Attending Horse Shows
Hello everyone, after the last show we attended I had some ideas that I wanted to share with all of you on how we can better streamline and organize our attendance of horse shows. I’ve attached a “Horse Show Checklist” for you to go over; please make sure you have all the necessary equipment for you and your horse. I am also attaching a Show Protocol outline to help answer some frequently asked questions as well as to give new participants and parents an idea of how the show experience works.
I want to thank all of you who have been attending the shows with us as well as all of those who are interested in starting to attend. It was less than a year ago that I moved my business to Circle K Stables and I am absolutely thrilled to have so many dedicated and enthusiastic students in such a short period of time! I greatly look forward to many more horse show adventures and memories with all of you.
Take Care - Sanaa
Horse Show Equipment Checklist
Horse:
-Halter, Lead rope, and Stud chain
-Full Set (4) of Standing Bandages and Standing Wraps for Shipping
(Check with Breanna or Sanaa on appropriate sizing for your horse)
-Hay Bag or Hay Net
-5 gallon Water Bucket with Stud chain (for hanging the bucket)
-Prepackaged bags of supplemental feed (for overnight or multiple day shows only)
-Full Set (4) of Polo Wraps (black or white) to warm your horse up in:
-For Jumpers: Full Set of Jumper boots for competition
-For Equitation: Full Set of Equitation boots for competition
-Light and Heavy Stable Blankets (weather dependant)
-Cooler
-Lunge Whip and Lunge Line (if your horse needs to be lunged)
Tack:
-Saddle/Stirrup Leathers/Stirrups and Cover
-Saddle Pad (fitted fleece pad for hunters and equitation, square quilted pad for jumpers)
-Any additional pads required for your horse (half pad, gel pad, no-slip pad, etc…)
-Girth (hunter and equitation horses must have leather girths)
-Bridle with Bit (include any additional bits your horse may require for showing)
-Martingale (if needed)
-Tack Cleaning Kit
Rider:
-Tall Leather Riding Boots or Jodhpur Boots with Garter Straps (for small children)
-Spurs with black leather Spur Straps (additional sizes of spurs if needed)
-Show Crop (black or brown)
-Show Breeches
-Black Leather Belt
-Polo Shirt or Rugby Shirt (for jumper riders only)
-Show Shirt with “rat catcher” collar or shirt and tie (for boys and men)
-Riding Jacket (If you only own one riding coat it should be Navy Blue)
-Helmet (if you have long hair, you must have a helmet that’s fit allows you to fully tuck your hair up under the helmet)
-Rider’s Hairnets that match your hair color (for girls and women with long hair)
-Black Show Gloves
-Boot Polishing Kit
Grooming Equipment:
-Hard and Soft Bristled Brushes
-Grooming Mitt or Curry Comb
-Hoof Pick with Brush
-Mane and Tail Brush
-Plenty of Clean Rags
-Hair Conditioner
-Fly Spray
-Thrush Medicine
-Hoof Polish (Fiebing’s is the best show polish)
Additional:
-Large Rubber-maid type container to put all of your supplies in (for day shows)
-Tack Trunk (for multiple day shows)
-Change of clothing to wear before and after you compete (so that your show clothes stay clean)
-Sun screen, bottled water, and snacks
-Small sewing kit (for emergency repairs)
***NOTE*** To help prevent loss please make sure that all of your equipment is clearly labeled with your name and/or your horses name!!!
Day-Show Protocol
Preparation:
-Your horse needs to be “show ready” prior to the day of the show. This means the horse should be fully bathed the day before; your horse should also have it’s whiskers, ears, bridle path and legs neatly clipped, and mane and tail trimmed according to the divisions you are showing in. (banged tail for jumpers, trimmed tail for hunters and equitation)
-All of your tack should be cleaned and polished to perfection prior to the horse show. When you are at the show you may need to “touch up” your tack to keep it looking its best, but you do not want to have to be thoroughly cleaning anything the day of the show!
