Show Binder

Since the show season is officially over, for me anyway, it's time to start preparing for next season.

I haven't even started looking at which shows I'll attend, mostly because I need to get this new horse thing situated first. On that note, I am actively searching and emailing sellers about prospects. I rode an American Warmblood (TB x Morgan cross) the other day and rode a Zweibrucker (Ideal grandson) yesterday. More on all of that as I have something to report.

The point is that until I know how much I am spending on a new horse, I don't want to commit to any big shows. That doesn't mean I can't get organized though. I still have my memberships to pay for this weekend, but the next project is to get my show binder in order.

Crammed full of 2014's stuff

From the very first show I did back in the summer of 2010, I had a show folder. Even that was too much space for what I put in it - a day sheet. I never thought I'd have enough show stuff to fill a folder, much less an entire binder! Who knew?

The front of my binder carries my three Whinny Widgets, which can now be tossed. I've ordered the new First Level book, but it's not here yet. I also keep all of my membership cards in an envelope in the same pocket.

I keep five tabs in my binder ... 

No need to change these.

• Show Information: this is where I put upcoming show entries, show times, maps, stabling information … basically anything that has to do with a current or upcoming show (or clinic).
• Horse ID Numbers: this is for all my USDF and USEF proof of Horse ID numbers. The USDF sends a certificate with each horse's number and the owner's name. I also keep multiple photocopies of all of my memberships on one page. This way, I only make a photocopy of all of the cards once. Whenever I enter a show, I just pull a copy from the binder. I am able to fit my horse's USEF and USDF card as well as my own USDF, USEF, and CDS cards all on one page. It doesn't matter what level of show I attend, I just send in a copy of all of the cards on one sheet.
• Health Records: I use a sheet protector for this page as it holds the folder of my horse's health records. It's one I made myself. The front has my name and contact information as well as the name and number of my vet. Half of the cover is also reserved for membership numbers. When a page gets full, I type the information onto a fresh sheet, staple it, and then add a blank copy to continue with handwritten records. It actually doesn't take long to type as I use Excel which has an auto-fill feature, so most of the info fills as I type.  

Sydney's records went with him, which I know was greatly appreciated. Speedy's "chart" has two more pages behind, and I am about to start a new page as he only has room for one more entry.

• Liability Insurance: It's not like I am loaded up with equine insurance, but since USEF offers some kind of protection, I keep it handy just in case.
• Contacts: I am constantly running into people with whom I swap numbers. This section holds all of those scraps of paper people give me with their names and emails jotted down. If I find that they are a contact which I really need and use, their information goes into my phone, but until then, it's handy to keep those scraps of paper somewhere. 

The cover of the binder is of course the most fun to do. I've already disposed of the 2014 version in favor of pictures of Speedy demonstrating his new awesomeness. He really is Da Man!

Nice, huh?!