When going to a live show it isn't just about taking your model horses, there are lots of other things you need to take with you! Here are my live show essentials, things that I must take to every show or I'll have a complete breakdown and wouldn't be able to cope!
I have added Amazon links for each item to help you find what you need but I of course recommend you purchase from a small business and not Amazon!
The Show Bag
Live Show Bag
This holds all of my live show essentials, it is a tool bag so it has loads of pockets for everything and is really convenient!
Blusher Brushes
These are essential for dusting your models ready for showing. I keep a variety of different sizes for various different tasks.
Sticky Wax
Essential for performance showing or for adding a bit of security to those wobbly models.
Breed Cards
I keep them in alphabetical order in an A5 folder
Performance Cards
I keep these organised by performance type in plastic sleeves in an A5 folder.
Pens
Pens are very important for writing things down! I keep several as they always seem to be running out of ink!
Show Pads
For wobbly models you need to lie them down to show them, I have three show pads that I keep in my bag so I can place these models safely in the ring.
Where do you get these? Several people who make pouches also sell them. All of mine have come from Solstice Sky Studio
Money
I keep a spare £20.00 in my show bag, this means that if I forget cash for raffle tickets I have something.
Tags/Post-it-notes
These are for writing breeds/price tags on. I have both spare tags and post-it-notes for different types of shows.
Notebook
I mainly use this to record sales but also good to rip pages out to write prices on for sales tables.
Link: https://hiraethcynefin.co.uk/product/leather-journal-be-the-change/
Tweezers
I have a variety of different sizes of tweezers that I use to set up my miniature show scenes.
Hairbrush
This is predominantly for my haired models with extremely long manes and tails. I never brush onto the model but I do brush tails of things like Equorums out onto my leg.
Toothbrush
This is essential for styling the manes and tails of mohaired models.
Link: https://hiraethcynefin.co.uk/product/bamboo-toothbrushes-family-pack/
Stands
Because I show a large number of very small models I have a couple of tiny acrylic blocks that I can stand them on to draw attention to them in the ring. These are particularly important for models such as Carmen who is a perlino miniature foal and often blends into the table!
Pastel Pencils
These are needed for touching up marks on models.
Spare Memory Cards
I used to also keep spare batteries for my camera as well but I got a new one and they no longer fit!
Tissues
Mainly for me but also for model horses if needed!
Duster
For larger areas of dust, especially important after Covid when models haven't been out for so long!
Pain Killers
Some live show halls have the most horrific lighting that triggers migraines, so I always keep pain killers in my show bag.
Deodorant
Nobody likes a smelly shower!
Link: https://hiraethcynefin.co.uk/product/natural-deodorant-cinnamon-and-patchouli/
Sellotape
Useful for sticking signs to your sales table.
Lip Balm
Especially important if the show hall is air conditioned and has horrible dry air
Cotton Buds
These are really useful for getting marks or dust off models.
Link: https://hiraethcynefin.co.uk/product/bamboo-cotton-buds-200-pack/
Other Items
Blanket
To protect your models it is a good idea to lay a blanket over your show table
Link: https://www.breyerhorses.com/products/deluxe-mustang-throw?_pos=8&_sid=581c7b384&_ss=r
Extra Bubble Wrap
Why do you always have too much or too little bubble wrap? Who knows...it makes no logical sense, so take extra!
Camera
Cameras are very important so you can photograph all the beautiful horses.
Purse
I do forget this rather a lot (hence the backup money)!
Directions
Print out the directions to the show hall, they are often quite hard to find and you may not have phone signal
Mobile Phone
Very important in case you break down or get lost. Also you can post lots of pictures on Instagram throughout the day.
Download our live show checklist image, print it out and then use it to check things off before your show!
