Side saddle and dressage tests??

[Meadon]

Hi!

Just wondering if anyone might know the answer to my question.

I've never competed or shown at all in my life, so haven't really got a clue where to start. I do alot schooling with my horse, well we try to, and at the moment I'm really wanting to give a simple dressage test a go. Just walk and trot to begin with as our canter on the left rein results in my horse's legs flying everywhereand becoming unbalanced.

I ride her mainly side saddle, do you think I would be allowed to ride this way for a test against astride riders? There's no point me riding her with her astride saddle, it doesn't come out very often and I'm hopeless with 2 stirrups.

Any info would be great!

:):)

[eml]

Yes you can ride sidesaddle...daughter was judging local competition at yard who are sidesaddle specialists where several people competed sidesaddle...she did have a few reservations origionally about her ability to do rider marks but said it was easier than she anticipated.

I don't know about affiliated BD competition ask LGD or another of the knowledgable ones!

[Meadon]

Thanks for the reply eml! Is the stables where your daughter judged Pittern Hill out of interest? I went there for a lesson at the weekend and it's spurred me on to do something show/dressage wise with my loan horse. :):)

[coss]

from the rule book - "Saddles must be worn and be of English or Continental style"
are side saddle continental??? not sure if that helps or not really :p

[eml]

It wasn't Pittern Hill but I had my first try at side saddle there years ago on one of their schoolmasters (and my Stage 4 care training with Peta )

[Meadon]

Lol Coss!! Well mine is definately worn and does Scottish count as Continental!? I really enjoyed my lesson at Pittern and rode a gorgeous horse called Harry who was around 24 years old! It was so nice to sit on a really well schooled horse and do things I hadn't done before. Thanks!:)