-Riding boots should be thoroughly cleaned and polished in advance; we suggest that you do not put your riding boots on until it is time for you to get on your horse.
Shipping:
-Typically for day shows we will be shipping the horses very early in the morning. Horses may be wrapped in their standing bandages (a.k.a. shipping wraps) the night prior to the day of the show, if your horse likes to chew on their bandages then it is best if you get to the stable extra early and wrap your horse’s legs the morning of the show prior to shipping.
-We will arrange for horse trailer/trailers to transport your horses. It is your responsibility to prepare your horse properly for shipping and be there the morning of (unless you have made prior arrangements) to assist in the trailer loading process.
-It is your responsibility to transport all of the equipment needed for your horse and yourself to the show.
-We will arrange for hay for the horses and a mounting block to be brought to the show for everyone’s use.
Arrival:
-Upon arrival at the horse show we will unload the horses right away, once the horses are out and tied to the trailers it is your responsibility to immediately make sure that they are supplied with hay (you will need to fill your own hay bag or net) and have access to a full water bucket.
FYI-For safety hay bags/nets should be hung above the height of your horse’s shoulder, water buckets should be about chest height.
-Also, please note that the horses should never be left unattended while tied to the trailer. Please make arrangements for someone to watch your horse if you need to leave the area for any reason.
-If your horse needs to be lunged it is your responsibility to lunge it; if you need assistance lunging please make prior arrangements with a more experienced student to help you. (Breanna and I will help if we can but we are usually very busy prior to the start of the show schooling horses and riders in the show rings)
-If you need to school your horse in the show ring prior to the start of the show, you will need to be prepared to tack up and ride your horse immediately upon arrival. (note: feeding and watering the horse should always come first)
Showtime:
-We will post an approximate schedule of when you and your horse need to be ready for your classes on a dry erase board on the main horse trailer. It’s also important to note that the show schedule is subject to change at any time depending on participants cancelling or adding classes throughout the day, therefore you should always be prepared in case you need to ride earlier or later than expected.
-Make sure you know which classes you will be competing in. If you have time prior to getting on your horse you should try to familiarize yourself with the courses (courses will be posted near the show ring gates) that you will be competing over. Breanna and I will go over the courses with you prior to your classes but it is always best to be prepared early.
-Hunter and Equitation students need to remember:
-You can warm your horse up in polo wraps but they need to be removed prior to your hunter classes.
-Equitation boots should be put on for the Equitation over fences and Equitation on the flat classes only.
-Martingales need to be removed for all flat classes.
-Jumper students please pay attention to when the jumper ring is set for your classes and available to be walked. They will usually allow you to walk the course during the down time between classes while they are adjusting the jump heights and changing the jump numbers and timers.
Finishing Up
-When you are all done with your classes for the day you can go ahead and take your horse back to the trailer and groom it, rewrap its shipping bandages and pack up all of your equipment so that you are ready to go when the last student finishes competing for the day.
-When we arrive back at the barn please make sure to clean and return any borrowed equipment promptly.
Payment
-When we register for the horse shows you will need to fill out an entry form as well as provide an open check to the horse show venue. At the end of the horse show you can go to the show office and close out your check (this check will be used to pay for your classes and any additional fees charged by the show), if you do not close out your check then we will do it for you.
-At the end of the horse show you will receive an invoice from our stable (Sanaa Pharayra Stables) for day fees/coaching fees ($50/day), horse transportation expenses, and any additional charges related to the show. Payment for these services is due by the end of the last day of the show.
Teamwork
-Horse shows are a very busy time for trainers. We will always do our best to make sure that each student and their horse receives the attention from us that they need to do their best at the show. Some of you have the benefit of having shown many times in the past while others may be attending their very first show; we can all benefit immensely by working together as a team. If you are finished showing for the day or if you have some “down time” before your classes please take the time to see if you can help any of your fellow riders. We all love horses and riding and enjoy the memories created by each adventure to a horse show and there is nothing better than being able to share those memories with your fellow barnpals!
