The lorry is loaded, the plaiting bands are counted, and the forecast — for once — looks promising. Summer show season is here, and whether you're heading to your first local show or a national championship, the difference between a frantic morning and a confident one often comes down to preparation.
At CAMEO, with roots stretching back to 1850 and a proud manufacturing heritage in Northern Ireland, every piece we make carries more than 170 years of equestrian craftsmanship. This season, we want to help you arrive at the collecting ring feeling ready — and looking the part.
1. Start With the Essentials: Your Competition Riding Kit
Before you think about the horse, think about yourself. A well-fitted, performance-focused outfit isn't vanity — it's function. When you're focused on your test or your round, the last thing you need is kit that's working against you.
Our Junior Core Tights are a perennial favourite for young riders heading into the ring. Designed for comfort and freedom of movement, they're built to perform across a full day of classes — from the warm-up arena to the championship final. Available in classic white and traditional beige — the colours of choice in the competition arena — they're as polished as they are practical.
Pro tip: Pack a spare pair. Show days are long, and mud has a way of finding its mark.
2. The Tack That Turns Heads (For the Right Reasons)
In the ring, presentation matters. Judges notice the details — and so do you, when you're standing at the in-gate waiting to go in.
Our Hunt Bridle with 2 Browbands is a show-day staple. Crafted with the precision and attention to detail that has defined CAMEO since we were first featured in Grace's Guide in 1914, it offers a classic silhouette with the quality that holds up across a full season of competition. The double browband option gives you the flexibility to dress it up or keep it clean — your horse, your choice.
Tack check the night before. Always.
3. Don't Forget the Field: Stable Management on Show Day
A great performance starts long before you enter the ring. How your horse travels, settles, and is managed at the showground is just as important as your warm-up.
The Fieldsafe Headcollar is designed with safety and durability at its core — exactly what you need when your horse is tied to the lorry in a busy showground environment. Also available in Dusky Pink and Mocha to coordinate with your wider CAMEO yard kit.
4. Your Show Day Packing Checklist
Here's what we recommend never leaving home without:
For you:
- Competition jodhpurs or tights (plus a spare pair)
- Show jacket, shirt, and stock or tie
- Gloves — at least two pairs
- Hairnet, hat silk, and body protector if jumping
- Your number and any relevant paperwork
For your horse:
- Bridle, saddle, and all associated tack — checked and cleaned the night before
- Fieldsafe headcollar and lead rope for travelling and tying up
- Grooming kit, plaiting kit, and hoof oil
- Water, hay, and feed for the day
- First aid kit (equine and human)
Admin:
- Schedule and class times printed or saved offline
- Entry confirmation and membership cards
- Emergency contact numbers
5. The Night Before: Our Golden Rules
The best show mornings are built the night before. Clean your tack, lay out your kit, and load everything you can into the lorry or trailer. Check the forecast one more time, set two alarms, and get an early night.
At CAMEO, we believe that quality kit should be the last thing you worry about on show day. That's why everything we make — from our tights to our tack — is built to the same standard it has been for over 170 years: with care, with craft, and with the rider in mind.
Ready for the Ring?
Explore our full range of summer show essentials and find the kit that carries you through the season — from the first local show to the last championship of the year.
Crafted with heritage. Built for the ring. Trusted since 1850.
