or tangles, and as you comb his mane and tail, start at the ends and work your way up. After bathing, let him dry off completely and use a sweat scraper to help remove the extra water. Once you’re done grooming, you can put a light sheet on him and put his tail in a tail bag so he can hopefully stay clean and dirt free. If he has white stockings, you might also want to wrap his legs in standing wraps.

If you decide to use clippers on your horse’s ears or whiskers, use clean sharp clipper blades and make sure your clippers are in good working condition so you can get the best, smoothest results. Also, check the blades frequently since they can heat up quickly and use a cooling lubricant as needed on the blades.

Clean and polish your saddle and bridle with saddle soap and use leather conditioner as well. Polish all the silver on the saddle and bridle with silver polish and buff off any excess polish so that it keeps its shine and doesn’t become dull. Once you’re done, pack your tack in padded bags and load them into your trailer. Remember – no matter how small the show, it’s respectful to the judges and organizers to prepare for a horse show by having clean tack, a clean horse and well fitted clothes.

Pack your truck and trailer with as much as you can in advance, so you have less to worry about the day of the show. Fill up the hay net or feed bin in the trailer with fresh hay so your horse can keep busy during the ride. If your horse is going to wear wraps or shipping boots while traveling, prepare them in advance so they’re ready to go. If you’re blanketing your horse for the trip, brush it so that it’s clean, fold it and lay it out so you can easily put it on your horse in the morning. For yourself, pack some drinks and easy to eat snacks for the show – it’s easy to become busy and forget to eat and drink lots of water!

At The Show

It’s always a good idea to arrive early to the show so you have plenty of time to get organized, unpack your tack and set up your stall. Once you’ve arrived, unload your horse from the trailer and make him comfortable in his stall with fresh bedding, plenty of water and some hay. Now take some time to get familiar with the layout of the grounds, locate the main show office, the warm up areas and the show rings. If there is an attending vet or farrier, it’s good to know where they are set up as well. When you’ve found the main office, pick up your show number and turn in any paper work that is required, such as Coggins, registration papers, etc.
 
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Once you’ve settled in, you can now groom your horse and tack him up, allowing yourself plenty of time to warm up and become accustomed to the settings. Some disciplines have strict rules and regulations about equipment, so read your rulebook carefully or ask your trainer about what tack is considered “legal” for the show pen. Check out the show schedule and listen for any changes – with all the work you’ve done to prepare for a horse show, the last thing you would want would be to miss your class! And finally, right before your class starts, wipe down your horse one last time with a clean cloth. Use a damp towel to wipe any dirt from his ears and nostrils. Brush out his mane and tail, make sure your shirt is tucked in and off you go!

It’s Show Time

The judges are watching you as soon as you enter the arena, so you will need to show from the moment you enter the arena and continue showing until you’ve left the arena. Try to relax and think of it as an enjoyable learning experience. This is your chance to showcase what you have learned so far, and afterwards you can identify what you need to work on for your next show. Remember to breathe and ride with complete confidence. The more you can relax and stay loose, the better you will ride and you’ll feel more confident. Most importantly, remember to smile and have a good time!

Listed below are some things you may want to bring when going to a horse show (downloadable pdf is also attached).

TRAVEL ITEMS
☐ Shipping boots or leg wraps
☐ Truck and trailer registration
☐ Halters/lead lines
☐ Spare tire
☐ Tail bag/wrap
☐ Jack
☐ Hay net with plenty of hay
☐ Trailer block
☐ Plenty of stored water for horse(s); buckets
☐ Jumper cables/spare fuses
☐ Flashlight/batteries/emergency flares

PAPERWORK
☐ Original or copy of registration papers
☐ Association membership card
☐ Coggins test certification
☐ Map to show grounds
☐ Health exam certification
☐ Show information
☐ Gelding certificate
☐ Emergency/vet phone numbers
☐ Proof of ownership
☐ Rulebook
☐ Amateur or Non-Pro card
☐ Test booklet or patterns
☐ Cash/Credit cards/ID

STALL/TACK ROOM SET UP
☐ Shavings
☐ Pliers
☐ Buckets (water, feed, washing)
☐ Hammer
☐ Stall nameplate with emergency #
☐ Staple gun
☐ Stall fans
☐ Screwdrivers
☐ Wheelbarrow
☐ Bailing twine
☐ Manure fork
☐ Duct tape
☐ Broom
☐ Zip ties
☐ Hose
☐ Extension cords
☐ Hooks for hanging bridles and halters
☐ Locks
☐ Saddle racks

TACK
☐ Bridles (schooling and show)
☐ Extra pair of reins
☐ Saddles
☐ Extra stirrup leathers
☐ Saddle pads (schooling and show)
☐ Extra cinch or girth
☐ Martingale/breastplate
☐ Spare Chicago screws
☐ Cavesson
☐ Leather hole puncher
☐ Protective boots/wraps
☐ Saddle covers
☐ Show cooler/blankets
☐ Lunge line/whip
☐ Fly mask/sheet

TACK CARE
☐ Saddle soap/leather cleaner
☐ Silver polish
☐ Sponges
☐ Small bucket
☐ Washcloths & towels
☐ Paper towels
☐ Toothbrush

FOR YOUR HORSE
☐ Hay
☐ Supplements
☐ Water
☐ Treats
☐ Grain

GROOMING SUPPLIES
☐ Curry comb
☐ Sponges
☐ Body brushes
☐ Sweat scraper
☐ Mane & tail brush
☐ Towels for drying off horse
☐ Hoof picks
☐ Fly Spray
☐ Shampoo & conditioner
☐ Water in a spray bottle
☐ Mane & tail detangler
☐ Cordless clippers
☐ Shine enhancer
☐ Braiding rubber bands
☐ Hoof dressing
☐ Grooming tote bag
☐ Baby powder or corn starch

FOR YOU
☐ Pants (jeans/Western show pants/breeches)
☐ Baseball cap
☐ Shirt (Western shirt/slinky/English show shirt)
☐ Sunglasses
☐ Helmet or hat (check your association’s rules)
☐ Extra set of comfortable clothes & shoes
☐ Coat, jacket or vest
☐ Chaps
☐ Nutritious snacks: fruit, sandwiches, energy bars
☐ Paper cups and plates/utensils
☐ Boots & boot pulls
☐ Folding chairs
☐ Boot socks
☐ Cell phone
☐ Belt/buckle
☐ Toiletries
☐ Hair nets/hair brush/hair spray
☐ Safety pins and sewing kit
☐ Gloves
☐ Boot polish
☐ Spurs
☐ Garment bag
☐ Sunscreen/lip balm
☐ Mirror

FIRST AID KIT (for you and your horse)
☐ Thermometer
☐ Cotton wraps
☐ Betadine
☐ Scissors
☐ Triple antibiotic ointment
☐ Ice Packs
☐ Vetwrap
☐ Bandaids
☐ Non-stick gauze pads
☐ Aspirin
☐ Elastic adhesive tape
☐ Insect repellent for you
☐ Cellphone & charger
☐ Trash bags
☐ Batteries
☐ Wet wipes
☐ Kleenex