Show Your Arab Sidesaddle--We'll Get You There

The Initiative: If you are already at the show, have a desire to be different, and want to have fun showing in new classes with a vintage flair, try sidesaddle. We will guide you and your horse in typically three lessons, to a safe comfortable ride that will put you into the ribbons. Don’t have the sidesaddle or riding outfit? No worries, this is how we get you there – rentals on horse show date. The Ontario Sidesaddle Association (OSA) has partnered with the Arabian Horse of Eastern Canada Association (AHAEC), to augment the open sidesaddle class with more opportunities to show aside by including, walk trot pleasure, walk trot equitation and a surprise class (more about that to come.)

Holly Ray of Brookfield, Ohio on EF Frisco Bay, 
photo by  Tracey Kelsey Photography, used with permission.

Logistics: First, let the show secretary know you plan to enter the new classes. Allow at least four weeks before the show to team up with an OSA qualified volunteer coach in your area. Meet to be fitted with a borrowed sidesaddle to suit both you and your horse, decide on discipline of English (hunt or saddle seat), western or costume and practice riding at least three times or until you agree aside is safe and fun. The OSA coach will bring your rented aside equipment to the horse show of your choice and coach you through the sidesaddle classes. This initiative is a fund raiser benefitting OSA and amenably priced to get you excited about trying and experiencing the thrill and noble pleasure of aside. As many others have, you too will get hooked and welcome a forum to ride aside at a show. This is how AHAEC will help, by offering non-sanctioned additional sidesaddle classes at choice 2016 Ontario Arabian shows. Book early, as there is limited rental inventory for saddles, habits and costumes.

Holly Ray on EF Frisco Bay,
photo by Tracey Kelsey Photography, used with permission.

Rulebook: According to the AHA 2014 rulebook entry, any Purebred, Half or Anglo may enter and ‘be judged 85% on manners, performance, suitability, quality and conformation, 15% on appropriate sidesaddle attire.’ You may show open in a sidesaddle class, riding either English, western or costume. Classes may be split into disciplines if numbers merit. Section AR 193 further describes ‘the sidesaddle horse should give the distinct impression that it is a comfortable mount to ride. A good ground-covering walk, a comfortable trot or jog-trot, and easy flowing canter or lope is desirable. Transitions from one gait to another should be smooth and effortless. Riders may sit or post to the trot.’

Holly Ray on EF Frisco Bay,
photo by K. Engelhaupt Photography, used with permission.

Tip: Learn from your OSA coach how to minimize any unwanted body movement and ensure a comfortable looking ride - this will capture a judge’s eye. One tip is to take advantage of having the choice to post or not post, regardless of the riding discipline. Sitting trot in aside classes, including hunt seat, is also permissible in general performance rulebooks outside of Arabians. Sitting the trot is much more attractive than rising, when riding aside.

Holly Ray on EF Frisco Bay,
photo by K. Engelhaupt Photography, used with permission.

Posting by definition leaves the rider vulnerable, as the seat leaves the secure surface area of the saddle, albeit for a few seconds. There is a type of posting used riding aside for the utility to help ease muscle fatigue over long distances; however your seat doesn’t leave the saddle surface. Think of sidesaddle posting as deliberately transferring your weight back and forth in trot rhythm, from your right hip up to the bend in your right leg that wraps around the upper pommel and back again. Your seat does not leave the saddle; it’s more akin to a rocking motion. This is not as smooth and comfortable as sitting, which is the preference of many sidesaddle riders.

Next Steps: For more info, we invite you to send us a message through this blog or the OSA Facebook page. Leave your contact info and your local OSA representative will call and discuss bringing you over to our side!

Report on the 2015 Sidesaddle Open House

English sidesaddles from a number of historical periods on display

We met our mark of over 60 side saddles in one location, Sunday, October 18.  In addition, through the new fundraiser table, we were able to top up the coffers to provide another year of aside stability for the Ontario Sidesaddle Association, (OSA).

The second annual open house, held just west of Guelph surpassed all expectations and reaffirms – if you build it they will come.  Spreading the word through social media proved to be the best method to entice and showcase the safety and fun with aside riding.

The popular ‘have a sit campaign’, invites the curious and skeptical to ‘pretend’ ride in a side saddle mounted on a saddle stand.  Once they feel secure, many enjoy trying on habits and admiring themselves in the many mirrors strategically placed to keep your sidesaddle equitation in correct form.  Sidesaddle as a type of riding, encompasses all riding seats, English, western and costume. These were all represented at the open house and the differences expertly discussed in a lively and informative conversation with Polly Winsor, avid historian and Martin York, expert saddler.

Ilka riding in formal English attire

Grace elegantly modelling an historic costumer

Blythe jogging in a Western sidesaddle

Several riding demos commentated by side saddle coaches captivated the more than 70 enthusiasts. Riding English in top hat and tails was Ilka Boecker, Blythe Shore rode in western pleasure attire and a historical costume was worn by Grace Lockwood. Grace surprised us with an impromptu powdering of the nose, while mounted! She surfed eBay and discovered a ladies crop with the top end cap cleverly cocooning a mini face powder compact.

Several hunt club members, fresh off their own sidesaddle fun rides exhibiting at the Elora and Creemore hunt parades, brought along their sidesaddle gems to temporary add to our ever increasing open house inventory. Thanks to Nancy Beacon for contributing her sidesaddles for the day and entertaining us with her colourful accounts of many decades riding aside.

