There’s no denying how expensive horse shows and competitions are, whether you show locally or in national circuits. The price tags add up quickly, and many costs occur before you even set foot on the showgrounds. As it turns out, there are ways to save money while still making you and your horse look and feel like champions, regardless of the color ribbons you take home. Here, five experts offer their top advice to shine at horse shows while saving money on a budget.
Shop Used and Neutrals
Multiple APHA World Champion exhibitor Erin Bradshaw states that you don’t always need to wear new show clothing and accessories.
“When adding to your wardrobe and show look, black or beige is the way to go,” she says. “Having a black or neutral base for your outfits, chaps, boots, and hat will allow for easy matching. You can always add in color with affordable choices from clothing and thrift stores to change things up.”
Western, halter and showmanship exhibitor and breeder Joe Whitt shares that there are multiple ways to have nice show clothes on a budget. He suggests buying used and looking for deals both online and in stores.
“Exhibitors should realize judges don’t focus on where [you shop] and how much you pay for your clothes and tack, but how you present yourself and your horse in the show ring,” he says.
The Right Fit
AQHA Professional Horsewoman, judge and all-around trainer Christa Baldwin owns Baldwin Performance Horses. She states that poorly fitting apparel is one of the biggest distractions she sees in the show pen.
“Your outfit doesn’t need to be expensive or have a ton of bling all over it, but it does need to fit, especially the pant and sleeve length,” she says. “Nothing spells beginner like an unshaped and dirty hat, and nothing says professional like a classic, clean, and well-shaped hat.”
Tammy Schuster Bogart owns All That Show Clothing and offers custom designs on plain-fitted western and English show shirts, vests and suits. She says most off-the-rack show clothing doesn’t fit exhibitors well enough without doing some sewing alterations.
“Schedule a fitting with a tailor or seamstress to make it fit like a glove, with ways to let out seams and hems so the outfits can grow with you,” she advises.
Stain Free
Staying clean at a horse show may seem like an impossible feat. Tammy advises giving yourself extra time to deal with the dirt that can leave your look in the dust.
“Every exhibitor needs to pack a stain-lifting product for clothing and use it to spot-clean,” she says. “A toothbrush can be used to scrub dirt out of fabric. I suggest not storing your show clothes in a hot trailer; hang them up in a breathable garment bag. Wrinkles can make any look messy.”
Tactful Tack
Stanton Harris of Harris Leather and Silverworks explains that your show tack is something that shouldn’t be skimped on.
“Saddles need to fit both horse and rider well, and getting advice from a professional saddle maker or fitter can make things a lot more comfortable,” he says. “I believe that buying a quality piece of tack is a better option than spending money on questionable materials and craftsmanship. The older, proven brands of tack hold their longevity and value. Yes, the tack usually gets some sort of wear and tear as the years go by, but with cleanings, conditionings and repairs, you can bring it all back to life. It can be also brought up to current styles with upgrades, which can make resale more profitable when it’s time to sell it.”
Christa agrees.
“Older, quality tack is a lot better and safer than riding in new cheaper-made tack,” she says. “If you have a nice older saddle that has gotten dark over time, I’d suggest dying it black. It will look like a new saddle, and the silver will stand out like new.”
First Impression
“It’s key to develop a bond with your horse inside and outside of the show ring,” Joe says. “Spending time both practicing and bonding helps create a connection that will help you stand out when performing at a show. It’s also important to be prepared when you enter the arena if you’re jogging in for a pleasure horse or next up to work a pattern—be ready to show to your best ability. I think presentation and being prepared are essential for a great impression with the judges.”
Christa agrees that grooming and confidence count for a lot.
“Having a clean horse and an unbeatable attitude will speak volumes to judges—more than what color your pad is or how well your chaps match,” she says. “Your body language, win or lose, will be noticed by your peers and by the judges, so stay positive and show sportsmanship in everything you do.”
Don’t Compare
You can ruin all the fun of showing by obsessively looking at everyone else.
“Nothing will ruin the show experience for both you and your horse when you compare your show look, tack and riding ability to your fellow competitors,” says Christa. “There is no such thing as a perfect ride or having perfect skills. We all have different talents when it comes to showing, and one isn’t better than another.”
Showing is about growing your own skills and learning to budget responsibly like a mature horse exhibitor, realizing it’s not about acquiring the pricey show fads and trends.
The real payoff of showing is the great feeling brought on by the hard work and practice you and your horse dedicated to becoming the best show partners you can be!
This article about horse shows on a budget appeared in the July/August 2024 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!
