New to Riding?
When you or your child take
up riding you should be able to borrow the equipment you need from your riding
school. After a few lessons most people choose to purchase their own.
You’ll soon discover that horsey shopping is all part of the fun, but at Chukka Cove we understand that walking in to a tack shop for the first time may feel daunting. We really don’t want you to worry, we were all new to riding once and we really want you to enjoy making your first purchases – it’s a very exciting time.
We’d love to meet you and show you round the shop, and we’ll happily explain your options and prices. Please ask as many questions as you like. If you’re worried that a question is silly, don’t be, every question we’ve had so far has been very valid!
If you’re considering making your first purchases here’s our short guide to what you might need:
You’ll soon discover that horsey shopping is all part of the fun, but at Chukka Cove we understand that walking in to a tack shop for the first time may feel daunting. We really don’t want you to worry, we were all new to riding once and we really want you to enjoy making your first purchases – it’s a very exciting time.
We’d love to meet you and show you round the shop, and we’ll happily explain your options and prices. Please ask as many questions as you like. If you’re worried that a question is silly, don’t be, every question we’ve had so far has been very valid!
If you’re considering making your first purchases here’s our short guide to what you might need:
Riding Hat
After a few lessons most
riders invest in their own hat. It’s an important purchase for many safety reasons
– it ensures a good fit, it’s more hygienic and you know that it won’t have
been damaged and will offer the best protection
There are two main types of riding hat, the skull cap and the velvet hat. The hats look very different, but they are identical in terms of safety standards and either will make a great first hat.
There are two main types of riding hat, the skull cap and the velvet hat. The hats look very different, but they are identical in terms of safety standards and either will make a great first hat.
The velvet hat is what most
people think of when they imagine a riding hat and comes in traditional colours
such as blue, black and brown. The skull cap is most commonly associated with
horse racing. It’s a plain helmet worn with a ‘silk’ (a peaked material cover) and
there are lots of coloured silks to choose from - plain navy or black to pink
and purple with diamantes or a pompom on top!
When you purchase a hat always ensure it’s fitted by someone who is qualified to do so and check that it has safety standard BS EN1384:1997 and carries the kitemark. A kitemark means every batch of the hats is safety tested. There are additional safety standards such as SNELL and PAS015, but these are far from essential.
Both types of hat start from similar prices. Your new hat will need replacing if you fall and hit your head or once it is 3 years old as the protective polystyrene inside may begin to deteriorate.
When you purchase a hat always ensure it’s fitted by someone who is qualified to do so and check that it has safety standard BS EN1384:1997 and carries the kitemark. A kitemark means every batch of the hats is safety tested. There are additional safety standards such as SNELL and PAS015, but these are far from essential.
Both types of hat start from similar prices. Your new hat will need replacing if you fall and hit your head or once it is 3 years old as the protective polystyrene inside may begin to deteriorate.
Jodphurs
Close fitting jodhpurs
provide extra protection to the inner leg when riding and are designed to
ensure that seams do not rub and become uncomfortable when you’re in the
saddle. Your new jodhpurs should be comfortable and fit like a pair of
leggings. They come in a variety of colours so you can choose a pair that
coordinate with your outfit or that just catch your eye.
Children’s jodhpurs come in waist sizes 18” to 32” and our range is priced at £24. Ladies jodhpurs are available in dress sizes 8 to 18 and start at £28.75. We stock Equetech breeches for gent in sizes 32’’ to 36’’ which are priced at £38.
Initially most women and children select a pair of jodhpurs which finish with a hem at the ankle. Breeches are, however, an alternative. Breeches protect the legs in the same way as jodhpurs, but finish half way down the calf and are fastened with Velcro. This ensures a slimline fit designed to go under full length leather riding boots. Breeches are generally a slightly looser fit around the waist and hips and for this reason they are often favoured by gents for a flattering look.
Children’s jodhpurs come in waist sizes 18” to 32” and our range is priced at £24. Ladies jodhpurs are available in dress sizes 8 to 18 and start at £28.75. We stock Equetech breeches for gent in sizes 32’’ to 36’’ which are priced at £38.
