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*Exclusive* Be ready to win with expert tips on last-minute planning and polish to ensure a successful show ring debut in 2025

Welcome to the final feature in this five-part exclusive series for Horse & Hound subscribers, in which showing experts share their tips on getting a horse or pony ready to perform at their best, from the field to their seasonal debut. The week leading up to a show can be full of stress, so take this methodical approach to make sure no stone is left unturned in your last-minute preparations

  • Over the past few weeks, you’ve worked hard to transform your woolly mammoth into a sleek and polished show animal. Your prep has paid off, and now it’s time for the final countdown to show day – your first big event of the season. This stage isn’t about making big changes; it’s about fine-tuning your plans, perfecting the little details, and ensuring that both you and your horse are set up for success.

    Here’s your week-long guide to getting show-ready, complete with a handy checklist and expert advice to help make your first outing of the season as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

    Final countdown to show day

    The week before: planning and polishing

    Pack the lorry or trailer

    Packing in advance is key to avoiding last-minute stress. Follow our handy checklist to make sure you have all the essentials on board.

    Packing up lorry with tack before a show: final countdown to show day

    Pack up the horsebox with plenty of time to spare. Credit: Philip Barker

    Final touches on your horse’s turnout

    This isn’t the time for drastic changes but rather subtle refinements.

    • Tails: tidy the length and rake to achieve a polished look.
    • Trims: neaten chin hair, fetlocks, and stray hairs in line with the rules you are showing under. Avoid excessive trimming at this stage.
    • Shoes: ensure your horse’s shoes are in top condition. A quick check with your farrier earlier in the week can avoid unpleasant surprises
    Checking feet and shoes

    Checking shoes are in good condition will help avoid an unpleasant surprise. Credit: Philip Barker

    Riding practice

    Balance is key during this week. Avoid drilling your show routine every day – it can lead to anticipation or tension in your horse.

    Instead:

    • Vary your workouts: combine hacking, pole work, and exercises to maintain fitness and suppleness.
    • Focus on position: use this time to fine-tune your own posture and apply any tips from recent training sessions.
    • Confidence boosters: if you’ve attended a clinic or practice show, revisit the advice you received to reinforce both yours and your horse’s confidence.

    The day before: polish and prep

    The day before the show is all about finishing touches and making sure everything is ready for a seamless morning.

    Bath time

    Washing a grey horse's tail: final countdown to show day

    Final prep the day before the show. Credit: Philip Barker

    • Products: use whitening shampoos for socks and light-coloured areas, and conditioning treatments for a glossy coat.
    • Drying: ensure your horse dries thoroughly with a drying rug or heat lamps to prevent chills.
    • Protection: use tail bags, leg bandages, rugs, and Lycra hoods to keep your horse clean overnight.

    Plaiting perfection

    A well-plaited mane can transform your horse’s appearance.

    Plaiting horse's mane

    Plaiting should enhance a horse’s topline, so make the most of it. Credit: Philip Barker

    Measuring tips: mark your plaiting comb with a band to ensure even sections.

    Adjust for proportion: add a few extra plaits to give the appearance of a bigger front or position them slightly on top of the neck for an illusion of more topline.

    Use plaiting spray or gel to tame flyaways and practice using thread for a neat finish. Invest in a stitch picker to unpick plaits without damaging the mane.

    If you plait the night before, cover with a Lycra hood to keep everything clean and secure.

    Plan your journey

    Route check: use a sat nav or map to plan your journey, accounting for traffic and unfamiliar routes.

    Review the show’s information pack for details about stabling, parking, and collecting numbers. If bedding or hay is required, confirm where to collect it.

    Ensure your lorry runs safely, MOT and tax are up-to-date, and you have valid breakdown cover.

    Show day: calm, confident, and ready

    Start the day right

    Fuel yourself: don’t skip breakfast – a substantial meal will help you stay focused.

    Don’t forget to eat breakfast! Credit: Philip Barker

    Don’t skip breakfast! Credit: Philip Barker

    Stay calm: early-season shows can be nerve-wracking, especially with big qualifiers. Create a “show morning” playlist to keep you calm and motivated.

