Balancing a Full-Time Job with Horse Shows: Tips from a Working Amateur
Let’s be honest, balancing a career and horse shows isn’t for the faint of heart. You’re up early feeding before work, responding to client emails on your lunch break, and spending your evenings cleaning stalls, prepping tack, gear, and horses. And that’s before you even get to the show.
If you’re an amateur trying to juggle it all, you’re not alone. I'm living it too—and I’ve learned a few hard-earned lessons along the way that can help you preserve your sanity, show up prepared, and actually enjoy the ride.
Here are real, tried-and-true tips to help you manage a full-time job while still getting in the show pen with confidence and ease.
⏰ 1. Master the Art of Prepping Early (and in Small Chunks)
The secret isn’t doing more—it’s doing things smarter.
Break up your show week into manageable tasks. Here’s a sample template to avoid the Friday night frenzy:
- Monday: Wash saddle pads, clean tack, toss clothes in the laundry
- Tuesday: Clip legs/face, pull mane, wash tail
- Wednesday: Pull outfits, clean boots, double-check tack list, start packing suitcase
- Thursday: Load feed, hay, water buckets, restock grooming tote
- Friday: Top off fuel, check truck/trailer, do final pack/load, early bedtime
- Saturday/Sunday: Show, ride, smile, repeat!
Batching small tasks each day keeps your evenings manageable and helps avoid that last-minute anxiety and worry of forgetting something.
🧳 2. Keep Your Show Gear Organized Year-Round
Efficiency starts with organization. Create dedicated spaces for:
- Clean show pads (stored flat with pad carriers)
- Show outfits (stored with matching accessories in garment bags)
- Tack (keep show gear separate from daily use when possible)
- A Binder to organize your horse's registration papers, membership cards, Coggins, health certificates etc. Anything the show office may need for the show. I like to make multiple copies of my horse's papers/membership cards to give to the show office to keep on hand for any future shows I attend with them that year. I will also store show bills, stall charts, patterns, and show results in my binder for the current show I am attending.
- A Go-To Bag for “extras”: bobby pins, hairspray, lip gloss, safety pins, gloves, snacks, Advil, etc.
Keep a laminated show checklist in your tack room or trailer and use it every time—no matter how many times you’ve packed. You can use a dry erase marker to check off your list as you pack.
🗓️ 3. Schedule Routine Care Before Show Week
One of the biggest stress-savers? Getting ahead on your horse’s care schedule.
Try to plan things like:
- Farrier appointments
- Vet checks, spring shots, injections, Coggins, health certs, etc.
- Chiropractic/bodywork sessions
This gives your horse time to recover from adjustments or injections, reduces the risk of soreness on show day, and keeps your week-of schedule clear for packing and prep. Nothing adds last-minute chaos like trying to fit a shoe reset into your Thursday lunch break.
When in doubt, keep a running calendar of due dates for trims, dental work, vaccinations, and routine maintenance so you can plan show seasons around them—not the other way around.
📱 4. Digitize Your Schedule + Communication
Use apps like:
- Google Calendar: Color code shows, vet/farrier appts, work shifts
- Trello: For prepping outfits, pads, packing lists, staying organized
- Equilab / HorseNotes: To track workouts and training progress, etc.
- Canva: Plan your social media posts ahead of time if you run a horse business too
Staying digitally organized gives you clarity and peace of mind—especially during show weeks.
🧼 5. Choose Low-Maintenance, High-Impact Show Gear
When you’re juggling work, horse care, and show prep, your gear should work for you—not add stress.
Look for show outfits and pads that are:
- Easy to clean and store
- Versatile enough to pair with multiple outfits
- Durable enough to handle a full season of use
- Gives you confidence in the show pen
Having a go-to pad and outfit combo that always looks sharp can be a real time-saver on those busy weekends. Whether it’s a classic color or a favorite fit, building a few reliable, mix-and-match options into your show wardrobe can take a lot of pressure off when you’re short on time.
🛏️ 6. Prioritize Sleep (Really)
Sleep often gets overlooked, but it’s crucial for:
- Mental clarity in the show pen
- Physical stamina for long days in the saddle
- Emotional regulation when things go wrong (because they will!)
Aim for 7–8 hours the week leading up to your show. If you’re hauling Friday night, try to sneak in a nap after work before hitting the road.
🍎 7. Fuel Your Body Like an Athlete
When you’re running on adrenaline and horse show nerves, it’s easy to skip meals or rely on junk food. But a balanced body performs better.
Pack a cooler with:
- Protein bars, fruits, nuts
- Hydration packs or electrolytes (Liquid IV is my favorite)
- Sandwiches, wraps, and water bottles
And don’t forget snacks for your horse too—especially if they don’t eat well at shows.
💼 8. Have Honest Conversations at Work
Let your employer know about your horse commitments early and professionally. Most managers respect a passionate hobby when you show responsibility and time management.
Some tips:
- Use PTO wisely: plan around holiday weekends or slower work seasons
- Offer to shift hours when needed to accommodate shows.
- Share wins! (A trophy or buckle on your desk is a great conversation starter 😉)
Your career doesn’t have to suffer for your show season—you just need to be proactive.
🚗 9. Prep Your Trailer & Vehicle in Advance
Nothing is worse than a dead battery, low fuel, or a low tire on show morning. Keep your rig ready by:
- Fueling up midweek
- Checking tire pressure and brake lights
- Keeping jumper cables, tow straps and tools in your truck
Bonus: keep a folded pair of clean jeans and an emergency show shirt in your tack room or truck just in case.
🧘10. Let Go of Perfection
This one's big.
You’re not always going to have the best ride every time you go out and show, and that’s okay. Don’t let comparison steal your joy or focus.
Some days, the win is simply showing up prepared, confident, and loving the ride. That is success.
🐴 11. Make It Enjoyable—Not Just Manageable
At the end of the day, we do this because we love it. So build in moments that remind you why you’re doing it:
- A short trail ride the evening before a show
- A fun playlist for your drive
- Coffee with a barn friend at 5 a.m. before warm-up
- Giving your horse a treat and a scratch after your class, win or lose
Your passion shouldn’t feel like pressure. Protect it, and nurture it.
💤 12. Protect Your Energy
It’s okay to say no sometimes. You can’t do every show. Being strategic about which weekends you commit to will help prevent burnout for both you and your horse. Choose quality over quantity—prioritize your favorite circuits, judges, or venues.
Also, don't underestimate the value of a nap between classes or some quiet time in the barn aisle to recharge.
📝 13. Be Proud of Doing Both
It’s easy to scroll Instagram and feel like everyone else is showing full-time, but the reality is that many amateurs are just like you—clocking in Monday through Friday and giving it their all on the weekends.
You’re doing something amazing by balancing work and your passion. The early mornings, long drives, and late nights are worth it when you're walking into that show pen.
Final Thoughts
Being a working amateur isn’t easy—but it’s incredibly rewarding. You're not just a competitor; you're a planner, a caretaker, a professional, and an athlete all in one. Every class you enter, every show you attend, and every step your horse takes under you is the result of your hard work and heart.
So whether you’re aiming for year-end awards or just chasing personal growth, you are doing enough. You’re showing up—and that’s something to be proud of.
🛍️ Need a show pad that works as hard as you do?
River Runs Show Pads are handmade for serious riders who juggle real life and still want to look like a million bucks in the ring.
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1 comment
This is so helpful, thank you!!