Horse Show Preparation and Planning 101

​Getting ready for show season is both exciting and a little stressful. The first of our warm up/fuzzy show series started the first Friday in March here in southwest Idaho. This is the unofficial start of the open show season around here. I have been planning and preparing since January for the start of the show season. This saves a lot of stress and last-minute running around. If you are not sure where to start, here is my plan that I follow each year adjusting yearly as needed.

First, get your paperwork done in January. Since it is March already, if you haven’t renewed your club and/or association memberships, get those sent in today. Most shows don’t allow non-members to receive awards such as high points. If your club has award declarations, submit those with your membership. The club/association secretary, treasurer, and awards committee will appreciate you having all your paperwork in order before the day of the show.

Next, make a list of tasks to be done and set a timeline for completion. Ideally you would start organizing your timeline in January to give you ample time to take care of all the little details. Space out the tasks so you have plenty of time to complete them. 

Be sure to include your horse training and conditioning schedule when you set up your timeline so they will be ready as well. A training planner is a great resource to formalize your goals and track your progress towards them. Also, leave buffer space in case tasks cannot be completed when you originally scheduled them. For example, your farrier needs to reschedule. Be sure to book any appointments at least two weeks before the show at the latest, so there is room to reschedule if needed.

Since our first big show is usually in mid-April, I start thinking about my preparation the first week of January. First on my list, I submit all my paperwork by January 31st. I double check any deadlines in early January to be certain that I don’t miss important dates. I also start light practice with the horses. Weather permitting, I plan for two to three relatively short practice sessions per week focusing on specific things, such as pivots, trail obstacles, transitions, etc. 
  
The first week of February, I check my tack, show clothes, clipper blades, grooming supplies, and the horse’s blankets and sheets. I make a list of items that need to be replaced. This gives me plenty of time to get them on order or purchased prior to when I will need them. Since Whiskey is still growing, I checked his show halter to be sure it still fit. I had already noted at the end of last show season, he was going to need a bigger sheet and full body slinky. I have spent the winter keeping an eye out for sales on those items. I also set aside items that need repair. The latter part of February, I complete the repairs and mending as needed. I step up the practice sessions with the horses in February. They get a little longer and I focus on refining maneuver’s and start driving more often. I don’t have an indoor arena nearby, so the weather is a big factor in my training and conditioning plan. I try to be creative and flexible in the training plan to accomplish my training goals.

March is when the rubber hits the road as far as preparation goes. We start doing warm-up/fuzzy shows. Training and conditioning the horses is at the forefront of the timeline. I practice three times per week minimum but try to get four to five sessions in per week. For my driving horse, we are practicing in cart at least a couple times a week in addition to working on in hand skills. I mix up practice and conditioning to keep it fresh for both me and the horse. The remainder of supplies needed get purchased. I go through the tack room in the horse trailer and organize as needed. The horse trailer gets washed inside and out. I make sure that my horse wear (blankets, sheets, tail bags, etc.) are clean and ready. The show cart gets shined up, and touch up paint as needed. I take my cowboy hat to be cleaned and shaped. My preparation task list gets double checked to make sure I haven’t missed anything.

April is the home stretch of preparation. At the first of the month, I bathe, and body clip my miniature horse. I like to body clip about two weeks before the first show. I pre-register for the show to make check in on show day quick and easy. I continue to practice at least three times per week depending on where the horses are in their skills and conditioning. I iron my show clothes and clean my show tack. The week of the show, I get my horse show packing list and check off items as they are loaded into the truck or trailer. The horses get a final bath and I touch up their bridlepath, face, and legs with the clippers the day before the show. My husband and I load everything but the horses in the trailer by the night before the show. I sleep better knowing there isn’t anything left to do but load the horses and go in the morning. At this point, I’m ready to go show and have fun.

Planning and doing things over a few months really helps alleviate a lot of the stress of getting ready for that first big show. It also helps keep you on track when things don’t go as planned. If you have someone who can help, a plan and list make delegating so much easier. Make a plan today and start show season well organized and ready to go!