Horse Show Packing List: 85 Must-Haves for Equestrian Competitions

Here's a handy checklist of 85 items to pack before leaving for a horse show.

By assembling the appropriate items ahead of time, a horseback rider will be free to focus on the upcoming competition, rather than scrambling to load up for the trip.

This basic list includes necessities for equestrians who show their horses under saddle. Whether hauling one's own horses or hiring an equine transport service, equestrian competitors will want to plan and pack well for every horse show.

1. Baling twine (for quick fixes and ribbon displays)
2. Bridle and bucket hooks
3. Bridles (at least one extra set)
4. Broom and dustpan
5. Camera (and videocamera)
6. Cash and checkbook
7. Cellular phone (and car charger)
8. Coat shine spray
9. Cold packs (for horses and humans)
10. Dolly or hand cart
11. Drinking cups (for humans)
12. Drinking water (at least one day's worth for each horse)
13. Duct tape
14. Emergency phone numbers
15. Extension cords
16. Facial tissue
17. Feed bucket (at least one per horse)
18. Feed supplements (clearly marked for each horse)
19. Fire extinguisher
20. First aid kit (for horses and humans)
21. Flashlight (and extra batteries)
22. Fly spray and bug repellant
23. Folding chairs (at least one per equestrian)
24. Girths or cinches (to fit each horse and saddle)
25. Grain and scoop
26. Grooming kit (braiding supplies, brushes, curry comb, hoof pick, sweat scraper and more)
27. Hairnet or show bow (for long-haired equestrians)
28. Halters (two for each horse)
29. Hat (for sun and weather protection)
30. Hay bags
31. Hay bales
32. Helmet (at least one per rider)
33. Hoof pick
34. Hoof polish
35. Horse blanket or sheet
36. Horse boots (or leg wraps)
37. Horse Clippers
38. Horse cooler
39. Hose
40. Ice chest (filled with ice)
41. Lead lines (two for each horse)
42. Longe line and longe whip
43. Manure fork
44. Martingale or breastplate
45. Membership cards (for equine breed associations or discipline groups)
46. Muck bucket
47. Notebook and pen
48. Paper plates
49. Pocket knife
50. Rain gear
51. Rectal thermometer
52. Riding boots
53. Riding crop or whip
54. Rubber gloves
55. Saddle pads (for schooling and showing)
56. Saddle rack
57. Saddle soap and leather conditioner
58. Saddles (at least one per horse)
59. Scissors (one large and sturdy pair)
60. Sewing kit (needle, threat, safety pins, small scissors and spare buttons)
61. Shovel (for scooping shavings and worse)
62. Show clothes (garment bag containing breeches, chaps, chokers, gloves, hats, jackets, jodhpurs, hunt coats, show shirts, stock ties or whatever is required)
63. Small bucket (for tack cleaning)
64. Snacks(for humans)
65. Snap clips (double-ended)
66. Sponges
67. Spurs
68. Stall fan and bungee cords
69. Stepstool
70. Sunscreen lotion and lip balm
71. Sweat socks
72. Tack sponge
73. Tool box (including basic fix-it tools)
74. Towels
75. Trailer tire ramp
76. Trash bags
77. Treats (for horses)
78. Vet wrap
79. Veterinary papers (Coggins and health certificate for each horse)
80. Water bottles
81. Water buckets
82. Wheelbarrow
83. Wipes (for hands and last-minute tack and boot touch-ups)
84. Wood shavings
85. Work clothes (including boots and gloves)

Of course, all items should be clearly marked for identification, using a permanent marker or adhesive labels.

Perhaps you can think of additional must-have items to add to your own horse show packing list. Necessities may vary somewhat, depending upon the equestrian discipline in which you plan to compete.

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