Riding In Style
Going A Bit Wonky
By Boulder Creek
Displayed in Art Galleries, or occasional flashes on TV, are old-fashioned images of elegant women riding sleek horses and wearing dark habits and top hats. It’s a nice aesthetic but looks to be a glimpse of a time gone by, where women were ladies and men were lords and gentlemen. In the world of Sidesaddle Riding - this isn’t so. Women, and men, ride sidesaddle every day - doing some amazing things while aside! Daring riders are out challenging the norm as they tackle cross-country fences while competing at a horse trial. Women in beautiful dresses are charging across an arena with flourishing spins as part of an Escaramuza drill team display. The adventurous are bending the boundaries of what’s possible by taking on the Grand Canyon while riding aside - descending treacherous pathways and around narrow cliffside passes. Ladies are representing their personal histories as they present themselves in a show ring, riding in their grandmother’s attire and saddles. Some enjoy the look - getting in touch with their feminine side as they don outrageous dresses and hats being the center of attention marching down Mainstreet in a parade. Some find the history the most attractive - finding and restoring centuries-old saddles and habits. And for some, it is taking ownership of a riding style that once was the only means for women to ride. Sidesaddle riding might be seen as old-fashioned - but it is anything but out-of-fashion!
In the time when women seldom wore pants, and horses were a transportation necessity, sidesaddle riding became a socially acceptable way for women to ride. It was considered indecent for females to straddle anything be it bicycles or horses; even riding the train was considered to throw women into a fit of hysterics (cite: mentalfloss.com & McGill University’s Office for Science and Society). Women were stuck walking, riding in a carriage, or riding aside behind a gentleman. This was sometimes an impractical way of getting about - and some women really didn’t want to have to wait around for a Man to take care of her (be your own Cinderella!). The first styles of ‘side saddles’ were square chairs (planchettes) or cushions that placed the rider on the side of the horse (think a walking couch) - she had no way to comfortable or securely manage a horse on her own, and typically it was a way for the woman to get exercise outside while being led by a groom at a stately walk - to be seen and get some sunshine and less about actually riding a horse. Improvements and upgrades made to the saddle over time - as women cared less about being ‘seen’ and more about actually riding, made it possible for those awesome women to gallop and jump with the best of the men.
There are several types of saddles easily found in the market today. Saddles were readily purchased at a general store from catalogs like the Sears and Roebuck, & Co. Catalog or Montgomery Wards, and are referred to as Catalog or Period Saddles. They were quickly manufactured and at a budget-friendly price point - today these saddles have some value and can be safely ridden in, but are best for mild exercise (not suited for galloping or jumping) and it’s suggested to have them checked over by a sidesaddle professional (instructor with experienced eye or a sidesaddle saddlery). Old Name Sidesaddles are often sought after and maintain a great value (expect to spend a few thousand dollars) even when in rough condition and need to be restored. A few old-name saddlers are Champion & Wilton, Martin & Martin, Owen, and Mayhew. All of these saddlers made high-quality sidesaddles that truly stand the test of time and have held the stamp of approval or Royal Warrant from the Monarch of England and other royal monarchs around the world. There are modern saddle makers who can create custom sidesaddles today! Check out Elan, Malvern Saddle Company, and Swain for a brand new saddle! Not at all forgetting about Western Saddles - a few companies make great saddles that can tackle any type of work; check out Crest Ridge Saddlery and Steele Sidesaddles. New sidesaddles do not come cheap - they can easily run upwards of $4,000. All quality sidesaddles are built on a sidesaddle tree - this means the foundation piece of the saddle is shaped to best help support and distribute the balance of an aside rider.
While great quality sidesaddles can be found - there is an abundance of cheap imported saddles that can do some serious harm to horse and or rider. These are typically made of black cheap leather and are built on a normal saddle tree which is not made to support or balance the aside rider. When taken apart - sidesaddle professionals have found the padding to be stuffed with carpet pieces instead of wool flocking, and sometimes finding sharp bits of metal. The wooden tree is often similar to plywood or poor quality with little substance. All of this means if the saddle is used, it will cause harm to the horse and/or could have a catastrophic failure with mild use leading to injury to the rider. With the cheaply made, poor-quality saddles, it’s not if the user could get hurt but when and how bad.
What makes a sidesaddle different from a typical astride saddle? The rider sits on the saddle with both legs on the same side! The rider should be well balanced with hips facing the front of the horse (just like normal) but the legs lie on the same side. Sidesaddles also have a horn off to one side that the upper leg rests upon - it’s also called a pommel or fixed head. Some of the older period saddles have an upswell to the seat and a rail to help hold the rider in place. Having only one pommel helps the rider maintain balance riding aside - but doesn’t give a lot of security and stick-ability for faster gaits or challenging terrain. The invention of the Leaping Head created a much more secure hold for the rider and it’s nearly impossible to fall off when balanced (even when the horse is bucking or rearing!). The Leaping head curves over the top of the lower leg, when the rider clamps the upper leg and lower leg together around their pommels - it creates a firm grip keeping the rider in place on the saddle.
