Starting sidesaddle!

[Brigit]

I’ve always always wanted to learn to ride sidesaddle. It’s so elegant! Unfortunately people who have a sidesaddle in usable condition and sidesaddle instructors are very few and far between in my area. I finally found an instructor in a town close by that has a saddle she is willing to teach me on. I’m very excited!!! I think my mare would look wonderful sidesaddle.

I was supposed to go to a basic sidesaddle clinic this weekend, however it was cancelled due to several people pulling out. Hopefully they’ll reschedule!

I’m going to hopefully (of course, only if I like it, which I’m convinced I will!) purchase my own sidesaddle this summer. Through some research I’ve learned that it’s a very bad idea to buy a cheap sidesaddle so I’m going to wait until I’m able to get a really good, old name one from a reputable seller.

I’m quite excited! I’d absolutely love any “starter” tips anyone might have and I’d REALLY love it if you would share some photos of yourself or others riding sidesaddle.

[trooper345]

exciting!

Ooo, have fun, it is a very elegent and exciting discipline. My 2 cents? Full seat breeches and when the instructor tells you to “lock on” (as in lock your right leg into place) DO IT! lol Coming off backwards in the canter depart is not fun :winkgrin:

I’m kidding (kind of) but enjoy the experience, it is a wonderful way to ride!!

[Mrs_Cowboy]

Where are you Brigit?

There’s a sidesaddle clinic scheduled here in Northern CA on the weekend of my 8th-10th. I have horses and saddles to loan!

Hmm, photos. I have lots, but it’s probably easier to send you to the CA_Aside library…

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/CA_Aside/ Apply for membership to the yahoo group, and there’s LOTS of photos to browse.

[Brigit]

@Mrs. Cowboy;4057648

There’s a sidesaddle clinic scheduled here in Northern CA on the weekend of my 8th-10th. I have horses and saddles to loan!

Oh I’d so love to come! Unfortunately I’m up in Alberta Canada, so it might be a touch far!

runs off to check for cheap flights! lol

[KateKat]

ooo…where’s the clinic in CA? Sidesaddle looks like so much fun! I was searching for instructors up here (I’m in the Sacramento area) and there is nothing

[Fireangel]

Have fun with it! I just learned last month and really enjoyed it. Like Trooper said - wear full seats! I just ordered the tropical rider ones from ISSO. Also any questions about saddles Linda Flemmer there is really knowledgable! PM if you have any questions. Hopefully can help but since I’m new I could direct you in the right direction with who to talk to. Let us know how it goes!

Here are my pics from the ISSO clinic

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=52077&id=1417392157&l=381065cba2

[Mrs_Cowboy]

This one is in Corning…

KateKat -the next clinic is in Corning, CA. But we’ll have more in the near future. I’m down in Elk Grove, and have a couple of sidesaddles, and more than a couple horses.

Our own Sadlmakr is my instructor, and I always come back riding SO much better after a day with Lillian!

If you ever want to get together and try out sidesaddle on one of my horses, send me a PM. I’m always looking for an excuse to ride aside!

[midkniggit]

Awesome! Another convert Too bad you can’t make it down to Kentucky this weekend - we’re having an intro clinic here!

Pics from Sidesaddle Weekend at the Kentucky Horse Park:
http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa313/midkniggit/Sidesaddle%20Weekend%202007/

I got into sidesaddle via a medievalist group, and now I’m far more into sidesaddle, but Elizabethan is still my default for any costume situation. :lol:

I really can’t give riding advice, because I started about 3 years ago, and had no instructor so I had to get myself going. For me the biggest thing (once I had a saddle that fit) was to just get out and RIDE and learn to feel the rhythm, not stress about where my legs and hands were.

[Xanthoria]

I recently borrowed a sidesaddle for an event on Sunday - I’ve ridden in it twice so far… :eek:

Can I just add a mention that we who live south of San Francisco would love a sidesaddle clinic! Corning is about 3.5 hours away with trailer, each way, which makes for an exhausting weekend and days off work required.

Thanks!

[Mrs_Cowboy]

There’s been talk of a San Fran or San Jose clinic…

but we need a location and an organizer, and the futher south we go, the harder it is for Lillian to come and teach us.

So if you have a facility and you’re willing to coordinate - clinics can happen in your location!

[Xanthoria]

Our barn manager allows clinics. No covered arena, but we’re coastal - it doesn’t get hot. Do clinics have to be multi-day? Or is one day OK/enough?

[Mrs_Cowboy]

One day is fine.

Depending on who is attending, it’s nice to have the option to stay the night before or after, and board or be able to tie out the horses. But the main instruction portion has always been one day in my experience.

[Xanthoria]

OK, that shouldn’t be a problem - there are two covered quarantine pens, and a couple open stalls - I guess I’ll ask the barn manager what her policy is.

[spaceagevalkyrie]

Does anyone know of any sidesaddle goin-on’s in N. IL or S. WI?

[ksojerio]

[QUOTE=spaceagevalkyrie;4058935]
Does anyone know of any sidesaddle goin-on’s in N. IL or S. WI? :)[/QUOTE]

Where can I get sidesaddle insturction in Arizona?

[rivenoak]

@ksojerio;4059121

Where can I get sidesaddle insturction in Arizona?

PM me for info; I think one of my eventing pals will teach. As a current ammy I don’t instruct, but I can/will check saddle fit, etc.

[SidesaddleRider]

@rivenoak;4059620

PM me for info; I think one of my eventing pals will teach. As a current ammy I don’t instruct, but I can/will check saddle fit, etc.

You can teach, just don’t get paid for it. I do it all the time.

[sadlmakr]

KateKat, You can drive right up I-5 to Corning. I am in Willows which is 90 minutes North of Sacramento.
Corning is another 30 miles on North of me.
Audit and you can learn much. The morning session will be class room stuff. Fitting the rider and the horse and habitry. Then we will all saddle up and make sure all fits right.
then I will explain the basics of seat and hands in the sidesaddle.
Registration is at 9:00 AM amd the Clinic starts at 10:00 AM.
If anyone wants to fly in I can pick them up at Sacramento International Airport.
I can bed down 1 person at my house.
My daughter Anita will be helping with the clinic too.
Let me know.
Kind regards, Sadlmakr

[lizathenag]

How exciting!

Just when I thought I owned every piece of tack there was. . .!

[rivenoak]

@SidesaddleRider;4059669

You can teach, just don’t get paid for it. I do it all the time.

Actually, I have also taught, unpaid.

It’s more that I don’t have a schedule conducive to teaching, a suitable horse, etc. My pal will.

Now, if someone had the saddle, horse, and could come to my barn at my convenience for some free help, then we’d be “in business” so to speak. :lol: