What to buy for a dressage competition

A dressage competition needs more than letters and fences. You will also need practical supplies for judges, competitors, spectators, catering, parking and horse care. Use this list to check quantities before shopping, especially for water, power, printing and refreshments. The number of horses, classes and expected visitors determines how much you need, so confirm the final start list before placing orders.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Judges' table
Prize table

Sports equipment

Dressage lettersqty 8
Dressage fencesqty 24
Conesqty 20
Bollardsqty 20
Barrier tapeqty 4
Ground cover
Wheelbarrowsqty 2
Hay balesqty 12
Horse water troughsqty 8
Water barrelsqty 4
First aid kitsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 4

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 60
Glassesqty 80
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 8
Coffee potsqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 4

Equipment

Kettlesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
PA system
Microphoneqty 2
Laptop
Printer
Coolersqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 4
Ice packsqty 16

Decorations

Flagsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 8
Flower arrangementsqty 4
Information boardsqty 4
Parking signsqty 8
Bib holdersqty 40

Catering

Coffee maker
Hot drink urnsqty 3
Coffee creamer jugsqty 3
Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Coffee cream - 4 tubs
- Semi-skimmed milk - 6 liters
- Still mineral water - 6 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 4 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Ham - 2 kilograms
- Cheese - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Butter - 4 packs
- Margarine - 2 tubs
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Bell peppers - 2 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Bananas - 4 kilogram
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Chocolate bars - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian sandwiches - 20 pieces
- Gluten-free rolls - 10 pieces
- Lactose-free milk - 3 liters
- Herb cheese - 6 tubs
- Herbs - 2 jars
- Lemons - 2 kilograms
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper cups - 100 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 packs
- Chalk - 2 boxes
- Ballpoint pens - 30 pieces
- Permanent markers - 10 pieces
- Printer paper - 2 packs
- Name stickers - 100 pieces
- Coffee filters - 100 pieces
- Teaspoons - 100 pieces
- Drinking straws - 100 pieces

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Broom setsqty 3
Litter pickersqty 2
Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 3
Spongesqty 6

Lighting

Outdoor lightsqty 6
String lightsqty 4

Tips

Plan at least 5–10 litres of drinking water per horse for the competition day, plus separate water barrels or troughs for refilling. Arrange delivery or transport no later than the day before.
Allow one table and two chairs for the judges, with a separate prize table. Set aside at least two extra tables for registration, refreshments or paperwork if the venue has no built-in facilities.
For catering, estimate 2–3 drinks per person during the first hour, then 1–2 drinks per person for each additional hour. Bring extra coffee cups, glasses, plates and cutlery; these are often forgotten when the catering order is counted only by meals.
Test the PA system, microphone, laptop, printer, extension cords and power strips at least one day before the event. Bring spare printer paper and place the printer close to the secretary’s table to avoid delays with protocols and start lists.
Buy barrier tape, bollards, cones and ground cover before the site inspection. Mark the arena, parking routes and restricted areas in advance, and keep wheelbarrows and hay bales available where horses and equipment need them.

Frequently asked questions

How much water do I need for a dressage competition?: Plan 5–10 litres of drinking water per horse for the day, in addition to water for cleaning and refreshments. Keep at least one accessible trough or barrel near the horse area and arrange refilling before competition morning.
How many cups and plates should I buy for a dressage show?: Count one set per planned serving, then add 15–20% extra for breakage, seconds and volunteers. For 100 guests, that means roughly 115–120 cups, glasses, plates and cutlery sets.
When should I prepare the dressage competition equipment?: Check all arena equipment, power supplies and printing equipment at least 24 hours before the first class. Set out letters, fences, cones and barriers early enough to correct missing or damaged items before competitors arrive.
How many tables and chairs are needed for a dressage competition?: Allow one judges’ table with two chairs, one prize table, and at least one additional table for registration or refreshments. Add two chairs per official or volunteer who must work at a table, then keep 2–4 spare chairs available.

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