Why I pack spare gloves for every phase of the competition
When I plan an event with Archie, my packing list starts with the obvious things: saddle, bridle, boots, medical kit, paperwork and a bucket full of carrots. It also includes more riding gloves than anyone might expect. I keep a spare pair for dressage, another for showjumping and one more for cross-country, because a harmless-looking pair can become the item I am most grateful for when a competition day refuses to go according to plan.
Gloves are not glamorous eventing equipment, but they sit between my hands and the reins all day. A seam can split, a palm can slip, or a cuff can catch if Archie becomes more enthusiastic than expected. I would rather change a glove beside the horse float than shorten a warm-up, miss a test or arrive at a fence with wet fingers. The habit also makes packing more systematic: every phase gets its own backup, stored clean, dry and easy to find.
A small piece of insurance for long competition days
Most glove problems begin quietly. I may start the morning in a comfortable pair, then pull them off to wash dust from my hands or wipe condensation from my brow. On a humid Sydney morning in early summer, that dampness can return before the first test. The leather becomes soft, the palm loses its secure feel, and a tiny split in the lining starts rubbing exactly where I need to concentrate. A fresh pair solves the immediate problem, but more importantly, it gives me back my confidence in the reins.
The right glove also protects my hands without turning them into an unfamiliar obstacle. A new pair that is too stiff or fitted differently can be worse than a worn-in favourite because I can feel every movement through the reins. This is why my spares are selected for fit and broken in rather than simply bought because they look identical. By the time I need them, I should already know how the fingers flex, how the wrist sits and whether the palm gives me enough grip for the work ahead.
Dressage needs a different kind of reliability
Dressage rewards quiet hands and consistent rein contact. A glove that slips can encourage me to shorten my hold, grip more tightly or lose the rhythm of Archie's movement. None of those reactions help a test that asks for accuracy and balance, so a dependable pair is almost as important as a correctly adjusted bridle.
Sweat is the usual culprit. Even in a climate-controlled indoor arena, the long warm-up, rising tension and multiple movements can leave my palms damp. A thin leather dressage glove usually gives me the closest connection with the reins, while its close fit stops it bunching at the fingertips. If mine opens during the trot or catches on the reins during a transition, I replace it during the next break instead of trying to ignore the distraction. Starting the arena with a sound glove helps me focus on the horse rather than the small but persistent sensation of a seam rubbing my hand.
Showjumping changes what my hands need
Showjumping asks for a flexible rein contact, a secure release and quick adjustments between fences. I need enough grip to maintain control, but not so much that I cannot feel Archie taking the fence. During a busy warm-up, my hands may become sweaty before the course even begins, especially when the arena is enclosed or the weather is warm.
My showjumping spare is therefore a close-fitting leather glove with a reliable palm and secure wrist. It may look almost identical to the pair I started with, but I choose it according to the conditions rather than treating all spare gloves as interchangeable. A pair that handled a cool Melbourne morning well might be uncomfortable once the afternoon breeze disappears and the horse has warmed up. A breathable option works better in the heat; a slightly more protective palm may be useful when I am schooling over bigger fences or handling a wet rail. Having both choices packed turns a minor equipment problem into a quick adjustment.
Cross-country rewards preparation over optimism
Cross-country is where the weather can change the fastest. A bright start may become a cold shower, deep ground or a sticky afternoon under Queensland skies. Rain runs down my wrists, mud reaches the reins and branches can catch at a glove cuff. The phase demands concentration, so a damaged glove pulling at my hand is more than an annoyance.
I do not rely on a waterproof pair to solve every condition. Once the outside is soaked, some materials can become slippery, and a glove that feels secure in the dry may behave differently when Archie is galloping in wet conditions. That is why I pack a dry cross-country spare in a sealed pouch, separate from the rest of the competition gear. I also make sure it is easy to pull on without undoing half my clothing. If conditions are still poor when I leave the start area, I keep the pair I have rather than changing beside other riders at an awkward moment. The spare is there for the next safe opportunity, including after a fence or during a designated pause.
Packing spares without turning the tack trunk into chaos
The system is simple: clean, dry gloves go into separate labelled zip bags for dressage, showjumping and cross-country. I pack them near the top of the tack trunk so I do not have to unpack saddles and rugs to find them. Everything lives inside a dry bag, because a summer storm can soak an open vehicle during the drive to an event. The gloves stay away from damp towels, tack cleaner and the sticky contents of an emergency pouch.
Australian riders have plenty of choice, but fit still matters more than the label on the packaging. I prefer to try on equestrian gloves at a local tack shop in Sydney or Melbourne whenever possible, checking that the fingers do not bunch and that the wrist is snug without being tight. Online equestrian stores are convenient for distant competitors, and prices are usually shown in Australian dollars, yet I would still order carefully and follow the store's sizing guidance. A pair of cheap gloves that constricts my fingers can ruin a phase, while a properly fitted spare is inexpensive insurance for an entire competition day.
The difference a prepared pair can make
When I compare the three parts of an event, I think about what each one does to my hands and what the weather is most likely to alter.
| Phase | Main glove challenge | Spare pair I choose | Packing detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dressage | Sweat reduces rein precision | Soft, close-fitting leather | Keep it dry and broken in |
| Showjumping | Palms become slippery during fences | Breathable leather with a secure grip | Lace it snugly before the warm-up |
| Cross-country | Rain, mud or brush catches the glove | Lightweight, water-resistant riding glove | Seal it separately from damp equipment |
The real value of carrying replacements is not that one pair of gloves will rescue a poor round. Archie still needs correct preparation, sensible training and careful riding. The spares simply remove one easily overlooked variable. If a palm starts to slip, I can deal with it in a minute rather than carrying the problem through an entire phase.
They also make me feel ready for the realities of competing in Australia: humid mornings in Sydney, changeable conditions in Melbourne, sudden Brisbane downpours and long drives with a horse float to suburban or regional venues. Each journey and each forecast adds another reason to pack carefully. A spare pair costs little beside a saddle, boots or entry fee, yet it may be the item that keeps my hands comfortable from the first warm-up to the final fence.