Happy Halloween!

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Western Style Sidesaddle Fashions

Sidesaddle - Western!

Here is a collection of Western Sidesaddles. Some are obviously (even to a novice person) Western. This one has quite a bit of silver details...what a beautiful show saddle!

This one has just a bit of silver!

Love the offside pocket on this one.

This one could have fooled me when I first starting learning about riding aside..but it is indeed a Western Saddle.

Love the beautiful tooling on this one.

File These Pictures Under...

AWWWWWEEEEEEE!


There is something so adorable about youngsters with horse fever!

Antique Child's Sidesaddle

I found this on the Internet one day when I was doing a search. It is a child's antique sidesaddle. Instead of being rigid, it does not have a wooden tree, but is completely flexible..

..maybe to accommodate the horses or child's body shape. As you can see, the forks are detachable and it has a crupper..no doubt to keep the saddle from slipping.

Riding Aside...

...in the snow! Is she "tolting"?
I know this picture was taken in Iceland...but sadly - I do not know anything other than that. I found it a long time ago during one of my google picture searches and saved it until I heard it was snowing...or at least snowing up North somewhere!

Amazing Post Cards ..

..that are popping up on E-bay!

The Finished Ad

In Retrospect..

Let's look at a few evaluations of what I used to show.

I purchased 2 of these. They are mock shirts - called a chemise or a dickey in the 70's. They are completely open on the sides and tie about the waist with a ribbon. Well as you can see in the bottom photograph, mine slipped even though it was still very tight after my show.

NTASHA - Part 5

Steeped in tradition...that is what I think about when I think of both showing American Saddlebreds and showing aside. I believe that is one reason I was so nervous about showing for the first time. I just wanted to do it with dignity. In keeping with that thought, this is the photograph I will be using for the ad that will be run in Saddle and Bridle magazine in November. As you can see, it will be done with a sepia finish.





















When I selected certain things to use for my show, I chose to wear a Cameo ring belonging to my Mother, a Garnet pin belonging to my Grandmother and I tucked a beautiful lace handkerchief into the offside pocket in my saddle that belonged to both.























I hope you enjoyed my journey. My deepest wish is that maybe my adventures will encourage someone else to learn this amazingly elegant sport and share their experience with me!

NTASHA - Part 4

Sunday mornings alarm came faster than I would have liked! Our class was the 6Th class of the morning - so we did not have much time to spare. We hurried through breakfast and got over to Las Colinas as soon as we could. Once there we found out that 2 of the classes before us were cancelled! Again it was quite cool and breezy.

I quickly changed clothes while Kelli tacked Oliver up...again putting on everything but my gloves and my skirt. I led him into the show ring. The show did not start for another hour and there was only 1 other person out there. We went to the far end and I started to lunge him. I worked mostly on going from any gait down to a FLAT walk...and repeated it over and over trying to establish a calm for both of us. He was responding well.

We took him back to the stalls and as I finished dressing, I breathed a prayer. The woman who's horse had reared up was not showing that day. She was very sore. A trainer from their barn would show the horse instead. I just wanted a more calm atmosphere for ALL the horses and riders.

I met Kelli behind the stalls since we decided to get me mounted back there today. There was more privacy and less traffic. I walked Oliver around the stalls and into the arena. On this day I was wearing the shorter black jacket and a brown and black plaid WOOL skirt.

We adjusted the girth a bit and I took him to the rail. After walking a few rounds, I clucked him into the trot. Ahhhh Yes! I thought. This was so much more comfortable...or at least a bit more secure feeling. I trotted around the ring and had to deal with a 'spooky' area for Oliver. It was god practice for me as I had to use left leg pressure to keep him from jumping into the center of the practice ring.

Again the class just proceeding mine was full of very young academy riders..so I waited until they were all in before I asked for the canter. Yeah! I felt so much more confident!

