Horse show shopping list

A horse show needs more than arena equipment and ribbons. You also need supplies for horse care, stable cleaning, crowd control, judging, rider identification and refreshments. Use the prepared plan to check quantities against the number of horses, riders, officials and spectators expected. Buy hay, water and disposable catering supplies early enough that a late delivery does not affect show day.

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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 180
Bar stoolsqty 12
Judges' table
High tablesqty 8
Conesqty 30
Crowd barriersqty 40
Barrier tapeqty 6

Sports equipment

Dressage fencesqty 20
Spring stanchionsqty 16
Springboardsqty 24
Water bowl
Cavalettiqty 8
Marker lettersqty 8
Measuring tapeqty 2
Obstacle numbersqty 16
Bib numbersqty 30
Bristle brushesqty 8
Hay netsqty 20
Feed bowlsqty 20
Drinking bowlsqty 20
Buckets of waterqty 12
Wheelbarrowsqty 3
Pitchforksqty 4
Scoopsqty 3
Hay balesqty 30
Rubber stable matsqty 20

Equipment

Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Power banksqty 4
Card machinesqty 2
Cash registersqty 2
Cash wallet for changeqty 2
Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Mobile phonesqty 4
Power banksqty 4
Calculatorsqty 2

Lighting

LED construction lightsqty 8
String lightsqty 6
Rechargeable lanternsqty 10

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 220
Reusable coffee cupsqty 120
Platesqty 220
Cutlery setsqty 220
Serving traysqty 12

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Ice cube traysqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 16
Aluminum foilqty 2

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Prize ribbonsqty 30
Prize cupsqty 12
Program boardsqty 4
Directional signsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea bags - 120 pieces
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Mixed nuts - 4 bags
- Mini meatballs - 6 kilos
- Chicken skewers - 5 kilos
- Vegetarian meatballs - 3 kilos
- Mini sausages - 4 kilos
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Mini bake-at-home rolls - 120 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Herb butter - 12 tubs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cucumber - 10 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 5 kilo
- Carrots - 4 kilos
- Bell peppers - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Yogurt - 6 kilos
- Muesli - 3 kilos
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Apple pie - 6 pies
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Chocolate bars - 100 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Spice mix - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Sandwich bags - 2 boxes
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Cleaning wipes - 6 packs
- Horse hay - 20 bales
- Horse feed pellets - 100 kilos
- Carrots for horses - 25 kilos
- Horse apples - 20 kilos
- Straw - 20 bales
- Mineral lick blocks - 10 pieces
- Drinking water for horses - 500 liters

Cleaning

Broomsqty 4
Cansqty 3
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Trash binsqty 12
Toilet brushesqty 4
Rubber glovesqty 12
Hand broomsqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 4
Safety vestsqty 12
Flashlightsqty 8
Emergency blanketsqty 6
Bandage suppliesqty 4

Paper goods

Program bookletsqty 220
Registration formsqty 50
Jury formsqty 100
Name badgesqty 60
Pensqty 40
Markersqty 20
Clipboardsqty 12
Tapeqty 8
Scissorsqty 6
Weatherproof labelsqty 100

Horse care

Haltersqty 24
Guide ropesqty 24
Waste bagsqty 500
Manure wheelbarrowsqty 3
Manure forksqty 4
Sweat blanketsqty 12
Cooling bandagesqty 8
Buckets for groomingqty 8
Sponge clothsqty 12
Fly masksqty 12
Horse bandagesqty 4
Thermometersqty 4
Stallion Chainsqty 4

Tips

Plan water and feed for the full day, not just the competition hours. Provide separate drinking bowls and water buckets, and keep extra hay available if horses remain on site after their class.
Match arena equipment to the programme before shopping. Count each dressage fence, spring stanchion, springboard, cavaletti, marker letter and obstacle number against the arenas and classes you will run.
Prepare one complete identification set per participant who needs one. Bib numbers and name badges should be printed after registrations close, so spelling and starting details can be checked before they are attached or handed out.
Do not leave horse-area cleaning supplies until the final shopping trip. Hay nets, feed bowls, rubber stable mats, wheelbarrows, pitchforks and scoops are needed before horses arrive, while extra buckets help keep water points running.
Count seating and shelter separately for officials and spectators. Reserve a judges’ table, enough foldable tables and chairs, and party tents where people will wait; test wireless microphones and speakers before the first announcement.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a horse show?: Plan for four groups of supplies: arena equipment, horse and stable care, event signage and identification, and spectator or catering equipment. The list includes items such as hay bales, water buckets, dressage fences, obstacle numbers, bib numbers, tables, chairs, tents, microphones and speakers.
How much hay and water do I need for a horse show?: The exact amount depends on the number of horses and hours on site, so calculate per horse for the entire stay and add a reserve for delays. Have water available before arrival and keep extra hay and filled buckets ready throughout the programme.
When should I order horse show equipment and supplies?: Confirm rented or delivered equipment at least 1–2 weeks before the show, then check the delivery or collection plan again during the final week. Buy consumables such as hay, feed and catering supplies close enough to the event to keep them fresh, but not later than 1–2 days beforehand.
What equipment is needed for a horse show arena?: Depending on the disciplines, prepare dressage fences, spring stanchions, springboards, cavaletti, marker letters, measuring tape and obstacle numbers. Count and inspect every piece before setup, then keep cones and barrier tape available for marking safe routes and restricted areas.

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