{"title":"Hobby Horse Riding Crops \u0026 Whips","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHobby Horse Riding Crops and Whips\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA crop is the piece of kit that finishes a rider. It is carried rather than used — there is nothing to ask a stuffed head on a stick to do — but it gives the free hand a fixed position, and in a dressage or showmanship class it is part of the picture a judge scores. This is the \u003cstrong\u003ehobby horse riding crop\u003c\/strong\u003e range: a plain black show crop in two lengths, and a glitter flower crop for younger riders who want something that looks like theirs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChoosing a Riding Crop Length\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShorter crops, around 45 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEasier to carry through a jumping round. Less to catch on a wing, less swinging weight at the end of the arm when a rider is running, and it tucks against the leg on landing. If a rider mostly jumps, this is the one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLonger crops, around 54 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBetter standing still. In dressage and showmanship the crop is held along the thigh and read as part of the outline, and a longer shaft simply looks more correct at a distance. It suits taller riders and adults for the same reason.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCrops for younger riders\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA first crop gets chosen on appearance, and that is fine. A decorative tip, a braided shaft and a wrist loop that keeps it in hand are the practical parts; the glitter is what makes a seven-year-old carry it properly in the first place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Makes a Crop Work\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe wrist loop.\u003c\/strong\u003e The single most useful feature and the one cheap crops leave off. A loop means a rider can open their hand mid-round without dropping the crop, which matters when they need that hand for the reins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA textured grip.\u003c\/strong\u003e A smooth plastic handle turns slippery within one warm session. A moulded or wrapped grip stays put.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlex, not rigidity.\u003c\/strong\u003e A fibreglass or braided core bends instead of snapping when a crop gets stepped on, which it will be.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA popper or tip that does not shed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Competition rules ban loose parts that could fall on a course. A tip that is moulded or stitched rather than glued keeps you inside them — the full list is in our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/hobby-horse\/hobby-horse-competition-rules\"\u003ecompetition rules\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCrops in Competition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarrying a crop is optional in almost every class and prohibited in almost none. Where it counts is presentation: in showmanship and in the realistic-enthusiast categories, a crop that matches the rest of the turnout reads as a rider who thought about the whole picture. In freestyle it becomes a prop, and riders choreograph around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne rule to respect everywhere: nothing loose. Charms, ribbons and clip-on decorations attached to a crop can come off on a course and cost you the round at many shows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLooking After a Crop\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWipe a PU leather shaft with a damp cloth and let it air dry; do not soak it. Store crops upright rather than leaning, because a shaft left bent against a wall for a season keeps the bend. A wall rack with individual slots is the tidiest answer and stops the tips getting crushed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo hobby horse riders need a crop?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo rule requires one. Riders carry them because it fixes the free hand and because it completes the turnout in classes where presentation is scored.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat length riding crop should I buy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAround 45 cm if you mostly jump, around 54 cm if you mostly do dressage or showmanship. Taller riders and adults tend to prefer the longer one in both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre riding crops allowed in hobby horse competitions?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, in essentially every class. What is restricted is loose decoration on them, since anything that can fall off can cost you the round in jumping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs a riding crop safe for a child?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a light shaft with a soft tip, carried rather than swung. As with any stick-shaped object, it is worth setting the rule that it stays pointed down when the rider is not on a course.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I stop a crop rolling off a shelf?