Best Riding Hats for Dressage in 2024

When riding, horse safety is of the utmost importance and if you’re just taking your horse or pony to that important Dressage competition you have been training for, a riding hat is the most important piece of horse riding equipment out there.

Within this guide, you will find a number of riding hats in multiple styles which will suit either training in the sand school or if you’re competing in affiliated Dressage, from grassroots to international competitions, these are our best picks of the best riding hats for Dressage.

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 then 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 arena, they help you keep cool, 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 bit sweaty underneath the Shires Karben Valentina riding hat, it also 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.

Uvex Exxential Unisex

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

This wonderful unisex riding hat by German manufacturer Uvex is the perfect companion when competing in Dressage. Available in either black, blue, grey or Mocca (brown) no matter if your trying to match your tailcoat or your riding boots 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 for Dressage in our guide.

Champion CPX Supreme

Colour: Black, Navy | Size: 52 – 60cm

If you often find yourself in the show ring, but also like to take part in either affiliated or unaffiliated Dressage then you need to look smart and have a hat that suits both 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 riding club show or Dressage competition.

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.

JMC Felt Top Hat

Colour: Black | Size: 6 7/8, 7, 7 1/8, 7 3/8

If you are looking for a more traditional looking while you compete between PSG and Grand Prix then a top hat is just the thing, they have nearly been phased out by Dressage superstars opting to choose a riding hat that offers a much better safety rating than this one made of felt however, they can still be worn and are still seen being supported by many other Dressage starts from around the world.

This one from JMC offers great value for money and is made of 100% wool felt, supports a black ribbon band around the base to give a wonderful look and is available in four sizes. Apart from its having no safety rating it also only comes in Black – which is still the most common tailcoat on the market.

HKM Carbon Art

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

Now it’s not often you get style or the 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.

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 that will never look out of place when competing in Dressage.

Black or Navy are your colour options and it comes in 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.

If this has been helpful why not take a look at some of our other guides that can point you in the right direction when looking for the best riding hats for any discipline, maybe your looking for some of the best budget gloves to use around the yard or looking for the best heavyweight turnout to keep your horse as dry as possible, better yet why not take a look at our best coat shine sprays to make your horse look a million dollars after their roll in the field. If those aren’t click-worthy take a look at our world-class equestrian news.

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