If you ride regularly, safety gear is non-negotiable, but the cost of kitting yourself or your child out soon adds up. Champion is a trusted name for protective riding equipment, and there are some surprisingly affordable options if you know where to look.
Here we focus on the cheapest Champion horse riding pieces that still make sense from a safety and comfort point of view in 2026. These are lower-priced shoulder protectors and a skull cover that give you extra protection or polish your look without paying premium-line prices.
We have narrowed things down to a small group of sensible budget picks. Some are the absolute cheapest ways to add protection, while others cost only a little more but may fit better or suit particular riders. It is not just about chasing the lowest price tag, but about getting good value within the Champion range.
These recommendations are based on Champion’s actual product line-up, pricing and intended use, not just headline discounts. We look closely at how each cheaper item fits into the brand’s wider protective range so that you are not simply buying the lowest ticket price at the expense of sensible coverage.
We pay attention to the role each product plays alongside a body protector or skull cap, plus owner feedback where it is available. Our aim is to highlight cheaper Champion options that still feel like a sound, confidence-boosting choice for everyday riding rather than a false economy you will regret after a few falls.
By comparing prices, model positioning and typical usage, we can point out where spending a few extra pounds inside the Champion range buys you a noticeably better fit or more suitable coverage, and where the true bargain sweet spots sit for riders on a tight budget.
We started by looking at the lower-priced end of Champion’s horse riding accessories, focusing on practical pieces that add protection or finish your kit without replacing your main helmet or body protector. Shoulder protectors and skull covers are often overlooked, but they are also among the cheapest ways to improve safety and comfort.
From there we filtered out anything that felt too basic or niche for most everyday riders. We concentrated on the Ti22 Guardian shoulder protector range and a simple skull cover, which are clearly positioned as affordable add-ons within the Champion line-up.
We then compared price points, sizing options and how each item would work in real life around the yard, out hacking or in the arena. The result is a small set of cheaper Champion products that still seem worth buying, with options for adults and juniors so you can match budget protection to the rider and the kind of riding they actually do.
Below you will find the Champion shoulder protectors and skull cover we think offer the best value at the budget end of the brand’s range. All of them are relatively low-cost ways to add protection or tidy up your look compared with buying a new hat or body protector.
Some are the very cheapest adult options, while the junior models are designed to give growing riders extra coverage without scaring the bank balance. Use the summaries to decide whether ultra-low price, a closer fit, or a simple helmet refresh matters most for your riding.
A straightforward, budget-friendly way for adult riders to add shoulder coverage to a body protector without paying premium prices. Ideal if you want extra protection for jumping or young horses on a tight budget.
For under fifteen pounds at the time of writing, this adult Ti22 Guardian set is a very low-cost way to upgrade your protection package. Champion’s Ti22 line is well known among riders, so you are buying into a proven shape and feel rather than an unknown budget brand. These shoulder protectors are designed to sit alongside a body protector, adding coverage around the collarbone area that many riders worry about, especially over fences or on sharp horses. For hacking, schooling or local competition, they offer a reassuring boost without changing the way you ride or breaking the bank.
As a budget version, the materials and overall refinement are likely to be more basic than Champion’s top-end protectors. The fit will depend heavily on the body protector you pair them with, and some riders may find the extra bulk around the shoulders a bit restrictive at first. If you compete at higher levels or ride multiple horses a day, you might prefer a more sophisticated, better-ventilated system even at a higher price.
Ideal for adult riders who want a low-cost way to add shoulder coverage to an existing body protector for jumping, young horses or nervous moments. It suits those who ride regularly but are watching every pound, such as leisure riders, riding club members and riders returning to the sport. If you want more peace of mind on a budget, this is a sensible starting point.
A simple, affordable cover to smarten up a Ventair skull cap and match your colours without touching the safety side of your hat. Great for riders who want a neater look on a budget.
The Champion Ventair Skull Cover is a classic cheap fix for a plain skull cap, letting you add a more polished look for the ring or co-ordinate with your cross-country colours. It is much cheaper than replacing a hat that is still structurally sound, so if your existing Ventair skull is safe but shabby, this is an easy refresh. Because it is a cover rather than part of the helmet structure, it does not interfere with the underlying safety design when used correctly. For riders who care about appearance but need to keep costs low, it is a very budget-friendly solution.
