A Parent’s Guide to Horse Shows🐴

Supportive and stress-reducing tips for every horse show parent

So your child is headed to a horse show — exciting, right? Whether they’re riding their own horse, a lease pony or using a school horse, show day brings a mix of early mornings, last-minute organizing, nervous energy, and proud moments.

If you’re new to the scene or just want to feel more confident in your role as "horse show parent," this guide is for you. Let’s walk through what to expect and how you can support your young rider without getting tangled in reins or show nerves.

🎯 Leading Up to the horse Show: Practice, Prep, Repeat

1. Lessons Matter

The lead-up to a competition isn’t just about signing entry forms. Riders should be attending lessons to build the skills they'll need — whether it's cantering a smooth circle in dressage or making tight turns in a jump-off. Lessons are a great way to practice the skills needed before show day.

2. Horse Fitness is Key

If your child is riding their own horse, ensure it’s being worked consistently — ideally 4–5 days a week in the weeks before the show. School horses typically follow a schedule managed by the riding school, but check if your rider is expected to help.

3. Know the Rules and Dress Codes

Each discipline (and sometimes each event) comes with different expectations.

For example:

• Dressage: Show jacket, white shirt with stock or choker collar, gloves, hairnet or bun, white saddle blanket, plaited pony.

• Show Jumping: Neat show shirt and jacket, hair tidy, gloves optional but recommended

• Gymkhana/Fun Days: Often more relaxed, but still clean, tidy, and uniform where required

Horses are usually expected to be clean, well-groomed and for some shows plaited.

🧽 The Day Before: Gearing Up & Grooming

Encourage your rider to prep everything the day before:

• Clean all tack (saddle, bridle, boots, etc.)

• Pack gear and clothes (don’t forget gloves, stock pin, hairnets, numbers)

• Wash and groom their horse thoroughly

• Plait if required by the discipline or level

• Have float/ truck organized and clean

Even if the barn or school helps with this, your rider should be involved — it builds responsibility and pride in their turnout.

Horse show packing list.pdf

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🌅 Show Day: Early, Organized, Encouraging

1. Get There Early

Aim to arrive at the grounds with your pony with plenty of time — ideally 60–90 minutes before their class or warm-up. This gives time to settle for both horse and rider, tack up calmly, and walk the course or arena if needed.

2. Stay Calm (Even If They’re Not)

Even confident kids can get nervous or snappy at shows. That’s normal — it’s a big day with high emotions. Your calm presence is the best support. Smile, offer encouragement, and maybe keep extra snacks handy. While boundaries are important we often find the best way to deal with high emotions is to give them space to self regulate (although every child is different).

3. Encourage independence

It's important to allow riders to do the majority of the getting ready themselves. While being a helping hand is a great way to support for your rider, taking over the job can create riders who lack independence, take help for granted and miss out on important learning. Getting their pony ready is a vital step in setting themselves up to go into the show ring together as a team.

3. Let the Coaches Coach

Unless you’re the official coach, it’s best to let instructors handle the riding advice. Too many voices can overwhelm a nervous rider — and in disciplines like dressage, sideline coaching can actually lead to elimination.

4. Capture the Moments

Take photos, record their rounds, and save those special moments — but ask your rider first if they want a video. Some prefer to stay focused without a camera in their face!

🧼 After the Show: The Work Isn’t Over

• Make sure your horse is taken care of and put back into their paddock.

• Unpack all the gear, put things where they belong and clean anything that needs to be.

• Clean the float, make sure it's ready for your next trip!

• Say thank you — to the coach, the horse, the helpers!

💵 Typical Costs to Expect

Here’s a general idea of what show expenses may include:

• Entry fees (paid to the event organizer)

• Coaching fees (if traveling with a school/coach)

• Travel or float transport

• New gear or clothing if required

It’s a good idea to check all costs in advance so there are no surprises.

🧡 Final Thoughts for Show Parents

Your rider may come home with a ribbon — or they might come home with mud on their jodhpurs and a lessons learned. Both are wins.

At the end of the day, horse shows teach resilience, work ethic, and grace under pressure. The best thing you can do as a parent is to cheer, support, and remind them how proud you are just for getting out there.

(And maybe bring coffee. Lots of coffee.)