Things are very quiet on the horse front at the moment, as I’m not riding again yet. So I thought I would talk about my small, but growing, book collection. I started off with some basic picture guides, being “Sidesaddle” by Jane Pryor (2007) threshold picture guide and “All about riding Sidesaddle” by Patricia and Victoria Spooner (1999) Allen photographic guides. When I bought my Elan from Hundred Oaks, Marti threw in a copy of “The Sidesaddle Legacy” by Martha Friddle & Linda Bowlby (2002 edition).
Obviously I couldn’t stop at just 3 books, so I started to look for more!
Soon after that I found:
“Riding Sidesaddle” by Janet MacDonald (1995)
“Sidesaddle Riding” by Betty Skelton (1988)
“Modern Sidesaddle Riding” by Eva Christy (published 1907) I have a 1985 reprint. There’s some lovely plates in this book, but she does advocate the old leg position of pointing your right foot up the horse’s shoulder. It also tells one exactly what to discuss with one’s head groom - if only one had one! :)
By this stage I was hooked on sidesaddle and was now seeking out any book I could find that would be of assistance, which led to me buying “Dressage in a Sidesaddle” by Robin Miller Brueckmann (1991). I actually found this book terribly disappointing. I bought it as I wanted specific help on riding dressage aside, and particularly those basics of bend, snappy transitions and lateral work. I found that despite its title, it was virtually of no use with regard to dressage movements or aids :(
Thanks again to eBay I picked up “The Illustrated Encyclopaedia” of the Sidesaddle by Rhonda Watts Hettinger (2009). There is a wealth of information in this book and I like to dip in and out as I look things up.
By far the most useful book I have purchased has been “Sidesaddle” by Doreen Archer Houblon (1938) I have a 1979 edition with all the fabulous photos taken from film. I have found this book the most practical and useful, she covers all the gaits (including extended), jumping and also lateral work and flying changes. I consider this my “go to” book whenever I encounter problems, as her explanations are quite detailed and backed up with numerous stills.
Last, but by no means least, there is “The Art of Sidesaddle” by Roasmund Owen (1984). This is definitely my comfort book. I like a quiet glass of wine as I gaze at the photos in this book, lusting over the fabulous old name saddles and hoping to (perhaps one day) be even half as elegant as the ladies on these pages. It even has a beautiful picture of Queen Elizabeth II riding aside on the title page, does it get any more “queenly” or “stately” than that?
I still have a few books on my wish list, and I keep an eye on eBay and Alibris for anything that crops up that is within the budget. It doesn't quite make up for not being able to collect ACTUAL sidesaddles, but at least I have the comfort of all those pictures to pour over.
I especially love the older books; they don't necessarily help with riding today, but they are a fantastic read. It's just naturally assumed that you are going to have your habit custom made for you, as well as your hat!
ReplyDeleteIf you have a chance to get The Horsewoman by Mrs. Hayes do it, as well as anything by Lida Bloodgood...also Belle Beech. I think Leila would agree with Mrs. Hayes comments on the "silly modern notion of flat seated sidesaddles." She also advocates the right leg up the shoulder position, and not entirely without merit. I sometimes use that position myself when riding cross country down especially steep hills or drop fences and banks. Sometimes after several hours in the saddle that position can relieve some of the cramping you get in your right thigh, if only for a moment or two.
If nothing else, these books illuminate a different method of riding aside, and it must be remembered that there is a fair degree of fad and mode that determines what is currently "correct." After all, riding method is referred to as "style."
Myself, I'm apt to take the word of a hard woman to hounds above all else.
I have had a flick through the on-line copy of The Horsewoman, but would love to add a physical copy to my collection, if only because there is one print in there of a woman riding sidesaddle in New Zealand. I love the way the old books all assume you have staff who are running around doing everything for you :)
ReplyDeleteI'll add the other authors to my search list.
I've got a few of the original antique side saddle books and I have to agree with Mrs. Hayes!! Sometimes when the arthritis in my knees is bad, I do that leg forward on the shoulder thing but then it snaps straight back if Hattie starts to get silly. I think even with the older books, you can take tidbits from them and incorporate it into "modern" riding.
ReplyDeleteMy fav is the Betty Skelton book though, so well written and easy to understand.
I'm up to 4 books, but two of them are printed off pdf. I recently purchased the “The Illustrated Encyclopaedia”, and the "Art of the Side Saddle" and Houblon's book are next on my list. I'm trying to find the oldest edition of Houblon's because I've heard some helpful info was removed in the later versions.
ReplyDelete