I want to thank all of you who have been attending the shows with us as well as all of those who are interested in starting to attend. It was less than a year ago that I moved my business to Circle K Stables and I am absolutely thrilled to have so many dedicated and enthusiastic students in such a short period of time! I greatly look forward to many more horse show adventures and memories with all of you.
Take Care - Sanaa
Horse Show Equipment Checklist
Horse:
-Halter, Lead rope, and Stud chain
-Full Set (4) of Standing Bandages and Standing Wraps for Shipping
(Check with Breanna or Sanaa on appropriate sizing for your horse)
-Hay Bag or Hay Net
-5 gallon Water Bucket with Stud chain (for hanging the bucket)
-Prepackaged bags of supplemental feed (for overnight or multiple day shows only)
-Full Set (4) of Polo Wraps (black or white) to warm your horse up in:
-For Jumpers: Full Set of Jumper boots for competition
-For Equitation: Full Set of Equitation boots for competition
-Light and Heavy Stable Blankets (weather dependant)
-Cooler
-Lunge Whip and Lunge Line (if your horse needs to be lunged)
Tack:
-Saddle/Stirrup Leathers/Stirrups and Cover
-Saddle Pad (fitted fleece pad for hunters and equitation, square quilted pad for jumpers)
-Any additional pads required for your horse (half pad, gel pad, no-slip pad, etc…)
-Girth (hunter and equitation horses must have leather girths)
-Bridle with Bit (include any additional bits your horse may require for showing)
-Martingale (if needed)
-Tack Cleaning Kit
Rider:
-Tall Leather Riding Boots or Jodhpur Boots with Garter Straps (for small children)
-Spurs with black leather Spur Straps (additional sizes of spurs if needed)
-Show Crop (black or brown)
-Show Breeches
-Black Leather Belt
-Polo Shirt or Rugby Shirt (for jumper riders only)
-Show Shirt with “rat catcher” collar or shirt and tie (for boys and men)
-Riding Jacket (If you only own one riding coat it should be Navy Blue)
-Helmet (if you have long hair, you must have a helmet that’s fit allows you to fully tuck your hair up under the helmet)
-Rider’s Hairnets that match your hair color (for girls and women with long hair)
-Black Show Gloves
-Boot Polishing Kit
Grooming Equipment:
-Hard and Soft Bristled Brushes
-Grooming Mitt or Curry Comb
-Hoof Pick with Brush
-Mane and Tail Brush
-Plenty of Clean Rags
-Hair Conditioner
-Fly Spray
-Thrush Medicine
-Hoof Polish (Fiebing’s is the best show polish)
Additional:
-Large Rubber-maid type container to put all of your supplies in (for day shows)
-Tack Trunk (for multiple day shows)
-Change of clothing to wear before and after you compete (so that your show clothes stay clean)
-Sun screen, bottled water, and snacks
-Small sewing kit (for emergency repairs)
***NOTE*** To help prevent loss please make sure that all of your equipment is clearly labeled with your name and/or your horses name!!!
Day-Show Protocol
Preparation:
-Your horse needs to be “show ready” prior to the day of the show. This means the horse should be fully bathed the day before; your horse should also have it’s whiskers, ears, bridle path and legs neatly clipped, and mane and tail trimmed according to the divisions you are showing in. (banged tail for jumpers, trimmed tail for hunters and equitation)
-All of your tack should be cleaned and polished to perfection prior to the horse show. When you are at the show you may need to “touch up” your tack to keep it looking its best, but you do not want to have to be thoroughly cleaning anything the day of the show!
-Riding boots should be thoroughly cleaned and polished in advance; we suggest that you do not put your riding boots on until it is time for you to get on your horse.
