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Horse & Hound’s Best in Test awards: find out who won


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  • Welcome to Horse & Hound’s exclusive round-up of all the outstanding equestrian products that earnt the prestigious ‘Best in Test’ status during our 2018 product testing scheme. A wide range of more than 50 types of products have been extensively tested throughout the year by our team of professional riders and yards.

    How the scheme works

    For each category, one professional and their team tested between five and 10 items from leading equestrian brands over a period of at least six weeks. Each was scored out of 10 across four relevant categories, with one product crowned Best in Test. There is also a Best Value award given for each category.


    For humans: Boots and socks | Breeches | Tops | Jackets and gilets | Gloves and accessories

    For horses: Rugs | Horse boots | Saddle pads | Accessories | Grooming


    Best jackets and gilets

    Best long winter jacket

    Caldene Luna Women’s Jacket | RRP: £62.49 | Read full review

    Caldene Luna Women's Long jacket review

    Best short winter jacket

    Premier Equine Pro Rider Unisex Waterproof jacket | RRP: £54.99 | Read full review

    Premier Equine Pro Rider Unisex Jacket review

    Best softshell jacket

    Cavallo Kasa softshell jacket | RRP: £115 | Read full review

    Cavallo Kasa jacket review

    Best men’s lightweight showerproof jacket

    Pikeur Piro Jacket | RRP: £229.95 | Read full review

    Pikeur Piro Jacket review

    Best ladies’ showerproof lightweight jacket

    Dublin Sachi Jacket | RRP: £54.99 | Read full review

    Dublin Sachi Jacket

    Best men’s gilet

    Blaze Wear Traveller Gilet | RRP: £199.98 | Read full review

    Blaze Wear Traveller Gilet review

    Best ladies’ gilet

    Premier Equine Carmen Riding Gilet | RRP: £69.99 | Read full review

    Premier Equine Carmen padded riding gilet review


    Best equestrian tops

    Best base layers

    Stierna Halo Polo SS | RRP: £45 | Read full review

    Stierna Halo Polo SS review

    Best mid layers

    Noble Outfitters Cozy Cowl | RRP: £44.95 | Read full review

    Best winter show shirts

    Pikeur Long-sleeved Competition Shirt | RRP: £40 | Read full review

    Pikeur Long-sleeved Competition Shirt review

    Best lightweight summer stock shirts

    Dublin Cortez CDT Short Sleeve Competition Top | RRP: £32.99 | Read full review

    Dublin Cortex Competition Top review

    Best ladies’ summer show shirts

    Noble Outfitters Gwen Short Sleeve Performance shirt | RRP: £29.95 | Read full review

    Noble Outfitters Gwen Short Sleeve Performance shirt review

    Best men’s summer show shirts

    Equetech Men’s Waffle Competition Shirt | RRP: £46.95 | Read full review

    Equetech Men’s Waffle Competition Shirt review


    Best equestrian boots and socks

    Best short riding boots

    Tredstep Medici Front Zip short riding boots | RRP: £139.99 | Read full review

    Best short riding boots: Tredstep Medici Front Zip short boots review

    Best gaiters or half chaps

    Ariat Kendron Half-Chap | RRP: £150 | Read full review

    Best half chaps and gaiters for riders: Ariat Kendron Half-Chap review

    Best riding socks

    Harry Hall Women’s technical socks | RRP: £15.99 for two pairs | Read full review

