Riding Side Saddle in Yorkshire and Humberside

Welcome to the online home of The Side Saddle Association’s Yorkshire and Humberside branch – Area 19.

The Side Saddle Association was formed in 1974 to keep alive the dying art of side saddle riding and promote its popularity.  Today The Side Saddle Association provides education, support and instruction to over 1,200 members in the UK and overseas.

If you scroll down this page you will find details of what Area 19 have been up to lately – and where you can see us compete (or perhaps even have a go yourself).  If you are thinking about learning to ride side saddle, click on ‘find an instructor’ in the top left corner.

Most horses and ponies take very well to side saddle – so come and enjoy this elegant way of riding with us.

Extra side saddle events this Summer

We have news of two additional side saddle events happening this Summer that local side saddle riders may wish to attend:

The Aintree National Showing and Show Jumping Show on Saturday 28th July will host the Leaping Ladies Side Saddle Challenge, a high jump class exclusively for side saddle riders.  If you’re feeling brave click here to download more information.  This class is in addition to a host of other dedicated side saddle classes already scheduled for the show, which runs over the weekend of the 28th and 29th July.  Please see the SSA Shows and Fixtures list for more information.

Some inspiration for you! Esther Stace jumping a record 6’6 side saddle at the Sydney Royal Show in 1915 (image via wikipedia)

On Sunday 5th August, Sykehouse Show will be holding three dedicated side saddle classes – an Equitation Championships open qualifying class, a Best Horse or Pony Ridden Side Saddle class and a Classical Ladies qualifying class.  And in addition, ALL ridden pony, hunter and horse classes at the show are open to side saddle riders.  Full details can be found here.  This event does clash with the Side Saddle Association’s National Side Saddle Show at Addington, but would provide an ideal day out for members who can’t make the trip to Nationals this year.

Rescheduled Spring Show

The Spring Show originally scheduled for 29th April that had to be cancelled due to weather conditions has been rescheduled for Saturday 14th July at Manor Grange Stud Show Centre, starting at 1.30pm.

Any members or non-members wishing to compete should use the original schedule and entry form which can be downloaded from here (don’t forget that we’re kicking off at 1.30 not 10am as the original schedule suggests).  Fingers crossed for better weather this time!

Show cancellation

Unfortunately the Area 19 Spring Show on Sunday 29th April has had to be cancelled due to weather conditions.  We apologise for the short notice and hope to arrange a rescheduled event – watch this space.

Update, 17/05/12 – the Spring Show has been rescheduled for Saturday 14th July.  Please see the ‘news and events’ page for more details.

Pre season clinic kicks off 2012

Area 19 members enjoyed a pre-season clinic at Mill Lane Stables last weekend with Side Saddle instructor and judge Nadia Brown, who had travelled from Lincolnshire to be with us.

After introductions and a lecture on show preparation and turnout, riders were split into two groups and took it in turn to have general instruction and also work on their individual shows.  And after a quick lunch and chat they were all back in the saddle for short individual lessons in the afternoon.

It was great to see so many dismounted members and friends and family attend the clinic and all the help with tacking up was very much appreciated!  We were particularly pleased to welcome new members Jane and Freya and their horses and look forward to seeing them throughout the season.

our newest (and youngest!) member Freya and her pony

Postponement of saddle fitting day

Unfortunately due to side saddle consultant, saddler and fitter Mike Huline Dickens (FCGI FSMS) being unwell, the Area 19 Saddle Fitting Day planned for April has had to be postponed and will be rescheduled for later in the year.

Get well soon Mike!

Sir Lancelot qualifier added to Summer show

A qualifying class for the Sir Lancelot Memorial Trophy class at the SSA National Show has been added to the Area 19 Summer Camp Show on June 30th.

The adult full member of Area 19 judged, during the equitation class, (irrespective of final placing) to be the most elegant will qualify to compete in the final for the Sir Lancelot Memorial Trophy (donated by the late Mrs. E. Skelton) at the National Side Saddle Show.  For full rules please see the SSA 2012 Members Handbook.

The Sir Lancelot class at the 2010 National Show                                   (photo credit Jean-Paul Lambermont-Ford)

There is also a qualifying class (as per the original schedule) at the Area 19 Spring Show on April 29th.

Area 19 newsletter and event dates for 2012

Area 19 members should have just received a pack in the post containing the first Area 19 newsletter of 2012 (including important diary dates for the year ahead) and details and entry forms for all the Area 19 events coming up.

You can also download all of the above by clicking on the links below:

January 2012 Area 19 Newsletter and diary dates

Pre Season Clinic 18th March 2012 details and booking form

Saddle Fitting Day date TBC in April 2012 details and booking form
UPDATE March 13th – saddle fitting day postponed until later in the year

Spring Show 29th April 2012 details and entry form
UPDATE Rescheduled for Saturday 14th July, please see ‘news and events’ page

Summer Camp 29th June to 1st July 2012 details and booking form

Summer Camp Show 30th June 2012 details and entry form

You can also view the full list of local side saddle events from the link at the very top of every page on this site.

Area 19 in Northern Horse Life magazine

There is a big Side Saddle feature in the Winter issue of Northern Horse Life magazine, featuring our former Chairman Janet and joint secretary Kate, local SSA instructor and Area 19 member Anne (find her on the instructors page), and RDA side saddle rider Jane who is taught by Anne.

You can read the full article below – click the pictures then click again to enlarge to a readable size.

AGM and awards presentation report

Our 2011 AGM and awards presentation was a busy afternoon, with our chairman Janet and secretary Jennifer both stepping down and the election of Lorraine as our new chairman and Kate and Anne as joint secretary.

Janet hands over the chairman’s ‘bible’ to Lorraine

Anne also acted as official photographer for the awards presentation:

Janet Deane presenting her trophy (horse the judge would most like to take home) to Gemma who rides Just Murphy II

Dolores Craven presenting her cup (mature rider with the most points at the area show) to Margaret who rides George

Kate Ettrich presenting her Lady Jane Trophy (for most points won at the SSA National Show) to Liz who rides Coeur Du Lion

Janet Senior presenting the Manor Grange Stud trophy to Gemma

The Performance Points prize winners (points accrued for riding side saddle in 2011 other than in SSA classes) LtoR Gemma (6th), Anne (2nd), Lisa (1st) and Lorraine (3rd)

Area 19 AGM date, nominations and newsletter

The Area 19 AGM will be held on 27 November 2011 at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Wetherby.

The AGM will include the election of a new Area 19 Chairman and Secretary, with Janet and Jennifer both deciding to step down after many years of dedicated, enthusiastic service.

The booking/nomination form can be downloaded here (just click on the link): Area 19 2011AGM nomination form

The details are also included in the new Area 19 October 2011 newsletter which can be downloaded here: Area 19 Newsletter October 2011