So You Want To Be a Reiner #3......
By Carrie Zambrano

     Show season is already in full swing, but on a recent trip with a friend to a show, I found that some Rookies
and new to the sport competitors are very unfamiliar with the process of entering a show, and what exactly to
bring to a show for themselves and their horse. I have learned my lessons from years of going to a shows and
having found that I have forgotten something.
     If you are in a barn with a trainer, usually your trainer will have everything you need at a show.  I personally
always liked to have my own grooming supplies.  I also always brought my own white show boots for my horse.  
Almost all trainers provide everything you need at a show and you do not need to worry at all.  What services your
trainer provides at a show and what they do not, is something you definitely need to know prior to entering a
show.  Below is a checklist that I go through before I enter every show, I hope it helps!

Entering A Show Check List:  

  • Are all of my memberships current (NRHA, breed association, local affiliate)?  If I am a Non-Pro, Rookie, or
    Green as Grass rider, have I filed a Non-Pro declaration, and an Immediate Family Member form with the
    NRHA?

  • Does my horse have a Competition License (required only for NRHA and Affiliate Shows)?  Have I
    transferred my horse’s registration papers into my name?  If so am I or immediate family member listed as
    the owner?  If going to a breed show is my horse registered and am I or immediate family member listed as
    owner on the papers?

  • Have I pre-entered the show or jackpot if possible?  Many shows will let you send in ‘blank’ entry forms with
    only the horse and rider’s name, and copies of all cards and papers. This allows you to easily add or
    change classes at the show.  Certain shows ask that you have all of your classes listed.   Show
    management loves blank checks, and then you are not trading out checks, or tearing them up.  You simply ’
    check out’ after you are done showing, and fill out you check then.  As a rule, you are required to leave a
    check before you show, blank or not. Be sure and check what is required by the show management and
    show secretary.

  • Do I have copies of all of my membership cards, entry forms, registration papers and competition licenses?
    I carry a binder with copies of all of my horse’s papers, licenses, and my family and my membership cards.  
    This way I always have what I need.

  • I am stalling at the show?  If so have I or my trainer made the stall reservations, and order shavings for the
    show?

  • What feed, watering and cleaning items do I need to bring for my horse at the show?  Does my trainer
    provide all of this for me?  (Most do)

  • Do I have or need a hotel or RV reservation?

  • Will there be concessions available?  I always have either a large or small ice chest with water, sports
    drinks or sodas, and my favorite snacks.  Then food and drink are one less thing I have to worry about at a
    show.

  • Do I have my tack and supplies?  

     Here is a quick list of things you have to have and things you may need:
      Saddle, saddle blanket (show blanket or pad), legal bit and headstall, any protective leg boots you may use
     on your horse (splint, bell, or skid boots), blanket and sheet if it is cold?  Do I have legal attire, long sleeve
     button down shirt, hat, boots, spurs if needed, chaps (not required), and pants, anything else that I need to
     wear.  I always take at least 2 extra shirts, then I am prepared for the weather, a wardrobe malfunction, or to
     lend a shirt to a fellow competitor if needed.  Shampoo and conditioner for washing my horse, any feed and
     water buckets or bags; any feed and supplements, a small hose.  Equipment for cleaning stalls a fork, a
     large muck bucket or small/collapsible wheelbarrow; extension cord, staple gun, and a hammer.  I often keep
     a fan loaded in my trailer to tie to the stall for my horse during the hot months.

  • Do I need Grooming bag or kit?  Will I have to have my own groom bag or can I use my trainers? I
    personally prefer to always have my own, I like to know what I have and where it is if I need it in a bind.  I
    also like to know that I can help if a fellow competitor is panicking at the in gate because they or their trainer
    has forgotten something.  I have lent or lost many rolls of duct tape, pins and Sharpies, but it is great to
    know that it eased someone’s mind and they go out and show great.  I take my groom bag with me when I
    go to warm up before a show and I leave it somewhere near the in gate so I can clean up myself and my
    horse before we go and show.

     These are the items I have in my groom bag  ( I also use these items at the stalls, so there is no need to
      bring duplicate items):

               a rubber or metal curry,  soft bristle brush, rough bristle brush, 2 rags, hoof pick, black sharpie, pen
             or pencil, duct tape, mane and tail brush, Avon’s Skin So Soft ( shines up the face and keeps the flies
             and other annoying bugs away), any type of show sheen, waterless shampoo on occasion, Minnie  AA
             battery powered  clippers for anything that I might have missed, extra mane and tail rubber bands, lots
             of safety pins to pin my number to my saddle pad,  always an extra curb strap,  A large multi-tooled
             Leather-men, scissors, a leather hole punch, a NRHA pattern/rule book, a breed association rule book,  
             a few extra Chicago screws in a Ziploc bag, a bottle of water or sports drink for me before I show,
             whatever cosmetic needs I personal may need before going in the show ring ( hair tie, lipstick, makeup,
             hairspray etc).

You cannot go wrong if you follow this simple check list.    To reiterate: always check what your trainer will do for
you and provide for you.  A lot of trainers will enter shows for you, and meet your every need at a show, so there
is no need to do, or bring any of the above listed items.  However, if you are a worrier like me, or do not have a
trainer, it is nice to know what to do and bring come show time.  

Happy Showing!

Have a question or comment?  Email me at:  caz_az@hotmail.com



Disclaimer: In this series of articles I will provide tips on how to get started in the fastest growing western sport, Reining.   These tips will be from the
non-professional prospective, and will have pointers and stories from various other Non-Pros in the industry.  They come from years of mistakes, and
rewards in the reining industry.  Always consult a professional when in doubt.  This website/paper and author assume no responsibility if these pointers
do not work.  These are merely suggestions.
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