With the season under full flow (or well, maybe not) what better time to get some new kit, if only to cheer ourselves up?

PQ tested some new products on the market. Oh, the hardship! You can thank us later 😉

Polo Saddle from The Saddle Company
This English-made saddle is cleverly designed with a forward cut flap, meaning you can position it behind the scapula (where it should be!) but also get into a forward half seat to hit the ball accurately. The saddle is comfortable, lightweight and adjustable – so you can tailor the fit to your pony. We’ve found it to be very comfortable to sit on, and the panels feel like they have just the right amount of give for the horse’s back. The seat is wide and supportive without restricting rider movement. It can come in various iterations – the one we tested had a suede seat and serge panels, and it can come with point and balance straps too to ensure the perfect fit. Other options include a memory foam seat for an extra comfy bottom, and even knee blocks. £900 from The Saddle Company

Saddle Company Polo Saddle

Ariat Fuse trainers

These are the perfect trainer for use in an English summer – they are lightweight, comfortable and most importantly, waterproof! This has been put to the test recently, when walking around in soaking wet grass moving ponies on to better grazing – and they really do what they say on the tin. And they are supportive enough to go running in too. Naturally, being polo players, we ride in trainers too, and they did that job pretty well also! £110 from Ariat

Holland Cooper Carl Hester Gilet

We all need a bit of bling from time to time! This quilted gilet delivers in spades. It’s warm, really well cut and flashy AF. With lots of little details here and there, you can’t fail to be noticed. Hopefully for all the right reasons, of course. It’s water resistant too, and the pockets are deep enough for a large smartphone so it won’t fall out when you stick and ball. Handy! The dust brushed off easily after schooling in a dusty sand school, so it’s practical as well as smart. £139 from Holland Cooper

VIP pad from VIP equestrian

By far the best gel pad we’ve seen to date. The horses are instantly more comfortable to ride, which can only mean they are happier too. VIP explain: “We developed the Very Important Pad using Akton® Polymer as our raw material; a renowned viscoelastic polymer that has been rigorously tested worldwide in 40 years of human grade, peer reviewed, research. It is universally trusted in human clinical and sporting settings for its superior pressure relieving, impact and sheer force reducing qualities” You can put the pad straight onto the horse’s back too, it won’t harm the skin or cause pulling.
£130 from VIP Use the code POLO5 for a 5% discount

VIP gel pad

Todhpurs short boots for children

Finding short boots and chaps for little children is really hard – but Todphurs have the answer. We had to employ our 4 yo tester in this case, who loved them so much she wanted to wear them to bed. What higher accolade is there? They are great quality, with robust zips (often a sticking point, as it were) and sturdy soles. They also look GREAT with mini bombachas! Boot and chap combo, £56 from Todhpurs

Todphurs boots and chaps combo