Pack in groups so nothing gets missed: your horse's gear, the rider's gear, the float and vehicle, paperwork, first aid, and food and water for everyone. Pack the night before, run the pre-tow checklist in the morning, and leave earlier than you think you need to. Scroll down for the full horse show checklist, and share it with your Pony Club.
In this guide12 sections
Your first show season
G'day, Wes here. There's nothing quite like the first show season. The early starts, the nerves, the plaits done by torchlight, and the drive home with a ribbon on the dash. It's also the season where most of us learn the hard way what we forgot to pack.
So here's the horse show checklist our team and customers swear by. Print it, stick it inside the tack room door of your float, and tick it off the night before. And if you're a Pony Club family, share it around the club.
For your horse
- Saddle, girth and saddle cloth
- Bridle, and a spare if you have one
- Headstall and lead rope, plus a spare of each
- Travel boots or bandages
- Rugs for the weather: cooler, rain sheet or summer sheet
- Fly veil and fly spray
- Grooming kit: brushes, curry comb, hoof pick, sponge and sweat scraper
- Plaiting kit: bands, thread, needle, comb and spray
- Show sheen, hoof oil and a towel for last-minute touch-ups
- Buckets: at least one for water and one for washing
- Hay net, filled
- Hard feed, pre-measured in labelled bags
- Water from home, if your horse is fussy about new water
For the rider
- Helmet that meets the current standard your club or competition requires
- Show clothes: jacket, shirt, tie or stock, jodhpurs and gloves
- Riding boots, plus spare socks
- Body protector, if your discipline requires one
- Hairnets, bobby pins and hair ties
- Number holder or pins for your competitor number
- Whip, if allowed in your classes
- Old clothes to wear over show clothes while you work
- Wet weather gear, a hat and sunscreen
- A change of clothes for the drive home
For the float and vehicle
- Pre-tow checklist done. Read the pre-tow checklist
- Spare tyre for the float, and the jack and wheel brace to fit it
- Wheel chocks
- Torch or head torch for early starts
- Broom, shovel and a manure bag. Many showgrounds ask you to clean up your float area.
- Bungee cords or straps to tie down loose gear
- Water containers, full
- Phone charger for the vehicle
- Fuel up the night before
Keep an eye on weight. Water, feed, saddles and gear add up fast. Stay under your float's ATM and your vehicle's GCM, especially on a big weekend away.
Paperwork
- Entry confirmations and the program or class times
- Your horse's registration or membership papers, if required
- Any health or vaccination records the event asks for
- Pony Club or association membership details
- Your vet's number and the number of a local vet near the showground
- Float insurance and roadside assistance details. Read about horse float insurance
- Cash, for gate fees, canteens and anything that doesn't take card
First aid
For your horse
- Wound wash or saline
- Antiseptic and wound cream
- Gauze, non-stick dressings and cotton wool
- Vet wrap and bandages
- Scissors
- Thermometer
- Anything your vet has prescribed for your horse
For people
- Band-aids, antiseptic and bandages
- Pain relief, antihistamines and any personal medication
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- Ice packs
Food, water and comfort
- Plenty of drinking water for people and horses
- Snacks and lunch, so you're not stuck in a canteen queue before your class
- Esky with ice
- Camp chairs
- Shade: a portable gazebo or your float's awning
- Rubbish bags
If your float has a fridge, 240V power or an awning, show days get a lot more comfortable. Our Deluxe and Overnighter floats are built with long show days in mind. See the Overnighter range
For Pony Club families
- Check your club's uniform and gear rules. Pony Club rallies and competitions often have a gear check, so make sure everything is clean, safe and fits.
- Label everything. Brushes, buckets and headstalls look the same at a busy rally. Put names on them.
- Give kids their own checklist. Let them pack and tick off their own gear. It builds confidence and responsibility.
- Practise at home. Load the float, plait, and get dressed in show gear a week before your first event, so there are no surprises on the day.
- Car pool and share. Plenty of Pony Club families share float space or gear. Just make sure you stay under your float's ATM and your vehicle's GCM.
- Ask for help. Experienced club members are usually happy to show first-timers the ropes.
Show day timeline
The night before
- Pack the float and vehicle using this checklist
- Fill water containers and the hay net
- Fuel up
- Check the program and work out your arrival time
- Wash, and plait if you prefer to plait the night before
Show morning
- Run the pre-tow checklist
- Load calmly, with time to spare. Read the loading guide
- Leave earlier than you think you need to
At the showground
- Park with room to lower the ramp and tie up safely
- Check in at the secretary's tent and collect your number
- Offer your horse water and hay, and let them settle
- Work out where your arenas and the warm-up area are
Packing up
- Clean up your float area
- Do a gear count so nothing's left behind
- Check tie-downs and doors before you leave
- At home, muck out and wash the float floor. Read the floor care guide
Packing tips from the float
- Heavy items low and over the axles, not hanging off the back.
- Use your tack room properly. Saddles on saddle racks, bridles on hooks, and everything tied down so it doesn't shift.
- Keep a permanent float kit. First aid, spare headstall and lead, wheel chocks, torch and a broom can live in the float all season.
- Restock straight after each show, while you still remember what ran out.
Why so many families choose EuroFloat
Many of our customers tell us EuroFloat is the best horse float in Australia, and that's a big part of why we've become one of Australia's most trusted horse float brands with show families, Pony Club families and riders who want a float that just works on show day.
- Australian owned and operated, with showrooms on the Gold Coast and in Melbourne.
- Tack rooms and storage designed for real show days, with Deluxe floats adding 240V power, a fridge and a microwave.
- A 2-Year Warranty and an 11-Year Aluminium Flooring System warranty on every new float. Conditions apply.
- Five-star Google reviews from owners who say their EuroFloat tows straight and is easy to hitch.
Looking at horse floats for sale before the season starts? See what's in stock now, or come and see them in person.
Questions buyers ask
What should I pack for a horse show?
Pack in groups: your horse's gear, the rider's gear, float and vehicle items, paperwork, first aid for horse and rider, and food, water and comfort items. Use the full checklist above.
When should I pack for a show?
The night before. It gives you time to find anything missing and makes show morning far calmer for you and your horse.
What does my child need for a Pony Club rally?
Check your club's uniform and gear rules first. Most rallies need a clean, safe saddle and bridle, an approved helmet, and correct uniform, plus water, lunch and grooming gear.
What should be in a horse first aid kit?
Wound wash, antiseptic, dressings, vet wrap, bandages, scissors, a thermometer and anything your vet has prescribed. Ask your vet to help you put one together.
What's the best horse float for show days?
It depends on how many horses you take and how long your days are. Many show families choose a EuroFloat Deluxe for 240V power and a fridge, or an Overnighter to stay at the grounds.
Ready for show season?
Visit our Gold Coast or Melbourne showroom, by appointment, and find the float that suits your show days. EuroFloat is Australian owned and operated.
This checklist is general information. Always check your event's and club's rules for gear, uniform, health and paperwork requirements.