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStore it upright. A slotted wall rack holds crops separately and keeps the tips from being crushed under other tack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCrops, Whips and Bats: The Difference\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree words get used interchangeably and they describe different objects. A \u003cstrong\u003ecrop\u003c\/strong\u003e is short and stiff with a flat leather popper at the end — the classic jumping shape and what almost every hobby horse rider carries. A \u003cstrong\u003edressage whip\u003c\/strong\u003e is longer and finer with a lash rather than a popper, carried for reach rather than for looks. A \u003cstrong\u003ebat\u003c\/strong\u003e is shorter again with a wide flap. For hobby horsing the distinction is purely visual, but it is worth knowing which one you are looking at in a listing, because sellers use the terms loosely and a 100 cm dressage whip carried by a ten-year-old looks wrong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eColour follows the same logic as the rest of the turnout: black reads correct in every class, and a coloured or glitter shaft belongs in freestyle, showmanship and the classes where a younger rider is meant to enjoy themselves.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"kids-glitter-riding-crop","title":"Kids Riding Crop – Glitter Flower Tip with Wrist Loop","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"hh-tags\"\u003e\n  \u003cspan class=\"hh-tag\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTip:\u003c\/b\u003e Glitter flower\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cspan class=\"hh-tag\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrip:\u003c\/b\u003e Wrist loop\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cstyle\u003e\n  .hh-tags {\n    display: flex;\n    flex-wrap: wrap;\n    gap: 8px;\n    margin: 0 0 16px;\n  }\n  .hh-tag {\n    display: inline-flex;\n    align-items: center;\n    gap: 5px;\n    border: 1px solid #E0DAD0;\n    border-radius: 999px;\n    padding: 6px 14px;\n    font-size: .85em;\n    line-height: 1.2;\n    color: #6B5C53;\n    white-space: nowrap;\n  }\n  .hh-tag b {\n    font-weight: 600;\n    color: #2E2A26;\n  }\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"hh-desc\"\u003e\n\n  \u003cp class=\"hh-lead\"\u003eA children's riding crop with a glitter flower tip, braided shaft and a wrist loop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003eThe shaft has a braided lilac finish rather than the plain black of a training whip, and the tip is a moulded flower with a glitter surface. It reads as a show accessory, which is exactly what a hobby horse rider wants walking into a class.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003eA black moulded grip with a wrist loop keeps the crop in hand during a round. Made from polyester fibre over a fibreglass core, so it flexes rather than snapping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003eIt arrives in a printed gift box with shredded paper filling, which makes it an easy present without any extra wrapping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"hh-trust\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFibreglass\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecore\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBoxed\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003egift ready\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eLilac\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eglitter finish\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cul class=\"hh-list\"\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMaterials\u003c\/b\u003e polyester fibre, fibreglass core\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTip\u003c\/b\u003e moulded flower with glitter finish\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eGrip\u003c\/b\u003e moulded handle with wrist loop\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eColour\u003c\/b\u003e lilac\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePacking\u003c\/b\u003e printed gift box\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eIn the box\u003c\/b\u003e 1 riding crop\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n  \u003cp class=\"hh-ship\"\u003eFree worldwide shipping on orders over $50. Flat $6.99 shipping below that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cstyle\u003e\n  .hh-desc { --hh-ink:#3A2E27; --hh-muted:#6B5C53; --hh-accent:#8A5A3B; --hh-cream:#F6F3EC; --hh-line:#E4DED2;\n    color: var(--hh-ink); line-height: 1.55; }\n  .hh-desc p { margin: 0 0 14px; }\n  .hh-lead { font-weight: 600; font-size: 1.05em; margin-bottom: 10px !important; }\n\n  .hh-trust {\n    display: grid;\n    grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);\n    background: var(--hh-cream);\n    border: 1px solid var(--hh-line);\n    border-radius: 8px;\n    margin: 16px 0;\n  }\n  .hh-trust \u003e div { text-align: center; padding: 12px 4px; }\n  .hh-trust \u003e div + div { border-left: 1px solid var(--hh-line); }\n  .hh-trust b { display: block; font-size: 1.05em; color: var(--hh-accent); line-height: 1.2; }\n  .hh-trust span { display: block; font-size: .75em; color: var(--hh-muted); margin-top: 2px; }\n\n  .hh-list { list-style: none; padding: 0; margin: 0 0 16px; }\n  .hh-list li { padding: 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--hh-line); font-size: .92em; }\n  .hh-list li:last-child { border-bottom: 0; }\n  .hh-list b { font-weight: 600; }\n  .hh-list b::after { content: \":\"; }\n\n  .hh-ship {\n    font-size: .85em; color: var(--hh-muted);\n    border-left: 2px solid var(--hh-accent);\n    padding-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 0 !important;\n  }\n\u003c\/style\u003e","brand":"Hobby Horse Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55077561401683,"sku":"\u003cnone\u003e","price":32.