Jul 194 min read

50 Years of the Side Saddle Association

WeekOrchard Royal Russett SSA Nationals

This year to date seems to have been flying by, with the summer show season already entering the midpoint. For me, my main focus has been running clinics, teaching up and down the country, combined with some judging- it’s sometimes been quite a challenge fitting it all in! One thing is for certain though is that it’s given me some great moments- being appointed as one of the Side Saddle Association (SSA) Vice Chairmen; being “adopted” into SSA Area 9 Scotland as one of their Area 9 Ambassadors; seeing new side-saddle enthusiasts coming through have been particular highlights of my year to date.

It’s been an exciting year in the side-saddle world as the SSA celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year with all the SSA areas preparing special activities to celebrate. We’ve all been encouraged to hunt out some old photographs of sidesaddle over the decades, which has given me the opportunity to reflect on my own side-saddle journey through the SSA and share some of my memories.

I started riding aside back in 1985 and was hooked from the outset, probably as I had been pleading unsuccessfully with my parents for years beforehand to let me have a go. Armed with my first pay packet, off I set for my first lesson with Sue Barton at Parbold. Having felt like a beginner rider for the first 10 minutes or so of the lesson, I quickly got the hang of it and couldn’t wait to book in for my next lesson. Regular lessons, borrowed horses to ride side-saddle on and an abundance of enthusiasm, sustained me in my early days, but nothing could have prepared me for my first trip to the Side Saddle Nationals in the early 1990s, held in those days at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern with my horse of the time, Winning Ways, otherwise known as Sebastian. Sebastian was a large riding horse and had until this point largely been focused on Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) qualifiers. Heading to my first nationals and being bowled over by all the exquisite riders and horses competing with such elegance and panache, made me even more determined to become a part of this world. I remember this show though not just because of the thrill of competing amongst all these beautiful combinations, but from the sheer joy of the camaraderie and genuine friendships which blossomed from these early encounters- friendships that remain with me to this day.

Through my love of the whole world of the SSA, I gradually started being more adventurous about what I did side-saddle. Once I’d discovered that I actually felt safer jumping side-saddle than astride, I started taking part in everything side-saddle. The SSA equitation classes played a huge part in me striving to improve my riding and master the traditional etiquette of the show ring but I also loved showjumping, cross country, working hunter, team chasing and hunting and would take part every year in the national performance awards which encourage side saddle riders to participate in lots of different activities aside. I was privileged to win this accolade with Winning Ways: The National Adult Points winner, is still the recipient of the Winning Ways Trophy presented by my late parents in honour of the horse who first truly got me going side-saddle and turned his hoof to everything from Ladies Show Hack classes to jumping and dressage.

Winning Ways SSA Nationals Riding Horse

Every horse that I owned or rode for others over the years, I would turn into a side-saddle horse. As most of the horses that I acquired would be unbacked horses from Ireland in those days, I often had to play the waiting game before getting them going side-saddle, with one notable exception, Farrants Playboy, otherwise known as Charlie, who turned out to be the perfect side-saddle partner for me. I initially had him for 6 months on loan but loved him so much he stayed with me for 18 years, during which time we did everything together and he was a well- known presence in the SSA world. Great Expectations (Oliver), Bandon Lad (Rupert), Week Orchard Royal Russet (Billy) and more recently Caledonia (Blue) have all played huge parts in my most treasured recollections of competing under the SSA framework.

Now as we are less than a month away from the next SSA Nationals, being held this year at Addington Manor, Bucks (26-28 July) I’m much more involved from a coaching perspective. I have riders of all levels taking part- for some it will be their first championship show and I’m sure they will feel the same sense of awe as they arrive at this prestigious show but will leave armed with fond memories and new friendships, just as I did all those years ago. For others, going to the SSA Nationals has become like an annual holiday, though a work hard/ play hard holiday. Learning those equitation tests and polishing up boots and saddles, go hand in hand with socializing and chatting for hours about our shared passion for the horse and of course the side-saddle! For those without a horse, do see if you can come along too as everyone will make you feel very welcome.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the Nationals- do come and say hello if you’re going to be there.

Penny

SSA National Championships over the Years