Do you own a senior horse?
Yes, my horse is older than 20 years
My horse is between 15 and 20 years old
My horse is younger than 15
I don't currently own a senior horse, but I like to know about senior horse care
I don’t plan to own an older horse.
2010 FEI World Equestrian Games
The countdown has begun!

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND INFORMATION »

Horse Show Checklist

Follow this checklist to ensure you have everything you need.

Paperwork:

Map to showgrounds
Show information
Rulebook
Membership cards
Horse registration
Health certificate, coggins, other required veterinary information
Emergency telephone numbers
Test booklet (dressage riders); NRHA patterns (reiners)
Checkbook/wallet/I.D.
Veterinarian phone number

For Travel:

Truck and trailer registration
Head bumper
Shipping boots or wraps
Tail bandage
Stable sheet
Leather or breakway halters
Lead ropes
Ties
Jack for trailer
Tail bag/wrap
Spare tire
Jack
Manure fork
Emergency phone numbers in case of breakdown
Trailer first-aid kit
Plenty of stored water for horse(s); buckets

For You:

Sunblock
Sunglasses
Hat or cap
Comfortable clothes/shoes for after competition
Beverages and snacks
Folding chairs
Aspirin, Band-Aids
Camera
Cell phone
Lint remover
Toiletries
Safety pins and sewing kit
Grooming apron or other cover-up

For Your Horse:

Bridles
Bits
Saddles
Saddle pads
Cinches/girths
Legwear (for warm-up, as well as show-ring--as dictated by your discipline)
Approved martingales or other auxillary tack
Spare stirrups and leathers
Breast plate, as needed
Whip/crop
Longe line and longe whip (optional)
Stud chain (optional)
Halter and lead line, plus a spare
Horse blanket and cooler (optional)
Drinking water and bucket
Hay/haynet, other feed
Equine first-aid kit
Treats
Stall guard and screw eyes (if you’re boarding overnight)

For Grooming:

Fly spray
Buckets
Shampoo / conditioner / detangler
Sweat scraper
Brushes, curries
Hoof pick
Coat polish
Spot remover and/or whitening product
Sponges and rags
Hoof dressing / polish
Grooming tote
Leather cleaner
Cordless clippers (for missed hairs)
Water in a spray bottle
Braiding kit / banding supplies
Scissors
Ribbons for mane (saddleseat)
Rain gear, if needed

Show Apparel:

Breeches/jodphurs
Jeans or show pants
Chaps
Boots
Boot pulls and jack
Boot socks
Boot polish
Spurs
Shin and knee guards (games/gymkhana); other protective gear
Coat, jacket or vest
Show shirt
Helmet or hat
Hair net/hair accessories
Tie / pin / scarf / choker
Underpasses (saddleseat)
Gloves
Belt/buckle
Rain gear, if needed

 Give us your opinion on
Horse Show Checklist
Submit a Comment
Reader Comments
SOOOOO HELPFUL
bri, janesville, WI
Posted: 10/23/2009 3:08:12 PM
Great list, helps a lot. THe only thing I would add is any meds your horse is on, or supplements they're used to taking (as long as they test clean of course) so you don't change the routine too much
Christine, Fallon, NV
Posted: 9/29/2009 12:22:57 PM
Great tips!
K, ?, NJ
Posted: 9/8/2009 4:23:12 AM
Thank You so much for tacking the time to do this list. I have gone to so many horse shows and forgotten so much, but now with this list i have not forgotten anything!!!
Aubry, Sutter Creek, CA
Posted: 8/29/2009 5:45:36 PM
View Current Comments


Hi my name's Sonador Lace(look at me and vote!)

Visit the Photo Gallery to
cast your vote!