During show season, schedules get fuller and more hectic. And when life gets busier, it gets easier to forget necessities when you hit the road. This handy checklist will help ensure that you have what you need, where you need it, so you can focus on your horse and your riding rather than on that necessary item you left sitting at home on the counter.
[READ: Long-Distance Horse Hauling]
Paperwork
- Original or photocopy of registration papers
- Coggins certificate, if needed
- Health certificate, if needed
- Association membership and amateur/youth cards
- Show bill
- Rulebook
- Paper and pens/pencils
- Horse and personal insurance card
- Map/directions to the show facility; phone number to call in case you get lost
- Emergency equine roadside service phone number (try USRider Equestrian Motor Plan: [800] 844-1409, USRider.org)
- Cash/checkbook/credit cards
[READ: Get Ready to Show]
Gear
- Saddles
- Saddle pads or blankets (schooling and show)
- Cinch or girth
- Bridles (schooling and show)
- Bits
- Tie down and/or martingale
- Breast collar
- Show halter/lead
- Draw reins, if you use them
- Extra pair of reins
- Extra stirrup leathers
- Spurs
- Chain shank
- Whip/crop
- Protective legwear
- Spare bridle screws and screwdriver
- Leather hole punch
- Tack trunk
- Saddle covers
Horse Care Items
- Feed
- Feed bucket or tub
- Supplements
- Hay
- Hay net
- Water buckets (two per stall)
- Bucket hooks and/or snaps
- Stall fans
- Extension cords
- Duct tape and bungee cords
- Tools
- Molasses, cider vinegar, Jell-O, or Kool-Aid (to flavor water so your horse will drink)
- Electrolyte paste or powder (if it’s hot; consult your vet)
- Manure fork and bucket or wheelbarrow
- Broom
- Bedding shavings or straw (if you’re not required to buy on site)
- Horse blanket and hood, if needed
- Sheet or fly net/fly mask
- Cooler, if needed
- Shipping boots
- Halter and lead rope (two of each)
- Tail/leg wraps
- Longe line
- Treats
[READ: Motivation for Horse Showing]
Tack Care
- Old toothbrush for cleaning saddle stitching and tooling
- Saddle oil
- Sponges/cloths
- Roll of paper towels
- Silver polish
- Small bucket
- Bit wipes
- Saddle soap/leather cleaner
[READ: Show Saddle Care]
First Aid (for you and your horse)
- Complete vet kit (consult with your vet for suggested items)
- Equine first-aid book (such as Hands- On Horse Care, available at HorseBooksEtc.com)
- Your vet’s phone number/local vet’s phone number
- Iodine-based antiseptic solution (Betadine)
- Triple antibiotic ointment
- Nonstick gauze pads
- Self-conforming gauze rolls
- Stretch bandaging tape
- Elastic adhesive tape
- Scissors
- Cotton/disposable diaper or sanitary pad (to use under wraps as an emergency bandage)
- Chemical ice pack
- Liniment
- Sunscreen (for you and your horses)
- Bute and Banamine (if needed and your show association permits)
- Eye flush
- Pain reliever (for you)
- Human first-aid kit
[READ: First-Aid for Horses]
Grooming Supplies
- Curry comb
- Brushes
- Towels
- Sponges
- Hoof pick
- Sweat scraper
- Bucket
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Spray-on coat conditioner
- Mane/tail detangler
- Fly spray/insect repellent
- Hose, if needed, plus nozzle
- Baby powder or corn starch (for brightening white markings)
- Baby oil or commercial highlighter (to dress eyes and muzzle)
- Hoof sealer or hoof black (if your association permits)
- Electric and/or battery-operated clippers
- Disposable razor (for last-minute whisker shaving)
- Mane/tail comb
- Hair brush
- Rubber bands for banding
- Yarn for braiding
- Scissors
- Tail wrap
Miscellaneous
- Emergency cash
- Jacks/spare tire/tools for vehicle and trailer
- Jumper cables/spare fuses
- Flashlight/batteries/emergency flares
- Camera and/or video recorder
- Folding chairs
- Plastic bags
- Extra clothes
- Extra paper towels
- Antibacterial wipes
- Umbrella/sun shade
- Trailer block
- Insect repellent for you
- Ice chest
- Cold drinks/bottled water
- Nutritious snacks: fruit, sandwiches, granola bars, energy bars, nuts
- Paper cups
- Reading material for downtime
- Box for putting awards in (to protect them)
- Cell phone
Rider Attire/Personal Grooming
- Pants (jeans/show pants)
- Chaps
- Shirt (Western shirt/slinky)
- Neck scarf
- Tie, pin, or choker
- Coat or vest
- Boots (schooling and show)/socks
- Boot pulls
- Gloves
- Belt and buckle
- Sports bra
- Hat/helmet
- Baseball cap/sunglasses for sun protection
- Hair nets (bring several that match your hair color)
- Bobby pins
- Safety pins
- Grooming apron/coveralls
- Schooling clothes
- Hair comb/brush
- Hairspray/gel
- Mirror
- Appropriate jewelry
- Rain jacket
- Rubber rain boots
- Extra towels
- Boot polish and rags
- Hat brush
- Stain remover
- Sewing kit and scissors
[READ: The ‘Secret’ of Champion Riders]
