The new show season is just around the corner and it’s time to start getting prepared. In an effort to help you avoid a lot of the mistakes I have made, and still make, outside of the show pen, I have compiled a checklist that should help both of us get prepared for the road!
Pre-season Planning
Set Goals - Earlier this year we talked with Corey Hutchings about setting goals and this is your chance to put that plan into action. Evaluate your progress last year and clearly define what you want to get out of this show season.
Make a Calendar - It is time to find shows that will help you reach your goals. You can find a lot of the regional association information at www.nwhorsesource.com. Select Ask the Experts and then, On The Plus Side. Decide if you are competing for any year end awards and make sure you can meet all the requirements. Cross-check those dates with family events, birthdays, graduations and weddings to make sure you can make them all. Write all the dates down on a master list or calendar.
Reservations - When you are looking at horse shows, be sure to mark the stall reservation, cattle reservation and entry form deadlines on your calendar so you can avoid late fees. This is something you will need to keep track of throughout the season. Figure out where you are going to stay at these shows. Do you need to make hotel reservations in advance? Are there hook-ups for living quarters? This is one area I really struggle with, and I won't even venture to guess the amount of money I donated in the past season to late fees.
Get Your Paperwork in Order - This is a good time to renew all your memberships at once. Create a horse show folder or briefcase. It should include a copy of your membership cards and multiple copies of your horses' registration papers and NRHA competition licenses. Make sure you know if you are going to need Health and Coggins papers for any of these shows. Becky Spence suggested that I make multiple "show packets" for each horse that contain all of the necessary materials to eliminate last minute errors. I spent approximately $45 this past season either having papers faxed to me or purchasing membership cards I couldn’t find.
Loading the Trailer
Develop a system - Organization is the key to helping you find everything you need once you get to the show. In the beginning of the year, load the trailer with the things you will need in your tack stall at every show including saddle and bridle racks. Pack all of your other things in neat and easy to carry totes. Load the trailer from the inside out placing the things you will need first to the outside of the tack stall.
Tack and Equipment - Take everything you normally use and then take extra! Check all Chicago screws and buckles. Make sure that your equipment is as ready to show as you are. Before you finish packing mentally picture everything and make a list of what you are going to need to ride into the show pen on your horse: hat, chaps, boots and spurs, saddle pad, saddle, bridle, splint boots and skidders. Are they all in the trailer somewhere?
Medical Kit - Ask your vet to help you assemble an emergency horse show kit. This may include items like eye ointment, banamine, bute, vet wrap, cotton and betadine. In case of emergency it is nice to be prepared when your vet is not right there.
Feed and Water - It may sound silly, but figure out exactly how much feed you are going to need and take just a little extra. Make sure you load feed in a place that is easy to get to. I also recommend taking extra water for you and your horses. Many of the rest areas and gas stations don't have or won't let you use their water.
Tools and Blocks - Put together a toolbox and keep it in your trailer. These should never leave the trailer. Just forget they are there. Then you’ll have them when you need them. In addition to the tools, throw in a couple of wood blocks to put behind your trailer tires or to drive up on if you need to change a tire. I guarantee you will need these things at some point this season.
Hitting the Road
Take good care of your rig - Have your oil changed, your truck serviced, and get your tires checked. Make sure all of your lights and turn signals work so you can navigate through traffic. I calculated that in the last season I blew 9 tires, one water pump, one turbo, and had numerous other minor vehicle problems. You won't be able to eliminate road issues, but you will be able to minimize them. When you are getting packed for a show it is easy to get caught up in loading tack, feed and clothes and neglect to set aside time to take care of your truck and trailer. Make the time. It is very important for you and your horses' safety and will help you arrive at a show without fried nerves from a hectic road trip.
Have a breakdown plan - Most roadside assistance companies do not offer towing or service to trucks pulling horse trailers. Call and ask - don't just assume that you are covered. If they don't cover towing or service with trailers, then find a company that will. I estimate that last season I spent $2500 in towing and road side assistance because I didn't take care of that issue ahead of time. I am apparently either a slow learner or masochistic. Keep in mind that most service places aren't open at night or on Sundays and Murphy's Law states that’s when most breakdowns happen.
Travel Plans - Know where you are going and how long it takes to get there. Call ahead and get directions to the facility. Getting lost is the pits with a horse trailer. Get weather information ahead of time. Are you driving through a part of the country that will have snow or freezing temperatures? Make sure you have chains and have allowed enough time for a lay-over if the weather is severe. Do you have extra coolant if you are driving in hot summer temperatures?
Precious Cargo - Remember who you're hauling. If you are asking a horse to perform when you arrive, make sure that the trip schedule is realistic. If you are traveling long distances, you need to stop every eight to ten hours or you need to push hard, get there, and give your horses a few days to rest. Some of this depends on your horses and how they respond to long travel. You want them to be ready to perform, so don't beat them up on the trip.
Know Your Limits - This is often the hardest part. If you are too tired to drive, pull over and take a nap or walk around a bit. Don't wait until you have half dozed off and been jerked awake by the grating on the side of the road to get the hint. It’s nice to drive at night to avoid heavy traffic, but not always practical. I restrict most of my long hauling to the daylight hours because my eyes get tired at night and services are more readily available during the day.
Other Drivers - Be alert and aware of the ignorance of the general populace when it comes to horse trailers. You may be a great driver, but when you are pulling a trailer you aren't able to avoid others as easily. This is no place for road rage, though it is easy to forget that when driving through Seattle. Limit your anger to yelling at the windshield and hand gestures, and keep your driving under control.
Shake it off - No matter how good or bad your voyage, once you get to the show, you need to start mentally preparing for the performance. You've committed to this adventure so make the most of it while you are there!
I would love to hear some of your tips or stories or suggestions for topics this year! Email: coastalequine@aol.com See you down the road!
