Hobby Horse Equipment Checklist

Buy in this order and you will not waste money.

Rider essentials

• Hobby horse in good repair
• Grippy trainers
• Comfortable sports kit
• Water bottle and a small bag

Rider nice-to-haves

• Second hobby horse for jumping or as a spare
• Jodhpurs and a plain competition top
• Number bib or clip
• Bridle, reins or a decorated set for showing classes
• Storage bag or rack so heads keep their shape

Skip at first

Matching outfits, multiple show sets and specialist branded kit. Ride for a season, learn your discipline, then invest. For show-day kit, see what you need for your first competition.

Club equipment

• Six to twelve cones
• Four to eight lightweight poles
• Two or three jump stands with cups that release easily
• Arena letters or markers
• A whistle and a portable speaker
• First-aid kit

Organiser equipment

• Printed score sheets and running orders
• Clipboards and spare pens
• Rosettes and any trophies
• Stopwatch or timing app
• Scoreboard or flip chart
• Signage for entries, arena and toilets

Looking after kit

Store heads upright and out of damp, tighten pole cups before each session, and check jump stands for splinters. Repair a hobby horse early — a loose head is a bad take-off waiting to happen.

Buying second hand

Preloved hobby horses and tack are widely traded in the UK and are often barely used. Ask for photographs of the head seam, pole and any stitching before you buy, and meet in a public place.