| you’re getting ready for a horse show, | | | | classes, take yours just in case. If your trainer is taking |
| it’s always best to have a list of things you | | | | a group of riders to a show, there will probably be |
| need to take with you. Invariably everyone forgets | | | | extras of everything, but that doesn’t mean it |
| something, so it’s best if you have your own list | | | | will fit you or your horse. Check to make sure your |
| of tings to bring and your trainer has his or hers. | | | | horse will be braided if needed. Most barns have a |
| Don’t depend on someone else to organize | | | | braider lined up to do all the horses. |
| you or remember to your tack or show clothes. | | | | Clothes |
| Clothes and tack change with the type of show | | | | The discipline you’re showing in requires you to |
| you’re riding in or the discipline – western | | | | dress a certain way and have a certain look. Hunter |
| riders don’t have to braid their horse’s | | | | shows tend to be more formal as do some western |
| manes; whereas most hunter classes require horses | | | | pleasure classes. Saddlebred and dressage shows |
| be braided. Various disciplines have different | | | | are also formal in their horse/rider turnout. Riders are |
| requirements, but you’ll still need to have the | | | | required to have safety helmets for hunter/jumpers, |
| basics covered. | | | | endurance riding, and eventing. Britches, coats, shirts, |
| The Paperwork | | | | and boots are also required for dressage and hunter |
| You’ll need a copy of your Coggins test, which | | | | shows. Endurance riding, some western classes, |
| needs to be updates each year. Horse shows | | | | jumpers, and some phases of eventing have more |
| won’t take last years’ Coggins test. If | | | | relaxed requirements. All riders and horses need to be |
| you’re traveling out of state, you must have an | | | | presentable and clean in their appearance. |
| interstate health certificate which includes a negative | | | | Transportation |
| coggins and a veterinary exam. Also, make sure all | | | | You or your trainer will need to make sure your horse |
| your vacccinations are up to date. When you travel | | | | gets to the show. Usually your trainer will organize |
| with your horse and are at a horse show, there are | | | | shipping for you. Make sure you have clean wraps |
| many opportunies for diseases to be picked up from | | | | ready for shipping and have someone wrap your |
| other horses. Class choices, paperwork and stall fees | | | | horse if you don’t do it. You’ll also need |
| can be mailed in a few weeks ahead of your show | | | | to reserve a stall for your horse. |
| date. This gives the show staff a rough count of how | | | | It doesn’t matter what level you show at or |
| many horses and riders to expect.. | | | | what discipline you’re in, showing your horse is |
| Tack | | | | expensive. The more prepared you are for a show, |
| Make sure your tack – saddle and bridle -- is | | | | the more relaxed you’ll be and hopefully the |
| clean and polished and take extra soap, oil and a cloth | | | | more fun you’ll have. And chances are, |
| in case you need to do a last minute clean up. Take | | | | you’ll bring home some well deserved ribbons |
| an extra bridle if you have one and a couple clean | | | | for all your effort! |
| saddle pads. If you need a martingale for jumping | | | | |