A horse show, especially your first horse show, can be a very stressful occasion for you and your horse. It’s easy to forget in all the excitement that you need to take good care of your horse and yourself to have a safe and fun day.

Showing means you will spend a lot of time bathing, grooming and perhaps braiding your horse the night or morning before. You’ll also need to pack a lot of gear for you and your horse.

But what do you do when you finally arrive at the show?

First, you’ll need to park your truck and trailer in a safe place. You may be with your coach, or someone else, so this might not be your decision, but if it is, there are a few things to look for. If it is possible, try to park where the land is flat. This makes things safer and more comfortable for everyone. Avoid wet areas, especially if your truck does not have four-wheel-drive.

Look for hazards before you park. Watch out for debris hidden in the grass, downed wire fences and other things that could hurt you, your horse or leave you with a flat tire. Most show grounds are well kept, but that’s not always the case. It’s also more relaxing if you can park away from distractions like lanes, roads and machinery. Fall fairs are notorious for having noisy midway rides, tractor pulls and other activities your horse may not be comfortable with. So try to find a quiet spot so you can introduce your horse to all of these things gradually.

Some people like to leave their horses standing on the trailer, but especially if it’s hot, this may not be a great idea. On arriving, do everything you can to make your horse comfortable, and either tied safely to the side of the trailer or in a rented stall. Remove any leg wraps or shipping boots. Locate the water trough and get a bucket of water. Horses can get finicky at horse shows and refuse to drink. However, you should offer water as often as possible. Some people bring water from home, so there’s no change in the taste. Give your horse some hay to nibble on in a safely tied hay bag. Hay nets are cheap, but they cause a lot of accidents and there are safer alternatives available. Likewise, tie your horse high so it can’t get a leg over the tie rope. Horses tied too low can get tangled easily.

When you horse is looked after, go to the show office to make your entries or pick up your competitors’ package. It’s best if someone stays at the trailer to watch the horse, just in case it gets upset, tangled or has another problem.

After you've taken care of your entries, you can do any grooming touch-ups you need to do. Sometimes a braid needs fixing, a manure stain needs removing or a patch of coat needs to be smoothed. Your horse’s tail may need a quick de-tangling. Don’t forget to pick out your horse’s hooves. Then put the saddle on, but leave the bridle until you’re ready to ride.

With your horse cleaned up and saddled you can change into your riding clothes and look after yourself. Keep a towel close to hand to wipe your boots when you get on your horse. Keep snacks and drinks handy too. You’ll feel much better if you eat at least a bit, and stay hydrated. When your stomach is full of butterflies, there doesn’t seem room for food, but you’ll be better off if you do eat. Staying hydrated is really important too, especially if the weather is hot.

Once you’re dressed, put your horse’s bridle on and lead him around a bit so he can see the show grounds. Get on and slowly warm up for your classes. Don't over-do the warm-up. You don’t want a tired horse before you even begin. It’s not unusual for your horse to have a few Dr. Jeykll/Mr.Hyde moments at a show. The new environment is quite exciting, and it may take a few shows before he can take it all in stride.

Be sure to offer your horse hay and water throughout the day. Loosen the girth between classes if there’s a long wait between them. Just be sure to re-tighten before you ride again.

When the day is over, pull out any braids and brush or sponge off any saddle marks. Apply wraps or shipping boots before putting your horse back on the trailer. When you get home, remove the wraps, and blankets and make your horse comfortable in its stall or paddock. It’s also a good idea to give your horse a day or two off as reward for a successful day out.