Side Saddle

[teresapolo]

Hi Im just starting out in side saddle and need help on what classes to enter - I have a few shows lined up and want to know if Concours d'Elegance is a class for beginners. My horse rides well and has taken to it with no problems and Ive managed to get together all thats needed to wear.
Can anyone help please !! :confused:

[Sidesaddlelady]

C.d'E is basically a beauty contest (I'm not being nasty here) and the over-all horse/rider picture is what is being judged. Obviously, if you ride like a sack of potatoes your horse is going to look like he's pulling the greengrocer's cart :-) but if you are a competant rider and your horse knows what he is doing there is nothing to stop you doing C.d'E. Do have a go. You've got to start somewhere and the judges are usually side saddle mad themselves so they will often give you useful pointers for the future.

Why don't you contact the Side Saddle Association. They are very helpful and membership is not expensive if you decide to join. The Northern Side Saddle Group is very helpful to although they are not in your area, being based in the North West of England. Have a look at the Ride2theside website too. They have a forum where you can get answers to all sorts of SS questions from the most basic to where to hire a habit.

I don't think I can post web or email addresses here but if you Google Ride2theside there are links there to the SSA & the NSSG.

[clippi]

Ditto what Sidesaddle lady has put. When I dabbled in SS I got a waaelth of information from ride2theside and the SS association. Have shown at SS a couple of times I can tell you that turnout is VERY important more so than in astride classes, but the judges were very helpful.

[teresapolo]

Thanks very much - I am a member of the side saddle association but did not want to keep bombarding them with quieries - I have done lots of showing astride - but never seen Concours d'elegance class so was not sure what was the criteria. Thought forum would be good idea as can put out to you guys any thoughts I have. The association has been very helpful. My horse rides well so think we give it a bash and make up the numbers. Any tips anyone can give me I would be extremely grateful!! Will have a look on the Ride2the side site - many thanks.

[teresapolo]

Well have decided to enter a novice equitation class in April - any tips please||:)

[Beth]

good luck in April let us know how you got on :0)

[teresapolo]

Hi Beth

Will do - looking forward to it ! (I think) ha ha

[teresapolo]

One week to go till first comp - had my dress rehearsal - please dont rain!!:):)

[teresapolo]

Well Game Boy and me have competed in 2 comps 1st one at Oaklands College and NPS 14 show, and came 2nd in both which was easy as 2 in both classes. But we did well and the judges gave compliments and tips at both shows. Can honestly say we had a great time and enjoyed it enormously. Next outing Herts County and hope it goes as well! :):)

[clippi]

Well done. Piccis?

[Jill]

Well done, that must have been such fun.

[RacingGirl]

My friend does side saddle on her ex racehorse and has just qualified for Hickstead :)

[teresapolo]

Polo and I have now done 4 side saddle shows and really enjoyed them all - everyone was so friendly and gave me lots of tips on how to improve - we have entered three more in my area so hope all goes well with them!

[Jill]

Good luck :)

[daytona]

Polo and I have now done 4 side saddle shows and really enjoyed them all - everyone was so friendly and gave me lots of tips on how to improve - we have entered three more in my area so hope all goes well with them!

Good luck in them. You sound to be doing really well. Would love to see some pics of you both, I love to see side saddle.

[teresapolo]

Gosh - just logged on and its been a year since i joined - have had a great time side saddling with Polo we have done SSA shows and county shows and have learnt a lot. Have been out a couple of times over the winter and competed at dressage side saddle - which was very challenging. Looking forward to this season as have now aquired a period costume so should be fun - what a great horse my boy has been putting up with all I face him with!!

[teresapolo]

Not very good at this site yet and have not worked out how to post a photo!!

[Sidesaddlelady]

Does anyone know what's happened to Ride2theside? I can't find their web-site. Have they disbanded or just junked their message boards?

[Madnellie]

I tried the website last week and couldn't get on? Don't know whats happening there!