    Familiarise yourself with the showground. Arriving early gives you time to get your bearings. Walk around to locate the rings and warm-up areas. If possible, watch a class in your ring to get a feel for how it’s run and where key points like line-ups and individual shows are likely to happen.

    Warm-up routine

    Every horse has a different routine that works best.

    If your horse is excitable, a quick lunge or groundwork session may help them settle before tacking up. If you prefer to warm up under saddle first, ensure your grooming and plaiting are spot-on beforehand, but have someone on hand for the last minute pre-ring polish.

    Personalise your routine, so that you adjust your warm-up to match your horse’s temperament and the conditions of the day.

    The final polish

    Minimal product use: judges love a natural shine but will be put off by a horse dripping in oil.

    Quarter marks: enhance conformation with clean, precise marks. Apply a holding spray and add marks at the last minute if it’s cold to prevent rubbing off.

    quarter marks on chestnut horse

    Quarter marks add a final polish to your horse’s appearance. Credit: Philip Barker

    Baby wipes: keep these handy for last-minute spills or stains.

    Enjoy the day

    Most importantly, remember to enjoy yourself! Stay positive – even if things don’t go exactly to plan, every show is a learning experience. The ultimate goal is to enjoy the partnership with your horse and celebrate your hard work.

    Don’t forget to record the moment. Ask someone to video your class so you can review your performance and cherish the memory.

    Happy showing rider with friends taking selfies

    Big smiles – remember to have fun! Credit: Hamish Mitchell Photography

    By following this guide as your final countdown to show day and and staying organised, you’ll be ready to step into the ring with confidence. With all the prep work done, it’s time to shine. Good luck, and may your season be filled with success and fun!

    Competition kit checklist 

    Horsebox packed and ready for a show

    All set for departure. Credit: Philip Barker

    Travelling

    • Travel boots/bandages
    • Tail bandage
    • Clean headcollar and rope (pack a spare rope in case one snaps)
    • Travel rug or Lycra bodysuit if your horse travels in one
    • Haynet for the journey
    Horse bandaged and rugged, ready to travel: final countdown to show day

    Ready to travel, with a hood protecting the plaits. Credit: Philip Barker

    Lorry/trailer essentials

    • Horse water
    • Water buckets (for drinking and washing)
    • Spare hay
    • Muck skip and fork, brush
    • Sponges and sweat scraper
    • Mounting steps
    • First-aid kit (human and horse)

    Grooming kit

    • Brushes (dandy, body, face)
    • Curry comb
    • Mane comb
    • Plaiting bands/needle and thread
    • Tail brush
    • Detangler
    • Make-up or gloss
    • Shine spray
    • Trimming clippers
    • Baby oil
    • Baby wipes
    • Ear plugs
    • Quarter mark spray and tools
    • Fly spray
    • Hoof pick
    • Hoof oil and brush
    • Leg whitener (if needed)
    • Hole punch
    • Scissors
    • Towel or cloth

    Tack and horse kit

    • Show saddle
    • Show bridle
    • Bits
    • Curb chain & lip strap
    • Numnah
    • Girth
    • Working-in tack (if different from show tack)
    • Martingale and breastplates (if needed)
    • Lunge line
    • Spare stirrup leathers and reins
    • Working-in boots or working hunter boots
    • Tack cleaning kit
    • Cooler rug
    • Waterproof sheet
    • Fly sheet
    • Bandages and wraps

    Rider clothes

    • Riding hat
    • Jodhpurs/breeches
    • Shirt
    • Tie and collar pin
    • Bows or scrunchies
    • Hairnet
    • Boots
    • Spurs (if necessary)
    • Jacket
    • Gloves (and spares)
    • Body protector (for working hunter classes)
    • Schooling whip
    • Show cane/whip
    • Number elastic
    • Evening performance outfit (if required)
    • Overcoat/waterproof
    Polishing riding boots ready for a horse show: final countdown to show day

    It’s not all about the horse’s polished appearance. Credit: Philip Barker

    Paperwork

    • Horse passport
    • Lorry/trailer breakdown insurance documents
    • Entry confirmation (and horsebox pass)
    • Society membership cards
    • Copy of the schedule and timetable
    • Catalogue (if sent beforehand)

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