Effortless elegance (or so it seems): refine your side-saddle skills to glide to the top of the ladies’ show horse line-up
Ladies’ classes – typically ridden side-saddle – are the epitome of elegance and composure. As part of this exclusive series for H&H subscribers on preparing for different showing categories, here we examine side-saddle classes. Experienced experts give their advice, including six tips to give you the edge in the ring
The ideal ladies’ show horse should exhibit a seamless combination of manners, correct way of going, impeccable turnout, and the all-important presence. The overall impression must be one of elegance personified. The rider, too, is expected to be in perfect harmony with her horse, who should then carry the ride judge through the gears with effortless poise and minimal prompting.
When riding side-saddle, the rider sits with both legs to one side – the left – of the horse. This style of riding, once developed to allow women to ride while wearing long skirts or dresses, has its roots in the hunting field. Today, side-saddle continues to grow in popularity, both in and out of the show ring, as riders seek to expand their horses’ skill sets while honouring centuries-old traditions and challenging themselves in the saddle.
Preparing a horse for side-saddle classes is a considerable undertaking, not least because of the emphasis placed on impeccable manners. While minor indiscretions may be forgiven in other classes, the ladies’ horse must be the epitome of calmness and composure — an exemplary, sensible partner at all times.
You’ll commonly find two main side-saddle classes in showing schedules: ladies’ show hunter, open exclusively to hunter types, and ladies’ show horse, which allows all suitable show horses capable of carrying a side-saddle. At Horse of the Year Show, the final is open to all types of show horse, whereas the ladies’ championship at the Royal International Horse Show is restricted to hunters.
That winning feeling: Jayne Ross and Time 2 Reflect take the supreme title at Horse of the Year Show in 2018. Credit: Benjamin Clark Photography
The leading organisation for the discipline is the Side Saddle Association, which hosts events across the year and stages an annual championship, featuring a packed schedule of classes catering to all levels.
Ladies’ show horse classes: the experts and their stars
If you’re planning to introduce your horse to side-saddle this season, the following tips, courtesy of two of the circuit’s most consistent ladies’ show horse contenders, are sure to provide valuable guidance.
Katie Jerram-Hunnable is one of the circuit’s most respected and successful show horse professionals. Over the years, she has produced numerous champion ladies’ show horses, including the legendary Dunbeacon, who stood supreme at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in 2010, and also claimed the supreme title at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) during his illustrious career.
Katie Jerram-Hunnable riding Stardust, owned by The late Queen. Credit: Trevor Meeks Photography
In addition to her accomplishments in the ring, Katie is a qualified judge and a dedicated trainer of side-saddle riders. She has mentored many talented jockeys on their path to success in the ladies’ ranks.
Despite his glittering record, Dunbeacon posed his fair share of challenges, as Katie recalls: “He was cold-backed. He came to side-saddle later in his career and, while he became the most beautiful ladies’ ride, I often worried about getting on him at the start.
“To manage this, I always rode him astride to warm him up. Then, we’d put the side-saddle on, and I’d mount him in a safe environment.”
Jenna Tyldesley-Winston has a long-standing passion for ladies’ show horse classes. Among her most famed horses is the versatile Tudor Minstrel, a dual lightweight and ladies’ hunter who claimed both of his respective finals at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in 2012.
In 2017, Jenna also took top honours in the RIHS ladies’ final aboard Rehy Horizon, adding to an impressive record that includes multiple wins at major county shows, both astride and riding side-saddle.
Jenna Tyldesley-Winston and Rehy Horizon. Credit: Steve Dawe
A respected panel judge, Jenna has officiated at many of the sport’s leading championships. Though she works within the equestrian industry, showing remains very much her passion and her hobby.
Despite his eventual stardom, Tudor Minstrel – known as Billy at home – was never expected to reach such heights.
“I still bring up Dad’s first-ever quote about Billy today: ‘You’ll never do any good with that horse,’” Jenna says.
“We struggled at the beginning, as we were both learning together. We began in the SEIB Search for a Star series and worked our way up through the ranks. Someone once told me that in showing, you have to do your apprenticeship – and that was definitely true in my case. I started at the bottom and kept going. Eventually, we achieved the things we did, but it’s a hard game to be successful in.”
Mulberry Lane carried all before him in the 2024 season, as the ultimate example of a beautifully prepared show horse.
Credit: Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves
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Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.