Eager enthusiasts have asked for english/western aside lessons and we are pleased to announce two able school horses, and the proper pick for a fit, from Lois’s vast sidesaddle collection are now being offered at her Guelph farm equipped with an indoor arena. Inquire on our OSA Facebook page.

Save the date for next year’s open house, October 16, 2016 at the same location – first Sunday after Thanksgiving. Many thanks to Lois Beecraft our host, all the volunteers and those who dropped in to step ’aside’.

Update - OSA 2nd Annual Open House - Sunday, October 18, 2015 10am - 4pm

The Ontario Sidesaddle Association (OSA), invites all to the second annual Eastern Canadian Side Saddle Open House in the Guelph area - Sunday, October 18, 2015.

The seasoned or the curious are welcome to tour the facility, at no cost, 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Wander through the vast sidesaddle collections on display, admire the English and Western sidesaddle riding demonstrations and try out this ‘Downtown Abbey’ riding style yourself, on a safe saddle stand.

New this year – unique equestrian items raffle.

For more information, contact Pam Hope, pamhope@rogers.com.

Mark Your Calendar - Our 2nd Annual Open House Sunday, October 18, 2015

When:

Sunday, October 18, 2015
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Rain or shine (indoor arena)

Where:

Willow View Springs / Lois & Lloyd Beecraft
5288 Woolwich-GuelphTownline
Breslau, Ontario  N0B 1M0

Directions:
From 401, follow Hwy. 6 North (Hanlon Parkway) for about 20 minutes.
Turn west on Paisley to the "T" junction at Guelph-Woolwich Townline.
Turn north to number 5288.

Please note:  Google maps and GPS do not show correct location.

What to See:

English and Western
Riding demonstrations throughout the day.
Admire several personal and vast collections of over 60 sidesaddles and accessories.

• All riding disciplines and breed types welcome.
• No experience or skill required.
• Try it out and convince yourself how fun sidesaddle riding can be.
• "Have a sit" on a secure saddle stand.
• Dress up in a riding habit or costume and have your photo taken.
• Bring your questions or queries--representatives from the Ontario Sidesaddle Association are eager to help.
• Ask how sidesaddle can help disabled riders.
• Ride Downton Abbey style, yesterday's tradition today.

Contact:

www.onsidesaddle.blogspot.com
Check us out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/192748950745607/
Pam Hope 905-642-2865 (leave message)
pamhope@rogers.com

OSA Provides Support for Side Saddle Class at Hamilton Hunt Night on June 13, 2015

WE ARE SAD TO REPORT THE HAMILTON HUNT NIGHT EVENT
 HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
STAY TUNED FOR INFORMATION ON FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
WITH THE HAMILTON HUNT

Objective:  To provide interested riders with tack, apparel, and skill set, to participate in an” Introductory Ladies Side Saddle Class” 

Pre-Requisite: Riders should currently have basic walk, trot, and canter riding skills. The horse and rider should be safe and  reasonably comfortable in a public riding area while  in the company of other horses.

OSA Role in Supporting this Class

TO OFFER A:  “Preparation and Participation Package”

Class Room Presentation

This would be an information session open to all those interested in side saddle including those who may not necessarily be riding in the upcoming show.

Topics covered: (emphasize these sessions are for “the show”)

1. Discuss Fit and Sizing of Saddle to Rider
2. Basic Position of Rider in the Saddle
3. Discuss Clothing:  Habits:  Informal will be acceptable i.e brown, tweed, or combination colours such as navy jacket with rust apron etc.  NO period costumes or western outfits for this occasion. Hunting appointments are optional: sandwich case, string gloves. Whips, helmet or bowler or top hat to be determined.  Also whips/canes that will be allowed.
4. Class Format:  

• Enter at walk or trot ?
• Which rein?
• Elements of class i.e. halt on the rail? Which method to change rein? Etc No Hand Gallop

Riding Sessions

     

Ride 1:

• fitting side saddle to horse
• briefing on ways to “accommodate fit for this occasion
• mounting with mounting block
• basic position at the walk and trot (not rising)
• cantering (optional)
• dismounting

Ride 2:

• review tacking up
• review mounting for this show
• review position at walk, trot and canter (cantering will be rider’s choice)
• dismounting
• wear an apron and  jacket

PACKAGE PRICES

OPTION	INCLUDES	PRICE
A	FULL PACKAGE – Includes  riding instructions/saddle/apparel	$300.00
B	PARTIAL PACKAGE – Includes riding instruction and apparel	$200.00
C	INSTRUCTIONAL PACKAGE – includes riding instruction – riders has own saddle and apparel	$125.00
D	CLASSROOM PRESENTATION ONLY	$  20.00

Event Dates : 

Classroom presentation: Tuesday April 21, 2015

                                    Time: 7-9PM

                                    Location: Willow View Springs – Breslau

                                       

For further information contact : Lois Beecraft at 519-648-3330

                                                   or email: loistssl@hotmail.com

                                                                    OR

                                               Joanne Milton at 519-855-6865

                          or email: info@rusticmeadows.com

Montgomery-Ward Catalogue Saddle For Sale

Montgomery-Ward catalogue saddle for sale. 4-leaf clover design on conchos, might be one missing. Tiny rip on seat, needs small amount of stitching. Original rigging. 15" seat. Grimsby area. Contact me and I will put you in touch with the owner. Sorry, I don't know the asking price.  rosie.aside@gmail.com

Ontario Sidesaddle Association to Host an Open House

Come and visit us at our first Open House on Sunday, October 19th, rain or shine, and see what sidesaddle riding is all about.  All the details are in the invitation below.  This is a free event.  Hope to see you there!