Initially most women and children select a pair of jodhpurs which finish with a hem at the ankle. Breeches are, however, an alternative. Breeches protect the legs in the same way as jodhpurs, but finish half way down the calf and are fastened with Velcro. This ensures a slimline fit designed to go under full length leather riding boots. Breeches are generally a slightly looser fit around the waist and hips and for this reason they are often favoured by gents for a flattering look.
Riding Boots
Proper riding footwear
supports the foot in the stirrup and reduces the risk of your foot getting
caught should you fall off. There are lots of different styles to choose from
but your two main options are short ‘jodhpur’ boots or long riding boots. Both come
in synthetic and real leather options.
The majority of people choose the ankle length jodhpur boot in black or brown and team the up with a pair of half chaps at a later date.
Half chaps are effectively the ‘top half’ of a long riding boot and provide extra protection for the inner leg. They are made of suede, leather or a synthetic material. Generally half chaps are black or brown to match your jodhpur boots, but junior versions are available in pink.
Jodhpur boots start at £32 for juniors and £38 for adults.
Long synthetic riding boots cost £33 for juniors and £41 for adults
Half chaps are priced at £17 for juniors and £19 for adults
The majority of people choose the ankle length jodhpur boot in black or brown and team the up with a pair of half chaps at a later date.
Half chaps are effectively the ‘top half’ of a long riding boot and provide extra protection for the inner leg. They are made of suede, leather or a synthetic material. Generally half chaps are black or brown to match your jodhpur boots, but junior versions are available in pink.
Jodhpur boots start at £32 for juniors and £38 for adults.
Long synthetic riding boots cost £33 for juniors and £41 for adults
Half chaps are priced at £17 for juniors and £19 for adults
Body Protector
Body protectors are protective
vests which absorb the shock during a fall, protecting the internal organs and
reducing bruising. Like hats, body protectors need to be fitted by a trained
person to ensure they will do their job should a fall occur, that they are
comfortable and don’t restrict movement. They are adjustable, so an amount of
growing room can be allowed for.
At Chukka Cove we stock the market leading Airoware and Racesafe body protectors. Junior body protectors can be fitted from a small child size (around 3 years, £61) to an extra large child size (some teenagers and small adults, £74). Adult body protectors are available from teenage sizes upwards and are priced from £90. They are designed with women in mind being wider at the chest and nipped in at the waist. For our male customers we measure and order a suitably cut gents body protector.
At Chukka Cove we stock the market leading Airoware and Racesafe body protectors. Junior body protectors can be fitted from a small child size (around 3 years, £61) to an extra large child size (some teenagers and small adults, £74). Adult body protectors are available from teenage sizes upwards and are priced from £90. They are designed with women in mind being wider at the chest and nipped in at the waist. For our male customers we measure and order a suitably cut gents body protector.
Whip
Eventually most riders carry
a whip of some sort to use as an additional way of communicating with their
horse. A whip is not necessarily used for punishment, for example a rider may
carry one to rest on their horse’s hindquarters (his bottom!) to prevent them
from swinging out into traffic.
It’s always best to check with your riding instructor before carrying a whip. You need to have mastered control of the reins and some horses object strongly to a whip even being carried in the hand.
Most people carry a short ‘jumping whip’ or ‘crop’ first (not just used for jumping, despite the name!). They are around 30cm long and come in all colours under the sun, including some bling if that is your style! Later you may carry a ‘dressage whip’ which is much longer. Whips can be purchased from just £5.
It’s always best to check with your riding instructor before carrying a whip. You need to have mastered control of the reins and some horses object strongly to a whip even being carried in the hand.
Most people carry a short ‘jumping whip’ or ‘crop’ first (not just used for jumping, despite the name!). They are around 30cm long and come in all colours under the sun, including some bling if that is your style! Later you may carry a ‘dressage whip’ which is much longer. Whips can be purchased from just £5.