What do you find you need to have on hand at ringside? I don’t usually carry one because most of the time I show on my own plus I have a bad back so backpacks are a no go. I just want to know what you have in yours.
Depending on the situation (if I have a groom or help, how far we’re stabled from the ring, etc) mine often doesn’t make it to the ring either. But I do always have it somewhere at the show.
A few pairs of spurs, 2-4 crops, multiple pairs of gloves (can you tell I misplace things often…), boot polish, vet wrap for broken zippers, band-aids, Advil or Tylenol, tampons, extra contacts, sunscreen, water, granola bar, cash, extra hairnets, hair ties, Tide-to-go, travel size of hand wipes (helpful for after the boot polishing).
Sometimes earplugs or change of bit if needed.
Weather dependent - rain jacket and/or pants, toe warmers, extra coat
In cold weather, options to add a layer. And warmer gloves.
Otherwise, the ringside backpack is primarily to allow me to go from longeing to riding without returning to the barn. Where I am, I can leave it somewhere to retrieve later, and it will still be there later.
So, helmet & riding gloves, whatever eyewear I’m changing out after longeing, thin towel for patting sweat off me, water, deep woods Off for re-application to me & horse, not too much else. If I’ll be away from the barn long, then snack for me & the horse. If I anticipate a wipe-down for horse & tack then something for that as well.
What is added to the back compartment after longeing: reeled-in longe line, halter, lead rope. (I put the halter on over the bridle to longe.)
I try not to load it down too much since I’ll be carrying it around.
Following this!
Horse treats.
Towel for boots, towel for muzzle, Gatorade, horse treats, soft brush, fly spray, horse treats, rubbing alcohol for spots, horse treats.
You gotta have your priorities.
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Great thread! Including all the great items listed above, Orange-can sticky spray, quick boot-shine thing, Sharpie, extra string or elastic for numbers, two frozen Gatorades.
Everyone’s covered the basics but I’ll add extra safety pins if you’re a jumper rider, hoof polish for the hunters, and a portable phone charger!
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And an extra stirrup leather!
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I forgot collapsible sun hat. And reading glasses (in a tough case). And chapstick. And oh yeah, the rule book with tabs & notes (rarely used but if needed, it’s needed, I’ve even loaned it to officials - the EV one is thin and light).
A great thing to do - and allow to evolve over time - is to define what is your primary purpose for the backpack. An all-day pack? Strictly ringside supplies? Etc.
I use mine at home as well. Every ride, it’s out there propped up somewhere. As soon as I get off the horse at the backpack, I can swap helmet for sun hat.
I love the arrangement of the pockets in mine. The giant outside partly-mesh for sweaty helmet, the slots for a crop or dressage whip (I use a max-length dressage whip to longe), outside slots for water bottle and one for Mini Deep Woods Off (there is an outside pocket exactly that size).
And there are high-up, easy-to-reach inside slots as well, perfect for the stuff you want to reach quickly & then put away again.
There are a couple of good spots for a tablet and other electronic devices. I don’t really carry those around with me, but the option is there.
After admiring mine, the BO’s husband bought a ringside backpack for himself for airplane trips. He doesn’t ride. He loves all the outside pockets so he doesn’t have to dig around inside for the things you take in and out constantly while moving & waiting, moving & waiting. And stuffing the bigger helmet-sized pocket with reading material.
^ the above mentioned items and
Black shoe strings for Emergency = to repair broken tack - side cheek, rein whatever.
Pencil and paper in a ziplock baggie.
Benadryl !!!
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Please, please, please, (with apologies to Morrissey) tell me which backpack this is? I’ve been on the hunt for the ultimate one.
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Why would you carry 2-4 crops in your backpack?
This is the one I have (got it on sale at a local tack shop).
The front flap, with the logo on it, looks flat in the photo. It actually has collapsed mesh sides, and the top of the flap is not attached to the backpack. So it pulls out to a generous pocket that easily fits a helmet.
Most of the ringside packs I’ve seen, whatever brand, have a similar helmet pocket in the front.
A cheaper option that is less-tailored to equestrians, but also has the big pocket or slot with breathable mesh, are gym backpacks. The ones that have that spot for either shoes or a basketball, soccer ball, or something else about that size. Their other outside pockets aren’t as equestrian designed. They can be found on Amazon and in sporting goods stores.
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I normally have 1 or 2 nice ones and 1 or 2 cheap ones that I don’t really care if they walk away. I have a really awful habit of putting things down and not remembering where they are. I usually find them the end of the day but I like to be prepared for the week just in case…
Unfortunately, this is no longer available at Stateline. Looks nice though.
Identification of ownership and affiliated barn
I usually have one light, really short one (like a short stirrup bat) and then a longer jumperish one.
Doubt the manufacturer has discontinued it, so you should be able to find it at some online retailer. I think Dover carries it, or did?
