By Emily Kidwell

I recently took my baby horse, Wilbur to his very first show in July at the Sonoma Horse Park.   I packed and repacked my trunk a few times more than I’d like to admit along with asking myself the requisite questions.   Will Wilbur need his new Ogilvy gray half pad with navy piping?   No, he’s showing in hunter divisions. Best throw it in just in case!

In the end, I used the incredibly useful checklist from Mary’s Tack and Feed to help me narrow down what to take and what to leave at the barn.

Wilbur stuck to the basics in the show ring wearing his Mattes Hunter Pad, Nantucket bridle with favorite loose ring Happy Mouth and treasured CWD with girth.  I thought he looked sharp!

As an aspiring Hunter Princess I stayed true to tradition with my Ariat Olympia Breeches in Khaki, Regal Reversible Belt, Triumph Show Shirt, Triumph Show Coat, Monaco Boots, and Charles Owen helmet. And of course my good luck horse shoe necklace designed by OliveYouJewels.

On schooling days I added a little pizazz with my Ariat Denim Breeches and an Ariat Taryn Polo or Sunstopper Quarter Zip. I love my Heritage Contour Boots for schooling because the foot is so comfortable and the stretch gusset fits the boot like a glove. And of course an Ariat Team Softshell Jacket thrown in my trunk for those chilly mornings.
 

The day at Sonoma wasn’t complete without a stop by Charleigh’s Cookies on vendor row for a well-deserved treat for Wilbur.