The moment I’ve waited for is finally here… HORSE SHOWS ARE COMING BACK!
I know for me it’s been longer than usual since I’ve been in the show ring. Earlier this year I ended the winter circuit a week earlier than planned and was supposed to start spring horse showing in May, but obviously given the worldly events that understandably didn’t happen. So, I’m really chomping at the bit to get back in the show ring and with horse shows looking like they are coming back soon in my state, I figured now was a good time to gear up with some horse show essentials. I thought it would be fun to share some of the products I’m gearing up with, and I’ve love to hear yours too!
Now, I’m a hunter girl at heart, so my current show coat is hunter green, but with the new horse that I’m leasing I’ve been dabbling equitation classes, too, so I figured it was the perfect excuse to buy a new show coat. This jacket is packed full of features, including a hidden zipper, a wrinkle-free material, and a water-resistant exterior – plus it’s machine washable so it’s super easy to care for. I love how comfortable and lightweight the fabric is – it moves with me and it’s great for those super-hot summer show days.
You can never have too many show shirts, and this one is my favorite. There are so many fun collar patterns it’s like I have to collect them all! – That’s how that works right? (Plus how cute are these unicorns?) I love the underarm mesh, and how lightweight it is, plus it has UV protection for the rare moments I don’t have my coat on between divisions! The fabric is really technical, too, beyond just the UV protection. It’s antibacterial, deodorizing, and moisture-wicking which is so important for summer showing no matter where you are! I won’t tell you how many of these I have, but you should definitely have one, too.
My show bridle has definitely seen better days so I just purchased this bridle! I was SO impressed by how soft the leather was right out of the bag and the fancy stitching is even prettier in person than it is online. I tried it on my guy and it fits him great (but if it didn’t I know I have Free Return Shipping for all sized items within 60 days!). The anatomic contouring, all-over padding, and wide noseband are a really classy look with great functionality as well.
I love that this girth offers the traditional look of a leather hunter girth. But, the neoprene and memory foam to relieve pressure and create a more custom fit, plus the double elastic sides offers the best comfort for my horse as he’s strutting his stuff in the show ring. Plus, it has a CoolMax lining to help wick away moisture and offer breathability – also perfect for those hot summer days!
- One Knot Hairnets – Item #18079
A staple in any show backpack! All the hairnets that I’ve been schooling in are pretty holey at this point… so definitely needed to stock up on these bad boys. These are by far my favorite hair nets because of the one-knot design that eliminates pressure under your helmet, which is especially great for those long horse shows days when you have to wear your helmet for hours.
- SmartPak Comfort Iron Pads – Item #31424
Much like my show bridle, my rubber stirrup pads have also seen better days… I hate to admit, but I’m pretty sure they are still the original ones that came with my stirrups. So definitely time for an update! I went with these SmartPak comfort Iron Pads because their unique design offers additional support to help keep your foot in the iron, your heels down, and alleviates added stress on your knees – and let’s be real after some time out of the saddle and the show ring, I’m going to need all the help I can get. I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it was to put on the new ones, too!
I actually don’t normally ride or show in gloves. But again, since I’m planning to do the equitation this year, I decided to get these to complete my look. I like them because the material is so comfortable, I almost forget I’m wearing gloves at all! Plus, the mesh panel on the top of the hand helps with breathability, so another must-have for those hot summer days whether you’re showing or schooling. These are my first pair, but I’ve had great luck in durability with all of my Ariat products, and I expect these won’t be any different.
I also needed to stock up on some must-have grooming and health items to keep my horse looking and feeling his best!
Now that I have everything I need for me and my horse to look and perform our best – I’m ready to get back out there!
Stay tuned for my next blog, when I recap my first horse show back after many months off! What shows are you looking forward to this summer?
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