7 Best Riding Gloves For Eventing That Handle All Three Phases

You’re standing in the tack store, staring at a wall of riding gloves. Some are leather, some are synthetic, some have mesh, and the prices are all over the place. Your child is getting serious about eventing, and you know they need a single pair of gloves that won’t fail them in the dressage ring, on a muddy cross-country course, or in the show jumping arena. This isn’t just about looking the part; it’s about safety, confidence, and helping your child develop a real connection with their horse.

What Makes a Great Three-Phase Eventing Glove?

You’ve just paid the entry fees for the next horse trial, and the last thing you want to do is buy three different pairs of specialized gloves. Eventing is the triathlon of equestrian sports, and its gear needs to be just as versatile. A great eventing glove has to do three jobs equally well.

First, it needs to provide a sensitive feel on the reins for the precision of dressage. Then, it must offer uncompromising grip when galloping across the country, even if it starts to rain. Finally, it needs the durability to hold up through the power and speed of show jumping, not to mention all the schooling in between.

Finding one glove that does it all simplifies your child’s life and your budget. The key is to find the right balance of these features for your rider’s current stage. Focus on a glove that provides confidence in all conditions, as that security is the foundation for skill development. A rider who isn’t worried about their reins slipping is a rider who can focus on their position, their pace, and their partner.

Roeckl-Grip: The Ultimate in Second-Skin Feel

You’ll see these gloves on the hands of seasoned competitors and professionals. They are famous for one thing above all else: an incredible, barely-there feel. This is the glove for the rider who is moving beyond the basics and into the world of subtle communication.

For the intermediate or advanced young rider, typically ages 11 and up, developing a "feel" for the horse’s mouth is a major developmental step. The Roeckl-Grip, made from a unique synthetic material, is so thin and tactile that it allows them to feel every subtle contact through the reins. This is a massive advantage in the dressage phase, where precision is everything.

However, this high-performance feel comes with a trade-off in ruggedness. They are an investment and are best treated as such. Many families reserve them for clinics and shows, using a more durable pair for daily schooling. Consider this glove when your child is truly committed to competing and has learned to be responsible for their high-value gear.

SSG ‘The Original’ for All-Weather Reliability

Your child’s lesson schedule doesn’t pause for a little rain, and you know a cross-country course can go from dusty to slick in minutes. You need a glove that works no matter what the weather app says. The SSG ‘The Original’ is that reliable, all-conditions tool.

This glove is a fantastic first "serious" glove for a young eventer, especially in the 8-12 age range. Its secret is a palm material that actually gets grippier when it gets wet. This provides a huge psychological and safety advantage for a child learning to be brave and effective outside the confines of an arena.

They are known for being tough, easy to care for (yes, they’re machine washable!), and accessibly priced. It’s a workhorse glove that gives your child the confidence to ride forward in any weather. This makes it one of the smartest investments you can make when your rider is starting to tackle all three phases.

MacWet Climatec: Unbeatable Grip in Wet Weather

Picture this: it’s pouring rain on cross-country day. You’re watching your child head out of the start box, and your biggest worry is them being able to keep a secure hold on the reins. This is the exact scenario the MacWet glove is designed to conquer.

While many gloves perform well in the wet, MacWet has built its entire reputation on it. They offer truly phenomenal grip in damp and rainy conditions, giving riders an incredible sense of security. They are also very thin, so your child doesn’t have to sacrifice the feel needed for dressage to get the wet-weather grip needed for cross-country.

This might be considered a more specialized glove. If you live in a particularly rainy climate or your child is competing at a level where a weather-related slip could be the difference in their performance, a pair of MacWets is a strategic addition to their show kit. It’s like having a set of rain tires for their hands.

Heritage Performance Glove for Everyday Durability

You need a glove that can be pulled on for a quick lesson, used for setting jumps, and survive being forgotten at the bottom of a dusty tack trunk. You’re looking for a daily workhorse, not a delicate show-day accessory. The Heritage Performance glove is built for exactly that kind of real-world use.

This glove is an excellent starting point for any young rider. It’s constructed with durability in mind, featuring reinforced stress points on the fingers and thumb where the reins cause the most wear. This is perfect for the beginner or early intermediate rider who is still developing a steady, soft hand and might be unintentionally hard on their equipment.

For families, this is a practical and economical choice. It’s tough enough to last through a growth spurt and can often be handed down to a younger sibling for their first pony camp. It provides good, all-around function without the specialized features—or price tag—of more advanced models.

Ariat TEK Grip for a Modern, Athletic Fit

If your child is more comfortable in modern athletic fabrics than in traditional materials, they will appreciate the fit and feel of the Ariat TEK Grip. This glove moves away from old-school designs and embraces the technology we see in other youth sports.

Ariat uses synthetic suede and stretch panels to create a snug, articulated fit that moves with the rider’s hand without bunching or stiffness. For the teen rider who is sensitive to how their gear feels and performs, this modern construction is a huge plus. It feels less like a piece of riding apparel and more like a piece of high-performance athletic equipment.

This is a fantastic all-around option for the rider who is schooling and showing regularly. It balances a great feel on the reins with solid durability and a polished look that is perfectly at home in all three phases. It’s a confident choice for the rider who wants their gear to feel as athletic as their sport is.

Noble Outfitters Perfect Fit for Breathability

It’s a hot, humid day in July, and your child is halfway through a week-long eventing camp. The last thing they need is a distraction, but their hands are sweating inside their thick gloves, making the reins feel slippery and uncomfortable. This is where breathability becomes a non-negotiable feature.

The Noble Outfitters Perfect Fit glove was designed with this kind of comfort in mind. The back of the hand is often made of a lightweight, breathable mesh or jersey material that allows for maximum airflow. This simple feature can make a world of difference in your child’s focus and endurance during long, hot rides.

This is a must-consider glove for riders in warmer climates or for any child participating in intensive summer programs. While it provides excellent grip and is touchscreen compatible (a feature teens love), its main advantage is comfort. A comfortable rider is a focused and effective rider.

Uvex Sportstyle for High-Tech Performance

When you walk the barns at a major championship, you start to notice the gear looks a little different. It’s sleeker, more technical, and engineered for marginal gains. Uvex gloves fall squarely into this high-performance category.

Uvex brings a European design sensibility focused on lightweight, high-tech materials. Their gloves are known for an exceptionally precise and stretchy fit, offering great rein feel and ventilation. They are a favorite among serious competitors who demand a lot from their equipment.

This is a premium glove for the dedicated young athlete. The price reflects the advanced materials and engineering. This is a purchase to consider when your teen is consistently competing at a high level, has stopped growing so quickly, and can appreciate and care for a top-tier piece of performance equipment. It’s not where you start, but it might be where your rider’s journey takes them.

Ultimately, the "best" glove is the one that fits your child’s hand, your budget, and their current place in the sport. Don’t feel pressured to buy the most expensive option right away. Start with a durable, all-weather glove and see how your rider’s needs evolve as their skills grow. Your goal is to provide a tool that helps them feel safe, confident, and connected to their horse across all three phases of this incredible sport.