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Introduction to Sidesaddle
Virtual Seminar Series

Introduction to Sidesaddle--A Series

Part I--January 13, 2024, 7:30 PM EST

Part II--February 12, 2024, 7:30 PM EST

Part III--March 11, 2024, 7:30 PM EST

Part IV--April 13, 2024, 7:30 PM EST

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Always wanted to ride aside, but not sure where to start?  Join speaker Cathi Grove for a beginners guide to sidesaddle.  This course includes all of the dates above and access to the "Introduction to Sidesaddle" Discord channel for all of 2024 to help, encourage, and inspire you along your journey!  This platform is available 24-7 for members to post, discuss, and ask questions.

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Seminar Objective:

To help participants build a solid foundation of knowledge to aid them in beginning their sidesaddle journeys.  An excellent refresher course for newer sidesaddle riders or those who have not been aside in a while.  

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Seminars will Cover:

Part 1.  Introduction to the Sidesaddle–January 13, 2024, 7:30 PM EST

  1. What is a sidesaddle?

  2. Basic sidesaddle history and evolution  

  3. Parts of the saddle and construction

  4. What can you “do” sidesaddle?

  5. Types of sidesaddles

 

Part II:  Tacking Up Sidesaddle–February 12, 2024, 7:30 PM EST

  1. SAFETY FIRST

  2. Pieces of tack—overview

  3. Tacking—English and Western

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Part III:  Introduction to Sidesaddle Fit–March 11, 2024, 7:30 PM EST  

  1. The sidesaddle and your horse’s back.

  2. Basics of tracings

  3. A lady and her sidesaddle–the perfect fit!

  4. Shims and Pads

 

Part IV:  Basics of Getting Started Sidesaddle–April 13, 2024, 7:30 PM EST

  1. SAFETY FIRST—Be Prepared.  

  2. Finding an instructor

  3. Well schooled horse

  4. Finding correct tack 

  5. Mounting, Dismounting, and basic position in the saddle

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Featured Speaker: Cathi Grove

Cathi is an “Aikenite” who has been riding for thirty years—and riding sidesaddle for 20 of them!  She started out sidesaddle when she won a hunt ball auction for a sidesaddle lesson with Betty Alexander.  Since then she has shown aside in the A-Circuit, at rated shows, unrecognized eventing to novice, raced and won both on the flat and over fences.  She has hunted in nine different states and currently whips-in aside for Aiken hounds—oldest drag pack in North America.  Cathi also enjoys parades and trail rides aside.  Cathi has helped many ladies get started aside, has taught clinics for the Aiken Ladies Aside, and taught at Camp Leaping at the USET in the summer of 2022.

 

Cathi resides in Aiken with her husband and sons (who also hunt).  She owns an undisclosed number of sidesaddles–some of which she generously leases and uses for teaching purposes.  

Participant Materials Needed to Participate

  1. An updated, working computer with high-speed internet.

  2. A headset and microphone.  Please check these with your computer before the session.  Computers with a built-in microphone can also work, but participants with excessive background noise will be muted if distracting from the session.  Microphone optional--if you cannot speak, you can type your questions and answers if needed.

  3. (Optional) A webcam or built-in computer camera.

  4. A Discord account.  (Please note: if you already have participated in a Camp Leaping Horn virtual clinic, you will still have access to the main server.  Registering for the seminar will give you additional privileges and access in the same server.)

Participants will be sent instructions to participate via email before the event.  PLEASE NOTE: the instructions will be sent to the email used to register.  Everyone is encouraged to log in at 6:30 PM on the evening of the seminar to be checked-in, be given an overview of the platform, and deal with any possible technical issues.  No refunds will be issued for tech-related problems if the participant skips this part of the seminar. 

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Participants have access to tech support throughout the seminar, have the opportunity to participate in text, audio, and video channels (as desired).  

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We strive to create an inclusive, educational, and supportive space for interested parties to learn and grow their sidesaddle knowledge.  No refunds will be issued if a participant is removed for belligerent behavior.  

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