What you need for a harness racing competition

A harness racing competition needs more than horses, sulkies and a prepared track. You will need equipment for marking the course, recording times, managing entries and communicating with volunteers, plus water, hay and waste supplies for the horses. Plan catering and shelter separately from race equipment, and check power and lighting before event day. This shopping list brings the practical items together so nothing essential is left until the final hours.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 120
Party tentsqty 3
Bar stoolsqty 6

Sports equipment

Conesqty 40
Crowd control barriersqty 80
Bib numbersqty 30
Bib holdersqty 30
Marking paintqty 6
Measuring tapesqty 3
Stopwatchesqty 4
Starting bell
Scoreboardsqty 2
Hay balesqty 20
Horse water troughsqty 12
Bucketsqty 20
Scoopsqty 6
Wheelbarrowsqty 3

Equipment

Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
Cable reelsqty 3

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 180
Platesqty 150
Cutlery setsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 100

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 12
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 6
Pliersqty 6
Ice packsqty 20
Handwash sinksqty 2

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Competition flagsqty 6
Prize ribbonsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Broomqty 4
Mop setsqty 3
Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Toilet brushesqty 4
First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 4 crates
- Beer - 8 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Spa Blue - 12 crates
- Spa Rood - 4 crates
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Bread rolls - 180 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Back ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Egg salad - 2 kilo
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Tomatoes - 8 kilo
- Cucumbers - 6 kilos
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Potato salad - 12 kilos
- Pasta salad - 12 kilos
- Chicken satay - 10 kilos
- Vegetarian burgers - 40 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 180 pieces
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Satay sauce - 5 kilos
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Savory nuts - 6 bags
- Apples - 10 kilos
- Bananas - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Cake - 6 pieces
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Dish cloths - 24 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Nitrile gloves - 4 boxes
- Horse hay - 10 bales
- Horse feed - 6 bags
- Drinking water for horses - 240 liter

Tips

Prepare track and finish-line equipment at least one day before the competition. Check that you have enough cones, marking paint and measuring tapes for every marked section, not just the start and finish.
Allow one bib number and bib holder for every registered horse-and-rider combination, plus at least 10% spare numbers. Late changes and damaged holders are common on competition day.
Provide a water trough for each active horse area and keep several buckets and scoops available. Position hay bales and wheelbarrows where they can be reached without crossing the racing route.
Test every stopwatch, starting bell, scoreboard and walkie-talkie before the first start. Have one communication device for each key position and spare batteries ready if the equipment uses them.
Order catering tableware according to attendance, then add 10% extra reusable cups, plates and cutlery. If coffee is served throughout the day, check that the coffee machines can run from the available power strips and extension cords.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a harness racing competition?: For the race itself, plan cones, crowd control barriers, bib numbers and holders, marking paint, measuring tapes, stopwatches, a starting bell and scoreboards. You will also need communication equipment, horse water troughs, buckets, hay bales and basic catering supplies.
How many bib numbers should I buy for a harness racing competition?: Prepare one bib number and one holder per registered entry, then add at least 10% spare sets. For 40 entries, that means 44 bib numbers and 44 holders.
How much horse water equipment is needed at a competition?: Use at least one water trough for each horse area, with two or more buckets and a scoop available per area. Add extra buckets for washing, refilling and unexpected spills.
When should I buy supplies for a harness racing competition?: Buy durable race, safety and horse-care equipment at least one week before the event so shortages can be corrected. Order catering and disposable or reusable tableware after registrations close, usually 3 to 5 days before the competition.

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