"What's in My Bag?" Horse Show Edition

The saddle seat discipline requires so many tiny details that go into the rider's show ring-ready appearance. Sometimes, it can be overwhelming to keep track of everything while you're playing the "hurry up and wait" game at the horse show. Staying organized ahead of time will help you avoid panic later at the horse show. Over the past 10 years, we've gotten horse show organization down to a science. Modeling after the popular "What's in My Bag" series, we decided to give you a full blueprint of how we like to prepare for a horse show weekend.

Let's start with the bag itself.

We recommend using a plastic or nylon tote bag, which are easy to clean and will help keep moisture out. Try to find one with a zipper across the top to further protect your items (bonus points if there are pockets or dividers on the inside). If you really want to go the extra mile, get your name and/or barn logo embroidered on the side to avoid confusion if you share a dressing room with other riders.

Moving on to our favorite part: the sparkly stuff!

Accessories are conveniently kept in velvet-lined storage cases. We offer large cases for custom sets, or smaller boxes for individual items. These high-quality cases are super sturdy, keeping your crystal accessories in top condition throughout the season. If you have multiple different sets of accessories, use labels to easily identify them on the outside of the box.

Now for your other odds and ends...

We recommend using a plastic tackle box to keep your smaller pieces accounted for. These are great because most have removable panels, so you can customize each section to suit your needs. Make labels for each section to easily create a place for everything. With one glance over, you'll be able to tell exactly what you need to stock up on.

Pro tip: Association and breed membership cards can be kept in an adhesive credit card holder stuck to the inside of your tackle box, as shown below.

Last but not least, don't forget about hair and makeup!

We like to have separate bags specifically for these items. This way, if someone else helps you with your hair and/or makeup at the show, they'll have everything they need neatly organized in one small bag. No more dumping your bag upside down to find your missing bobby pins!

It's been a while since the season began, and if you haven't re-organized your things in a few months, you may want to consider doing so before your next show. Whether your show season is winding down or just ramping up, now is the perfect time to make sure you have everything you need. The week leading up to a horse show, we recommend going through your entire wardrobe and taking a full inventory of anything you may be missing or running low on. You may be surprised at what you find rattling around at the bottom of your bag!