Podcast Episode

[SHOWS]: Five Questions To Ask Before You Book Any Big Equine Show

The Equine Business Podcast — Marketing, Mindset, Money & Growth for Equestrian Entrepreneurs·Jenni Bush • Equine Business Strategist & Mentor Equestrian Entrepreneurs·19 February 2026·7 min

About this episode

Thinking about booking a big equine show this year? Before you fill in that booking form, there are five key questions I really want you to ask yourself. Shows can be incredible for visibility, connections and long term growth. But they can also be expensive, exhausting and disappointing if you go in without a clear plan. In this episode, I walk you through five grounded questions that will help you decide whether a show is actually the right move for your equine business right now. We talk about defining what success really looks like for you, not in theory but in real terms. Whether that is direct sales, email list growth or meeting a certain type of client. We also cover your true capacity, not just financially but in terms of time, energy and support before, during and after the event. I also dive into the true cost of exhibiting at shows, which goes far beyond the stand fee. Travel, accommodation, stock, display kit, childcare, food, parking and the time away from other income generating work all add up. When you see the full picture, it becomes much easier to make a clear and confident decision. We then look at how a show fits into your bigger business strategy. Is it part of a long term visibility plan or are you secretly hoping it will rescue a slow season on its own? Finally, I share why you need a follow up plan regardless of whether the show feels busy or quiet, so you can make the most of the opportunity either way. These questions are not here to put you off exhibiting. They are here to help you make a solid, strategic decision that supports your business rather than drains it. In this episode we cover:– How to define what success at a show actually means for your business– Checking your real capacity before committing to a big event– The hidden and true costs of exhibiting at equine shows– How shows should fit into your wider marketing and client strategy– Planning what you will do with the results, good or quiet If you are currently considering a big equine show and feel unsure, come and talk it through inside the free Equestrian Business Support Network. And if you are heading to the National Equine Show, come and find me on stand B73 and let me know what you decided. For more see: www.EquineBusinessMentor.com Take the health check here https://equinebusinessmentor.com/healthcheck-page  Join the Equestrian Business Support Network here https://www.facebook.com/groups/EquestrianBusinessSupportNetwork