About | sidesaddlearea1

Horses have been ridden side saddle for centuries, as the side saddle was, for a long time considered the only way for a lady to proceed 'properly' on horseback. The 1930s were its heyday, with the emphasis as much on elegance and style as on technique, horsemanship and courage. Ladies were not alone in practising the art as grooms rode side saddle to train and keep their ladies' horses fit.

The 1939 - 45 War meant shortages and the emergence of a less affluent society. Many who might have inherited side saddles and habits from previous generations now chose to ride astride. However, riders and spectators began to miss the beauty and elegance, which side saddle riders had contributed to the pre-War equestrian scene. Conscious that the side saddle rider was becoming extinct, in 1974 Valerie Francis and Janet Macdonald formed the Ladies' Side Saddle Association (now known as the Side Saddle Association) to recapture and preserve the traditions of the earlier years, when riding side saddle was in its heyday and daring and elegance its chief characteristics

Want to try?

Please don’t be tempted to buy a side saddle off ebay without advice from an experienced side saddle rider, instructor or specialist saddler as a badly made or poorly fitting side saddle could hurt your horse’s back and will give you a very uncomfortable ride. Many of the instructors below will be willing as part of your instruction to help you find a saddle that is right for you and avoid a costly mistake.

Saddlers in the area :

Jocelyn Danby: Ross-shire, Tel: 01349 877662

Mrs. A.J. Law:Fife, 01337 831430

Shirley Justice-Vose: Ayrshire, Tel: 01560 484916

Instructors in the area:

Miss H. Carstairs: BHSII (Regd), Auchterarder, Perthshire, PH3 1PJ. 01764 682207/07977 422101.

Miss A. Comrie: BHSII (Regd), Broxburn, West Lothian, 01506 811351. enquiries@hfrs.co.uk

Miss M.J. Grant: BHSAI (Regd), UkCC Level 2 Riding, BHS Int SM, Scone, By Perth, 07753 803649. marjorie.grant@tesco.net

S.M. Justice-Vose: Dunlop, Ayrshire, 01560 484916. shirleysidesaddle@gmail.com

Mrs. A.J. Law: UKCC level 1, Fife, 01337 831430

Recent Area Updates:

Grace Hardie has been appointed Secretary and Treasurer for 2021