Style and Comfort, Kitty King in Toggi

European team gold medallist Kitty King enjoys a busy day at the yard, with Toggi’s clothing range proving both practical and smart.

KITTY KING rides up to eight horses a day, and as an athlete she prioritises comfort for those long hours in the saddle. She has been using Toggi’s clothing range since her young rider days in the early 2000s, when she was taken on by Team Toggi. “I’ve worn Toggi kit for a long time and one of its hallmarks is how comfy the clothes are,” Kitty says. “The kit is really work friendly for the job I do. It’s not restrictive when you’re riding, which is the most important thing – yet it still looks smart and tidy without being over the top. I feel relaxed in Toggi clothes, and can just focus on my riding.”

When H&H visits Kitty, she’s switching between jumping lessons, hacking out on the gallops and lunging her European gold medallist Vendredi Biats. While it’s still cold in the early morning, Kitty wears the Winter Lofty Down Fill jacket in navy. This is filled with an 80/20 ethical down feather filling, and has a superior water-repellent finish. “I wear these jackets all the time,” says Kitty, who swaps to the Fusion gilet once the sun comes out. “For me, because I’m not so tall, I like the Toggi Lofty jackets because they are shorter so they don’t get in the way when I’m riding. They’re lightweight to wear, but also pretty warm and they fit underneath Toggi’s waterproof jacket, so you can layer up. It’s a really versatile item.” The collection also includes a longer version, the Cosy Padded jacket, so all riders are catered for.

Once Kitty has jumped a couple of horses, she’s warmed up enough to wear just her sky-blue Reflector Icon baselayer. This is a technical top made from a sleek stretch fabric with mesh panelling at the sides. Reflective prints aid visibility, and it also has UV protection. It’s available in sky or mink. “The panels help make it breathable and it feels nicely lightweight,” says Kitty. “I love the colour – my cross-country body protector is also light blue.”

Kitty prefers to ride in breeches rather than riding tights, and has long been a fan of Toggi’s Flexi breeches. These are designed for optimum comfort, made from a four-way stretch woven fabric that is lightweight enough to feel like a second skin, but substantial enough to give you support and structure. They have a full silicone seat for extra security, plus a water repellent coating. “These are comfy to ride in – some ‘stickybum’ breeches can be bulky and restrictive, but these are light and flexible,” she says. Kitty completes the look with a Shady baseball cap in sky, and Toggi socks. “I only have Toggi socks!” she admits. “They are pretty warm yet breathable, so my feet don’t sweat.” She wears the Sport Eco Logo socks, which contain bamboo, a natural and sustainable resource with its own antibacterial agent which naturally deodorises the fabric. The new spring/summer 2022 Toggi collection was launched on 1 April. H&H

“The kit is really work-friendly for the job I do,” enthuses the Toggi-supported Kitty European team gold medallist Kitty King has long worn Toggi clothing. “It’s not restrictive yet still looks smart and tidy,” she says

“One of Toggi’s hallmarks is how comfy the clothes are”