Our class was called and the gates were opened. Again, I waited for everyone else to enter before me. There were 6 of us in the class. This time we trotted into the arena..probably too slow, but I was being very cautious. As we reached the other side, Oliver stepped up a bit and gave me a beautiful level trot. I started to smile and knew I could go for quite a long time if I needed to. Before I knew it, the walk was called and I pulled him down. He gave me maybe 2 jigs before he truly flat walked. Then came the canter. I cued him and off we went. It was perfect. I could hear Kelli's approval and Oliver was cantering and flexed so beautifully. We then reversed and again began to trot...walk..and then again cantered. I did not see any of the other horses misbehaving..so my prayer had been answered. We trotted into the line up and I scratched Oliver's neck telling him what a good boy he was. He whinnied again and the crowd cheered for me. I love it when Oliver does that...but I wish I knew what he was saying!!

The first place winner from the previous day won the championship. I am not sure about the placings of the other horses, but our names were called for 5TH place. I perked my head up and listened. I thought there were 6 horses in my class, but maybe someone dropped out... I waited...and then I heard it... the announcer spoke and revealed that someone else had placed under us.

"Oh my gosh Oliver!!! Did you hear that? We were not last!!!" I said as we trotted out the arena. "Yeah!!! We were not last today!!" I said with a bit more excitement and volume.

NTASHA - Part 3

As you can see - the longer saddleseat coat is not as attractive as a shorter one would be.


We awoke at 6:30am and I threw on some jeans and a t shirt and grabbed my coat. I drove over to the show grounds to feed while Kelli got ready. My class was number 22 that morning, so we knew we had some time. It was cool and breezy, about 52 degrees but the air was very wet making it feel much colder.

I checked on all of our things and Oliver. He still had a bit of alfalfa left in his bag, so he was not as insistent as some of the other horses to be fed. When I was done, I took a moment to look at my show clothes and decide which outfit to wear. Our judge was a very respected equitation teacher named Gayle Lampe who is the author of one of my favorite saddleseat books entitled Riding for Success. I was so angry at myself for not bringing my book with me so she could sign it. With her in mind, I decided to wear the traditional longer saddleseat jacket with the embroidered silk skirt in that mornings qualifier.

I returned to the hotel and took my turn in the shower. I pulled my hair back into a low bun and smoothed on some make up. I felt good, like I looked elegant...even though my insides were all a flutter!

When we reached the show grounds again, we realized that there was little to no real space to lunge Oliver - at least no place that was not wet. We scrubbed his feet the night before, so we took him over to the wash stand and polished his hooves. Kelli stood with him as I went into the tack room and dressed. I put on everything I was going to wear in the show ring except my skirt and gloves. We then tacked him up and led him over to a soccer field to lunge. It was still wet, but not muddy over there. We could only trot him as we were afraid he might slip and fall at the canter. We attracted some attention from a portrait photographer who spotted us from across the street.

Back at the stalls, we adjusted the saddle, I finished dressing and we took Oliver into the practice arena where I mounted. I felt like every single person was watching us...and I think I was right. I could hardly breathe! We walked the rail and some of the people I knew well (and who knew I was doing this for the first time) came over to encourage me. I so appreciated that. Feeling good, I asked Oliver to step into the trop. Not 3 steps in and I realized I had a big problem. My silk skirt was about as slippery as butter! I pulled him into the center of the ring. Kelli, who had an inquisitive look on her face came over to me. I told her what I was feeling and she readjusted my skirt, raised the stirrup another notch and again tightened the girth. None of these things stopped the skirt from being slippery, but all together they gave me more stability.

We were in the practice arena several classes prior to mine. I needed lots of time to calm down and to relax. Sadly..in retrospect, it seems that I needed about 9 more hours! Oliver was very amped up as well. The class directly proceeding mine was an academy class full of very young children. I waited until they were all in the show ring before I cantered in the practice arena.

