Side Saddle Association National Championships 2026 A Weekend to Remember

The highlight of the side saddle calendar arrived last weekend as riders from across the country gathered at Addington Manor Equestrian Centre for the much-anticipated Side Saddle Association National Championships. For many competitors, this is the pinnacle of the season—a weekend of competition, friendship and celebration of the unique art of riding side saddle.

As always, the showground began to come alive on Thursday as horses settled into their stables and familiar faces reunited. One of the joys of the National Championships is catching up with friends and supporters from across the UK, many of whom only see each other once a year at this special event. The excitement and anticipation were palpable as everyone prepared for a busy few days ahead.

Friday – Dressage, Debut Successes and Elegant Traditions

Friday is predominantly dressage day, with tests ranging from Introductory through to Medium level, showcasing the versatility and harmony of horse and rider.

Alongside the dressage classes was the Newcomers Equitation Championship, always one of my favourite classes to watch. Competing at your first National Championships is a daunting experience, and I had the privilege of coaching several riders making their championship debut. Despite the inevitable nerves, every one of them rode beautifully and represented themselves exceptionally well.

A particularly proud moment came when Eve Nicholls and her lovely horse, Frankey, won this highly competitive class. Having started side saddle lessons with me only twelve months ago, seeing Eve stand at the top of such a strong field was incredibly rewarding. Her hard work, dedication and willingness to learn have been remarkable, and this victory was richly deserved.

Friday also featured the prestigious Sir Lancelot Final, an elite Concours d’Elegance Championship for riders who have qualified throughout the season. Watching beautifully turned-out horses and riders glide elegantly around the arena remains one of the most iconic sights of the championships.

As the evening arrived, the atmosphere relaxed with one of the most entertaining parts of the weekend. The Caro Cripps, Rococco and Pas de Deux classes transformed the arena into a stage, with dressage to music, imaginative costumes and creative props producing plenty of smiles and applause from competitors and spectators alike.

As Friday drew to a close, attention naturally began to shift towards the competitive and high-stakes classes ahead. With dressage scores set and newcomers having made their mark, riders and trainers alike turned their focus to the Rider of the Year Championships, which would dominate the following day.

Saturday – Rider of the Year Championships

Saturday is undoubtedly the most intense day of the championships, with the coveted Rider of the Year titles up for grabs.

The competitions begin with an Equitation Championship, where riders complete an individual equitation test before moving immediately into a detailed turnout inspection. Those competing for the overall Rider of the Year title then continue into the Equitation Jumping phase, where style, balance and horsemanship over fences are assessed.

Among my own pupils, I could not have been prouder.

Representing SSA Area 9, Hope Wilson claimed the Junior Open Rider of the Year Championship, while her great friend Zoe Macphail secured the title of Reserve Junior Rider of the Year. Throughout the weekend, these two talented young riders accumulated an incredible collection of trophies, sashes and rosettes—far too many successes to list individually. Their friendship, determination and sportsmanship make them wonderful ambassadors for the future of side saddle.

The adult championships brought more reasons to celebrate. Florrie Dyer won the Adult Novice Rider of the Year title in an exceptionally strong class, while Eve Nicholls continued her outstanding championships by finishing third in the same section. This was an especially remarkable achievement considering she had only jumped side saddle during her final two lessons before the championships, having never attempted it previously.

Further successes came from Renee Tuck, who finished third in the Intermediate Rider of the Year, while last year’s Intermediate Champion, Hannah Terndrup, produced another excellent performance to finish fifth in the highly competitive Open Rider of the Year.

The Open Championship concludes with the famous Ride-Off, where the top four riders swap horses and perform individual two-minute shows aboard each other’s mounts. Judged by four judges, it is widely regarded as one of the ultimate tests of adaptability, tact and horsemanship. Congratulations go to Emily Saunders, who successfully defended her title for an incredible third consecutive year.

With Saturday delivering such a wealth of competition, emotion and achievement, the championships then transitioned into their final phase. As riders reflected on their results and celebrated their successes, attention turned to Sunday’s closing classes—a day that often brings both a sense of achievement and a touch of nostalgia as the event draws to a close.

Sunday – Finishing on a High

The final day offers a varied programme, including Concours d’Elegance, Working Hunter, jumping, Mature Rider classes and the finals of both the Classical Ladies and Contemporary Championships.

This year also marked my own return to competition after almost four years away from the show ring. Understandably, I felt more than a little apprehensive.

Over recent months, Hannah Terndrup and I had practised whenever our schedules allowed, riding her beautiful traditional cobs, Frank and Eddie, in preparation for the Pairs Championship. As always, there was plenty of work behind the scenes, with both horses bathed, groomed and presented to perfection before we entered the arena.

Thankfully, all the preparation paid off as we were delighted to win the Pairs Championship.

Later in the day, I teamed up with Hope Wilson, borrowing Eddie once again for the Family Pony class, where we added another red rosette to what had already become a memorable weekend.

As the final results were announced and the last rosettes were awarded, there was a shared sense that another remarkable championships had come to a close. Riders began the process of packing up, saying their goodbyes, and reflecting on everything the weekend had delivered.

Looking Ahead

The Side Saddle Association National Championships remain my favourite show of the year. They showcase not only exceptional riding and horsemanship but also the supportive community that makes side saddle so special.

Every competitor experiences both highs and lows over the course of the weekend, but everyone leaves with something valuable—whether that’s a championship sash, a hard-earned rosette, new friendships, lessons learned or fresh goals for the season ahead.

As a trainer, there is no greater reward than watching riders grow in confidence and achieve things they once thought impossible. Seeing so many of my pupils enjoy such wonderful success made this year’s championships particularly special, and I couldn’t be prouder of everything they accomplished.

Congratulations to every competitor, organiser, volunteer and supporter who helped make another unforgettable National Championships. Here’s to the journey towards next year’s event.