What You Need for a Western Competition

A western competition needs more than arena fences and obstacles. You also need practical supplies for horse welfare, registration, judging, announcements, parking and waste collection. Plan equipment for the arena, a working registration desk, a judges’ table and enough power for speakers, laptops and printers. Check consumables and backup items at least one week before the competition, then confirm quantities against the number of horses, riders, judges and spectators.

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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' table
Registration desk
Waste binsqty 8

Sports equipment

Arena fencesqty 24
Trail obstaclesqty 8
Barsqty 12
Conesqty 30
Bib numbersqty 40
Dressage lettersqty 8
Measuring tapeqty 2
Hay racksqty 12
Horse water troughsqty 20
Wheelbarrowsqty 3
Pitchforksqty 4
Stable manure forksqty 4
Brushesqty 6
Spongesqty 6

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Power banksqty 4
Laptopsqty 2
Printers
Walkie-talkiesqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 180
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Pouring jugsqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Food warmersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 8
Pliersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6

Decorations

Competition flagsqty 20
Tableclothsqty 12
Directional signsqty 12
Program postersqty 10
Start list boardsqty 3

Lighting

LED work lightsqty 8
String lightsqty 6

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Safety vestsqty 10
Barrier tapeqty 4
Flashlightsqty 6

Cleaning

Broom setsqty 4
Floor squeegeesqty 3
Bucketsqty 6
Mopsqty 6
Cleaning glovesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Chocolate milk - 8 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Flat mineral water - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Sports drink - 24 bottles
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Kaiser rolls - 120 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Bread rolls - 60 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Smoked chicken breast - 2 kilo
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Egg salad - 1.5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 2 kilos
- Red onions - 1 kilo
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Potato salad - 8 kilos
- Pasta salad - 8 kilo
- Mixed green salad - 6 kilo
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Feta - 2 kilos
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Salad Dressing - 4 Bottles
- Vegetarian burgers - 40 pieces
- Beef burgers - 100 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 140 pieces
- Vegetarian hot dogs - 30 pieces
- Hot dogs - 80 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 120 pieces
- Fried onions - 4 bags
- Hamburger sauce - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Fries - 25 kilos
- Deep-frying oil - 10 liter
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Peanut mix - 4 kilo
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Apple pies - 6 pieces
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Wet wipes - 6 packs
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 300 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Garbage bags - 100 pieces
- Compostable trash bags - 50
- Hay bales - 30 pieces
- Hay bales - 20 pieces
- Salt licks for horses - 12 pieces

Tips

Plan one clearly marked registration desk with a laptop, printer, bib numbers and spare stationery, and prepare the start list before competitors arrive. Keep at least 10% extra bib numbers or printed forms for last-minute corrections.
Provide water access for every horse area and place hay racks where horses can eat without blocking walkways. Add wheelbarrows, pitchforks and manure forks so stable waste can be removed throughout the day, not only after the final class.
Measure the arena before setting out fences, trail obstacles, bars, cones and dressage letters. Keep a measuring tape and a small set of spare markers at the arena entrance for quick corrections before the first start.
Test the sound system at least 2 hours before the opening announcement. Bring extension cords, power strips, power banks and walkie-talkies, and keep microphones and cables away from horse routes and wet areas.
Order catering from the confirmed registration numbers and include dietary requirements collected in advance. Put waste bins near the registration area, catering point, seating and horse facilities so they can be emptied before they overflow.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a western competition?: At minimum, plan arena fences, trail obstacles, bars, cones, bib numbers and measuring equipment, plus tables and chairs for registration and judging. Add speakers, microphones, power supplies and walkie-talkies if announcements and coordination are part of the programme.
How much water and hay do I need for competition horses?: Provide a dedicated water trough for each horse area and enough hay access for the full stay, with extra for delays. Confirm the number of horses at least 7 days before the event and add a reserve rather than relying on one shared trough or rack.
When should I prepare the western competition equipment?: Check the full equipment list at least 7 days before the competition. Set up and test the arena, registration desk, printer and sound system no later than 2 hours before competitors and horses arrive.
What should I bring for horse care and clean-up?: Bring brushes, sponges, wheelbarrows, pitchforks, manure forks and accessible water troughs. Prepare enough clean-up equipment for the entire competition day and inspect it again the evening before, because missing tools are difficult to replace once classes have started.

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