How excited are we all that the 2025 Horse of the Year show is just around the corner? As always, we’ll be there to meet new friends and old ones. If you’re coming to the show for the first time or you’re a regular, what’s needed to get show ready? Let’s take a look at some tips for getting ourselves and our horses prepared.

 

Preparing horses

It’s fair to say that getting show ready is a year-round task. Good nutrition is essential for good health. Take note of what your horses eat and make sure they’re getting everything they need. Feeding and fitness directly impact their well-being and performance.

 

Fitness

Shows are hard work for horses. Horse of the Year is a six-day extravaganza with over 1,400 riders and 1,800 horses competing for titles, trophies and prize money. It showcases a variety of equestrian disciplines, including dressage, cross country, showing, mounted games and more. Fitness isn’t achieved through performing hundreds of jumps. The best way to build fitness is through flatwork. Trotting is excellent for fitness, and cantering is beneficial for building endurance.

 

Horse care at the show

Make sure you have all the supplies you need for grooming and caring for your horse at the show. Check out our huge range of horse supplies to make sure you have everything you need.

 

Grooming

Always groom horses deeply and thoroughly after each ride. Horses enjoy grooming. It stimulates healthy coat growth and keeps them looking shiny and beautiful. It’s also an opportunity to have quality time with your horse, which builds trust and confidence, the two ingredients for success at the show.

 

Clean your tack

Make sure all your gear is clean and conditioned right down to your horse boots and halter. If you aren’t getting horse care equipment provided, you’ll need to pack those items as well. Make sure you have access to buckets, leads, laundry, blankets, towels, soap, tables, hay, grain, stall plates, medical and first aid supplies, coolers and anything else you’ll need for stable maintenance.

There’s a lot that goes into planning for the Horse of the Year, so give yourself plenty of time to get ready and prepare for the big event. You and your horse will work hard to go to the show, so keep yourself and your horse healthy and happy and having fun.

 

Don’t forget to visit us at the show, there’s always a Bainbridge stall at the show, so come and say hello. We look forward to seeing you there.