Left: Becky in a Victorian navy habit aboard Sport. Above: The riding team assisting Becky on Sport. Above Right: Becky in costume, training on Warrick.
abilities, hosting competitions and training throughout the year. Under the watchful eye of Anderson School of Riding owner and instructor Michelle MurrayAnderson, who has 30 years side saddle experience and an impressive 11 National Championship side saddle titles to her name, I knew I was going to be in safe hands. Assisted by Michelle’s team, I was introduced to my first horse of the day, G’day Sport, a 16.2hh Irish Draught which Michelle has owned and trained for ten years and who is an established side saddle horse. Once we had been introduced the first tricky part was getting on board and into position. I initially got on ‘astride’ as you would in normal riding, and then took my right leg into the side saddle position with my left leg secured by the ‘leaping head’ pommel. This form of pommel was invented in the 1830s by Jules Pellier and was described as ‘revolutionary’, allowing ladies increased security and opening up all equestrian disciplines to side saddle. And then we were off! When we walked off I instantly felt elegant, although I’m not sure
my flappy right foot gave the same impression to the team. The important thing, advised Michelle, was my leg position and keeping my right foot firmly against the horse’s side with my toe pointed (after years of instructors pleading with me to keep my heels down this was naturally a mystery to my untrained leg). I carried a stick that I had to keep at the horse’s right shoulder, the idea being that it sits where your leg would be and acts as an aid. Trot was bouncy and all feeling of elegance promptly left, my right foot frequently betraying me and resisting staying flat. Michelle explained that trotting isn’t a natural pace for side saddle and I understood why. When I was next directed up to canter I took a deep breath and instantly relaxed when Sport kindly moved up a gear. I breathed a sigh of relief as we travelled around the arena; canter is a lot kinder to sit to and felt fantastic. I could concentrate more on my position than in trot and had a feeling of security. Now I have always very much had the show jumping bug, competing as a junior. So when I was offered the opportunity to try a fence side saddle I couldn’t resist – in for a penny in for a pound, as I always say with horses. Now with show jumping you sit up
eqymagazine.com 2018
042-047_eq18.indd 45
45
16/05/2018 13:16:15