What you need for a carriage race

A carriage race needs more than an arena and a start line. Your shopping list must cover the competition area, obstacles, timing, judging, horse welfare, spectator control, and basic event operations. Plan separate supplies for registration, officials, participants, and the audience so equipment does not have to move during the event. Horse water, hay, manure equipment, barriers, and clear signs are easy to overlook and should be ready before competitors arrive.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 80
Judges' table
Registration desk
Bar stoolsqty 4

Sports equipment

Dressage arena
Marathon obstaclesqty 8
Conesqty 40
Crowd control barriersqty 30
Ropeqty 4
Measuring tapesqty 3
Stopwatchesqty 6
Start flagsqty 3
Finish flagsqty 3
Bib numbersqty 30
Scoreboardsqty 4
Jury formsqty 100
Clipboardsqty 12
Pensqty 30
Prize trophiesqty 6
Medal ribbonsqty 30
Bristle brushesqty 10
Horse water troughsqty 12
Hay netsqty 12
Hay balesqty 30
Manure wheelbarrowsqty 3
Manure forksqty 6
Scoopsqty 4
Water barrelsqty 4

Equipment

PA system
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Mobile chargersqty 6

Lighting

LED lampsqty 12
String lightsqty 6
Flashlightsqty 8

Decorations

Banner flagsqty 4
Direction signsqty 12
Welcome sign
Competition flagsqty 10

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Pliersqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 6
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Food warmersqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Bucketsqty 6
Broom setsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Hand broomsqty 4
Cleaning clothsqty 30

Safety

Fire extinguishersqty 4
First aid kitsqty 2
Safety vestsqty 20
Work glovesqty 12
Warning tapeqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 5 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilo
- Salted sticks - 6 bags
- Mini pretzels - 6 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Sirup waffles - 6 packs
- Currant buns - 60 pieces
- Sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- White bread - 6 loaves
- Cheese - 4 kilos
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Soup - 12 liters
- Bouillon cubes - 2 boxes
- Tomato soup vegetables - 3 kilos
- Mini frikandels - 200 pieces
- Vegetarian snacks - 100 pieces
- Satay sauce - 3 liter
- French fries sauce - 3 liter
- Bitterballen - 200 pieces
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Pepper - 250 gram
- Oil - 3 liters
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 150 pieces
- Horse hay - 80 kilos
- Horse feed pellets - 40 kilos
- Carrots for horses - 25 kilos
- Apple cider vinegar - 2 bottles
- Fly spray - 6 bottles
- Disinfectant - 4 bottles

Tips

Prepare the competition equipment before registration opens: test the stopwatches, scoreboards, flags, measuring tapes, cones, and bib numbers at least 60 minutes before the first start.
Provide a water trough and hay access for every horse-care area, then keep extra water in barrels nearby. Do not rely on one shared trough if several teams arrive at once.
Set up the judges’ table with clipboards, pens, and jury forms before the course inspection. Bring at least two spare pens and extra printed forms in case results need to be recorded again.
Place crowd-control barriers and rope around the audience route and emergency exits before spectators enter. Keep the finish area, obstacle approaches, and veterinary access clear throughout the race.
Keep manure wheelbarrows, forks, and scoops together in one service point, with a disposal route planned in advance. Add bristle brushes and hay nets to the horse-care setup rather than leaving them at registration.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a carriage race?: You need a marked competition area, marathon obstacles, cones, start and finish flags, measuring tapes, stopwatches, scoreboards, bib numbers, and judging supplies. Add barriers, rope, and signs to separate spectators from the course.
How much hay and water should I provide for a carriage race?: Prepare enough hay and water for every horse expected, plus a reserve for delays. Put troughs and hay nets in the horse area and keep additional water barrels available throughout the event.
What should I buy for carriage race judges?: Set up a judges’ table with jury forms, clipboards, pens, stopwatches, and a scoreboard. Have the paperwork and timing equipment ready at least 60 minutes before the first competitor starts.
What safety equipment is needed for a carriage race?: Use crowd-control barriers and rope to define the audience route and protect the course. Mark emergency exits before opening the site, and keep access clear for the veterinarian and emergency vehicles.

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