Horse Riding Helmets, Riding Hats & Skull Caps
Riding Helmets & Skull Caps — The One Piece of Kit You Should Never Compromise On.
A riding helmet is the single most important piece of safety equipment a rider owns. In the event of a fall, it is the difference between a minor incident and a life-changing head injury. Yet helmet choice is often driven by price or appearance rather than fit and certification — and a helmet that doesn't fit correctly, or doesn't meet current safety standards, offers significantly less protection than one that does. Getting this decision right matters more than any other purchase you'll make as a rider.
Safety Standards Explained
- PAS 015:2011 – The UK standard for riding hats; required for most affiliated competition disciplines including British Eventing and British Showjumping
- VG1 01.040 2014-12 – A European standard increasingly accepted alongside or in place of PAS 015 at affiliated level
- SNELL E2016 – A high-performance standard popular in eventing and cross-country; offers enhanced impact protection
- EN 1384:2017 – The updated European standard; check your discipline's rulebook as acceptance varies between governing bodies
Helmet Types
- Jockey skull caps – Low-profile, close-fitting helmets worn with a silk; the standard choice for jumping, eventing, and cross-country
- Riding hats with fixed peak – Traditional peaked hats for showing, hacking, and general riding; available in velvet and synthetic finishes
- Ventilated schooling helmets – Lightweight, well-ventilated designs for everyday schooling and training where airflow and comfort are priorities
Fit Is Everything
A helmet should sit level on the head, two finger-widths above the eyebrows, with no rocking movement front to back or side to side. Always try before you buy where possible, and replace any helmet that has been involved in a fall — even if there is no visible damage.
Browse our full range of riding helmets, hats, and skull caps below and find the right certified fit for your discipline and head shape.