Winter Goal Setting

First of all, I would like to just say a massive thank you to all of you who have supported me over the last few months since I set up Simply Side Saddles. I’ve been absolutely delighted with the positivity surrounding what I’m doing. My diary seems to have been packed with clinics and teaching up and down the country and the side saddles for sale and wanted part of the business continues to grow. For those of you who have started following the Simply Side Saddles You Tube channel, I hope you’re enjoying the Saddle of the Week feature. I have had great fun starting to film some of these whilst out and about on my travels- the one thing that is very clear from the feedback that I get is that those of you who already own a side saddle speak with great affection about your treasured piece of history- some saddles even having human names! I’m looking forward to starting a series of Podcasts in the New Year, but for now, back to the present- how to stay positive during the winter months through a bit of goal setting.

As we all know, the winter can sometimes put paid to our plans and dampen our enthusiasm, but I always think it’s worthwhile to set yourself a few goals for this time of year, to keep you (and your horse) motivated. It makes it so much easier to then transition into spring next year, hopefully with more purpose, ready and fit for action.

The Side Saddle Association’s (SSA) Online Equitation series offers riders of all levels the chance to keep going over the winter months. Classes range from lead-rein equitation, through newcomers, novice, intermediate and open levels. They also now include sections for those on riding school horses too. Set tests are ridden, recorded and then submitted online. The classes provide a way of monitoring your progress over the winter. The judge will assess the correctness of the rider’s position and their influence on the horse/ pony’s way of going, in addition to the stability and balance of the saddle. There’s no need to wear a side saddle habit when taking part in these, but what better way to get consistent feedback and critique that can help you hit the ground running next year. I’m really delighted to once again be sponsoring the newcomers’ section again this year through Simply Side Saddles and definitely am steering all my pupils towards taking part in this series. A full list of classes and how to enter can be found on the SSA website, with the classes also open to overseas riders.

Regular coaching and training over the winter months can really help you to make improvements and enhance your riding and partnership with your horse. Clinics take place in most areas of the country and can also give you the chance to get started riding side saddle, if it’s always been on your bucket list. Maybe you just want to brush up on your skills so that you can prepare fully for the forthcoming season or perhaps you want to learn a new skill such as jumping side saddle.

You may even want to consider having a lesson on a mechanical horse. I use these regularly for all levels of riders. Not only are they fun to use, but they provide a totally safe environment for complete newcomers to the art of side saddle riding, enabling them to really work on attaining a correct, well balanced position.. They are also really useful for helping more established riders to perfect their position, suppleness and rider fitness, without having to worry about dealing with a real horse. Some of the mechanical horses even have the option to try out jumping and cross-country riding.

The winter months are also the ideal time to get your side saddle checked over by a side saddle specific saddler- a full list of specialist saddlers can be found on the SSA website. For those of us with older “vintage” saddles in particular, regular checking of the stitching and general wear and tear should be commonplace and don’t forget, if you’re not using your saddle regularly over the winter to make sure that it stays mildew free. Happy tack cleaning!

Winter Clinics