Back from the sidesaddle clinic!

[Brigit]

What an experience!!

First off, I have to say, I have a LOT more respect for the ladies that ride sidesaddle and jump/foxhunt etc. At this point I cannot imagine jumping sidesaddle! It is a lot harder/different than I thought it would be. By the end of the weekend I was able to canter sidesaddle which was very exciting.

Some things that I learned that really suprised me:

I didn’t realize that your right leg pretty much did all of the work to keep you on.

I thought that I would feel like I was going to fall off to the right side, however the few times when I felt “tippy” I felt like I was going to go off to the left side.

Sidesaddles and fitting them is SO different from any other saddle. I now fully understand why it’s not a good idea to buy a saddle before you can try it. Unlike an english or a western saddle that you can pretty much throw on whatever horse and put any rider in and “it’ll do”, sidesaddles are not the same. I rode in 3 different saddles, the first fit my horse but not me and I struggled in it (and was very sore the next day! lol), the second fit me but not my horse and the third ended up fitting both of us.

The instructor for the clinic was wonderful, she had a great sense of humor and really wanted to make sure everyone had a great time. There was a broad range of ages attending the clinic, from a 2 year old girl all the way up to a very accomplished sidesaddle rider who was 80.

What a great experience! Now to find myself my own saddle!

[Brigit]

Oh and, I do have a pile of pictures from the clinic, but I have no clue as to how to post them on this BB.

[SidesaddleRider]

Glad to hear you had fun!

@Brigit;4296532

Oh and, I do have a pile of pictures from the clinic, but I have no clue as to how to post them on this BB.

Usually the best thing to do is upload them to a picture hoster such as Webshots, and then post the link to the album for everyone to see.

[leslie645]

Sounds like fun! I would love to learn to ride side saddle well.

[SprinklerBandit]

That is so cool. I’ve always wanted to try that, but there’s no such thing in Idaho. Definitely post pictures!

[midkniggit]

Awesome! Glad you had fun

[system]

Sounds great! What state are you in and where was the clinic? Would love to see photos if you can figure it out!

[511]

Did they mention at the clinic any quick tips for fixing a symmetrically stuffed sidesaddle? Getting dumped off to the side and it explains the lack of care that the saddle has recieved for the past decade or so. This unbalanced it is unrideable so would not have been anyones favorite.

My park sidesaddle had an accident and needs repairs and until the tree is checked out sound is on the sidelines. (Saddle repair person said thet the tree was not broken - I feel that it may have a greenstick fracture on the near bar so it is grounded intil the panels are dropped and the tree is fiberglassed if there is a break) I was taken into the back room and shown a whippy that was on and had not been put on the floor yet for what I ‘thought’ was a for a bargain price but it is turning into a money pit. Missing stirrup attchment - purchased replacement, dryrot on the balance strap-(fixed) stuffed symmetrically (will get adjusted next weekend) split on upper horn - thin queen should take care of that. Long term repairs needed down the road - panels need to be recovered with leather (a few moth holes here and there but linen although traditional is not for me.
Will need the seat replaced (moth damage- threw together a seat cover to hide it until I can afford that repair.)

Right now I am regreting not ordering an elan.

[Drive_NJ]

Won’t help you out in CA, but there is a testing planned for sidesaddle riders in Gladstone, NJ the weekend of Sept 12. One of the clinicians/test giver’s is a master sidesaddle fitter. You could contact Shelly Liggett about it at mmlmom@aol.com. This weekend she’s hosting Camp Leaping Horn at the USET Stables at Hamilton Farm in Gladstone so don’t expect to hear from her for a few days.