What You Need for an Eventing Competition

An eventing competition needs more than jumps and dressage markers. You also need clear course signage, supplies for horses, equipment for officials, and a workable setup for competitors and spectators. Use this shopping list alongside your venue plan to check what must be bought, hired or brought on the day. Quantities depend on entries and site size, but planning for every phase—dressage, show jumping and cross-country—helps prevent last-minute gaps.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 80
Judges' tableqty 2
Bar stoolsqty 6

Sports equipment

Jump obstaclesqty 14
Cross-country obstaclesqty 20
Dressage lettersqty 12
Dressage fencesqty 8
Start flagsqty 4
Finish flagsqty 4
Route arrowsqty 30
Course numbersqty 40
Barrier tapeqty 12
Conesqty 40
Measuring tapesqty 3
Stopwatchesqty 8
Scoreboardsqty 4
Horse water troughsqty 12
Hay netsqty 20
Hay balesqty 40
Fence panelsqty 30

Equipment

PA system
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Laptopsqty 2
Printersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Flashlightsqty 8
Walkie-talkiesqty 10
Cash register

Lighting

LED lampsqty 12
String lightsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Coffee potsqty 4

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 6
Pliersqty 6
Coolersqty 4

Cleaning

Broom setsqty 4
Trash binsqty 12
Handwashing stationsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Bucketsqty 6
Scoopsqty 4
Wheelbarrowsqty 3

Safety

First aid kitsqty 3
Fire extinguishersqty 4
Safety vestsqty 20
Flashlightsqty 8

Decorations

Competition flagsqty 12
Prize ribbonsqty 15
Rosettesqty 15

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 18 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Savory nuts - 6 bags
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilo
- Cucumber - 10 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Buns - 150 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White bread - 8 loaves
- Croissants - 60 pieces
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Cheese - 4 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Yogurt dressing - 2 bottles
- Wraps - 80 pieces
- Chicken salad - 3 kilo
- Pasta salad - 5 kilos
- Green salad - 5 kilos
- Vegetarian sandwiches - 40 pieces
- Vegan sandwiches - 20 pieces
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Chocolate bars - 60 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Garbage bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Bread bags - 200 pieces
- Coffee filters - 200 pieces
- Stirrers - 300 pieces
- Sugar packets - 300 pieces

Tips

Prepare one complete set of course equipment for each phase: dressage letters and fences, jumping obstacles, and cross-country obstacles with route arrows and course numbers. Count the course numbers against the final layout rather than ordering a generic quantity.
Provide at least one water trough and one hay net point for every horse area that will be used at the venue. Keep extra hay bales available in case horses stay longer than their scheduled times.
Set aside one judges’ table, two chairs and a reliable stopwatch for each judging position. Pack spare pens, printed score sheets and a second stopwatch even if the results are entered on laptops.
Use barrier tape, fence panels and cones to separate horse traffic, parking, spectators and competition areas. Bring enough extension cords and power strips to reach the PA system, printers and laptops without creating walkways that people can trip over.
Plan participant and official shelter before the forecast becomes a problem. A party tent with folding tables and chairs is useful for registration, scoring and refreshments; add flashlights for early setup, late finishes or poorly lit areas.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for an eventing competition?: You need equipment for all three phases: dressage letters and fences, jumping and cross-country obstacles, start and finish flags, route arrows, course numbers, cones and measuring tapes. Add timing, scoring, PA and safety equipment for officials and the event team.
How much hay and water should I provide for an eventing competition?: Plan one water trough and one hay net point for each active horse area, then keep spare hay bales on site. The exact amount depends on the number of horses and how long they remain at the venue, so confirm entries before ordering.
How many tables and chairs are needed for an eventing competition?: Start with one judges’ table for each judging position, plus tables for registration, scoring and refreshments. Provide at least one chair per official or volunteer working a fixed station, and add seating for anyone who must wait between phases.
What should I bring for eventing competition officials?: Pack stopwatches, scoreboards, laptops, printers, extension cords, power strips and wireless microphones, with spare batteries or backup timing equipment. Prepare these at least one day before the competition so technical problems can be fixed before officials arrive.

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