The bulbs have poked their heads through the dirt, the grass is green, and prize lists are being released! As the weather warms for the northern part of the country, show season is about to begin. We’ve put together a show season checklist to make sure you’ve got everything you need when you head out to dance the summer away!
Paperwork
- Annual USDF membership for both owner and rider – USDF memberships expire on November 30, so make sure you’ve updated for the 2024 competition year! Many awards programs require Participating Memberships for eligibility, but GMOs often offer year-end awards programs for GMO members if you don’t want to pursue national-level awards, too!
- USDF Horse Identification Number or Lifetime Registration – USDF HID and Lifetime Registrations do not expire, but make sure that if you recently purchased or sold your horse, ownership has been transferred appropriately with both USDF and US Equestrian. Otherwise, scores may not count for awards!
- USEF Horse ID number – horses are required to be registered with both USDF and USEF, and the owner and name must match on both registrations to be eligible for many awards.
- Lease Recording Form (if applicable) must be on file with USDF for those exhibiting a horse they are leasing – USDF Lease Recordings expire on November 30 of the current year, unless otherwise recorded on the lease recording form, when submitted.
- Breed Papers – if your horse is registered with one of the Adequan®/USDF All-Breeds Awards program Participating Organizations, you may become eligible for a number of year-end awards by submitting an All-Breeds Declaration and breed registry papers by August 1 of the current year.
- SafeSport Training – SafeSport training must be completed annually for all senior members. This can be found by going to your USEF Member Dashboard, where you will find the date your training expires, and links to any outstanding training to be completed. If SafeSport Training is not completed by the deadline on your account you will appear on the USEF Ineligible List and entries to USEF-licensed/USDF-recognized competitions will not be accepted.
- Coggins – horses moving within your home state are required to have a negative Coggins report dated within 12 months. Most competitions require you to submit yours with your entry, but always make sure to have a physical copy on hand when traveling.
- Health certificate – if you are competing outside of your home state, you are required to have a health certificate (issued by a veterinarian) to transport horses across state lines. Make sure to bring yours just in case it is requested while traveling.
Tack and Equipment for the Horse
Tack:
- Saddle
- Girth
- Bridle
- Saddle pads (for schooling and competition if you are competing over multiple days)
- Extra Reins, stirrup leathers, girth (you never know when disaster could strike, and a rein gets stepped on and broken, or a stirrup leather breaks, so it’s always better to be prepared)
- Polos or boots for the warm-up ring or lungeing
Equipment:
- Grooming kit (including rubber curry, body brush, soft brush, extra towels, a hoof pick, comb or brush, detangler for tails, braiding bands or yarn, gel/wax, scissors)
- Bathing kit (including shampoo and conditioner [for overnight shows or emergencies with light-colored horses], sponge, sweat scraper, bucket for bathwater)
- Lungeing equipment, if needed (lunge line, lunge whip, surcingle, side reins)
- Tack cleaning kit (saddle soap and sponge, leather conditioner, small bucket)
- Mucking equipment (muck bucket/foldable wheelbarrow, shavings fork, bags of shavings [many facilities offer bags of shavings for purchase, check with your destination!], broom)
- Stabling equipment (stall guard for door, water buckets, double-sided snaps, feed tub)
- Bales of hay and a hay bag or net
- Grain (if traveling overnight) and supplements (if necessary)
- Horse and human first aid kits
- Camping chair
- Mounting block/step stool
- Extra halter and lead rope
- Fly spray
Equipment for the Rider
Show clothing:
- Show Jacket
- Show Shirt
- Breeches
- Boot Socks
- Boots
- Stock Tie and Pin
- Helmet
- Hairnet/ties
- Whip
- Spurs
- Gloves
Non-Riding Clothes and Other Essentials:
- Pants/shorts
- Shirts
- Sweaters
- Underwear
- Socks
- Outerwear (rain jacket)
- Hat
- Shoes/boots
- Toiletries
- Sunscreen
- Phone charger
- Wallet/credit cards/checkbook
Have we missed any of your must-have items? Want to be more prepared for show season? Check out Essential Horse Show Prep – and 20 must bring items by Sally O’Dwyer
