So I’m gearing up for a fairly busy summer show season and for the first time ever we are going to overnight shows.
Our first one is only the weekend, but in June it will be for two weeks! 
I’m looking on advice for surviving the long shows. Anything from keeping my sanity to helping my horse’s sanity to generic tips are greatly appreciated.
I’ve been with friends to their overnight shows, but never while showing myself or for that long a time.
Anything to help my poor anxious brain!! 
Oh yeah, 2 week shows are a very different beast than day shows, especially if the horse is used to some type of daily turnout.
Take some toys and boredom busters for the stall. Anything from a Jollyball to a tough rope toy (make sure it doesn’t fray) to a milk jug full of rocks, just get things to occupy their time. Rotate them in and out of the stall so they don’t get bored of certain toys.
Make time for some long walks. Take them out in the morning and evening (afternoon if you can swing it), especially if there are any days they don’t show. It gives them something to do and keeps their joints limber. Additionally, if your horse is used to getting turnout, they are used to some free movement time.
On that note, “lunge” if you can (outside of a fitness/warmup/lesson thing). I’ve known many horses who are used to getting to roll out in their fields that get very uncomfortable in stalls because they don’t feel they can roll enough nor have a time to just play. If the show didn’t have a turnout available, we’d go out at dead times to take the horse to the lunging arena and let them roll and play on the line, within reason. If they were a horse who’d take someone skiing or hurt themselves on the line it was a no-go.
Wrapping legs or using something like BoT Quick Boots to prevent stocking up. One of my friends has a full set of BoT boots/wraps that her horse lives in at shows; they just keep his circulation up given that a show stall is radically different than his cozy stall/run combo at home.
Understand that it is highly likely that both you and your horse will get cranky at some point. 2 weeks is a long time away from home and it’s stressful! Try to keep that in mind when it seems like the entire world is trying to rain on your parade.
If you are at a showgrounds with rental paddocks, consider going in on one with a few friends/barnmates if your horse is the type to stay sane that way. Otherwise, plan on lots of handwalking and some lunging as needed.
Bring a mini-fridge or cooler to keep snacks and drinks in.
Others have given you solid suggestions --this is more human centered advice from a show mom of 50+ years.
And this one most recently (because I always was with my kids and knew to do this for them) know the cadence of the show --if there are two pattern classes between your two over fence classes --then that’s a good time to get off your horse and use the bathroom, get more water, etc. I did not do that for myself at my first archery tournament. I’d never been to one before and didn’t ask anyone how they progressed. I sat on my poor horse for SIX HOURS holding my bow because I was worried I’d miss my runs —I had no idea how long each event competition lasted, or how riders were rotated through. Now I know. (FYI one is placed in a group of 4 or 5; all 4 or 5 riders do their runs --then the other groups go —so can be two to three hours before you go again). Now I put my horse back in his stall --take off his gear and relax (in a chair in the shade with water) until the group before mine is called. Then I retack and mount.
My best advice is try to bring someone with you who is non-distracting and knowledgeable --lovely to have someone be your “show mom.”
a lot of cash and credit cards with unlimited ability
Just wanted to second this notion! Just having another person there is a big help.
So much helpful advice here!!
Thankfully, I am going with my friend and we don’t show at the same time so we can be each other’s show mom! She’s been to that particular show many times so I will be counting on her for any nitty gritty details.
I was already getting him a travel salt block because he is a salt fiend, but I think a jolly ball might be a nice addition so he doesn’t get bored out of his mind.
I especially appreciate the advice about caring for myself. I tend to have a problem with that sometimes 
Just sending in all the entry fees made me wonder if I can survive on ramen for the rest of the year.
those fees can be staggering once you include vet fees for heath certificates, transportation, last minute just got to have new tack purchases… and those show photos of you/your horse winning the class and the championship so you can look back decades from now as to just why you can not retire just now
Here, when a barn goes to the longer shows, the competitors and many times their families and friends and trainer and helpers all pitch in and rent a house for those days.
Is cheaper and more fun than staying in a hotel.
In larger cities that hold many events, renting houses to competitors is big business, brings more income than renting steady to someone at a lower price, OKC one of those.
Stay organized and take the few extra seconds to clean up after yourself. It’s easy to want to come back to your stall after showing and just peel off the sweaty show clothes and leave them in a ball on the trailer floor, but future you will thank past you if you move it to a pop up laundry basket. Or hanging your braiding bag back where it belongs when you’re done so 5AM you knows where to find it and isn’t ripping apart the tack room, cursing b/c you can’t find it in the dark.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
