| Membership is an annual
fee of £36.00, per member. There is no affiliation fee for
the horse.
Further details can be found on the Side
Saddle Association website, or by contacting the Honorary
General Secretary.
Please see below for help and advice if you are new to side saddle
and want to learn more!
NEWCOMERS GUIDE TO RIDING SIDE SADDLE
Welcome to Area 12. Below is a potted guide to riding side saddle,
which will hopefully provide some pointers on where to start and
what is involved:
It is possible to compete on any size or shape of horse or pony,
and riders may be of any age. At the National Championships there
are special classes for lead rein riders and mature ladies. You
don’t even need to be a member to compete, although non
members are not eligible for Side Saddle Association rosettes
awarded at shows or qualification for the National Championship
Equitation classes.
Most horses accept the side saddle with no problems. It goes
without saying that the better schooled the horse, the easier
the transition, but you don’t need a Grand Prix dressage
championship to be successful in the ring. The only time that
caution is recommended is trying the saddle on very young horses
(6 years or above is the preferred age), or on horses that are
known to rear.
The most difficult part of riding side saddle is finding a saddle
that fits both horse and rider. Fitting is very different to fitting
an astride saddle. The side saddle sits slightly behind the shoulder
as you look at the saddle from the off side. The seat of the saddle
should be horizontal with the floor, and will often sit slightly
to the right without a rider on board. Once mounted, the extra
weight of both legs on the nearside will square the saddle up,
and the gullet should lie along the horses spine in the same way
as the astride saddle. The saddle should remain flat with the
rider in place, and shouldn’t tip back, giving the appearance
of the rider sitting “uphill”.
The saddle also needs to fit the rider. It is almost impossible
to ride well in a saddle that is much too large or small. The
rider should be able to sit comfortably on the seat, with her
right leg passing over the top or fixed head, and her lower leg
hanging down the horses shoulder. The left leg is positioned as
for astride riding, without being pushed up against the bottom
or leaping head. Most saddles have a special type of stirrup fitting
which allows the stirrup leather and iron to detach in case of
a fall. These fittings should be kept well oiled. Some older saddles
are fitted with a roller bar, and these saddles should be used
in conjunction with a safety stirrup.
Saddles can range in price from several hundred to upwards of
several thousand pounds. Occasionally there is a bargain to be
had from the internet or a farm sale, but caution is recommended
if you aren’t sure what you are looking for, as it is very
easy to pick up a saddle with a broken tree or worse, leading
to a hefty overhaul bill.
Added to this the cost of dressing the rider, setting up to compete
side saddle can be an expensive business. However, there are many
people who will hire saddles, habits, bowlers and top hats, allowing
you to compete for a season or part of a season and decide if
side saddle is really for you.
There are many instructors offering lessons in riding schools
or on private horses. Some riders find it easier to develop a
“feel” on a school master before trying their own
horse. That said, there is nothing to stop you finding a saddle
for your horse, and taking lessons together with an instructor.
Each Area has a Chairman and Secretary who will have contact
numbers for Instructors, equipment hire, for sale and wanted,
clinics and Have A Go Days.
Derbyshire along with Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire form Area
12, who are very keen to encourage new members within their area,
at any level.
Have A Go Days!
Area 12 run regular HAG days in various locations. John and Veronica
Coupland who own and run Eland Lodge are big supporters of Area
12 and since 2007 have hosted many Have A Go Days (HAGS). Eland
Lodge can also help with riding kit, and are able to supply Mears
side saddle habits, gloves, veils, bowlers and other equipment.
The emphasis for all the HAG days is informal and fun! Each rider
is asked what they hope to achieve from their session, and lessons
are tailored around their capabilities and needs.
Some riders simply want a one off opportunity to find out what
riding side saddle feels like, whilst others have always had a
burning desire to compete. Trying side saddle for the first time
can be a nerve wracking experience, and nobody is pushed to do
more than they feel capable or confident to do.
Past lessons have encompassed everything from walk and trot,
to half pass and jumping! The HAG’s only have one goal and
that is no matter how green the rider before mounting, they should
all leave the arena pink faced and smiling.
Whilst any age and size of rider and horse are welcome to attend,
it should be noted that the side saddle is not recommended on
very young horses. It can also be difficult to fit very wide horses,
and those without a defined wither. That said pretty much every
make and model have been ridden successfully at the HAGs, from
Exmoor and New Forest to Gelderlander and Fresian! It goes without
saying that it is a much more pleasurable experience when your
horse is forward going, has had some basic schooling, and is mannerly.
Area 12 helps budding competitors as much as possible by hiring
saddles, habits and equipment, and there is often opportunity
for new riders to try competing at the Spring Show, using borrowed
equipment!
Many riders who have had their first taste of side saddle riding
at a HAG have gone on to be successful in the show ring.
Still interested? See Contacts and Links for further information
Emma Lebutt & Secret Harmony at a 'HAG' day
|
