OSA hosts "give sidesaddle a try" at Equifest

The Ontario Sidesaddle Association participated in the 2012 Equifest event on September 22nd at the Orangeville fairgrounds.  Attendees were offered the opportunity to "give sidesaddle a try" on both English and Western sidesaddles.  On display in the OSA exhibit were a number of sidesaddles, English and Western habits, and some antique pieces such as a heart-shaped sidesaddle stirrup dating back to the 1800's. 

OSA Secretary and Co-Founder Sharon Borda
aboard a Circle R Western sidesaddle

Shown in the photos, saddles from left to right are a Circle R custom Western, a Champion & Wilton English (circa 1930), two custom Circle R Western sidesaddles, one for schooling and one for showing, and on the far right, a Whippy  English sidesaddle.

In the background on display are a replica of an Elizabethan riding costume, being created by OSA President Joanne Milton, and a Western show habit, along with a number of other sidesaddle aprons.

Equifest's Elaine Capes gives sidesaddle a try!

We had quite a few visitors of all ages and a lot of interest in the saddles and habits, and were very pleased to have been able to be part of Equifest in  2012. 

Are you interested in sidesaddle?  Contact us with any questions you might have and watch the blog for more information on upcoming clinics, events and meetings.  Everyone is welcome and we are looking forward to an exciting time of growth of our Association in the coming months and years.