Shipping:
-Typically for day shows we will be shipping the horses very early in the morning. Horses may be wrapped in their standing bandages (a.k.a. shipping wraps) the night prior to the day of the show, if your horse likes to chew on their bandages then it is best if you get to the stable extra early and wrap your horse’s legs the morning of the show prior to shipping.
-We will arrange for horse trailer/trailers to transport your horses. It is your responsibility to prepare your horse properly for shipping and be there the morning of (unless you have made prior arrangements) to assist in the trailer loading process.
-It is your responsibility to transport all of the equipment needed for your horse and yourself to the show.
-We will arrange for hay for the horses and a mounting block to be brought to the show for everyone’s use.
Arrival:
-Upon arrival at the horse show we will unload the horses right away, once the horses are out and tied to the trailers it is your responsibility to immediately make sure that they are supplied with hay (you will need to fill your own hay bag or net) and have access to a full water bucket.
FYI-For safety hay bags/nets should be hung above the height of your horse’s shoulder, water buckets should be about chest height.
-Also, please note that the horses should never be left unattended while tied to the trailer. Please make arrangements for someone to watch your horse if you need to leave the area for any reason.
-If your horse needs to be lunged it is your responsibility to lunge it; if you need assistance lunging please make prior arrangements with a more experienced student to help you. (Breanna and I will help if we can but we are usually very busy prior to the start of the show schooling horses and riders in the show rings)
-If you need to school your horse in the show ring prior to the start of the show, you will need to be prepared to tack up and ride your horse immediately upon arrival. (note: feeding and watering the horse should always come first)
Showtime:
-We will post an approximate schedule of when you and your horse need to be ready for your classes on a dry erase board on the main horse trailer. It’s also important to note that the show schedule is subject to change at any time depending on participants cancelling or adding classes throughout the day, therefore you should always be prepared in case you need to ride earlier or later than expected.
-Make sure you know which classes you will be competing in. If you have time prior to getting on your horse you should try to familiarize yourself with the courses (courses will be posted near the show ring gates) that you will be competing over. Breanna and I will go over the courses with you prior to your classes but it is always best to be prepared early.
-Hunter and Equitation students need to remember:
-You can warm your horse up in polo wraps but they need to be removed prior to your hunter classes.
-Equitation boots should be put on for the Equitation over fences and Equitation on the flat classes only.
-Martingales need to be removed for all flat classes.
-Jumper students please pay attention to when the jumper ring is set for your classes and available to be walked. They will usually allow you to walk the course during the down time between classes while they are adjusting the jump heights and changing the jump numbers and timers.
Finishing Up
-When you are all done with your classes for the day you can go ahead and take your horse back to the trailer and groom it, rewrap its shipping bandages and pack up all of your equipment so that you are ready to go when the last student finishes competing for the day.
-When we arrive back at the barn please make sure to clean and return any borrowed equipment promptly.
Payment
-When we register for the horse shows you will need to fill out an entry form as well as provide an open check to the horse show venue. At the end of the horse show you can go to the show office and close out your check (this check will be used to pay for your classes and any additional fees charged by the show), if you do not close out your check then we will do it for you.
-At the end of the horse show you will receive an invoice from our stable (Sanaa Pharayra Stables) for day fees/coaching fees ($50/day), horse transportation expenses, and any additional charges related to the show. Payment for these services is due by the end of the last day of the show.
Teamwork
-Horse shows are a very busy time for trainers. We will always do our best to make sure that each student and their horse receives the attention from us that they need to do their best at the show. Some of you have the benefit of having shown many times in the past while others may be attending their very first show; we can all benefit immensely by working together as a team. If you are finished showing for the day or if you have some “down time” before your classes please take the time to see if you can help any of your fellow riders. We all love horses and riding and enjoy the memories created by each adventure to a horse show and there is nothing better than being able to share those memories with your fellow barnpals!
posted by Sanaa Pharayra at
6:18 PM
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