Side saddle is taking off in the North-east

Fiona Mackinnon and Stracathro Kinsman. Image by Nicki Lyall Photography.

SIDE saddle is having a bit of a renaissance at shows in the North-east this spring with aside classes at two local events attracting good entries.

Both Bogenraith Equestrian's Spring Show and East Aberdeenshire Pony Club's Showing Show and Working Hunter attracted side saddle riders.

Gillian Fowlie and her coloured horse Sunny Jim also competed side saddle at the CWG Charity Dressage and Trophy Show at Loanhead Equestrian.

Side Saddle Association Area 1 hosted a three-day camp for the first time at Ardmedden Equestrian and Livery which had 14 campers booked in who were taught by side saddle experts Jane Pryor and Penny Clarke.

Both of them instructed and then judged a mini show at the end of the camp where a number of riders gained qualification for the National Side Saddle Show later in the year. Riders came from Orkney, Shetland and Falkirk to attend the clinic and a second three-day clinic of lessons will be held from 2nd to 4th October.

Side Saddle Area 1 chairman, Fiona Mackinnon, said: "With my official hat on for camp there was a lot of prep and work going on behind the scenes. I run two businesses so I am busy with them too. But what a fabulous bunch of campers - Area 1 and 9 members, new members and non-members.

“We had some fabulous support and talks from local professionals, then ran our first Area 1 show at the end of camp. The facilities were great at Ardmedden Equestrian although we didn’t really get the chance to use them to the fullest with the weather, but we were grateful to have a large indoor arena!”

There is another chance to ride side saddle competitively at the Crathes Equine Grass Sickness Charity Show on 24th May.

The results from the show at the Area 1 camp are:

Turnout, sponsored by Transis Equine Transport: 1st Alannah Norquay, 2nd Marianne Hughson, 3rd Kerry Balment.

Starter Equitation, sponsored by The Equine Times: 1st Alannah Norquay, 2nd Elidh Forrest, 3rd Gillian Fowlie, 4th Georgie Bruce.

Adult Equitation, sponsored by Perform Physiotherapy: 1st Fiona Mackinnon, 2nd Lucy Higgins, 3rd Alannah Norquay.

Junior Equitation, sponsored by Hayfield Riding Club: 1st Georgie Bruce, Eilidh Forrest (Just So SSA Turnout Rosette).

Riding Club Horse/Pony, sponsored by Chance Pony: 1st Gillian Fowlie, 2nd Georgie Bruce.

Best Horse/Pony, sponsored by Banks of Ury: 1st Eilidh Forrest, 2nd Lucy Higgins, 3rd Georgie Bruce, 4th Marianne Hughson.

Classical Ladies Qualifier, sponsored by Balhagan Tropic Skincare: 1st Fiona Mackinnon, 2nd Alannah Norquay.

Ladies Contemporary Qualifier, sponsored by Crazy Croft Safe Haven: 1st Lucy Higgins, 2nd Gillian Fowlie.

Novice Championship, sponsored by Couronne Equestrian: Champion Alannah Norquay, Reserve Champion Marianne Hughson.

Junior Champion, sponsored by Lady Luck Equestrian Ltd: Champion Eilidh Forrest, Reserve Champion Georgie Bruce.

Adult Championship, sponsored by L A Equine Services and Magnawave Pemf Therapy: Champion Fiona Mackinnon, Reserve Champion Lucy Higgins.

Judges’ Favourite Championship, sponsored by Nicola’s Homebakes Ltd: Champion Gillian Fowlie, Reserve Champion Eilidh Forrest.

Camp Champion: Georgia Adams. Camp Reserve Champion: Rebecca Sayers.

The sponsors of this first camp included many local businesses. The main sponsor was Richard Irvin who donated £900 from their sport fund towards the costs of the camp.

The camp supporters were Kerry Balment with CleanRound, who produce equine and canine products including shampoo, rug wash and yard wash; Alannah Norquay of equestrian clothing company  Couronne Equestrian, and Reiki practitioner Reiki Lungta.

The other sponsors of camp and the show were: Perform Physiotherapy, LA Equine Services and MagnaWave Pemf Therapy, Team Padfield, Balhagan Tropic Body and Skin Care, Nicola’s Homebakes Ltd, Lady Luck Equestrian Centre, Transis Equine Transport, Crazy Croft Safe Haven, Chance Pony, Banks of Ury Hotel, Hayfield Riding Club, Norvite Farm and Country, HLM Driver Development and The Equine Times.