Show Season Must-Haves: The Ring Bag
Posted by Erin Tupper on 28th Jun 2022
The Ring Bag—We can safely bet that every competitive rider, regardless of the discipline, has some variation of this show-season must-have! So what goes in it? What are the items that everyone should have before entering the ring? We’re helping you out and sharing some of the necessities below.
- A finishing brush
Nothing says “show ring ready” like a high gloss finish on your horse’s coat. If you’re in the warm-up, there may be a fine layer of dust. Use this to remove that and make them shine. We love the Haas Diva Brush and the Tail Tamer Wood Horsehair Brush. - A coat shine spray
Think about the areas you want to highlight, like the hindquarters, neck, and shoulder, and use it to amp up the mirror-like finish. Cowboy Magic Greenspot Remover isn’t oily, so it won’t collect dust after spraying. Don’t forget the tail! - A tail brush
Nothing sends a wave of panic over a competitor like finding some shavings in a tail right before going in! Again, do one last once-over to ensure that the tail looks as good as possible. The Tail Tamer Mod Paddle Brush is the ultimate tail brush. - Fly spray
Nobody wants their horse distracted by flies as they salute the judge or wait in the line-up. - A rag (or 3)
A quick wipe down of your horse’s nostrils, around their eyes, and that one slobber spot you KNOW they’re going to make right before you go in. If you’ve applied hoof oil, use a separate rag to buff. We suggest three rags: one for the horse (everywhere but the feet), one for the rider, and one for the hooves. - A hoof pick
Just in case! - Braid bands
Be ready for dreaded last-minute flyaways or a sudden snapped band. - Your course, your pattern, or your test
Whatever it is, have an extra copy in your bag at all times. - Bottle of water
This one's for the rider. Stay hydrated during your show. - Horse bribery
Small horse treats that won’t change the color of their slobber are necessary when you need to perform well.
The more you compete, the more you’ll develop an idea of your personal must-haves. Remember, this isn’t when you want to focus on grooming your horse, but it is an excellent opportunity to do a few last-minute things to make you stand out at your next horse show.