Horse Pilot Australia — The Complete Brand Guide

Most equestrian brands design gear that looks the part. Horse Pilot designs gear that actually performs — and the difference shows the moment you ride in it.

Founded in the French Alps in 2010 by three mountain-sport engineers — Aurélien Guillon, Simon Dewavrin, and Guillaume Janin — Horse Pilot brought expertise from outdoor performance wear and competitive cycling into equestrian sport. Their starting question was simple: why are riders wearing clothes designed like casual daywear when they're performing athletically at high intensity for 30-60 minutes at a time?

The answer, they decided, was that nobody had thought about it properly. So they did.

The Brand Story

Horse Pilot grew from a French startup into an FEI Official Partner in just over a decade. That's not luck — it's because the product works. The brand became a certified B Corp in 2023, which means they're held to environmental and social accountability standards, not just profit metrics. In an industry where "green" is often a marketing tag, B Corp certification is the real deal.

The brand's philosophy is that rider apparel should be engineered, not just designed. Every piece is built around biomechanical data — how the rider moves, where pressure builds, which muscles fatigue first. The X-Balance breeches, for example, use postural support panels based on research into how a rider's seat behaves during dressage and jumping.

Stocked at iRide EQ with fast delivery across Australia, Horse Pilot is the brand serious riders reach for when they want gear that works as hard as they do.

The Product Range — What's Worth Buying

X-Balance Breeches (Flagship)

The X-Balance is what Horse Pilot is known for, and for good reason. These are competition breeches with a full-seat silicone grip and postural support panels that run through the seat and thigh. The idea is to reduce muscle fatigue by supporting your position rather than letting you slide around and compensate.

Available in standard and Winter variants (the Winter has a fleece lining for cold mornings), and in men's, women's, and children's fits. If you're buying one Horse Pilot product, make it this one.

Long Frac and Mini Frac Show Jackets

The Long Frac is Horse Pilot's competition show jacket — and it's a proper piece of engineering. Four-way stretch fabric means you can actually move in it. I've seen riders scope 1.20m courses in these without the jacket riding up, which is more than I can say for most traditional show coats. The Mini Frac is the shorter version, designed for jumping rather than dressage.

Both are EA competition-legal and come in the standard colours you'd need for showing and dressage.

Team Pants and Training Wear

The Team Pants are Horse Pilot's everyday training breeches — less grip than the X-Balance, more comfortable for long days at the stables. Pair them with the Aeromesh Polo (breathable training top) or the Aerolight Short Sleeve base layer for a full training kit.

Outerwear: Fahrenheit, Sherpa, Raintech, Storm Hybrid

Horse Pilot doesn't just do breeches and jackets. Their outerwear range is genuinely useful for Australian conditions. The Fahrenheit is a technical riding jacket that handles cold mornings without bulk. The Sherpa is a lifestyle piece — warm, stylish, and perfect for the winter months in the Southern Highlands or a cold morning at a Victorian showgrounds.

The Raintech is their waterproof option for wet competition days. And the Storm Hybrid is a versatile riding jacket that bridges training and lifestyle. None of these are competition-wear — they're for the hours you spend standing around at shows waiting for your class.

Twist'Air Airbag Vest

Horse Pilot makes an airbag vest — the Twist'Air — which is a safety garment, not apparel. It inflates on impact to protect the rider's spine and neck. If you're eventing or jumping at any serious level, an airbag vest is worth considering. The Twist'Air comes with exchangeable belts and a gas cartridge replacement system.

For general riding safety, though, a good helmet is your first priority — check our helmet buyer's guide for that.

Saddle Pads and Accessories

The Horse Pilot saddle pad is anatomically shaped with technical moisture-wicking fabric. It's one of the better dressage pads on the market — see our dressage saddle pads guide for the full comparison. They also make a wool riding hat, magnetic belt, and the Element and Optimax training tops.

Why Horse Pilot Commands a Premium Price

Let's be honest — Horse Pilot isn't cheap. The X-Balance breeches and Long Frac jacket sit at the top end of the market. But you're paying for research, technical fabric, and construction that actually performs.

I've seen riders drop the same money on brands that look similar but don't have the postural support or the stretch. With Horse Pilot, the engineering is real — the grip patterns, the panel placement, the fabric technology all come from biomechanical data. It's the difference between gear that's designed to look technical and gear that actually is.

That said, if you're just starting out in competition, you don't need the full Horse Pilot kit. Start with the X-Balance breeches — that's where the technology matters most. Add the Long Frac when you're competing regularly and want a jacket that moves with you.

Frequently Asked Questions