First side saddle lesson tomorrow!!

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gillianfleming

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And i'm so excited! And nervous!

Was a total spur of the moment phone call to see if they had any spaces and they did.

I haven't had a lesson for years, not sure how i will sleep tonight.
 
Wow MM not sure i could cope with that, i don't jump normally lol

Friend has said she might have a side saddle to fit my horse, have always wanted to try him but i think a few lessons might be in order first though.
 
You'll find it is much more secure than jumping aside. As long as you keep your hips square and don't twist or collapse it is a beautiful elegant feeling. Wow I think I'll have to find someone round here who gives lessons - you've got me thinking!
 
WOW! good luck :) something I have always wanted to try after recieving photos from an old owner of my horse with him doing side saddle, he looked magnificant (if i do say so myself!)
 
Good luck :)
second that, its VERY addictive! I went for one lesson and now have a saddler coming out to fit a saddle to my pony in a couple of weeks, I am so excited!
You will have a fabulous time :)
 
Wooo! I had my first side-saddle lesson earlier this year and it was fantastic. I agree that the learning curve is sharp – it feels so weird and precarious at first that you want to follow your teacher's instructions to the letter so you don't fall off :)
 
lol sorry SSG the rest of the day kind of went to pot.

It was brilliant though really really enjoyed it, i'm really going to ache tomorrow.

Rode a really nice coloured, she was about 15.2 called Pie, started by talking about position, began quietly in walk, need to work on keeping my shoulder back which i guess is one of the major things anyway and then moved onto trot, she was very bouncy, did both reins, really need to work on my sitting trot astride as well and breathing.

Had a couple of little canters but struggled with the big trot coming back down from canter, but think my trot was better afterwards though.

The instructor was brilliant, think i may try and book a couple of normal lessons with her as i think she's do wonder for my lack of confidence.

Have booked another lesson for next Friday, it was brilliant.
I meant to ask am i meant to kind of grip the horn on the saddle with the top of my left leg and the bottom of my right leg, not quite sure how to describe it but i felt much more secure when i was doing so.
 
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Brilliant! Yup, everyone who rides side saddle battles with "right shoulder back" but after a while it becomes easier. :) When i ride in my off-side side saddle, I have to reverse it and think "left shoulder back".

I find what helps with transitions, especially downward transitions, is if you point your right toe RIGHT down and keep your rib cage right up. It kinds of makes your body act as a "half halt" if that makes sense? It works for me and Hattie and gives us smoother transitions. Keeping your rib cage up anyways helps your position side saddle but if you really concentrate on doing it when asking for a transition, it prevents you from collasping into it.

You shouldn't be gripping the pommels in a vice grip while your riding except if you are on a naughty horse who is acting up (these come in handy when Hattie is bucking!) but as a beginner aside rider, it's normal to rely on the pommels a bit more than you are supposed to. Your weight should be along your right thigh with your leg firm against the fixed head but not gripping with a death grip leaning to the left as you'll pull the saddle over!

If I'm riding on bumpy ground at speed or going downhill, I'll grip more with my left leg to the leaping head. That's what it the leaping head is there for, for extra support in bumpy situations like getting left behind over a jump (lol), riding over bumpy ground, going downhill, naughty horses, etc you shouldn't rely on the leaping head in normal riding though and should be able to fit a flat hand between your left thigh and the underside of the leaping head :)
 
SSG i think my stirrup was maybe a bit short, will try lengthening it next time.

Going to try and find a book for some handy tips.

Friend was pointing out that there is a SSA show at Grange Equestrian on the 1st october and there is a novice class where you don't even need a habit, think she is mad i've only had 1 lesson.

Cloball i had it at Houston RS just outside Edinburgh, its just along the road from SNEC. Cost 28 pounds for 30 minutes.
 
I did a novice class once and it was fun, you are *supposed* to just walk and trot but the other competitors knew how to canter so the judge let them canter. I was still learning but knew that if I didn't, then I wouldn't be in with a chance. LOL, we won the class! :D

Go for it! You still have two weeks to practice!!
 
lol thanks SSG think i'll be doing it on my friends horse, means i hopefully would be able to do novice classes next year on my own pony.
big difference heightwise, my boy is 14.1 and ziggy is 16.3 but she at least has done it all before.
can you tell me if i don't have to wear a habbit what should i wear? Tweed/navy/black jacket? Charles owen SJ or beagler? I know you are supposed to use a false bun but my hair is so short. Tie or stock? i have a stock but no shirt for it but the show doesnt start til after 12. Long boots or short boots and gaiters?
Sorry for all the questions but all tips are really appreciated.
 
gillianfleming said:
lol thanks SSG think i'll be doing it on my friends horse, means i hopefully would be able to do novice classes next year on my own pony.
big difference heightwise, my boy is 14.1 and ziggy is 16.3 but she at least has done it all before.
can you tell me if i don't have to wear a habbit what should i wear? Tweed/navy/black jacket? Charles owen SJ or beagler? I know you are supposed to use a false bun but my hair is so short. Tie or stock? i have a stock but no shirt for it but the show doesnt start til after 12. Long boots or short boots and gaiters?
Sorry for all the questions but all tips are really appreciated.
Click to expand...

Sorry I missed your post! I hate how everything gets pushed down here.

Since you don't have to wear a habit and it's a novice class, I would just wear either your tweed or navy jacket (what color is your helmet? Choose which ever looks best with your helmet), your CO SJ helmet, your tie and which ever boots are comfy enough to ride side saddle in. I can't ride in my long Ariat field boots as they cut into the backs of my knee but my Hawkins long boots are slightly shorter and they are perfect to ride side saddle in. Just bend your knees and see which boots are the comfiest to wear :)

Don't worry about the bun for now as when you get a bowler for the next show ( ;) ), then you can buy a false bun :D
 
Just managed to catch up with this thread!

Your lesson sounds fantastic and Im only about 45 minutes from SNEC, very tempted to dive into the side saddle world!

Sounds like you had a fantastic time and good luck with the competition :)
 
Unfortunately going to miss the show, have to go to a family funeral in Essex the day before and don't think we are going to be back in time.
But means that i will be more ready for next year.
I had my second lesson on Friday and i felt like my position was much more secure, my core muscles are still rubbish though lol instead of gripping with my left leg i felt able to keep my right leg where it is supposed to be.
Going to try and organise and do a lesson every couple of weeks, i've really enjoyed it and the instructor is fantastic
 
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