anyone ride side saddle?

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Hemirjtm

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I took a few lessons in England. Then the riding center closed down so had to stop
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I really enjoyed it and had a canter in my first lesson....the RI was very pleased, she said she would have had me jumping in no time
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Just wondering if anyone on here rode side saddle and if anyone had ever tried it....looking for comments really!!

I might be getting a side saddle and teaching myself and Hemir (when he's better), do you think it's too hard or could i do it??

How do you mesure for a side saddle?



Lauren
xx

ps: is 300€ (ono) for a black leather sidesaddle that has never be used a good price?
 
I do - you could teach yourself but it is very easy to pick up bad habits without noticing. There are sidesaddle instructors all over the UK so it maybe worth ringing them for lessons.
That price seems a bit cheap to me, beware there are lots of badly made (unsafe) sidesaddles out there. The traditional ones are the best ie Mayhew, Whippy, etc but do need to be fitted properly otherwise they slip. Have a look at http://www.sidesaddleassociation.co.uk/ for more info.
 
thanks

I live in France so a little more difficult to find an instructor
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I don't want to do anything serious just learn as something else to do!!

It was bought as a gift and the person doesn't know want to ride side saddle. I am waiting on photos and make, it was bought at a show in Paris.

I'll have to start looking around on the web for somewhere in France!!
 
Ah ok sorry although there are world wide instructors. Re the saddle just be very careful fitting it and most of all have fun!!!
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Yes me too!

For somereason I cannot find any of my ssa hand book which I am sure does have some mention of over seas.

One thing about "cheap" sidesaddles is that they are just that and may not be right in one or two respects ( I remember reading this somewhere but cannot remember the where and whyfores!)
 
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I am gonna have to learn as I plan to ride my mare to my wedding next year! Wouldnt be very ladylike or practical to ride astride in a dress lol!

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I talked 1 of my friends out of riding to her wedding this Saturday side-saddle. Big horn on saddle...long flowing dress...hanging upside down in front of your family and friends with your undies on display...
 
There's a weird little part of me that wants to hunt side-saddle, possibly caused by reading too much Nancy Mitford and watching old episodes of Flambards. You'd get your picture in H&H for sure !
 
Hi
I tried side saddle a couple of years ago. A friend had a saddle and habit etc, so I brought my horse up to hers and tried it on him, lunged him first and he was fine, she rode him and then I got on. The horse took to it really well, only problem was he usually needs a lot of leg to keep him together and very light rein contact so I found myself really using my voice as my main aid. I didn't find it that difficult although your right leg (the one that swings over) goes dead after a while! I was lucky I was allowed borrow the saddle and all the gear to do a few shows. I really just had the initial tips from my friend, practised at home and then my instructor, who also teaches side saddle, gave me a hand nearer to the competition.

The saddle I used was about 150 years old, and fitted my fellow fine, he's 15.2 and medium build. It was 17 inch and medium width, same as his regular saddle. Fitting it is pretty much the same as any saddle, there are the same pressure points but the only thing is it sits a bit further back to show off the shoulder. We did our first show 2 weeks later, he went really and we came second. Then the follwing weekend we went into the Dublin Horse show, which is the biggest show over here. He was a bit tense as the Puissance was on in main arena next door and there was a lot of noise but he went well for me and we were called in 5th. However he didn't go so well for the judges as they took quite a hold on his mouth, which he didn't like so we dropped to 8th. Anyway it was still a good result considering we'd only been doing side saddle for 3 weeks!

Unfortunately I had to give it all back and I can't afford to buy my own saddle and the habit, top hat etc. But I have some lovely pictures of us in side saddle and it was a great experience. I jumped a few small fences at home but would have liked to try some more. Anyway that's my experience of side saddle, I suppose it just shows if you know the right people and are a fairly decent rider astride and have a well schooled horse it is do-able to try it by yourself, I'd say I had a total of 3 lessons and certainly didn't disgrace myself at Dublin! It is quite difficult though, you use a whole different set of muscles than sitting astride!

Oops just realised this is very long and I'm rambling on a bit but I'd say if you can afford it and are confident enough to try it go for it!
 
thanks, it's really good to hear peoples stories
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And well done
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I have been on the official horse site for France and found all the people that teach side saddle they are all over an hour and a half away!! Will contact the website posted above to find out if there are any instructors near where i am!!

I think i'm a decent rider
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well schooled horse - we'll see about that!! I tried a western saddle on him once and he was very good (never had one on), I got on walked him round, even had a trot and he was a really good boy!!! I think we would look lovely together if i was riding side saddle!!! I think i would just get the saddle first, then if i wanted to compete him, get everything else!!

xx
 
I sold a horse to go sidesaddle hunting/teamchasing last summer. I asked the girl if there was any specific way to teach the horse this and she said 'basically just slap it on and hope for the best'.
So, in theory, it sounds quite easy!
 
I would love to try my dad's horse sidesaddle but I can only think of one person up here who does it. I can't find a list of instructors but does any one know of any in the north of scotland?
 
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I sold a horse to go sidesaddle hunting/teamchasing last summer. I asked the girl if there was any specific way to teach the horse this and she said 'basically just slap it on and hope for the best'.
So, in theory, it sounds quite easy!

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that was what I did with Sid...! Unfortunatly I chose to do it 3 days before the county show that he was entered in (ok so we came 3rd!) he has to get used to the fact that there is a cane rather than a leg on the right but once he remembers he is fine.

TBH they adjust very quickly.
 
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