Finally my class was called. I knew that I wanted to be the last one in the ring. This first cool front had caused almost every horse in my class to act afool, some worse than others! We went into the ring RACKING. Oh Lord, I thought...calm down Julie. I had not realized that there was one more horse behind me...but it was not until we reached the other side of the arena that I slowed him down into a trot..a very slow trot. We worked our way into a bit more speed, but I knew the judge was not looking at us because of our position. No matter, I was just there to make a clean ride...or as clean as possible anyway! I was just starting to relax a bit when the walk was called. I tried to slow him down. Oliver was prancing and not flat walking. The horse in front of us was jumping sideways down the rail. Then the canter was called. I tipped his head a bit and kissed. Oliver lifted in one step and I felt my face crack into a smile. In the background, I could hear no music, although I know it was playing, I could not hear anything except the call of Kelli's voice saying YES!!! meaning we had picked up the correct canter lead. At this point I was not willing to lean or even look down to check it myself. I just wanted to look up and forward. We cantered around the horse that was blowing up in front of us and then again around another that would not pick up the correct lead and I felt as if I had grown wings!

Back down to the walk. We changed directions and the trot was called for. We started to trot down the rail and I could see Oliver's knees pumping up and down in front of himself. I knew he looked good! Around the bend and all of a sudden, I was slipping on the dag blasted skirt again. My butt was sliding on the saddle from right to left and I lost my balance a bit. In a desperate effort to recover, I grabbed Oliver's mouth. My sweet boy was trying to do everything I asked of him and obviously he thought I wanted him to rack...so again we went down the rail racking.. Oh well..'remember why you are here Julie' I kept reminding myself. It was not about the ribbon..it was about getting experience, getting as clean of a ride as I could get and making a good impression with riding aside. I slowed him into a pacey walk and asked for the trot. After 2 tries we were trotting again. All this again happened right in front of the judge. Another walk was called ..and again we were prancing (bad bad bad) and then the wonderful rewarding canter. We trotted into the line up and Oliver stood like a gentleman. He whinnied LOUDLY at the crowd and laughter broke out. I was blushing. When the judge came over to us and asked us to back, a lot of cheers and applause broke out. Oliver backed again like the gentleman he was!

I made it! I made it though the entire class without falling off or throwing up. We got our canter departs and leads and I knew what I needed to work on for tomorrows championship. I placed 6Th out of 6 riders...and that is what I deserved...but I'll bet I was more proud of my ribbon than the woman who placed first!

Once the judges card was turned in, the horse next to us started to back up. He reared straight up. Oliver and I just stared at them. It almost did not seem real. The woman riding was obviously in shock and the horse fell backwards and rolled completely over her. Oliver jumped to the left, just to get out of the way. You could hear the crowd gasp. I am not sure they saw what I did...but I was truly amazed that she got up. She was quite dazed, but not injured!

...to be continued..

NTASHA - Part 2

My heart was racing non-stop and I was not even showing until the following day. We got the stall area set up and Kelli told me to get his tack. We were going to lunge him and I needed a practice ride. I was wearing jeans. A part of me did not want anyone to see me riding in pants...EVER...but the reality was that I had only brought my show outfits and I was not going to chance getting them dirty or torn on a practice ride!

Oliver hates to be left alone. It had taken him a while to settle down in the trailer. As you remember - the origonal plans were to trailer an additional 2 horses to this show. Once in his stall, with his hay bag full of alfalfa he looked quite content. It was a different story though when we put his cross ties on. He bounced about his stall as though he knew something exciting was about to happen.

I led him into the show arena and we walked the whole way around. I let him stop and look at anything that seemed to spook him. Then we headed down to the far end so that I could lunge him. He was quite animated and a bit distracted...but still well bahaved. When Oliver gets excited he does not like to flat walk...so we worked on EVERYTHING before I got on.

I took him into the smaller practice arena to mount. It was a draw as to who was more tense...probably me..but my nervousness transmitted through the reins and did not help Oliver either. We just walked for the longest time...until I could again BREATHE. It felt like everyone was staring at me, but fortunetly most of the people who were there were grooms and other workers, only a very few customers and trainers.

I started to trot. I could not seem to make it around the arena for 1 lap without breaking gait or stopping on purpose. Kelli started to get stern with me as she reminded me that the show arena was much larger than the practice and that I would need to go around probably 2 or more times. I knew myself though and when put under that kind of pressure where I felt like I was not only trying to make a good impression for myself, but also for the sidesaddle dicipline and even for the magazine I work for...well I would force myself to forge on!

