Heidi and Gigi ~ Jumping Sidesaddle!

TNo, Heidi isn't falling off the far side of her horse Gigi. Heidi is jumping a fence riding sidesaddle! Many people think riding sidesaddle means the rider literally sits sideways on the horse, but as you can see in this photo, the rider has bother shoulders and hips facing forward, just like when riding in a traditional saddle.

A sidesaddle is built with a special pommel that holds the riders leg tight in front, which keeps her balanced. Riding in a regular saddle with your leg swung over the pommel isn't safe because there is nothing to hold you in place.  Heidi is wearing a traditional English hunting outfit, but there are also Western sidesaddle riders and some people also use historic costumes.

The earliest images of sidesaddle riders come from painted Greek vases from the 9th century. Sidesaddles were designed for ladies to be able to ride modestly in long skirts and finer clothing. 

Today sidesaddle competitions are based on the style and riding habits typically used 100 years ago.


* If the very front point of a saddle is called a pommel, do you know what the very back point of the saddle is called?