Although we’ve been to lots of horse shows over the years, today marks the first day we’re participating in an event class. Specifically, I’m running Romeo in the barrels. Here I am the morning of the event, nervous and realizing I wish I had spent more time practicing. But I promised myself I’d do this and I know it will be good experience for me and Romeo. He is experienced so he mostly knows what to do. It’s a matter of me being able to give him the right cues at the right times.
Having never been to a show as a participant, I’m amazed at what goes into preparation. If you’re a regular participant, you already know this but you can’t really just load and go. That’s especially true for the first show of the season. There’s tack to clean, a horse to clean, making sure…well, let me make a list:
- Check horse trailer for wasp nest. (I almost learn this the hard way last year)
- Check tires on horse trailer for proper inflation and dry rot/wear
- Clean tack (watch for wasps!)
- Assemble grooming kit for show grooming
- Locate Coggins papers (can’t trailer without them)
- Find my bumper spurs (and straps)
- Run through a list of all tack needed and load into tack trunk
- Charge camera batteries and remember to bring them
- Get cash for entry fee, class fees and concession stand (we’ll be there a long time)
- Load hay and a bring water bucket
- Bring lawn chairs (sitting on the ground gets old)
- Bring umbrella (chance of rain today)
- Optional but maybe bring a cooler and sodas
That list may not look bad but some of those things take time, like cleaning tack. I’m glad the show isn’t until 3 PM because I need some time to run through this list.
Did I forget anything?
My daughter does all the local 4-H shows, along with a few open ones – probably not quite as competitive as what you’re doing today but enough to ensure a good case of nerves nonetheless. We have gradually made sure that our grooming and tack kits always include: safety pins, scissors, duct tape and extra Chicago screws. Showing is fun – I hope you have a great day!
It’ll become more automatic as you do more. What sort of special grooming stuff do you need for a barrel race? And Coggins? Can’t say I’ve gotten one since I since Marshmellow out of state. Never got one for LH.
So….where’s the show update???
How’d it go?
Give us the scoop!
~Lisa