Competition Packing for Driving Trials

Packing all your equipment for a driving event can seem like a daunting task! The first pack of the season is always the toughest but once it's done, if you're organised it doesn't have to be a slog everytime. Everyone will have items they want to take which are relevant only to themselves or their specific set up but many things are pretty generic

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Some tips to make life simpler

• Where possible buy duplicate cheaper items to remain in the lorry/trailer permanently
• Have a washing basket for horses and another for humans which can come out, be washed, then put straight back in again
• Have a list, keep it on your computer and tick it off every time you pack
• While you're away if you think of something you wish you had then write it down and put it in when you get home
• If you're using a vehicle which can't remain packed then buy some big storage containers and keep everything together in one place.
• Have a designated place for everything. 
  
• If you often have different people helping you it can be useful to have a list showing the location of certain items

For The Horse:

Feed/Water:

• Feed Bucket
• Water Bucket
• Collapsible/Spare Bucket for halt
• Feed
• Any usual supplements
• Hay/Haylage
• Hay nets
• Bin for soaking hay if needed
• Bin for storing water by lorry if used
• Hose and a variety of connections

Stabling:

• Bedding if used
• Mats for coral/side stabling if used
• Mucking out tools - forks, brush, shovel, wheelbarrow
• Small electric fence pen if used

Grooming:

• Grooming kit
• Fly Spray
• Wash bucket
• Sponge
• Scraper
• Plaiting equipment if used
• Shampoo
• A wash for post workout - click here

Horse Care:

• First Aid Kit
• Stable rug if used
• Outdoor rug
• Cooler
• Lightweight waterproof rug very handy
• Passport - you must have this with you
• Tail guard/bandage for travelling
• Travel boots/bandages if used
• Spare headcollar and lead rope

Dog Care:

Lots of us take dogs so don't forget to pack for them

• Food
• Dishes
• Bed
• Lunge line or long lead for tying up
• Lead
• Spiral tie out spike if used
• Poo bags
• Bottle of water for travelling
• Toys/Chews/Treats
• Coat if needed

For the Carriage:

• Remember the carriage!
• Cover if used
• Cleaning equipment, scrubbing brush/sponge/wash n wax/polish
• Lamps and brackets
• Tool kit containing necessary tools for your vehicle

Handy Odds and Sods:

• Selection of cable ties
• PVC tape
• Head torch
• Generator and fuel
• Solar panel
• Spare leisure battery
• Table and chairs
• An awning ground cover or some astro turf can be handy
• Gazebo
• Step ladder
• Knife
• Baby wipes
• A hot water dispenser can be a game changer. Fill it up in the morning then you don' have to wait for a kettle to boil everytime you want a cuppa!

Competition Gear:

• Horse boots if used
• Harness
• Reins
• Harness pads if used
• Underhalter
• Driving Aid
• Studs/stud spanner/stud tap/stud hole plugs (buy a box to keep all this together)
• Hard hats
• Body Protectors
• Number bibs
• Stopwatches
• Dressage and marathon gloves
• Marathon shirts or team gear
• Apron
• Carriage number holder
• Dressage outfit for driver and groom
• Sturdy shoes for marathon
• Polished shoes for dressage
• Marathon timesheet - click here

For the Humans:

• Waterproof trousers
• First Aid
• Antacids
• Allergy tablets if needed
• Pain killers
• Lip balm

Other Necessities and Helpful Items:

• Gin and wine or beer!!
• Food, don't forget milk
• Fire extinguisher - required at most events
• Spare clothes, many spare clothes including spare footwear
• Bin and bin bags
• Tooth brush and tooth paste
• Chargers for phones/ipads/watches etc
• Go pro if used
• Rule book
• Dressage test
• Clipboard
• Pens and paper
• Event paperwork
• Competition timeline - click here
• Toilet roll
• Bedding
• Hot water bottle
• Gas
• Toiletries
• Towel
• PJs
• Crockery
• Cooking items
• tea/coffee etc

Helpful Catering Tips:

• Batch cook in advance if you have time, freeze and then take the frozen meals with you they will last longer.
• Gas fridges can be unreliable and not always particularly large. An effective cool box can help if you travel food frozen. Some frozen water bottles or milk bottles can also help.
• Keep lots of dry goods in your cupboard, these won't go off and you'll always have something available to eat.
• Plan your meals in advance so you know what needs to be eaten first and what can keep a little longer

I hope this has been useful and if you have any additional suggestions or tips please comment

Wishing everyone a successful competition season!