on July 25, 2026
A velvet saddle pad is a saddle pad with a top layer of dense, short-pile velvet instead of the usual cotton or polyester twill. The velvet surface gives deeper, more saturated color and a soft matte sheen under arena lights, while the underside and internal construction work like any technical pad. Here is how velvet pads are built, how they compare to other materials, and how to choose one.
How a velvet saddle pad is constructed
A well-made velvet pad has three working layers. The top layer is the velvet itself — a woven fabric with a dense cut pile a few millimeters high. Pile density is what separates upholstery-grade velvet from apparel velvet: a dense, short pile keeps its structure under the saddle and resists crushing. The filling is a foam-and-polyester layer that provides cushioning and shape. The lining — the side that touches the horse — is a soft, breathable cotton that manages sweat and airflow during work.
Valerie Equestrian velvet pads add an anatomical cut (shaped to follow the horse's back rather than lying flat), quilting that holds the layers in place through repeated washing, and a decorative trim of cords — on some models with a rhinestone crystal insert. On our Influence jumping pad the trim combines 6 mm and 3 mm cords with a clear crystal line; the Presence pad uses the same cord detail without crystals.
Velvet vs cotton vs technical fabric
| Velvet pad | Cotton (twill) pad | Technical (nylon/poly) pad | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Deep color saturation, soft matte sheen — reads as premium in the ring | Classic matte, flat color | Sporty, slight sheen |
| Feel of the top layer | Dense short pile, soft to the touch | Smooth woven cotton | Smooth synthetic weave |
| Care | Gentle hand wash up to 30°C, air dry flat | Machine washable in most cases | Machine washable, fastest drying |
| Durability of appearance | Very good with correct care; pile hides minor wear | Fades and pills with heavy machine washing | Most resistant to abrasion |
| Typical use | Competition and photo-day turnout, matchy sets | Everyday schooling | Everyday schooling, wet conditions |
| Price at Valerie Equestrian | €136, with crystals €149 | — | €95 (nylon pads) |
The honest summary: a technical pad is the workhorse for daily schooling, and a velvet pad is what you reach for when presentation matters — competition days, clinics, photos, and coordinated turnout with a matching ear bonnet.
Jumping or dressage cut
Match the pad to your saddle, not your discipline label. Jumping (GP) cuts are shorter with a forward flap line to follow a jumping saddle; dressage cuts are longer and straighter for long, straight-flap dressage saddles. Valerie Equestrian velvet pads come in both cuts in the same colorways, so a coordinated set works across disciplines. Sizing rule of thumb: measure your saddle from pommel to cantle — the pad should extend 5–8 cm beyond the saddle at front and back.
About the crystals
On crystal models, the stones are premium rhinestone crystals arranged in a decorative trim along the edge of the pad. They are securely attached for daily schooling and competition — the trim is part of the pad's edge construction, not a glued-on afterthought.
Care
Velvet asks for one habit change: gently hand wash up to 30°C with a mild detergent, then air dry flat away from direct sunlight. That is the whole routine — the full step-by-step is in our guide on how to wash a velvet saddle pad.
Are velvet pads allowed in competition?
Velvet as a material is not restricted — saddle pad rules in most federations concern dimensions, colors, and advertising, not fabric. Our pads are cut to standard jumping and dressage dimensions. Before a show, check your federation's current tack rules for color and decoration requirements in your specific class — rules differ between national federations and levels.
Where to see them
The full range of velvet jumping and dressage pads — with and without crystals — is in our saddle pad collection. Questions about shipping or sizing? See the FAQ — UK and EU orders ship with all duties and taxes included.