Side saddle questions!

[ShowjumpingPrincess]

Hi!

Having been having lessons and practicing non-stop (that bloody position!!!!) in attempting to master the art of side saddle riding, I am preparing to tackle my first show! Through some lucky twists of fate and some wonderful family members I have come across some money (not going to say exactly how much but it's more than most people make in a year!!), obviously I am not going to invest all of that in horses but have come to the decision that if I'm going to do this than I might as well do it properly (ie- proper equipment and not skimping on quality and living to regret it). I have already invested in a nicely restored old saddle with the assistance of my saddler (she used to compete aside so helped source one) but have a few more questions as to the other equipment required;

1- I am sixteen years old, would I be required to wear a hat complying with safety regulations (ie my velvet patey) even when I am competing in classes with adults and if so at what age can I wear a top/bowler hat?

2- Should you wear a numnah or some kind of pad under the saddle? What type/color?

3- Other than a habit, apron, waistcoat, shirt, stock, jods and side saddle boots are there any pieces of clothing I am forgetting?

4- in what style should I do with my hair and what should I do it with? I've seen people wear veils; is this necessary?

5-what gloves should I wear? Material and color? I only know they can't be black because it means you are mourning.

And finally-

6- Is my horse suitable? He is a 15.1hh old fashioned type Connemara and more of the hunting/showing type than the modern sports connies with a long mane that just CANNOT be plaited (will this be an issue?) he is quite stocky and 'round' with nice movement and a neck like a stallion (though he's not fat)!!! He has been successful in local m&m shows but all of the side saddle horses I have seen have been skinny, tall thoroughbreds/warmbloods.

Thanks in advance xx

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

Welcome to the world of side saddle and the never ending money pit it involves! I have 4 side saddles and only one horse and only ride ss so am totally addicted

1- I am sixteen years old, would I be required to wear a hat complying with safety regulations (ie my velvet patey) even when I am competing in classes with adults and if so at what age can I wear a top/bowler hat?

-You will need a velvet hat up to current BSEN safety standard. You can wear can wear a top hat or bowler when you are 18 but to be honest, I'm 39 and I competed at the Nationals in my Charles Owen Fiona. You won't get penalized for riding in a safety hat. More shows are getting stricter with head gear so the SSA has had to get with the times and allow people to wear safety hats.

2- Should you wear a numnah or some kind of pad under the saddle? What type/color?

-Yes, you can use a numnah if you want or need to. In North America, you can't but in the UK, it's fine as long as it's unobtrusive and fits your saddle. With some of my saddles, I use a brown sheepskin half pad, with my other saddle, a black thin quilt. Best stick to showing colours like brown though if you want to use one.

3- Other than a habit, apron, waistcoat, shirt, stock, jods and side saddle boots are there any pieces of clothing I am forgetting?

-Spur or spur band. You will need a tie as you are a junior and wearing a safety hat.

4- in what style should I do with my hair and what should I do it with? I've seen people wear veils; is this necessary?

-You wear your hair in a bun. Only a bun, unless you are a little girl, then plaits are ok Don't forget to put a hairnet over your hair, I have VERY thick and long hair so I wear too. You will only wear a veil when you get to wear a bowler or top hat. You wear a black veil with a top hat or black bowler and a brown veil with a brown bowler. Hair nets have to match your hair. I stocked up on ones for red hair as they are hard to find

5-what gloves should I wear? Material and color? I only know they can't be black because it means you are mourning.

-Brown gloves with a safety hat, brown gloves with a bowler or top hat. You can wear cream with a top hat as well. I wear plain leather gloves with no branding on them or big velcro closures. Plain and simple.

6- Is my horse suitable? He is a 15.1hh old fashioned type Connemara and more of the hunting/showing type than the modern sports connies with a long mane that just CANNOT be plaited (will this be an issue?) he is quite stocky and 'round' with nice movement and a neck like a stallion (though he's not fat)!!! He has been successful in local m&m shows but all of the side saddle horses I have seen have been skinny, tall thoroughbreds/warmbloods.

-Any horse is suitable for side saddle provided it doesn't have any dangerous vices like rearing. You will be fine if you show him as a M&M so you can leave him unplaited and natural. I have a TB and have lost out many a time to natives and cobs so it all comes down to the riding and your ring craft

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

For question 3, you'll need a long side saddle cane or nice plain schooling/dressage whip depending on your horse. I use a Victorian one with a little horse leg for the handle

 

[ShowjumpingPrincess]

Thank you so much! One other thing; you say you only ride ss, is this ok or would you need your horse to also be ridden astride by others to keep their back good or would it not be an issue? Thanks again xx

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

I can't ride astride for very long, maybe 10- 20 minutes max so gave up completely. My poor Stubben is going green with mould in the tack room!!! No, as long as your saddle fits your horse and it correctly fitted by a side saddler, then your horse's back will be fine. Side saddle trees are built to spread the weight of a rider evenly like an astride rider. This is the problem with all those horrible import cheap import saddles you see on Ebay by Hilason, Pfiff, etc, they are built on normal astride trees with pommels cobbled unsafely onto them. It's impossible to ride correctly on them and they WILL mess up your horse's back. A proper side saddle tree with properly flocked or felted panels, will not ruin their back.