By Clarice Tate, August 12, 2016
I am a lady of a certain age, and I promised myself two years ago that I would learn something new every year. And this year's new challenge – learn to ride sidesaddle!
Sidesaddle instructors don't grow on trees. Sidesaddle fell out of favor when it was decided around the turn of the 20th century that ladies could ride astride and still keep their place in society. But I wanted to learn. So I did my homework, made phone calls, sent texts and messages, and contacted Maggie Pritchard Herlensky, President of the American Sidesaddle Association. Maggie agreed to travel to Tennessee from Bainbridge, Ohio to hold a sidesaddle clinic. She needed an indoor arena, so I arranged the clinic venue with Kimber Goodman, owner/manager of Circle G Guest Ranch and Event Facility in Lynnville, Tennessee.
Maggie, along with instructor Kimberly Cornelius from Lexington, Kentucky, arrived in Tennessee in an SUV that was packed to the top with sidesaddles, girths, teaching materials, and a lot of enthusiasm! Seven riders from Tennessee and North Carolina signed-up for the clinic, which was limited to 10, and I soon learned why. The term fun-filled, controlled chaos describes it perfectly.
The clinic began with the arrival of another instructor, Sue Duncan from Jamestown, Tennessee. Maggie and Kim started pulling out sidesaddles from the SUV. Have you ever been to a circus and that clown car drives up and seemingly endless clowns get out of the car? That was what it was like watching Maggie and Kim removing the many sidesaddles from the car! There were 14 English sidesaddles, two western sidesaddles, and a child-size one that eventually went home with one of the participants for her little girl. There were sidesaddles of various colors, sizes, and styles.
We had three very willing equine sidesaddle models, all owned by participants: Kimber’s JC and Stormy, both medium-built geldings, and my round mare Belle. Maggie set several different saddles on them, and showed us how to properly fit the saddles. When the rest of the riders’ horses were brought in, we were taught to saddle our own horses. Then it was time to ride! We were a little uncertain of ourselves, but Maggie, Kim and Sue helped us along so that our uncertainty was quickly gone.
We were taught how to properly sit in the saddle: right shoulder back, right toe down, sit squarely in the saddle and smile. That last instruction was to tell our brains how much fun we were having! Then we walked; adjustments were made to saddles as needed, and those who felt confident enough to trot and canter were encouraged to do so. And then, as promised, if we wanted to learn to jump sidesaddle, we could. The instruction was so well explained; three brave ladies took the challenge, and made it look like they had done it all their lives. Remember – none of the participants, except for one, had ever ridden sidesaddle.
After lunch, we learned the history of sidesaddle, were shown several saddles and how they differ. We were shown period costumes, including top hats and the proper use of a veil when riding sidesaddle - all so elegant. We learned there are ladies who currently show, are in parades, foxhunt and even race sidesaddle.
The clinic lasted about seven hours. What was apparent to me was that every rider was so encouraging to the next, and that was due to the confidence inspired by the knowledgeable sidesaddle instructors.
So learn something new, and learn to ride sidesaddle.
I am a lady of a certain age, and I promised myself two years ago that I would learn something new every year. And this year's new challenge – learn to ride sidesaddle!
Sidesaddle instructors don't grow on trees. Sidesaddle fell out of favor when it was decided around the turn of the 20th century that ladies could ride astride and still keep their place in society. But I wanted to learn. So I did my homework, made phone calls, sent texts and messages, and contacted Maggie Pritchard Herlensky, President of the American Sidesaddle Association. Maggie agreed to travel to Tennessee from Bainbridge, Ohio to hold a sidesaddle clinic. She needed an indoor arena, so I arranged the clinic venue with Kimber Goodman, owner/manager of Circle G Guest Ranch and Event Facility in Lynnville, Tennessee.
Maggie, along with instructor Kimberly Cornelius from Lexington, Kentucky, arrived in Tennessee in an SUV that was packed to the top with sidesaddles, girths, teaching materials, and a lot of enthusiasm! Seven riders from Tennessee and North Carolina signed-up for the clinic, which was limited to 10, and I soon learned why. The term fun-filled, controlled chaos describes it perfectly.
The clinic began with the arrival of another instructor, Sue Duncan from Jamestown, Tennessee. Maggie and Kim started pulling out sidesaddles from the SUV. Have you ever been to a circus and that clown car drives up and seemingly endless clowns get out of the car? That was what it was like watching Maggie and Kim removing the many sidesaddles from the car! There were 14 English sidesaddles, two western sidesaddles, and a child-size one that eventually went home with one of the participants for her little girl. There were sidesaddles of various colors, sizes, and styles.
We had three very willing equine sidesaddle models, all owned by participants: Kimber’s JC and Stormy, both medium-built geldings, and my round mare Belle. Maggie set several different saddles on them, and showed us how to properly fit the saddles. When the rest of the riders’ horses were brought in, we were taught to saddle our own horses. Then it was time to ride! We were a little uncertain of ourselves, but Maggie, Kim and Sue helped us along so that our uncertainty was quickly gone.
We were taught how to properly sit in the saddle: right shoulder back, right toe down, sit squarely in the saddle and smile. That last instruction was to tell our brains how much fun we were having! Then we walked; adjustments were made to saddles as needed, and those who felt confident enough to trot and canter were encouraged to do so. And then, as promised, if we wanted to learn to jump sidesaddle, we could. The instruction was so well explained; three brave ladies took the challenge, and made it look like they had done it all their lives. Remember – none of the participants, except for one, had ever ridden sidesaddle.
After lunch, we learned the history of sidesaddle, were shown several saddles and how they differ. We were shown period costumes, including top hats and the proper use of a veil when riding sidesaddle - all so elegant. We learned there are ladies who currently show, are in parades, foxhunt and even race sidesaddle.
The clinic lasted about seven hours. What was apparent to me was that every rider was so encouraging to the next, and that was due to the confidence inspired by the knowledgeable sidesaddle instructors.
So learn something new, and learn to ride sidesaddle.
