Preparing for Your First Horse Trial: A Practical Checklist

I still remember the night before my first horse trial. I'd packed and repacked the lorry three times, convinced I'd forgotten something critical. I had — my body protector was sitting on the kitchen table at home.

That experience inspired this checklist. It's everything I wish I'd had on that frantic evening, built from years of competing and the collective wisdom of the eventing community.

6 Weeks Before: The Big Decisions

• Enter the competition — entries close earlier than you think
• Book your lorry or trailer service
• Check your horse's vaccinations are up to date (influenza within 6 months for most venues)
• Ensure your horse insurance covers competition and third-party liability
• Book a practice cross-country school if your horse hasn't jumped natural fences recently

✦ Recommended Product

Horse insurance is non-negotiable for competition. Petplan Equine offers comprehensive cover including vet fees, competition liability, and personal accident — from around £25/month.

Petplan Equine Insurance

From £25/mo

2 Weeks Before: Kit Check

• Dressage: white breeches, dark jacket, stock tie and pin, long boots or short boots with gaiters
• Show jumping: as dressage, or coloured jacket if preferred
• Cross country: coloured or white breeches, base layer, cross-country colours (body protector must be worn)
• Body protector: BETA Level 3 minimum — check it's within its replacement date
• Riding hat: check certification (PAS015, VG1, or ASTM/SEI) and that it fits correctly
• Air jacket: strongly recommended for cross country

✦ Recommended Product

The Racesafe Motion Lite is one of the most popular body protectors in UK eventing — BETA Level 3 certified, slim-fitting, and comfortable enough to wear all day.

Racesafe Motion Lite Body Protector

£149

✦ Recommended Product

High-visibility gear for hacking to and from the warm-up is a legal requirement at many venues. The Equisafety Charlotte Dujardin jacket is both stylish and highly visible.

Equisafety Charlotte Dujardin Jacket

£69

The Night Before: Lorry Pack

• Tack: saddle, bridle, martingale if used, spare girth, spare stirrup leathers
• Horse clothing: travel boots or bandages, tail bandage, sweat rug, cooler
• Feed and hay for the day
• Buckets, water, sponges, sweat scraper
• First aid kit (horse and human)
• Your complete riding kit for all three phases
• Body protector and hat — put them in the lorry cab so you can't forget them
• Number bib and any required paperwork
• Phone charger, cash, and your schedule

On the Day: Phase Order

Most horse trials run dressage first, then show jumping, then cross country — though this varies by venue. Walk your cross-country course as early as possible, ideally twice. Note the distances between fences, any tricky approaches, and your lines through combination fences.

"The riders who have the best days at their first event are the ones who've done all their worrying in advance. By the time you're on the horse, the preparation is done — trust it."

— Eleanor Voss, Amateur Eventer

Most importantly — enjoy it. Your first horse trial is a milestone you'll remember for the rest of your riding career. The nerves are part of the experience.