Packing for Presence: The Ultimate Guide to Preparing for a Showjumping Event (Without Losing Your Mind)
When you're preparing to pack for a showjumping event, it’s easy to get caught in the logistics — boots, brushes, buckets. But if you zoom out for a moment, you’ll realize something deeper:
You’re not just packing gear.
You’re packing confidence.
You’re packing calm.
You’re packing who you want to be when the gate opens.
Whether you're a rising amateur or a seasoned equestrian, the truth is this:
Every successful jump starts in your head before your horse ever leaves the ground.
So this isn’t your typical “checklist blog.” This is how I pack for a showjumping event — one that blends organization with mental clarity, and details with purpose.
1. Start With the Inner Rider — Then the Outer Gear
Before you touch a tack trunk or prep a horse trailer, ask yourself:
“Who do I want to be at this show?”
Not what ribbon you want. Not what score you’re aiming for.
But how you want to show up — focused, composed, grounded.
Write down three qualities you want to carry with you:
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Calm under pressure
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Respectful of your horse’s mood
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Able to reset after mistakes
Now pack for that rider.
Everything you bring — from the breeches you wear to the water bottle you carry — should support that energy.
2. Create Two Packing Lists: One for Horse, One for Human
This seems obvious, but too many riders focus only on their horse’s needs. You are half the team. You need fuel, focus, and functional comfort.
Horse Packing List Essentials (Beyond the Basics):
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Show halter + backup (because things break)
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Electrolytes (especially for hot days)
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Horse treats for rewards
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Portable hay bag — always pack more than you think
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Cooler or fly sheet for waiting areas
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First aid kit including vet wrap, thermometer, and hoof pick
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Tack duplicates (like extra reins, girth, and stirrup leathers)
Rider Packing List Essentials (Beyond the Basics):
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Mental warm-up playlist or meditation (downloaded!)
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Change of socks and underlayers (you’ll thank me)
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Protein snacks, hydration tablets, and gum
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Notebook for reflections after each ride
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Phone charger AND portable battery pack
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Favorite quote or mantra on a card to carry in your boot or pocket
3. Pack for the “Energy Zones” of a Show
Most riders forget how dynamic a day at the show is. You go through five major phases, and each requires different gear — and energy.
Zone 1: The Arrival
You’re unloading, registering, walking courses. You need:
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A clear clipboard or folder with ALL papers (Coggins, registration, etc.)
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A sharpie, duct tape, and zip ties (your holy trinity of fixing anything)
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A roll of quarters (parking meters or random emergencies)
Zone 2: The Warm-Up
Adrenaline starts. This is where nerves spike. Pack:
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Stretch bands or resistance bands (for your body)
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Chewing gum or mints (calm your nervous system)
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Horse calming spray or rub, if they’re reactive
Zone 3: The Ring
This is the performance. You should have:
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Tiny mental cue card with your ride intention (not results)
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Boot polish cloth, tucked in your trunk
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Tissue in your pocket (you know why)
Zone 4: The Cool Down
Whether you win or lose, your job is now to reflect, reset, and recover:
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Notebook: jot down what went right and what to grow from
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Massage roller: horses and humans need recovery
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Handwritten thank-you note to your coach, groom, or supporter
Zone 5: The Exit
Leave better than you came.
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Trash bags, because stabling areas often don’t provide extras
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Cleaning wipes to leave your area spotless
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Polaroid camera to capture a moment — not just a ribbon
4. Pack for the Weather — and the Mood
Showgrounds are chaos in disguise. One minute you’re riding in sunshine, the next minute you’re digging in a mud pit.
Be ready for rain, heat, wind, and your own emotional weather.
Bring:
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Extra gloves — wet gloves ruin grip and mood
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Rain poncho — easy to throw over yourself or your gear
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Face cloths — not for your horse, but to refresh yourself between rounds
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A scent roller — lavender, peppermint, or eucalyptus for instant grounding
And don't forget:
A happy rider is a hydrated rider.
Pack a cooler with cold towels, sliced oranges, and coconut water.
5. The “Rider Reset Kit” — Your Emotional First Aid
Every rider needs a backup plan for when things go sideways — and they will.
Create a small kit labeled: “In Case of Meltdown”
Include:
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An inspirational note you wrote to yourself ahead of time
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A grounding stone, bracelet, or token from a loved one
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Noise-canceling earbuds
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An “anchor object” — something that reminds you who you are outside of competition (a charm, small photo, or symbolic item)
This kit isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.
6. Pack a Moment of Stillness
Before the chaos of the show begins, make space for 60 seconds of peace.
Tuck a folded chair, blanket, or mat somewhere in your setup.
Use it not just for sitting — but for breathing.
Set a timer for one minute.
Close your eyes.
Say to yourself:
“I am not here to be perfect. I am here to be present.”
This may be the most important thing you pack.
7. Let Go of What You Can’t Control — But Bring What You Can
You can’t pack the weather.
You can’t pack the judge’s opinion.
You can’t pack a guarantee that your horse won’t spook.
But you can pack preparation, resilience, and intention.
You can’t control the jump.
But you can control how you rise to it.
Sample Packing Checklist (Download & Customize)
[Downloadable PDF checklist available on our YouTube community tab]
✅ Tack & Gear
✅ Show Documents
✅ Horse Comfort & Feed
✅ Rider Clothing & Comfort
✅ Rider Reset Kit
✅ Emergency Kit
✅ Food & Hydration
✅ Mindset Rituals
✅ Reflection Journal
✅ Optional Extras (camera, tripod, thank-you notes)
Conclusion: You’re Not Just Packing for a Show — You’re Packing for a Version of You That Has Yet to Arrive
Packing is more than preparation.
It’s intention made physical.
So don’t just pack to perform.
Pack to remember who you are when the pressure rises. Pack to stay grounded when the crowd gets loud. Pack to connect with your horse — not just win with them.
And most importantly, pack with the quiet belief that you belong there.
Because you do.