    Harry Hall Womens technical socks review

    Best country boots

    Ariat Coniston Pro GTX Insulated boots | RRP: £349.99 | Read full review

    Ariat Coniston Pro GTX Insulated country boots review

    Best yard boots

    Le Chameau Vierzon jersey lined boot | RRP: £125 | Read full review

    Le Chameau Vierzon jersey lined boot review

    Best welly socks

    Soxtrot UK socks | RRP: £9.90 | Read full review

    Best welly socks: Soxtrot UK socks


    Best breeches

    Best winter leisure breeches

    Cavallo Chagall Pro full-seat breeches | RRP: £159 | Read full review

    Best winter competition breeches

    Ariat Ranier Grip full seat breeches | RRP: £120 | Read full review

    Ariat Ranier Grip breeches winter comp breeches review

    Best lightweight summer riding leggings

    SXC Sport Leggings | RRP: £39.99 | Read full review

    SXC Sport Leggings review

    Best summer competition breeches

    Pikeur Lefinia Grip Breeches | RRP: £147.95 | Read full review

    Pikeur Lefinia Grip breeches review

    Best summer leisure breeches

    Hy PERFORMANCE Chester breeches | RRP: £79.99 | Read full review

    Hy PERFORMANCE Chester breeches review

    Best waterproof over trousers

    Just Chaps Waterproof Riding Trousers | RRP: £68 | Read full review

    Just Chaps Waterproof Riding Trousers review


    Best gloves and accessories

    Best winter riding gloves

    UVEX Sportstyle Winter gloves | RRP: £34 | Read full review

    UVEX Sportstyle Winter gloves review

    Best summer riding gloves

    SXC Sportsline Gloves | RRP: £25 | Read full review

    Best summer riding gloves 2018: SXC Sportline Gloves review

    Best winter headwear

    Pikeur winter hat with imitation fur bobble | RRP: £26.50 | Read full review

    Pikeur winter hat with imitation fur bobble review


    Best horse rugs

    Best stable rug

    Horseware Rambo Original Stable Rug | RRP: £125.95 | Read full review

    Horseware Rambo stable rug review

    Best turnout rug

    Horseware Rambo Bundle Duo Turnout | RRP: £399.95 | Read full review

    Horseware Rambo Bundle Duo Turnout rug review

    Best exercise sheet

    Mark Todd Waterproof Exercise Sheet | RRP: £59.99 | Read full review

    Mark Todd waterproof exercise sheet review

    Best cooler/wicking rug

    Thermatex Duet Cooler rug | RRP: £117 | Read full review

    Thermatex Duet Cooler Rug review

    Best lightweight turnout rug

    Premier Equine Buster Zero Turnout Rug | RRP: £134.99 | Read full review

    Premier Equine Buster Zero Turnout Rug review

    Best summer sheet

    Bucas Freedom Twill Sheet | RRP: £45 | Read full review

    Bucas Freedom Twill Sheet review

    Best anti-fly rug

    Amigo Vamoose Evolution fly rug | RRP: £149.50 | Read full review

    Amigo Vamoose Evolution fly rug review


    Best protective horse boots

    Best brushing boots

    Veredus STS TRC Vento brushing boots | RRP: £94 | Read full review

    Veredus STS TRC Vento brushing boots review

    Best over-reach boots

    Tri-Zone Over Reach Boots | RRP: £29.95 | Read full review

    Best tendon and fetlock boots

    WeatherBeeta Pro Air Open Front Boots | RRP: £49.99 | Read full review >>

    Best cross-country boots

    Veredus E-vento XC event boots | RRP: £120 | Read full review

    Best cross-country boots 2018: Veredus E-vento XC event boots review

    Best cool boots

    Lemieux ProIce Boots | RRP: £69.96 | Read full review

    Best cool boots for horses: LeMieux ProIce Boots review

    Best travel boots

    Rambo Travel Boots | RRP: £99.95 | Read full review

    Rambo Travel Boots review


    Best saddle pads

    Best dressage pad

    Albion England Diamond Dressage Square | RRP: £40 | Read full review

    Albion England Diamond Dressage Square review

    Best GP/jump pad

    Premier Equine European Cotton GP/Jump Square | RRP: £36.99 | Read full review

    Premier Equine European Cotton GP Jump Square review

    Best half pad

    Eskadron’s Climatex Trapez Half Pad | RRP: £34.95 | Read full review

    Eskadron Climatex Trapez Half Pad review


    Best horse accessories

    Best fly veils/ear covers

    LeMieux Acoustic Fly Hoods | RRP: £34.95 | Read full review

    LeMieux Acoustic Fly Hood review

    Best tack cleaners

    Storm Saddle Soap | RRP: £15 | Read full review

    Storm Saddle soap review


    Best grooming and horse care

    Best winter wash

    NAF Love the SKIN he’s in Skin Wash | RRP: £20.99 | Read full review

    Best horse shampoos: NAF love the skin he's in wash and towel review

    Best shampoo

    Carr & Day & Martin Gallop Extra Strength Shampoo | RRP: £7.99 | Read full review

    Carr & Day & Martin Gallop Extra Strength shampoo

    Best mane and tail detangler

    Cavalor Star Shine | RRP: £18 | Read full review

    Best mane and tail detanglers 2018: Cavalor Star Shine review

    Best fly repellent spray

    Absorbine UltraShield Fly Control | RRP: £24.85 | Read full review

    Absorbine Ultrashield Fly Control review

    Best hoof conditioner

    Leovet Hoof Lab Elastic Cream | RRP: £10.95 | Read full review

    Leovet Hoof Lab Elastic Cream review

    Best stain remover

    Mastacare Snow White powder | RRP: £10 | Read full review


    Meet the testing team

    Keith Robertson/Wild Farm Equestrian

    Wild Farm is run by grand prix dressage trainer and rider Keith Robertson. Along with a dedicated team of grooms, he produces young dressage horses right through to grand prix, and runs a successful livery business.


    Sam Jennings

    A professional event rider who started her eventing career in 1999 as a young rider and was shortlisted for the British team that year. Sam successfully competes a range of event horses up to advanced level from her friendly, professional yard in Kent.


    Jo Rimmer

    A former teacher, Jo is now an international event rider and British Eventing coach. Jo has produced a number of horses up to CCI5*-L level and competed at Pau CCI4* in 2018. She combines competing with producing young horses and training riders of all ages. She is based in Dorset with her 16-year-old daughter Jess.


    Lisa Spence

    A regular on the eventing circuit, Lisa has been working in the equine industry for more than 25 years. A British Horse Society stage four senior coach and former Pony Club examiner, she has spend many years backing, competing and working with all types of horses.


    Harriet Rimmer

    Harriet runs a livery, schooling and sales yard with a particular focus on hunting. She is based in Leicestershire and hunts with the Belvoir, and has previously evented to novice and competed in dressage up to advanced medium.


    Rob Waine

    Rob is a professional dressage rider who runs a competition and livery yard in Buckinghamshire. He competes up to inter I and has many regional titles to his name, as well being a regular competitor at the national championships.


    Tamsin Addison

    A former eventer, Tamsin became the first person in the world to regrow a bone in her upper arm after having cancer. She is now an international grade V para dressage rider and trainer, competing for Ireland.


    Jamie and Georgi Broom

    Jamie Broom began his equestrian career in the Household Cavalry, and is now a full-time dressage rider who competes up to prix st georges level, winning his first national title in 2016. He and wife Georgi run a successful livery yard at the busy Lakeside Equestrian Centre, where they also run clinics.

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