Setting Up Your Table
So, you're at the show hall and you're ready to start putting horses out! WOO! Super exciting time... and super stressful too, LOL! So, which horses do you start with? How many horses do you put out? In this section we're going to address some of the basic practices of setting up a show table that will hopefully result in minimal damage and maximum efficiency!
Note: Always check the legs of your table before setting out horses. Sometimes the sliders aren't down all the way and that could cause a leg to fold in and TIP YOUR TABLE OVER.
Note: Always check the legs of your table before setting out horses. Sometimes the sliders aren't down all the way and that could cause a leg to fold in and TIP YOUR TABLE OVER.
- Test the Stability of your table - Before you put any horses on your table, take your hands and lightly press on the table and rock it back and forth. Feel for any unwanted motion. As stated above, check to make sure the little locks are down on the tables (assuming they're folding tables) so that you don't accidentally have a leg fold in on you throughout the course of the day.
- Put down a Blanket or Tablecloth - It's always a good idea to have either a blanket, tablecloth, or couple yards of fleece to put over your table. First, because if a horse tips over and falls over, it will land on the fabric rather than the wood or plastic top of the table. Second, it just makes the table look a bit more personal and nice!
- Pull the right horses out first - If you don't have many horses or if you have enough table space for all of your horses, this might not be as important of a step to you. If you have over 100 horses and a 5 foot round table... unpacking in order of a class list is VERY important. Take a look at your division class lists and try to pull out the first groups first, then the second groups, etc. Try to pack your horses in an order that makes this possible too!
- Don't overcrowd your table! - Sure, at home you can pack your shelves like sardines but at a show you're going to need to quickly grab and place horses down. If you place your horses too close, it can spell disaster. One horse tips, and before you know it you hear the sound of a row of 13 horses clacking against each other as they fall like dominos. Even if your horses aren't tippy... you will run into a show goer who might accidentally brush against your table, causing a disaster.
- Lay Tippy Horses DOWN - Don't be brave! If you have 3 Weather Girls or maybe a Huck or Salinero... it might be best to let them lay on their sides and leave the "standing" to the sturdier horses. All it takes is one horse to tip and before you know it they're all tipped! Some show goers have special racks to prevent one horse from K.O.ing the rest!
- Set up your cleaning supplies and other stuff - At this point, take out your cleaning supplies and try your best to keep them close to your class list. Put your name tag on and your name card on your table and better arrange everything so you can have a good space to work in. Keep your tubs out of the way or against a wall.
- If possible/applicable: Tag your horse and assign documentation - I usually tag my horses before I pack them... but if you've kept your tags in a baggie now's the time to put them on your horses. Furthermore, if you have written documentation put it near the horses that need the documentation. My documentation is about 3 x 4 inches, so I place it between the horses legs, haha.
Get added protection for your models!
In 2011 I ordered a set of Stable Stalls from Liz Brock and it has been a godsend. Since I've ordered them, they've gotten new embroidery patterns so I will be buying 2 black end pieces with new embroidery to better match my theme.
Anyways, these are AWESOME. All of my tippy or ridiculously expensive horses go in these. When they tip over, they fall into a foam padded wall that holds its shape. So, even when one horse tips, it will not come into contact with the other horse at all. Heck, the WALL won't even come into contact with the other horse! This is a very important investment and their prices are very reasonable considering this is a custom made item made for you when you order.
If you'd like to learn more about these units, please click here to go to their website. I cannot recommend them enough, and I will certainly be ordering more units in the future.
Anyways, these are AWESOME. All of my tippy or ridiculously expensive horses go in these. When they tip over, they fall into a foam padded wall that holds its shape. So, even when one horse tips, it will not come into contact with the other horse at all. Heck, the WALL won't even come into contact with the other horse! This is a very important investment and their prices are very reasonable considering this is a custom made item made for you when you order.
If you'd like to learn more about these units, please click here to go to their website. I cannot recommend them enough, and I will certainly be ordering more units in the future.