A few things worth thinking about before you pack the trailer.
Show season has its own particular rhythm. Early mornings, long days, and the particular combination of focus and fatigue that comes from doing something you love at full intensity. Being well-prepared doesn't eliminate the variables. But it does quiet them.
Here is what we always come back to.
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Pack a backup
An extra pair of breeches takes up almost no space and earns its place every time. Shows are unpredictable in the best ways and the worst ones. Having a clean set ready means one less thing to think about when the day is already full.
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Don’t overlook the accessories
A well-chosen belt finishes the look in a way that matters more than it seems. A leather tote or bag ringside earns its keep quickly — it is where the hair pins, elastics, hairnets, and last-minute essentials actually live during a show day. Having one place for all of it makes the minutes before a class considerably calmer.
Shop Accessories
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Bring a hat
Show days are long and largely spent outdoors. A good cap handles the sun, keeps hair in place between classes, and takes up almost nothing in the bag. It is one of those things you notice when you've forgotten it.
Shop the Asmar Cap
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Eat and drink like the athlete you are
Nerves have a way of pushing appetite aside, but long show days require fuel. Pack something easy — fruit, crackers, a handful of almonds — and keep water close. Your horse isn't the only one working hard. A few sugar cubes or a carrot in the bag for them doesn't hurt either.
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Give yourself time
The most prepared riders tend to be the calmest ones. Not because nothing goes wrong, but because they've built enough margin into the day that when it does, they can handle it without losing the thread. Pack the night before. Know your schedule. Leave earlier than you think you need to.
Wishing every rider a focused, confident season. Whatever the results, the work you've put in brought you here.
