Best Riding Hats for Eventing in 2024

Welcome to the world of horse riding, where safety is paramount, especially in eventing. Among all the horse riding equipment, there is one essential piece that stands above the rest: the riding hat.

In this guide, we have curated a selection of riding hats in various styles to cater to your needs, whether you’re training in the comfort of your own sand school or preparing to compete. These hats are not only suitable for affiliated Eventing competitions but also encompass all three phases of Dressage, Showjumping, and Crosscountry, ranging from grassroots to international levels.

Get ready to explore our top picks for the best riding hats in eventing, ensuring both style and safety as you embark on your equestrian journey.

Uvex Exxential Unisex

Colour: Black, Mocca, Grey, Navy | Size: 52 – 61cm

This wonderful unisex hat by German manufacturer Uvex is the perfect companion whether you’re competing in any phase of eventing. Available in either black, blue, grey or Mocca (brown) no matter if your trying to match your tailcoat or your show jacket you can be sure you’ll find the best colour to suit your needs.

This offering from Uvex also comes in a variety of sizes from 52-61cm. The outer shell is made of Polycarbonate which delivers a lightweight feel while wearing, with just a weight of 430g this is probably the lightest riding hat you will ever wear. Of course, safety is the most important. This riding hat from Uvex has a maximum impact strength thanks to the inseparably joined shell of the EPS inner layer and the polycarbonate outer layer, thanks to its optimum adaptation to the circumference and the shape of your head via the adjustable Uvex IAS 3.0 system including height adjustment makes this the number 1 riding hat in our guide.

Champion CPX Supreme

Colour: Black, Navy | Size: 52 – 60cm

If you often find yourself in the show ring while also rocketing across a cross country course then you need to look smart and have a hat that suits all environments, that’s where this wonderful Champion CPX Supreme riding hat comes into its own.

Offered in Navy Blue with a leather strap and PAS 015: 2011; VG1. Shock-absorbing peak and being British Kitemarked you can be sure you can wear this hat at your local BE event or BSPS, CHAPS, HOYS and RIHS qualifiers.

Offering a slim profile with an injection moulded ABS shell covered in the finest quality velvet with a four-point padded flesh colour harness in super soft leather with rear lacing adjustment means no matter what the weather you will always feel great wearing it.

John Whitaker Competition VX2

Colour: Black, Navy | Size: S,M,L

If you’re a showjumper then it’s probably very likely you have heard of John Whitaker, well now is the chance to own something of his, or his brand at least to make sure look stylish when you tackle your next jump-off, but we can promise it will make you ride like John mind!

Offered in either Black or Navy this stylish riding hat offers a touch of bling with a centre silver column and silver side accents that will really show off your fashion when you are suited and booted for comperttion. This riding hat only weighs 600 grams and is made of Polycarbonate and can be fitted via a dial-to-fit system located at the back of the riding hat, and while things might get tough in the ring or hot under the collar, it won’t get warm under the hat thanks to its moisture-wicking lining that keeps the sweat away.

Champion X-Air Plus

Colour: Black, Navy, Silver, Pink | Size: 52 – 60cm

If you’re a keen eventer or have ever popped to a riding school before you would have been a skull cap before, they have come a very long way since they were first introduced to the equestrian world, but yes you will still look like an “egg head”. Thankfully there are some wonderful cross country silks you can now buy in many colours and designs to jazz up the appearance.

In the days of old, you could only find these in one colour, Black. However, Champion are here to give you a bit of extra flair by offering a selection of colours that includes the traditional Black, Silver, Navy and even bright pink. This Champion X-Air Plus skullcap has the latest PAS015 safety rating along with a 4-point padded nubuck chinstrap, so you can be confident that this hat will feel comfortable and protect you or your loved one while out on the cross county course or at your local Pony Club rally – it even features air ventilation so let your head breath, even if you’re not while approaching whose large cross country steps!

Shires Karben Valentina

Colour: Silver, Coal, Navy, Rose Gold | Size: 53-55cm, 56-58cm, 59-61cm

If you are looking for a bit more glam with your next riding hat to wear while competing in Dressage or Showjumping, or even in those two phases in your Eventing career. The Shires Karben Valentina riding hat brings the bling to the equestrian world with wonderful high-shine accents running throughout the centre of the riding hat and supporting a contrasting logo just above the peak.

Available in a range of colour options including Coal with black shimmer, Navy Blue with silver shimmer and Navy with rose gold shimmer (this is our favourite). Sizes start from 53cm and go all the way up to 61cm and each riding hat can be adjusted for that perfect fit via an adjustable dial. But these riding hats don’t just make you look cool in the ring, they help you keep cool too with a thermoregulating lining and front and rear vents you can be sure you will never get a hot or itchy head again.

But, if things get a little sweaty under there the Shires Karben Valentina riding hat features a removable lining that is machine washable, so you will never have to “air” your hat again – we have all been there at one point. The safety standards are BSI tested to PAS015:2011 for confidence and also feature the BSI Kitemark for peace of mind knowing you or your little ones are safe and secure within these wonderful-looking hats.

HKM Carbon Art

Colour: Black | Size: XS, S/M, L/XL

Now it’s not often you get style or a Carbon fibre look within a cheaper riding hat, let alone both so this wonderful riding hat from HKM provides style and fashion in an affordable package. It is available in Black and wouldn’t look out of place in the Dressage arena or in the ring while showjumping.

The HKM Carbon Art is fully adjustable and comes in sizes XS, S/M, and L-XL and features good ventilation and a material chinstrap. To keep costs down HKM has not used true carbon fibre, but more a style of it and while this riding hat complies with VG1 01.040 2014-12 it is not BSI Kitemarked. However, if you are just getting into horse riding and are looking for a good solution to get you more involved in the sport this is a great entry-level to the more costly alternative.

Charles Owen Hampton

Colour: Black, Navy | Size: 6.3/4, 6.5/8, 6.7/8, 7.1/8

If you want a riding hat that screams classic design with elegant features then the Hampton by Charles Owen is the perfect choice for anyone wanting to have that classic style whether you’re competing in Dressage, Showing or Showjumping this riding hat will never look out of place.

Black or Navy are your colour options and they come within a range of sizes to suit everyone. Covered in Italian velvet and featuring a flattering low profile style and wonderful soft nylon tan 4-point chinstrap, everything about this hat screams luxury and classic style, but it also features a Kitemark to PAS015:2011 and certified by SEI to ASTM F1163.

Read more:

Best Riding Hats for Equestrians
Best Riding Hats for Dressage
Best Riding Hats for Showjumping