For some of you, the 2026 British Eventing Season might have already kicked off, while others might be gearing up to get theirs started soon. Whether you’ve already hit the start box or are eagerly anticipating your first trip around the cross country this year, there is no anticipation quite like packing the trailer.

For some of you, the 2026 British Eventing Season might have already kicked off, while others might be gearing up to get theirs started soon. Whether you’ve already hit the start box or are eagerly anticipating your first trip around the cross country this year, there is no anticipation quite like packing the trailer.

Whilst having a long list of things to pack can be annoying, they are all pivotal things necessary for a successful and smooth-running day. There aren’t any corners you can cut when it comes to yours and your horse’s safety, so remembering everything is important, but not always that easy!

We know how easy it is to forget something simple and upend your whole day trying to get by without it. After a winter off eventing, you’re bound to be a little rusty and forget something here or there. So, here are 5 things you might forget to pack in the horsebox before you go eventing again.

Hoof Pick and Stud Tap

Competing on the grass means studs are a necessity to prevent your horse from slipping. Stud choice is a personal preference that varies from rider to rider, some like to stud up all around for all three phases, whilst others like to swap and change the studs and positioning between each discipline. The ground conditions also play a part in stud selection, the harder the ground the sharper the stud needs to be, for example.

Studs are an easy one to remember (although never say never and definitely double check) however, remembering the stud tap is a different story. To get the stud holes clean and prepped for a stud to screw in, a stud tap is a vital tool to remove mud or crud from inside the stud hole. Without a stud tap, applying a stud effectively is hard, and you run the risk of cross threading or your stud not being secured properly.

Before you put the ramp up and head out of the yard, make sure you’ve got your stud tap and a hoof pick packed and ready to go. If you’re super organised, you could even pick out and tap your stud holes before you go so you know there aren’t any little stones wedged in there when you’re in a rush. Remember to do it again for good measure before you stud up!

Checkout this stud tap to get some ideas:

Stromsholm Stud Hole Tap @ Just Equine

 

Number Bibs and Numbers

Wearing your number is essential for stewards and fence judges to know who you are and where you are on the course. That way they can appropriately allocate scores and penalties, as well as ensuring everyone is safe and accounted for.

Back in the day, and still now, people print their numbers off at home to put inside their bib. Now, there are some fantastic companies that make Velcro number bibs which means you can change your number on the day (providing you remember to pack the bib!) and not worry about printing anything off at home.

When you haven’t been at an event for a while, or even if you have, forgetting your number is an easy thing to do. Whether you’ve forgotten the bib itself, or you’ve forgotten to print your number out it’s frustrating when you get to an event and haven’t got your numbers to hand.

If you’ve got multiple horses to run at an event, it can get really complicated, so remember to check your number bib and numbers are securely in the horsebox the day before you leave - just to be on the safe side!

Here’s a great bib with interchangeable numbers, so forgetting to print your number is a thing of the past!

Shires Aubrion Number Bib Set @ Equestrian & Country

Mounting Block

Getting on your horse is a pretty important step of the day at an event, and often you’re off and on a few times before the day is done! Having a safe and easy way of mounting your horse can mitigate a lot of the stress of finding a mounting block or getting a leg up from someone. Some horses get antsy with excitement when they’re eventing and getting on can be a bit of a challenge. Remembering a mounting block makes getting on much safer.

Choosing a mounting block that’s nice and light makes transporting it so much easier. You can even carry it to the different phases if you needed to get off and walk the show jumping course or wanted to check your cross-country boots at the warmup, for example.

The PolyJumps 3 Step Mounting Block is the perfect solution to mounting an excitable horse at an event. It’s light and easy to manoeuvre, thanks to the wheels and handle. However, it’s durability has not been compromised, making it a robust and sturdy option, capable of standing up to the task of a busy day eventing. Available in 15 different colours, you can perfectly match your mounting block to your cross-colours and look sleek and stylish (and safe!) while getting on your horse.

3-Step Mounting Block @ PolyJumps

 

 

Extra Buckets

You can never have enough buckets. Drinking buckets, washing off buckets, soapy buckets, you name it. Making sure you have enough buckets, and then a couple extra, packed in the horsebox is the secret formula to a productive day eventing.

After all their hard work, your horse is going to be thirsty when they come back from the cross country, so having plenty of buckets of drinking water available is critical to ensure maximum recovery. A hot and sweaty horse will need a good rinse down and wash off before they can relax to make sure they cool down safely. If it’s been a wet day, or the ground has been a bit deep, the chances are your horse is going to need a good scrub down to get all of the mud and sand off their legs before you do any after care or travel home, you don’t want it irritating the skin underneath and causing problems! The same goes for dirty tack, giving it a quick clean before you pack the lorry to go home can make unpacking and resetting everything a less daunting task for later, and ensure your tack stays in good nick.

The point being, you always need more buckets than you expect, and if you don’t end up using them at least you had them in case! You might even be the good Samaritan in the lorry park who lends their neighbour a bucket because they didn’t bring enough!

We love the Stubbs flat sided buckets! They’re robust enough to cope with a day eventing, and the flat back means they’re perfect for hanging up in the lorry or outside it. 

Flat Sided Bucket @ Stubbs England

Brushes and Sponges

Turning out is a big part of the day when you’re eventing, particularly for the dressage. Making sure your horse is clean, shiny, and plaited up beautifully ensures you put your best foot forward and look as good as you feel.

If you’ve got a grey, then you’re no stranger to a brush and a sponge. Packing these in the horsebox when you’re finished with bathing them at home will enable you to get rid of any poo stains and do a last-minute tidy up before you get on for the dressage. You never know when you’re going to need an emergency brush or sponge before you go in, so having one to hand will make the day run so much smoother.

Remember to take a good stiff body brush with you for quarter marks! A tidy set of quarter marks will make you stand out in the dressage, and your horse will look a million pounds. It’s hard to do with just any old brush, so when you’re remembering to pack your grooming kit, make sure to chuck a stiff body brush in there too!

If you want to be extra organised, here’s a fantastic quarter marking brush from Smart Grooming to ensure you have the perfect quarter marks before you head down the centre line.

Quarter Marking Brush @ Smart Grooming

Over the years we’ve forgotten plenty of things we need for a day at a show, so we wanted to give you a heads-up before you forget something you need! Making sure you’ve got plenty of buckets, tools, and a secure mounting block is the secret ingredient to a successful day eventing.