Stop Borrowing Hairnets: The Horse Show Packing System
Show season is here — and if you've ever arrived at the in-gate wishing you'd packed better, this one's for you. You want to have everything you need to look and feel your best, not only for you but for your horse, too! You may be the type of rider who naturally shows up ready to rock. Or, you may have to make a list to remember everything. Either way, a show checklist can be a lifesaver when trying to prepare for a big event. We’ve created a list of packing recommendations for you and your horse to get you started.
The top essential items on your list should be feed, supplements, water buckets, grooming supplies, and clean tack. After that, you start to get into more detailed items—the items often forgotten.
A missing glove. No number holders. Hoof polish left sitting in the aisle. Suddenly you're borrowing supplies from three different people before your first class.
It happens to everyone.
The difference is: experienced riders don't rely on memory. They rely on a system.
Continue reading or jump straight to the checklist.
Download the printable version and use it before every show:
👉 Horse Show Packing Checklist (Printable PDF)
The Smart Packing System
Instead of one long, overwhelming list, break your packing into four zones:
- Tack Trunk
- Grooming Tote
- Rider Bag
- Trailer & Barn Gear
When everything has a place, nothing gets forgotten.
This guide is your complete, practical horse show packing system — so you can load the trailer feeling organized, not rushed.
If this is your first show, don't worry — you don't need everything on this list. Start simple and build your system over time.
Tack Trunk Essentials
Your tack trunk is the foundation of your show setup.
Pack:
- Show bridle (plus a spare if you have one)
- Girth
- Stirrup leathers
- Extra reins
- Saddle pads (at least two)
- Half pad or riser
- Fly bonnet
- Boots (performance or schooling)
- Bell boots
- Number string or magnetic pins
- Lint roller
- Garment steamer
- Raincoat
Barn Tip: Always bring an extra saddle pad. One clean backup can save your entire turnout.
Grooming Tote Must-Haves
This is where small details make a big difference in presentation.
Pack:
- Brushes
- Hoof pick / hoof oil
- Sponge & sweat scraper
- Coat polish
- Scissors / seam ripper
- Fly spray
- Towels
- Baby wipes (the real MVP)
- Braiding kit
- Chalk or whitening product
- Boot polish
- Nose or face oil
- Tail bandage
Barn Tip: Keep your grooming tote stocked between shows so you're not rebuilding it every week.
Rider Bag Essentials
This is where things go missing most often.
Pack:
- Helmet
- Show coat, shirt and breeches (In a garment bag to keep them clean)
- Show boots (polished)
- Belt
- Gloves (bring two pairs)
- Hairnets / hairspray/brush
- Small travel mirror
- Stock tie and pin
- Spurs (keep a spare)
- Crop or whip
- Extra socks
- Casual clothes
- Comfortable shoes
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Stain remover pen
- Human First aid kit
Barn Tip: Extra gloves and hairnets are the two most commonly borrowed items at any show.
Trailer & Barn Gear
These are the items that keep the day running smoothly behind the scenes.
Pack:
- Extra halter and lead rope
- Water buckets
- Hay net
- Feed, supplements, and any daily medications your horse takes
- Fresh vet wrap
- Liniment
- Basic first-aid kit
- Standing wraps and pillow wraps
- Chair
- Snacks, water, and cash (for food trucks or last-minute purchases)
- Phone charger or portable battery
- Coggins, health certificate vaccination records, and show registration paperwork
Barn Tip: Keep your horse's paperwork in a folder or ziplock bag in the same spot every time — you don't want to be searching for it.
Build Your Equine Medical Kit
A basic first-aid kit is a good start, but a well-stocked medical kit is something every horse owner should keep in their trailer — not just for shows, but any time you're hauling.
We recommend keeping it packed and ready, so you're never caught without it:
o Electrolytes
o Vet wrap
o Bute
o Banamine
o Sunscreen
o Wound coat
o Duct tape
o Bandage scissors
o Clippers
o Extra cloth rags
A note on paperwork: If you're traveling out of state, your horse will need a health certificate issued within 30 days of travel. Some shows require one even within your state — always check your show rules in advance.
· Health certificate
· Negative Coggins Test
· Vaccination Records
The Most Forgotten Items — And Why They Matter
Ask any trainer. These are the items riders forget week after week. And each one has a real consequence.
Hairnets - One snag and it's gone. They're cheap, small, and easy to forget — bring a handful.
Gloves - Sweaty hands, cold mornings, a last-minute warm-up — there are a dozen reasons you'll want a second pair. Pack two.
Belt - It sounds minor until you're standing at the in-gate in full show attire with your shirt untucked and no belt. Judges notice.
Hoof polish - You can groom everything else perfectly and still walk into the ring with dull, dry hooves. Hoof polish is the finishing touch that ties the whole picture together.
Towels - You will need a towel. Probably three. For your horse, for your boots, for the unexpected spill.
Crop - Left on the fence, sitting in the barn aisle, forgotten at home — the crop has a way of disappearing exactly when you need it.
Extra socks - Wet feet on a long show day is misery that's completely avoidable. Toss an extra pair in your bag.
Every rider's bag looks a little different, but this system gives you a strong foundation to build from. We always recommend preparing in advance for your show to avoid last-minute stress, forgotten items, and running late.
From Packing to Performance
Packing well doesn't just save time.
It changes how you show up.
You're not rushing. You're not borrowing. You're not distracted.
You're focused on your ride.
And that's where progress happens.
Keep This in Your Tack Trunk
Download the printable version and use it before every show:
👉 Horse Show Packing Checklist (Printable PDF)
Because the goal isn't to pack perfectly. It's to arrive prepared.