What to buy for a horse riding competition

A horse riding competition needs more than jumps and a start list. You need equipment for the course, practical supplies for horses and riders, clear numbering and signage, and enough shelter and seating for officials and visitors. Plan water, hay, manure handling and waste collection before delivery day; these are easy to overlook and difficult to replace once horses arrive. Use this shopping list alongside your competition format, stable layout and horse welfare plan.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 80
Judges' tableqty 2
Beer tablesqty 4
Waste binsqty 8

Sports equipment

Spring stanchionsqty 24
Springboardsqty 36
Water bowl
Dressage lettersqty 12
Dressage fencesqty 8
Course barrierqty 120
Conesqty 30
Marking tapeqty 6
Brushesqty 8
Bridle racksqty 12
Bib numbersqty 60
Bib holdersqty 60
Rank boardsqty 3
Prizesqty 12
Bristle brushesqty 12
Bridle setsqty 4
Buckets of waterqty 24
Feed bucketsqty 24
Hay netsqty 24
Wheelbarrowsqty 4
Manure forksqty 6
Scoopsqty 4
Lane rope
Sled board

Equipment

Laptopqty 2
Printer
Stopwatchesqty 4
Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Sound system
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Speakersqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Water jugsqty 8

Decorations

Competition flagsqty 12
Buntingqty 8
Directional signsqty 12
Program standsqty 4

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 8
Work lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Broom setsqty 4
Mop setsqty 3
Bucketsqty 6
Hand broomsqty 6
Toilet brushesqty 3
Washable cleaning clothsqty 24

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Pliersqty 6
Cool bagsqty 6
Food containersqty 12
Aluminum foilqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Chocolate milk - 6 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Still water - 10 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Beer - 4 crates
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 5 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Mandarins - 4 kilo
- Whole wheat bread - 10 loaves
- White bread - 8 loaves
- Wholemeal rolls - 100 pieces
- Croissants - 60 pieces
- Wraps - 60 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Pasta salad - 8 kilo
- Potato salad - 6 kilos
- Chicken satay - 5 kilos
- Vegetarian vegetable skewers - 80 pieces
- Hamburgers - 80 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Hot dogs - 60 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 60 pieces
- Potato croquettes - 4 kilo
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Brownies - 6 trays
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Garbage bags - 120 pieces
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Aluminum trays - 100 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 200 pieces

Tips

Allow at least one water bowl or filled bucket at each horse-care area, plus spare water for refilling during the day. Horses, officials and volunteers should not depend on a single water point.
Prepare one bib number and holder for every competing rider, then keep a small reserve for damaged or missing numbers. Sort them before registration opens so distribution does not delay the start.
Match the number of jumps, springboards, cones and dressage letters to the course plan, not just the expected number of classes. Bring marking tape and a course barrier for last-minute route changes and restricted areas.
Provide practical stable supplies for the full competition period: hay nets, feed buckets, brushes, bridle racks, manure forks, scoops and wheelbarrows. Add capacity for helpers and shared areas, because these items are often borrowed or moved during the day.
Order prizes, ribbons and rank boards early enough to check names, classes and quantities before packing them. Set aside a separate table for prizes and results so the jury can work without mixing awards with entry materials.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a horse riding competition?: For the course, prepare the planned jumps, springboards, stanchions, cones, marking tape and barriers, plus dressage letters and fences if applicable. Add bib numbers, holders, rank boards, prizes, water supplies and horse-care equipment such as hay nets, buckets and manure forks.
How many bib numbers do I need for a riding competition?: Prepare one bib number and one holder per registered rider, then add around 5–10% spare numbers. For 40 riders, that means 40 issued numbers and 2–4 backups.
How much water and hay should I bring for competition horses?: Bring enough water to refill every horse-care point throughout the event, with extra capacity for warm weather and delays. Pack hay in separate nets or portions for each horse and plan a reserve rather than relying on a single shared supply.
When should I order prizes and competition supplies?: Order prizes, ribbons, bibs and printed materials early enough to check every name and class before the competition week. Finish the main shopping and equipment check at least 1–2 days before the event, leaving only fresh or weather-dependent items for the final day.

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