The sidesaddle also has some special girth systems - the main girth has two buckles on each end, just like a typical girth, but because of the tight hold the saddle needs to have on the horse to maintain balance, it cannot have any elastic or flexibility. Some saddles have an overgirth that secures the outside flaps down creating a seamless appearance - and prevents the saddle from flapping like bird wings at faster speeds. The balance strap is one of the key components of the girthing system - just like a western back cinch, it helps keep the rear of the saddle from moving.
Sidesaddle riding is not a discipline in itself but a style of riding that is open to anyone! Men and Women ride sidesaddle today - it’s beneficial for individuals with physical disabilities or for riders who find it physically difficult to ride astride; Barbara Minneci of Belgium rode in the last few Paralympics riding aside - in 2021 she competed at the Tokyo Paralympics with her Oldenburg, Stuart. Wounded soldiers in the Civil and World Wars have been noted to take up sidesaddle riding when riding astride became too difficult or impossible.
For riders who would like to show off their skill and grace aside - there are plenty of opportunities in the show ring! Most open shows or discipline-specific shows will allow sidesaddle riders to compete against astride riders (talk to the Show Management & Judge beforehand to let them know you’d like to ride aside). Many sidesaddle riders have had great success in Dressage, Eventing, Pleasure Classes, and Over Fences. Many Breed Shows have specific Sidesaddle Classes like the Arabians, Morgans, and Saddlebreds. Those a bit more daring might try Mounted Archery, Trick Riding, Foxhunting, or Cattle Work aside! Some of the larger horse shows with sidesaddle classes offer an Appointments Class (where you and your horse have to be correctly turned out including your stock tie, rain gloves, and what’s in your sandwich case) and Concours d’Elegance (riding in historical attire - think big gorgeous dresses).
People who ride aside wear all sorts of clothing. The most important aspect is safety! Wearing helmets is always encouraged - especially when jumping or going at faster speeds. The dress or skirt should be of a safety style - most riders where a safety apron which just looks like a skirt from the outside but doesn’t fully wrap the rider in fabric, leaving the legs free from entanglement. If a dress or skirt is worn, it usually is equipped with Velcro closures that release in case of emergency. Don’t worry - the riders wear matching colored breeches to maintain the proper level of modesty!
Period clothing is attire that depicts clothing worn in a specific historical period; most people try to match their outfit to the age of the saddle - and some go so far as to make sure they are wearing historically accurate underwear!). A riding corset is sometimes worn by riders to help support the body when riding aside for long periods of time, like on a fox hunt; it also helps to project the classic feminine figure!
When everyday riding - the rider usually chooses an informal or typical schooling attire: breeches, shirt, paddock or tall boots, and helmet. Those jumping or at faster gaits might opt for a safety vest.
For more formal occasions like a show or foxhunt - the rider will adhere to the standards of that sport. For foxhunting, the usual turnout is a white shirt, stock tie, canary vest, dark breeches (matching the apron), tall boots, brown gloves, a dark wool safety apron, and a matching wool jacket. Some sticklers for tradition will opt for a bowler or top hat with a veil while those more safety conscious will go with the dark-colored helmet. Cubbing season offers more flexibility with colors and patterns.
Western riders get to sparkle and glam in rhinestones and bold colors that are typical of the classes, and some will show off the history of the Old West in period costumes.
To bring awareness for the riding style and have a bit of fun - there are several Sidesaddle-only events! A few hunt clubs host Diana Hunts, which only allow female riders to participate in the chase, showcasing the long tradition of women in the hunt field. The Calgary Stampede and other venues host Sidesaddle Racing, where women gallop as fast as they can while riding aside!
Anyone can ride sidesaddle! Horses, Ponies, Men, Women, and Children all ride aside! Ex-Racehorses, Draft horses, Mules, and Donkeys are great mounts too! If an equine can be ridden astride - they can ride aside!
Notable people who have ridden aside: The Queen of England, Sybil Ludington (16-year-old who alerted the Colonial Militia about the attacking British), Angelina Jolie (in Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life), Michelle Dockery (as Lady Mary Crawley in Downton Abbey), Annie Oakley (performing with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show).
The American Sidesaddle Association has over 400 members and growing! Throughout the year, they participate in many parades and showcases such as: Breyerfest, Kentucky Derby Parade, Thanksgiving Day Parades, as well as a couple of mounted stewards at the Kentucky Three Day Event riding sidesaddle!
Check out the ASA Sidesaddle Podcast to learn more about awesome people and the things they're doing aside! Past guests include: Susan Oakes, the World Record Holder for the highest jump ridden sidesaddle, and Tina Louie, who rides the Grand Canyon sidesaddle in historical period clothing!
