First the good news: You’re planning to attend your first horse show. You’ve been training with your horse for months. The two of you are ready, willing and able. Both of you are in top form; you couldn’t be better.
More good news: You’re attending World Equestrian Center (WEC), the largest indoor equestrian arena in the United States. It is nationally recognized as a first-class facility for horse shows.
Even more good news: WEC in Southwest Ohio is known for showcasing its exemplary equine-related disciplines. WEC has more than 100,000 square feet of climate-controlled riding space.
Now for the bad news: You arrive at WEC only to discover you have completely forgotten to bring a dozen necessary pieces of equipment or items. Your horse show experience suddenly turns sour.
Back to the good news: You’re reading this article. We’re going to tell you exactly what you’ll need to be prepared for a horse show.
HorseChannel.com provides a checklist of the absolute necessities to make your equestrian experience wonderful.
Paperwork:
- Map to WEC
- Show information
- Rulebook
- Membership cards
- Horse registration
- Health certificate, coggins other required veterinary information
- Emergency telephone numbers
- Test booklet, NRHA patterns
- Checkbook, wallet and identification
- Veterinarian phone number
Traveling:
- Truck and trailer registration
- Head bumper
- Shipping boots or wraps
- Tail bandage
- Stable sheet
- Leather or breakaway 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
You:
- Sunblock
- Sunglasses
- Hat or cap
- Comfortable clothes and 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
Your Horse:
- Bridles
- Bits
- Saddles
- Saddle pads
- Cinches and girths
- Legwear
- Approved martingales or other auxiliary tack
- Spare stirrups and leathers
- Breastplate, as needed
- Whip/crop
- Longeline 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)
Grooming:
- Fly spray
- Buckets
- Shampoo, conditioner, detangler
- Sweat scraper
- Brushes, curries
- Hoof pick
- Coat polish
- Spot remover and whitening product
- Sponges and rags
- Hoof dressing, polish
- Grooming tote
- Leather cleaner
- Cordless clippers
- Water in a spray bottle
- Braiding kit, banding supplies
- Scissors
- Ribbons for mane
- 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, other protective gear
- Coat, jacket or vest
- Show shirt
- Helmet or hat
- Hair net/hair accessories
- Tie, pin, scarf, choker
- Underpasses
- Gloves
- Belt, buckle
- Rain gear, if needed
WEC has bedding available for purchase and the climate-controlled facility removes the need for additional blankets and coolers during shows. WEC is a complete, full-service show facility, designed and operated by a family who owns and shows horses. Call us today for more information or to book a show!