We went into the show arena and again I started to trot. I relaxed a bit and started to get into the rythm. "YEAH" I thouht to myself. We made it around one whole time! Kelli told me to canter. I tipped his head to the rail just a bit and cued him. Oliver lifted into the canter in one step and I was flying. All of my confidence pooled back into me with each gentle rolling stride. I knew I could do this.

* * * * * * *

We were exhausted! We checked into the hotel and took all of our bags into the room. It was a Hampton Inn, one of my favorite hotels. We inserted the key card into the lock and opened the door. Walking into the room, I turned on the lights and I heard Kelli make a strange noise. On the bright white linens - was a shinny black beetle looking bug. He was crawling accross the bed.

"Ewwweee." I exclaimed. Kelli grabbed it and flushed it down the toilet. As we started to unpack, I placed my computer on the desk and down on the carpet was another one. Kelli stepped on it and we looked at each other. We were both exhausted though and we seemed to read each others mind in thinking that we each wanted to get into the shower.

I won and was first into the bathroom! I opted for a steaming hot bath and was just laying back to relax when I heard Kelli let out a yelp that made me sit straight up.

"What?" I asked her.
"We are getting another room! There are bugs in my bed!" she exclaimed as I heard her pick up the phone.

She called downstairs and they did assign us another room citing the excessive rain had caused them to have a problem with water beetles. I jumped out of the tub and gathered my things. Our new room was just down the hall, so I opted to wear my nightgown and my coat...knowing that if I saw ANYONE I would want to die!

Kelli had stripped down the room before we accepted it...and once my head hit the pillow, I was asleep inside of 15 minutes!

...to be continued...

NTASHA Horse Show - Part 1

We planned to leave for Dallas at 9am on Friday morning. It started to rain at 8:30am and by 9 the rain was sheeting from West to East. My phone rang. It was Kelli. "I am on my way but the fastest I can drive is 20 miles per hour because of this rain!"

I told her to take her time and be careful. I had already packed the trailer and truck minus Heaven and Earth (Oliver) and 1 trunk that would have to be put into the trailer after him. All week it had rained making practice rides out of the question. I felt badly as some days the only exercise Oliver got was me walking him up and down the barn isle.

Kelli drove up the drive and pulled her car up to the end of the drive beside my little car. Dawned in a rain jacket, I was dry from the waist up but my jeans were soaked. We greeted each other and I helped get her bags into the truck. We loaded Oliver, then the last trunk and started down the drive.

It continued to rain 2 hours into the trip and even after that it was extremely over cast. The temperature dropped quickly from 80 to 55. Thankfully by the time we pulled into the Las Colinas show grounds, the clouds did not seem so heavy and low.

We checked in, got our stall assignments and started to unload. It was about 3pm. Although we did get a corner stall assignment, it was on the backside of the arena where little to no people would see the stall drapes I had worked so hard to make. I wondered if I would have been placed in a more visible location if the 2 other ladies could have come with us as they had planned.

"Oh well, we can just put up a modified version of what I made. It will be good for me to learn how to do it anyway!" I told Kelli.

Oliver peeking out of his stall.



















A view of our small 2 stall area. I brought my favorite Adirondack chairs.



















Only 1 piece of the decorative stall toppers that I made. You can also see the custom made sandblasted farm sign that my Daddy had commissioned for me when we bought our farm. He is the one who thought up the farm name! Equus Villa is Latin for Horse Home



















..and a small stall name plate I made for Oliver with his registered name on it.

A few things did not turn out the way I had hoped...the stall assignments, a broken pot I was going to use for the beautiful flowers you see and we had a slight mud issue..inside and out of the stalls...but nothing was going to dampen this for me. I was so excited, I could barely breathe!

..to be continued..

Leaving Tomorrow Morning!

I pray I look half as elegant as the lady in this painting when I show aside for the very first time. We are leaving tomorrow morning and will return Sunday night. Not sure if I will be able to post about it until then. Wish me luck!

Jump Jump Jump...

Jumping aside intrigues me...





















...but not enough for me to want to try it! ha ha