Shows are so much fun, right? But show day weather can vary so much in different seasons. Here are some tips to get you and your horse ready to show, how to prepare for any kind of weather, fight your nerves, and a checklist of essential items to bring to your show.

No matter what discipline you show, always make sure you’re prepared. Work out any problems you have BEFORE the show, not in the practice ring or in the arena. If you ride hunters or jumpers, make sure you know how high you have to jump in your classes and what types of obstacles you have to jump. Make some “scary” and unusual jumps at home so you and your horse are prepared for anything in the ring (example: drape a blanket over a vertical, use a wheelbarrow for filling with an oxer, etc.)! It’s also a great idea to have jumped some jumps a couple inches higher than the level you’re showing, so you know that you can easily get around the course. If you’re doing a trail class or horsemanship pattern, practice questions that will can be asked of you and your horse on show day. For example, in your trail class you have to pick up a raincoat and drape it over your horse’s neck. Practice that at home, and get your horse totally desensitized to the flapping and potentially scary sound of the plastic. If in your horsemanship pattern you have to lope from a halt, incorporate different gait transitions in your schooling. You can jog from a halt, come back down to a walk, then lope, and halt; things that will keep your horse’s mind fresh and ready for anything. If you’re just doing a rail class, practice riding with several other horses and riders when you’re schooling so that your horse doesn’t become distracted by the presence of other horses in the ring. Practice gait transitions, perfecting your horse’s headset, lengthening its stride, anything that will help you in the show ring.

Nervousness on show day is incredibly common. I know I always get nervous in the days before a show, and even more so on show day. It’s fine to be nervous. It keeps you on your toes and paying attention, and can keep you just scared enough that you make sure you do a great job. If you start getting REALLY nervous, though, take a little break from whatever you’re doing. Go to a quiet place and read a book for a few minutes, play a card game with some riding buddies, or watch another class. Don’t overwork your horse if you get nervous. It’s pretty hard sometimes, but all your horse really needs before your turn in the arena is a quick refresher of what it needs to do that day. Pop over a few practice jumps (don’t jump your horse to death, or it can get bored or cranky when you’re actually showing), practice upward and downward transitions to keep your horse fresh and paying attention, trot or jog over a few poles, then STOP. Don’t keep going once your horse is in the right mood, or you might spoil it.

It seems as if there’s never perfect weather for a show. In winter, it’s too cold; spring, the temperature can jump around throughout the day (not to mention unpredictable rain!); fall, much the same as spring; and summer, almost always too hot. In the winter, you can always bring along a portable heater and lots of layers (for you and your horse). Spring and fall can require a jacket and/or tank top when you’re not showing, a raincoat, and a saddle cover. In the summer, portable fans and a cooler full of drinks can be lifesavers. Try to check the weather forecast throughout the week leading up to your show, so you have a rough estimate of what the weather will be like.

Everyone fears that they’ll leave something behind at the barn on show day. I know I’ve done that before, and it can really get you into a jam. Here’s a checklist of essential items that are practical necessities at shows:

-All your tack (saddle, bridle, girth/cinch, harness, or cart)

-Any boots your horse wears while being ridden (you can always put these on for schooling before a show, but consult your trainer or check in the rule book to determine if you can use your horse’s boots while you’re showing)

-All of your show clothes (show jacket, ratcatcher, jodhpurs/breeches, helmet/hat, show shirt, chaps, boots)

-An extra pair of reins and/or peacock rings if you have peacock (breakaway) stirrups

-First aid kit (for you and your horse)

-A blanket or cooler if it’s cold or rainy

-A saddle cover to protect your saddle from dirt or rain

-Extra yarn and a needle/latchook if you braid, extra rubber bands if you band (in case your horse runs a braid or band out in the trailer)

-A portable heater if it’s cold, a portable fan if it’s hot

-Raincoat

-If you’re at an two or longer day show and have a stall at the show grounds, a hood from Sleazy Sleepwear is great for protecting your horse’s braided or banded mane

-A tailbag if your horse has a very long tail

-If you use tail extensions, bring yours along and make sure you know how to put it on

-A deck of cards to play a game with a few friends if you get bored

-A rag to buff your boots with before going into the arena

-Some money to buy food at a stand if you didn’t bring your own food

-A BUNCH of drinks (in a cooler if it’s hot)

-A sense of humor and a smile

Keep these tips in mind and you’ll have a great show experience!