Children's Riding
Jackets
Boots, jodhpurs, jackets and show kit — sized for growing riders, from first lead-rein lessons to Pony Club rosettes.
Children's Riding Jackets & Gilets
Children's riding jackets and gilets are the warm outer layers young riders wear for lessons, yard jobs, hacking and their first competitions. The choices that matter are jacket or gilet, everyday or show, and how it is sized — most everyday styles run by age (7–8, 9–10 and so on), while tailored show jackets are often sized by chest measurement instead. Just Horse Riders stocks children's riding jackets and gilets from brands including Shires Aubrion, Dublin, LeMieux and Equetech, from around £11.
Free UK delivery over £50 · Fast next-day delivery available · 90-day returns · Family-run UK retailer since 2010.
Children's riding jacket and gilet advice from the Just Horse Riders team — last reviewed July 2026.
Choosing a children's riding jacket or gilet
| Choice | What it means |
|---|---|
| Fleece or softshell jacket | The everyday layer for lessons and the yard — light enough to ride in, warm enough for standing around at the mounting block, and easy to wash. |
| Gilet (bodywarmer) | Keeps the core warm while leaving arms completely free for reins. Layers over a hoodie in autumn and under a coat in winter, so it earns its keep most of the year. |
| Waterproof jacket | For wet hacks, turnout duty and rainy lesson days. Look for a longer back and adjustable cuffs so rain does not run down into gloves or over the saddle. |
| Hi-vis jacket or gilet | Bright fluorescent fabric with reflective detailing for hacking on or near roads — designed to help drivers spot a young rider sooner, especially on dull days. |
| Show jacket | A tailored navy, black or tweed jacket for competitions and Pony Club. Usually sized by chest measurement rather than age, so measure before ordering. |
Getting the size right without swamping them
One size up buys a season of growing room; two sizes up leaves sleeves flapping over the hands and a hem bunching behind the saddle. A quick check: with a jumper underneath, the cuff should sit at the wrist bone and your child should be able to bend their arms into a riding position without the shoulders pulling. Tailored show jackets are the exception — some, like the Shires Aston, run in 22–34 inch chest sizes, so go by a chest measurement over a shirt rather than age. If your child wears a body protector for jumping or Pony Club rallies, have them try the jacket or gilet on over it before you settle on a size.
Surviving the yard and the washing machine
Children's riding clothes lead a hard life, so check the care label before you buy. Most fleeces, softshells and gilets take a 30-degree machine wash and dry quickly; waterproofs benefit from an occasional reproofing wash to keep beading; tweed and tailored show jackets are usually sponge-clean or dry-clean only, which is worth knowing before a muddy prize-giving.
Children's riding jacket and gilet favourites
- Budget everyday jacket: Sue Softshell Jacket by Little Rider (from £21.75) — a simple navy and pink softshell for lessons and the school run alike.
- Everyday gilet: Shires Aubrion Core Fleece Gilet – Young Rider (from £36.00) — four colours, ages 7–8 to 13–14, and the easiest layer to throw over everything else.
- Hi-vis for hacking: Shires EQUI-FLECTOR Gilet – Young Rider (from £42.30) — bright yellow with reflective detailing, in stock across all four age sizes.
- First show jacket: Shires Aston Jacket – Childrens (from £49.50) — a sensibly priced navy or black show jacket sized by chest measurement from 22 to 34 inches.
- Wet-weather cover: Shires Aubrion Original All Weather Jacket – Young Rider (from £67.50) — black or navy, every size from 7–8 to 13–14 in stock at the time of writing.
- Competition upgrade: LeMieux Junior Pro Show Jacket (from £139.95) — the step-up show jacket in black or navy for young riders competing regularly.
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy my child's riding jacket a size up?
One size up is usually a sensible compromise — it adds a season of growing room without getting in the way. Two sizes up tends to swamp them: sleeves cover the hands, which makes holding the reins tidily harder, and a long hem bunches against the back of the saddle. Check the cuff sits near the wrist bone with a jumper underneath.
Will a jacket or gilet fit over my child's body protector?
Body protectors are worn over a thin base layer with the jacket or gilet on top, so the outer layer needs extra room. A stretchy softshell or a gilet one size up usually works well — the simplest test is to have your child try the layer on over the body protector before you commit to a size, and do the same in-store or use our 90-day returns if the first size is wrong.
What jacket does my child need for Pony Club or a first show?
Rules vary by branch and by show, so check the schedule or ask the organiser before spending. As a general guide, a plain tailored jacket in navy, black or tweed covers most children's classes, while everyday rallies and lessons only need a tidy fleece, softshell or gilet. A plain navy jacket is the most versatile first buy.
Are children's riding jackets machine washable?
Most everyday fleeces, softshells and gilets take a 30-degree machine wash — always check the care label first. Waterproof jackets wash too but benefit from an occasional reproofing treatment to keep the rain beading off. Tweed and tailored show jackets are the exception: they are usually sponge-clean or dry-clean only.
Not sure which size or style to pick? Tap the WhatsApp button at the bottom of the screen and the team will happily help you choose.