From running shoes to riding boots – another busy week in the side saddle world!

I started the week by heading up to the North East for something that is definitely not my usual activity… running! I’m much more at home on a horse than pounding the pavements, but there was a good reason for the temporary change of footwear – I was taking part in The Great North Run to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society.

I survived, and somehow managed to get around in just under 2½ hours – which, for someone who would much rather be riding than running, I was pretty pleased with! Even better, the fundraising total reached £800. A huge thank you to everyone who supported me.

Of course, being in the North East meant that I couldn’t completely escape the horse world! I managed to fit in a saddle fitting, which resulted in a lovely new side saddle for Charlotte. Charlotte is no longer able to ride astride, so finding the right saddle was particularly important – and she was absolutely thrilled with the result. There’s nothing quite like seeing a rider regain that sense of freedom and excitement when the right saddle comes along.

Then it was back down south and straight back into side saddle mode!

I spent time teaching a number of new side saddle riders in Oxfordshire and Berkshire, helping them find their balance, confidence and the unique feeling of sitting correctly on the horse aside.

There was also the Side Saddle Association Area 7 AGM held meet week. As well as the important business of the meeting, it also provided an opportunity to meet area members and we were also honoured to have National Chairman, Henrietta Barton to present prizes to the winners of the points awards followed by lessons in Somerset and Wiltshire. Also joining us was National Vice President, Anthea Derby. Well done to all the points winners- particularly Vickie Watts winning the overall points award and Hazel Davies winning the award for most point won in  online equitation and dressage competitions. She won the newly presented Vanessa Hood trophy in memory of our late National Chairman.

Then it was off to Devon for a clinic – and, as seems to happen every time I visit Devon, somehow the sun was shining! I’m beginning to think they keep the good weather especially for side saddle clinics! It was great to see returning riders all coming along wonderfully and achieving new goals, from getting to grips with jumping sidesaddle to having a first canter.

A few lessons in the Somerset and Wiltshire borders before heading off for another busy weekend. Saturday saw me heading to Pickering Grange Equestrian Centre in Leicestershire to judge working hunter classes at the UKPH Show. A lovely venue and very well filled classes, made for an enjoyable day.

And then, no rest for the wicked, it was on to Beverley on Sunday for one of my regular side saddle clinics. Bronté, who organises the clinic, was busy preparing for her Side Saddle Dressage class at the British Dressage Associate Championships, so there was plenty to work on as she fine-tuned things for the competition.The other riders were all relatively new to side saddle, and it was fantastic to see just how much progress everyone made during their lessons. Early lessons can involve a lot of concentration – finding the balance, working out where everything goes and persuading the brain that, yes, this really is how we are supposed to sit!

But, by the end of the day there were some real improvements in confidence, position and communication with their horses.

And that, in a nutshell, was my week – running shoes, saddle fitting, AGMs, lessons, clinics and judging, with rather a lot of miles covered along the way!

It’s always a privilege to work with riders at all different stages of their side saddle journey, from those taking their very first steps to those preparing for championships.

Now… where did I put my running shoes? Hopefully somewhere very well hidden!