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1075\/1806\/7027\/files\/Sd53c8c9f2cfe42aeaca64cb54e8b0036d.webp?v=1790515035"},{"product_id":"hobby-horse-riding-crop","title":"Hobby Horse Riding Crop – PU Leather, 45 cm or 54 cm","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"hh-tags\"\u003e\n  \u003cspan class=\"hh-tag\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLengths:\u003c\/b\u003e 45 or 54 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cspan class=\"hh-tag\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/b\u003e PU leather\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cstyle\u003e\n  .hh-tags {\n    display: flex;\n    flex-wrap: wrap;\n    gap: 8px;\n    margin: 0 0 16px;\n  }\n  .hh-tag {\n    display: inline-flex;\n    align-items: center;\n    gap: 5px;\n    border: 1px solid #E0DAD0;\n    border-radius: 999px;\n    padding: 6px 14px;\n    font-size: .85em;\n    line-height: 1.2;\n    color: #6B5C53;\n    white-space: nowrap;\n  }\n  .hh-tag b {\n    font-weight: 600;\n    color: #2E2A26;\n  }\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"hh-desc\"\u003e\n\n  \u003cp class=\"hh-lead\"\u003eA plain black riding crop in PU leather, in two lengths.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003eBlack shaft, gold ferrule, a flat leather popper at the tip and a wrist loop at the grip — the classic show crop shape, scaled for a rider rather than a horse. The handle is textured so it stays put in a warm hand partway through a round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003eTwo lengths. The 45 cm is the easier one to carry through a jumping course; the 54 cm suits dressage and showmanship classes where the crop is part of the picture rather than something you are running with.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"hh-trust\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e2\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003elengths\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePU\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eleather\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eNon-slip\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehandle\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cul class=\"hh-list\"\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eLengths\u003c\/b\u003e 45 cm (17.7 in) or 54 cm (21.25 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMaterial\u003c\/b\u003e PU leather\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTip\u003c\/b\u003e flat leather popper\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHandle\u003c\/b\u003e textured non-slip grip with wrist loop\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eColour\u003c\/b\u003e black with gold ferrule\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eIn the box\u003c\/b\u003e 1 riding crop\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n  \u003cp class=\"hh-ship\"\u003eFree worldwide shipping on orders over $50. Flat $6.99 shipping below that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cstyle\u003e\n  .hh-desc { --hh-ink:#3A2E27; --hh-muted:#6B5C53; --hh-accent:#8A5A3B; --hh-cream:#F6F3EC; --hh-line:#E4DED2;\n    color: var(--hh-ink); line-height: 1.55; }\n  .hh-desc p { margin: 0 0 14px; }\n  .hh-lead { font-weight: 600; font-size: 1.05em; margin-bottom: 10px !important; }\n\n  .hh-trust {\n    display: grid;\n    grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);\n    background: var(--hh-cream);\n    border: 1px solid var(--hh-line);\n    border-radius: 8px;\n    margin: 16px 0;\n  }\n  .hh-trust \u003e div { text-align: center; padding: 12px 4px; }\n  .hh-trust \u003e div + div { border-left: 1px solid var(--hh-line); }\n  .hh-trust b { display: block; font-size: 1.05em; color: var(--hh-accent); line-height: 1.2; }\n  .hh-trust span { display: block; font-size: .75em; color: var(--hh-muted); margin-top: 2px; }\n\n  .hh-list { list-style: none; padding: 0; margin: 0 0 16px; }\n  .hh-list li { padding: 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--hh-line); font-size: .92em; }\n  .hh-list li:last-child { border-bottom: 0; }\n  .hh-list b { font-weight: 600; }\n  .hh-list b::after { content: \":\"; }\n\n  .hh-ship {\n    font-size: .85em; color: var(--hh-muted);\n    border-left: 2px solid var(--hh-accent);\n    padding-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 0 !important;\n  }\n\u003c\/style\u003e","brand":"Hobby Horse Shop","offers":[{"title":"45 cm (17.7 in)","offer_id":55077561467219,"sku":"14:201441169#45CM","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"54 cm (21.25 in)","offer_id":55077561499987,"sku":"14:201441170#54CM","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1075\/1806\/7027\/files\/Sfe51cdf0ffd9483eb9643bc93003274dk.webp?v=1790515035"}],"url":"https:\/\/hobbyhorse-shop.com\/collections\/hobby-horse-riding-crops.oembed","provider":"Hobby Horse Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}