The box that saves the day

At every show there is a moment when everything depends on whether somebody thought of it. A packing list from grooms who do twenty weekends a year.

You recognise an experienced groom’s box by how boring it is. No assortment, no colours, no half-empty bottles. Instead everything sits where it sat last time, and everything that can break is there twice.

A show box is not packed. It is topped up.

What hangs on the horse

• A spare stirrup leather and a spare girth
• Two bridle cheekpieces in the usual width, plus buckles
• A spare ear bonnet and a second white saddle pad
• Bandages and pads, washed and rolled
• A headcollar and rope that is not the good one

What decides the last half hour

• Two clean cloths, one for boots, one for the horse
• Saddle soap and a sponge
• Coat gloss, hoof oil with a brush, stain spray for white markings
• A wide-toothed comb and plaiting bands in the colour of the mane
• Safety pins, tape, a small pair of scissors

What is in there for you

Grooms forget themselves first. The box needs a spare pair of gloves, a change of shirt, sun cream and more water than you think is necessary. A show day runs from half past five until the evening, and nobody rides better on ten hours without a drink.

The order

Everything you need in the last fifteen minutes lives on top. Everything you need only in an emergency lives at the bottom and is allowed to be heavy. Between them, a layer for the horse’s things. Set those three layers up once and you never search for anything at a show again, which is the real luxury on a day when everything happens at once anyway.

Composure at a show is ninety per cent preparation and ten per cent calm.