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Rachael Barker’s
Guide to Side Saddle

Interested in riding side saddle? Read Rachael’s guide for getting started in the sport.

What is side saddle?

The practice of riding side saddle has been dated back to before the 14th century, where it was deemed the appropriate form of riding for a lady, and has progressed through to the modern day as a leisure sport, where it has retained a speciality equestrian niche.

Side saddle involves the use of a different style of saddle, and therefore a different seated position. The saddle itself has a flat seat, and two pommels in the front, known as the ‘Queen’ (top pommel) and the ‘leaping head’ (bottom pommel).

The rider sits on both seat bones equally, and the right thigh runs along the seat of the saddle parallel to the horses spine, with the lower leg from the knee down hooked around the queen, dropping down over the nearside shoulder of the horse. The left leg, remains in the same position as it would be on a normal ‘astride’ saddle, and drops from the hip into the stirrup, underneath the leaping head.

Getting started as a side saddle rider

Starting your horse side saddle

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Competition

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The first place to start when wanting to move into side saddle is by contacting the Side Saddle Association. Set up in 1974, the association is split into ‘areas’. Each run by a smaller committee of members, which endeavour to encourage new members/riders, offer instruction and education, and run local shows. The association will be able to put you in contact with qualified side saddle instructors, and offer advice.

I would advise having your first try at side saddle on a horse already educated to this style of riding. Many of the instructors recommended have ‘side saddle schoolmasters’ which you can learn on, before transferring the skills to your own horse.

For learning to ride astride all you need is your normal riding clothes. The only thing to bare in mind, is that the outside of your right lower leg will be against the saddle, so if you have long boots with buckles etc down the outside, this may be uncomfortable, and scratch the saddle (which will not please your instructor!).

Once you had a few lessons on an educated horse, and decided you love it, you may want to start your own horse in his side saddle career.

The hardest part of starting your own horse side saddle, is finding the saddle! With many of them being original vintage saddles, most do not fit the modern day horse. When these saddles were produced, the horses they were designed for were a different shape, and not worked in the manner we work horses now.

The best place to start is again, with the association, or your instructor. Many established side saddle riders actually hire their saddles from other members, rather than purchase a saddle. To hire a saddle can be anywhere from £300 to £600 per year. To buy can cost up to £3,000 for a show condition side saddle.

It’s always best to try a few saddles, as not only does the saddle have to fit the horse, but also has to suit and fit the rider.

Introducing your horse to the saddle

The side saddle, complete with stirrup and girths, can weight up to 12.7kg, for comparison the average astride saddle with both stirrups and girth weighs an average of 8.1kg. For this reason it is advisable not to start your horse under side saddle until they are at least seven years of age.

This extra weight can make a substantial difference to your horse’s ‘way of going’, musculature and development. Any horse in ridden work should always be fit for the job, even more so with side saddle. The horse should be prepared muscularly (good ground work/lunging/exercise) and have a good strength of top line muscle and before being asked to carry a side saddle.

Once your horse is ready, and you know you saddle is fitted as well as possible (by a qualified fitter), you can start to introduce work under saddle.

It is recommended for your horse’s first time carrying side saddle, once the saddle is on and girthed up, you lunge the horse briefly before mounting. This allows the horse to feel the weight and distribution difference, and also feel the balance strap at the rear of the offside of the saddle. Once your horse is happy, you can mount up and enjoy!

You don’t have to be a member of the Side Saddle Association to compete side saddle. You can ride side saddle in most disciplines, against astride riders, although BE do not allow it.

If you wish to compete at the National Side Saddle Show Equitation Championships, you do however have to be a member and gain enough qualifying points through other side saddle shows.

The National Show itself holds hundreds of classes; dressage, show jumping, working hunter, equitation, costume, and even the Carro Crips! This is the highlight of the weekend for most, as it is a dressage to music fancy dress with props’ freestyle, with an anything goes attitude!

Dress code

Dress code is very strict so here is a guide on what to wear.

A habit and waistcoat should be worn, suitable for the horse’s type and colour (navy, black or tweed).
Appropriate colour long boot to match the above.
A bowler with veil should be worn before noon, with a shirt and tie, and brown/dark gloves.
After noon a silk top hat with veil should be worn with cream/pale gloves.
A hard hat is acceptable at any time of the day.

For the horse, a novice is able to be shown in a snaffle bridle, after that a double (or equivalent) must be used, with a double set of reins being required. Saddle fit will be looked at by the judge, and tack must also be clean and in ‘good health’.

For your first competition, allow yourself plenty of time! Not only to prepare your horse, but also to get yourself ready! There is a lot of preparation that goes onto your perfect bun, veil, habit and kit, and it must all be clean and tidy for the ring! Always have a groom if you can, especially if you are in a class which requires you to strip the horse!

Final thoughts

For many, finding the right kit and training for yourself and your horse can seem a challenge, but I can assure you that it is worth the effort and you must remember to enjoy it! Side saddle is a small (in comparison to others) niche, and everyone involved wants to encourage and educate newcomers. The Association welcome new members, and will happily point you in the right direction.