This cover does nothing to improve the actual safety performance of your helmet, so if your hat is old or has been in a fall, a new cover alone is not enough. Being a cheaper product, the fabric and stitching may not stand up to endless washing or abuse around the yard quite as well as pricier technical covers. Riders who want maximum ventilation or premium finishes will probably outgrow this option quickly.
Best for riders who already own a sound Champion Ventair skull but want a smarter or more co-ordinated look without replacing the hat. It is a good choice for budget-conscious competitors, riding club members and teens who want to match yard or team colours. If your priority is appearance rather than extra protection, this cheap cover makes sense.
Cheap junior-specific shoulder protectors that add useful coverage for younger riders without making them feel over-kitted. A sensible first step into extra protection for pony club and lessons.
The Champion Junior Ti22 Guardian Shoulder Protectors Black are designed specifically for smaller frames, which is important when you are trying to encourage children to wear extra protection. The junior sizing helps them sit where they should, rather than gaping or digging in like scaled-down adult kit can. As one of the cheapest junior shoulder options in Champion’s line, they make it easier for parents to justify adding this coverage for pony club rallies, lessons and small shows. The simple black styling is easy to match with most body protectors and competition colours.
Like most cheap add-on protectors, this junior set may feel a little bulky at first, which can be off-putting for some children who already dislike body protectors. There are no flashy design features or advanced materials to shout about, so it is more functional than exciting. Very competitive young eventers or show jumpers might ultimately want to move to a higher-spec integrated system as they progress.
Ideal for parents who want to boost their child’s safety for lessons, pony club and low-level shows without committing to expensive kit. It suits younger riders who are still growing fast, where spending heavily on each size change is hard to justify. If you want extra coverage beyond a basic body protector but need to stay firmly on budget, this junior Ti22 model is a strong option.
A slightly pricier junior Ti22 option that may suit riders needing a particular colour or updated fit. Still firmly budget-friendly, but with a bit more flexibility than the very cheapest junior model.
This version of the Junior Ti22 Guardian Shoulder Protectors offers much the same concept as the black model but at a slightly higher price, which often reflects tweaks in sizing, styling or availability. It is still a relatively cheap way to give younger riders more upper-body coverage, particularly if you are trying to meet specific club or parental expectations around safety. Champion’s Ti22 design is well trusted, so you can feel more confident that even this affordable junior variant has been thought through. For families where fit and comfort are the main priorities, paying a little more for the version that sits best on your child’s shoulders can be worthwhile.
You are paying slightly more than the cheapest junior Ti22 option here, yet the differences are quite subtle for many riders. Without detailed published specs, it is hard to justify the extra cost on performance grounds alone, so the value really depends on whether this variant fits your child better. As with most budget gear, expect a fairly simple look and construction compared with high-end youth safety equipment.
A good fit for junior riders who need shoulder protectors that sit just right, perhaps because other versions feel awkward or dig in. It is suited to families who can stretch a little beyond rock-bottom prices if it means their child is more comfortable and therefore more likely to wear the gear consistently. Consider it if you are balancing value with a bit more attention to fit or style.
An alternative adult Ti22 Guardian set that costs a touch more than the absolute cheapest version but is still affordable. Worth a look if your size or preferred fit is not available in the rock-bottom option.
This alternative Adult Ti22 Guardian Shoulder Protectors set sits towards the cheaper end of Champion’s adult protection range but a notch above the very lowest price. That small step up can be worth it if it offers better availability in your size or a more suitable cut for your build. You still benefit from Champion’s experience with impact protection and rider ergonomics, so the protectors should integrate reasonably well with a typical body protector. For regular schooling, clinics and unaffiliated competition, it remains a cost-effective way to increase coverage without moving into high-end pricing.
Compared with the very cheapest adult Ti22 model, this set asks for a few extra pounds without obvious headline upgrades, so price-conscious riders may hesitate. It is still a basic add-on protector, so you should not expect the lightness, breathability or fine-tuned ergonomics of top-tier body protection. Those who rarely jump or ride at speed may decide they can either manage with the cheapest option or save up for a more advanced system instead.
Best for adult riders who like the idea of Ti22 shoulder protection but find the very cheapest variant unavailable in their size or not quite right in fit. It will appeal to regular leisure and riding club riders who can justify spending a touch more for something they wear often, while still staying away from high-end prices. If you want everyday extra coverage that is still clearly on the budget side of Champion’s range, this is a logical upgrade.
