Contents

• Horse Show Overview
• Horse Show Checklist
• Horse Show Timeline
• Example Forms

          - Show class list
          - Flier 

          - Judges card

          - Obstacle course sheets

          - Coggins check list
          - Horse show check list
          - Class division sheet

There are THREE very important factors in having a successful horse show

• Organization - you what to know what you are doing, who you are working with, want to have all of the necessary materials available  
• Preparation - you will want to make sure that you do as much as possible months before the date of the horse show. Doing this will help to lower your work load over time, and to insure that you have everything that you need
• Dedication - you want to be completely dedicated to the horse show. If you are not you might forget to add something important to the show. Or just completely give up. Hosting a horse show is a lot of hard work

Organization - you need to decide how you want to run the horse show. 

     - What kind of discipline are you going to provide? 

• Western Pleasure
• Hunter
• Green Horse
• Gaited & Non-trotting
• Open 
• Miniature Horse
• Speed or Gymkhana 

     - How are you going to advertise the show?

• Radio
• Newspaper
• Fliers
• Tack Shops
• Gas stations
• Grocery Stores
• Email
• Facebook
• Twitter 

     - What kind of show are you going to host?

• Fun Show
• 4-H Horse Show
• Rodeo
• Local Level
• District Level
• State Level

    - Location - Location is everything. It will determine how many people will be able to come and join the horse show. It also determines how well you can advertise your horse show. 

• Does it provide:
• Available areas to park trailers
• Water
• Electricity
• Warm-up Arenas 
• Restrooms available or will you need to rent Port-A-Potties
•  Does it provide a PA system
• Does it have a ready to use concession stand

     - Show date:

• You will want to check and make sure that:
• you have a rain date
• check weather
• check for other activities that are going on in that area

If you are hosting a horse show to benefit your 4-H group or a local 4-H group make sure to contact the local agent in charge. It is very important that you keep them informed on what you are doing and how you plan on raising the money, this does not just include horse shows. You will need to set up and talk about:

• Horse show date
• Location
• Times
• Insurance
• Possible rain date
• Who the show is for
• How else you plan on raising money

     - Setting up the class list: 

• Will you provide different class divisions for championships
• How many places are you going to offer per class
• Will you offer any other prizes

     - You will want to set up the shows rules and regulations

• Will any other animal besides horse be allowed on the show grounds
• What safety equipment is required for the riders and their divisions
• Will you use general rules or 4-H rules

     - Budget

• How much will you charge per class or division
• Will you try to get sponsors
• Expenses:
• Ribbons
• Division Prizes
• The Officials:
• Judge 
• Announcers
• Ring Stewart
• Emergency Medical Team, EMT
• Facility
• Secretarial Supplies
• Copies of the class
• Copies of the Entry forms
• Writing Pens
• Back numbers
• Safety pins
• Walkie Talkies
• Port-A-Potties
• One day event insurance
• Timer for speed or gymkhana classes

     - Preparation

• You will want to make sure that you give yourself plenty of time in advance to get the horse show ready. 
• About 3 months before the show date
• decide on the date that you would like the show to be on
• what location
• the type of show you would like it to be
• decide what organization you would like to benefit and contact them to let them know what it is you are doing
• As soon as you figure out the date and the location of the show will want to:
• start getting the word out
• find and hire a judge for the day or the whole show, depends on how long the show is
• hire an announcer and any other important officials that would be necessary
• try and find someone to provide food for the day(s)
• about 6 to 8 weeks before the show you should:
• order the ribbons needed and any other prizes that would be needed
• start getting all of your materials ready
• 3 to 4 weeks in advance to the show
• finalize your volunteers - make sure that you have extra people on stand by just in case someone does not show up or something happens
• with about 1 to 2 weeks left til the show date
• have a meeting to cover all bases
• that you have all of the papers together and ready
• all the proper officials ready
• contact the local rescue squad - it is good for them to know that a horse show is going on so they can send someone out there just in case something goes wrong
• CALL THE JUDGE - you show always call the judge about a week before the horse show. You will probably have to email them the show schedule and the rules and regulations that your show will be going by. You will also want to make sure that the judge knows how to get to the facility and gives you a set pay rate.
• call the organization that you are benefiting so they can try to send someone out to the show grounds to represent themselves
• visit the show grounds
• clean the grounds
• get trash up
• pine cones, sticks, etc.
• rack the ground if need be
• drag the arena if the owner will let you
• double check that you have running water and good electricity
• The day  before the show you will want to make sure that everything is in good working condition. Make sure that you have all of your paperwork and supplies that are needed. Dont forget.... Pray for good weather...
• On the day of the show the biggest thing to do is.... Show up and have fun.

Flier

Some example patterns

Class list

Class list

Horse show check list

Class divison Sheets

Judges cards

Coggins check list