Pre-Show Planning

ONE MONTH BEFORE

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  • Check trailer .
  • Send in entry fees and forms.
  • Update your horse’s worming and vaccination shots.
  • Find a friend to groom for you; confirm the show dates, and agree on what you’ll be asking her to do.

ONE WEEK BEFORE

  • Call show secretary; ask about approximate starting time of your first class, directions, parking, longeing areas, in-ring warmup (individual trips or group schooling).
  • Have your horse shod.
  • Body-clip him (winter).
  • Go over your and your horse’s attire – check fit, stitching, buttons, et cetera.

DAY/NIGHT BEFORE

  • Call (if OK with show secretary) to check number of entries.
  • Bathe horse.
  • Touch up clipping: ears, muzzle, fetlocks.
  • Clean tack/ polish riding boots.
  • Pick up stall before you leave the barn to help keep your horse clean.

This article first appeared in the April, 1996 issue of Practical Horseman magazine.

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