Although we’ve been to lots of horse shows over the years, today marks the first day we’re participating in an event class. Specifically, I’m running Romeo in the barrels. Here I am the morning of the event, nervous and realizing I wish I had spent more time practicing. But I promised myself I’d do this and I know it will be good experience for me and Romeo. He is experienced so he mostly knows what to do. It’s a matter of me being able to give him the right cues at the right times.

Having never been to a show as a participant, I’m amazed at what goes into preparation. If you’re a regular participant, you already know this but you can’t really just load and go. That’s especially true for the first show of the season. There’s tack to clean, a horse to clean, making sure…well, let me make a list:

• Check horse trailer for wasp nest. (I almost learn this the hard way last year)
• Check tires on horse trailer for proper inflation and dry rot/wear
• Clean tack (watch for wasps!)
• Assemble grooming kit for show grooming
• Locate Coggins papers (can’t trailer without them)
• Find my bumper spurs (and straps)
• Run through a list of all tack needed and load into tack trunk
• Charge camera batteries and remember to bring them
• Get cash for entry fee, class fees and concession stand (we’ll be there a long time)
• Load hay and a bring water bucket
• Bring lawn chairs (sitting on the ground gets old)
• Bring umbrella (chance of rain today)
• Optional but maybe bring a cooler and sodas

That list may not look bad but some of those things take time, like cleaning tack. I’m glad the show isn’t until 3 PM because I need some time to run through this list.

Did I forget anything?