I tried side saddle...

[Titchy Reindeer]

The other week I visited a friend who rides at a riding school that runs weekly summer performances and is generally into the more theatrical side of riding. I've always been to more classical equine Olympic sports orientated riding schools (currently I'm mainly focused on show jumping as that is the horse I ride's strength) but I've always enjoyed trying different things out and have dabbled very distantly in horseball, vaulting, pony game, etc when I was younger. Anyway, my friend very kindly paid for me to have a side saddle lesson.
The first thing I found out is that it's a lot harder than it looks! It really takes a lot of effort to basically twist so that your shoulders line up with the horse's when your legs are to one side. The instructor was quite correct when she said I would ache the next day. However I really enjoyed it and managed towards the end to get what I think was a half decent trot, though I felt like I was struggling to keep control over my toes and left heel that seemed to be flapping all over the show. If I try again, I will make an attempt to be more lady like. I also managed to do a little bit of canter, though this was even less elegant that the trot, with me sort of folding in half and trying to "push" the horse with my seat and shoulders. He is a apparently a full lusitano but does not have the characteristic reactivity of the breed (not that I would know, he's the first I've ever ridden). He was quite happy to drop back into trot whenever I tried to shift my weight. Ideal to keep me safe, not so ideal for me to try to find my place on him at canter.
I can now be even more in awe of of side saddle riders that make it look so elegant and effortless, having a vague idea of how complicated it is.

Below a picture of me trying to look lady-like on Gavião and him being very kind to the muppet on his back that doesn't really know what she's doing.

 

[tda]

That's something I would love to try too

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

That's something I would love to try too

Definitely give it a try if you can, it's good fun.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Oh this was good timing. I have just posted in Competing/Training forum that I'm doing side saddle for the first time on Saturday. Nice to know a bit what to expect!

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

Oh this was good timing. I have just posted in Competing/Training forum that I'm doing side saddle for the first time on Saturday. Nice to know a bit what to expect!

I just saw your post as well, talk about timing! Have fun with your photo shoot. Do they provide a riding habit or something for the photos?

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I just saw your post as well, talk about timing! Have fun with your photo shoot. Do they provide a riding habit or something for the photos?

Yes there are some choices of costume I believe. An arena-based lesson and then I think out to a picturesque spot for photos.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Well done , looks brilliant

 

[timefort]

I'm glad you enjoyed it OP. Itried side saddle for the first (and only) time just before lockdown. I had a fabulous instructor come out to the yard with an armful of saddles, she fitted one to J so I was able to ride my horse sidesaddle. It was first time for both of us. She was fabulous, you'd never have known it was her first time. I on the other hand couldn't believe how difficult it was to keep the right leg tucked round the "horn". Loved it though and would happily try again if there was a closer instructor ( lovely instructor came a fair distance for a one off treat to myself).

The photoshoot idea sounds fab, have fun!

 

[eahotson]

The other week I visited a friend who rides at a riding school that runs weekly summer performances and is generally into the more theatrical side of riding. I've always been to more classical equine Olympic sports orientated riding schools (currently I'm mainly focused on show jumping as that is the horse I ride's strength) but I've always enjoyed trying different things out and have dabbled very distantly in horseball, vaulting, pony game, etc when I was younger. Anyway, my friend very kindly paid for me to have a side saddle lesson.
The first thing I found out is that it's a lot harder than it looks! It really takes a lot of effort to basically twist so that your shoulders line up with the horse's when your legs are to one side. The instructor was quite correct when she said I would ache the next day. However I really enjoyed it and managed towards the end to get what I think was a half decent trot, though I felt like I was struggling to keep control over my toes and left heel that seemed to be flapping all over the show. If I try again, I will make an attempt to be more lady like. I also managed to do a little bit of canter, though this was even less elegant that the trot, with me sort of folding in half and trying to "push" the horse with my seat and shoulders. He is a apparently a full lusitano but does not have the characteristic reactivity of the breed (not that I would know, he's the first I've ever ridden). He was quite happy to drop back into trot whenever I tried to shift my weight. Ideal to keep me safe, not so ideal for me to try to find my place on him at canter.
I can now be even more in awe of of side saddle riders that make it look so elegant and effortless, having a vague idea of how complicated it is.

Below a picture of me trying to look lady-like on Gavião and him being very kind to the muppet on his back that doesn't really know what she's doing.
View attachment 145876

Well done.Always good to try something different.

 

[Jenko109]

I tried it once at a riding school.

I dont think the horses were actually trained for it. They just seemed to plonk the saddle on anything that it would fit.

It wasnt for me.

I like to ride like a man, chew tobacco like a man...spit like a man.

 

[cornbrodolly]

I tried it once at a riding school.

I dont think the horses were actually trained for it. They just seemed to plonk the saddle on anything that it would fit.

It wasnt for me.

I like to ride like a man, chew tobacco like a man...spit like a man.

Spare a thought for those of us who may have no alternative to riding side saddle. Not that I don't love doing so, but without that option I couldn't ride at all.
BTW, for anyone interested look up Penny Clarke s Have a go clinics, where you bring your own horse and get a side saddle to suit, then have a lesson. And there are a few riding school s around the country that offer lessons.
It's a fabulous way to ride.

 

[Kunoichi73]

Knights of Middle England run side saddle clinics/lessons/photo shoots.

Side Saddle » Tuition And Courses » Home

 

[SpotsandBays]

I took my gelding to a side saddle clinic a good few years ago and it was really good. He took to it very well and we managed a canter (only on one rein though as I might have plopped off the side on the other ). I really enjoyed it! I felt quite secure but also not at the same time

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

Spare a thought for those of us who may have no alternative to riding side saddle. Not that I don't love doing so, but without that option I couldn't ride at all.
BTW, for anyone interested look up Penny Clarke s Have a go clinics, where you bring your own horse and get a side saddle to suit, then have a lesson. And there are a few riding school s around the country that offer lessons.
It's a fabulous way to ride.

I had thought that side siddle might be a viable option if for any reason I can't ride astride one day. It seemed like a good idea to give it a go early, just in case.
I might give it a go with my own Little Madam after her maternity leave, but no way am I trying it on Enormosaurus, I like living!

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

I took my gelding to a side saddle clinic a good few years ago and it was really good. He took to it very well and we managed a canter (only on one rein though as I might have plopped off the side on the other ). I really enjoyed it! I felt quite secure but also not at the same time

Your boy looks lovely. My current ride ( not my own horse) would probably strongly object to being ridden side saddle, especially with the unstable legs I had. It would also be a long way to fall down. I might see if I can give it a go with my own mare after she's had her foal.
Funnily enough by the time I tried to canter on the right rein, I was starting to get the hang of it, so it felt easier than cantering on the left rein.

 

[SpotsandBays]

Your boy looks lovely. My current ride ( not my own horse) would probably strongly object to being ridden side saddle, especially with the unstable legs I had. It would also be a long way to fall down. I might see if I can give it a go with my own mare after she's had her foal.
Funnily enough by the time I tried to canter on the right rein, I was starting to get the hang of it, so it felt easier than cantering on the left rein.

Yeah I cantered on the right but not the left, (left isn’t my strongest anyway!). To be honest I was really surprised he did as well as he did - he’s usually quite sensitive and can get abit silly when he hots up so I was pleasantly surprised!