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Get ready for the season: H&H’s ultimate showing checklist for when competitions recommence


  • When shows finally start up again, you’re likely to be a little rusty. While we can’t ride your show for you, H&H are here to help you pack your own and your horse’s bags.

    Assuming your horse or pony is already bathed, rugged and plaited if necessary, here is an essential checklist to go through the night before, so you’ve got all the gear — and hopefully some idea — when you go out showing again:

    Travel essentials

    Travel boots/bandages
    Tail bandage
    Clean headcollar and rope (pack a spare rope incase one snaps)
    Travel rug or lycra bodysuit if your horse travels in one
    Haynet for the journey

    Things you need in your lorry/trailer

    Horse water
    Water buckets (for drinking and washing)
    Spare hay
    Muck skip and fork
    Sponges and sweat scraper
    Mounting steps
    Human and equine first aid kit

    *If your lorry hasn’t been used in a while make sure it still runs safely and passes any essential checks before you hit the road. Also ensure your MOT and tax is up to date and that you have up to date breakdown cover.

    Grooming kit

    Brushes (dandy, body, face)
    Basket
    Curry comb
    Mane comb
    Plaiting bands/needle and thread
    Tail brush
    Detangler
    Make-up or gloss
    Shine spray
    Trimming clippers
    Baby oil
    Baby wipes
    Ear plugs
    Quarter mark spray and tools
    Polos
    Fly spray
    Hoof pick
    Hoof oil and brush
    Leg whitener if needed
    Hole punch
    Scissors
    Towel or cloth
    Washing equipment

    Tack and horse kit

    Show saddle
    Show bridle
    Bits
    Numnah
    Girth
    Working in tack if different to show tack
    Martingale and breastplates if needed
    Lunge line
    Spare set of stirrup leathers and reins
    Working in boots or working hunter boots
    Tack cleaning kit
    Cooler rug
    Waterproof sheet
    Fly sheet
    Bandages and wraps

    Rider clothes

    Riding hat
    Jodhpurs and breeches
    Shirt
    Tie and pin
    Hairnet (if applicable)
    Boots
    Spurs (if necessary)
    Jacket
    Gloves
    Body protector (for working hunter pony classes)
    Schooling whip
    Show cane or whip
    Number
    Evening performance gear (if necessary)
    Overcoat or waterproof

    Paper work

    Horse passport
    Lorry/trailer breakdown insurance documents
    Entry confirmation (and horsebox pass)
    Society membership cards
    Copy of the schedule and timetable
    Catalogue (if pre-sent)
    Postcode/address of the event
    Cash to buy cheesy chips/ice cream/favourite professional photographs from the day — some outlets only accept cash.
    Back number

    Continued below…

    Miscellaneous

    Towels
    Dog poo bags and lead
    Bottled water
    Snacks
    Suntan lotion – for you and your horse
    Clothes for post-class relaxing
    Sturdy boots depending on how friendly the weather is
    Champagne flutes (and something to put in them)


    Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

    Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout major shows like London International and more with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

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