Wow! I am a self taught English sidesaddle rider (self taught because I live in a rural part of Australia where hardly anyone rides sidesaddle) and this was the most practical and informative video I have seen! So keen to practice some of Lee's tips - she really is a great horsewoman.
The late Queen Elizabeth II was an accomplished horsewoman and rode sidesaddle on formal occasions such as the Trooping of the Colour. Some years ago someone in the crowd fired a pistol. The Queen maintained her unruffled demeanour and simply gave her horse a comforting pat and continued as though nothing had happened. Behind her the security team smothered the gunman and the ceremony wasn't interrupted. I was very proud of her for her courage and dignity. What an example she set.
That was nice to see. Glad to see there's still interest in riding side-saddle. From what I have seen, the women that rode side-saddle back in the day had a lot more courage than many people today gave them credit for. Thank you for the U-tube instruction.
Thank you so much for this wonderful instructive video. Here in Spain, horsewomen ride side saddle whereas I learned the Western-style in California so, this is an extremely helpful video for me....in English! Thank you again and greetings and thanks also to Ms. MacLean, an excellent teacher. Barbara
I know this is an old video but I was smiling throughout this whole thing. Very interesting, fun to watch and informative! I love both of your styles too and lovely hair.
If you're interested in trying side saddle, check out American Side Saddle Association for regional and local clubs, clinics and demos. Events like Equitana and Breyerfest will usually have exhibition and booths were people can sit on saddles. Lots of info on the internet and the ASSA also has a tack room with English and western saddles for sale. They ride in the Kentucky derby Pegasus parade every year, usually the Thanksgiving parade in Chicago and many others.
"This is the major muscle we use in Sidesaddle and it gets tired." OH BOY DOES IT EVER! 20 mins of keeping my foot in the proper position and my thigh is SCREAMING.
I've always loved sidesaddle...I've only ever ridden (alone) from the last (riding, not carriage-driving-) livery stable in New York City,-Kensington Stables- adjacent to Prospect Park, Brooklyn, in 2010. The horse was a slow old nag- not that I'd really know... We were told to give him a little kick in the side to make him start walking, and that we/he did...but even though I was delerious with pleasure at riding him, to begin with, across the main avenue as people in their cars stopped at the light and looked on, and on into the park and into and through the woods, I really wanted to know what riding was REALLY like- so I gave the lovely boy a couples o' more swift kicks- and as I say it, it sounds cruel, but it's how they're trained, after all. And it's not like I was wearing spurs or even had a crop... But suddenly, responding to my kicks, the horse began trotting and outpacing my friend and the guide from the stable, and, quite unfamiliar with horses- other than academically, at best- and unprepared for his change of gait, I began to pop up and down in the saddle, and my nuts were smashed all over the place for about thirty seconds, but, aS I had only given my horse two swift kicks, he slowed down, but got between my boyfriend's horse and the lead rider from the stable. I learned that there is so much more to riding a horse than kicking it in the ribs, and I'd love to learn to ride sidesaddle...
When trotting you stand up a bit in your saddle in rythm with the horse. You don't need to kick it, you just move your leg(s) slightly back and push your heel in the ribs.
Wow! I am a self taught English sidesaddle rider (self taught because I live in a rural part of Australia where hardly anyone rides sidesaddle) and this was the most practical and informative video I have seen! So keen to practice some of Lee's tips - she really is a great horsewoman.
Awesome to see how much concern she has for the balance on the horse. It was one thing I've always wondered about with sidesaddle.
The late Queen Elizabeth II was an accomplished horsewoman and rode sidesaddle on formal occasions such as the Trooping of the Colour. Some years ago someone in the crowd fired a pistol. The Queen maintained her unruffled demeanour and simply gave her horse a comforting pat and continued as though nothing had happened. Behind her the security team smothered the gunman and the ceremony wasn't interrupted. I was very proud of her for her courage and dignity. What an example she set.
That was nice to see. Glad to see there's still interest in riding side-saddle. From what I have seen, the women that rode side-saddle back in the day had a lot more courage than many people today gave them credit for.
Thank you for the U-tube instruction.
Thank you so much for this wonderful instructive video. Here in Spain, horsewomen ride side saddle whereas I learned the Western-style in California so, this is an extremely helpful video for me....in English! Thank you again and greetings and thanks also to Ms. MacLean, an excellent teacher. Barbara
Excellent demonstration. This is going on my “need to experience at least once” list. Both of you are a blessing and inspiration!
Did an impulsive search for sidesaddle videos and found this gem.
Men have been known to ride sidesaddle too.
What a lucky dumpster find! Very serendipitous that this lady came along and recognised the true worth of the saddle!
Beautifully done! THIS is how we promote the sidesaddle!
Henry is such a gentleman. ❤
I know this is an old video but I was smiling throughout this whole thing. Very interesting, fun to watch and informative! I love both of your styles too and lovely hair.
Thank you for demystifying this! And thank you for letting us know how it represents women's freedom, not women's enslavement.
Such a wonderful video!
you're both so nice and charming, it's always inspiring watching good people interact (and i learned a bunch of stuff!) Keep up the good work :D
Incredible! Protect these two ladies. The preserve history
More side saddle videos, please. Or does Lee MacLean have a UA-cam channel?
Lee-So wonderful-I am new to Sidesaddle but love it-any books you can recommend? I am in NJ.
If you're interested in trying side saddle, check out American Side Saddle Association for regional and local clubs, clinics and demos. Events like Equitana and Breyerfest will usually have exhibition and booths were people can sit on saddles. Lots of info on the internet and the ASSA also has a tack room with English and western saddles for sale. They ride in the Kentucky derby Pegasus parade every year, usually the Thanksgiving parade in Chicago and many others.
Really want to learn this ❤️
Oh I never knew, that there is a western version of sidesaddle too🙈
That is so elegant. I love it. But you didn't put Henry in the credits. What a fabulous teacher Lee is.
that was very interesting. thank you.
Love this video on How to Ride Sidesaddle with Lee Mclean
Great video! You two are fun! I just learned so much from this. Thanks for sharing - looks like a good time. 🙂
I ride in a sidesaddle drill team in CA. 8 girls 8 horses = 16 hearts in 1. 💜
That must feel beautiful. Painful, but beautiful. 😍❤️
This was very informative!
That was perfect. You should see how we do it in Santa Fe NM
"This is the major muscle we use in Sidesaddle and it gets tired." OH BOY DOES IT EVER! 20 mins of keeping my foot in the proper position and my thigh is SCREAMING.
Answer: Downton Abbey
GOD bless you!
I've always loved sidesaddle...I've only ever ridden (alone) from the last (riding, not carriage-driving-) livery stable in New York City,-Kensington Stables- adjacent to Prospect Park, Brooklyn, in 2010. The horse was a slow old nag- not that I'd really know... We were told to give him a little kick in the side to make him start walking, and that we/he did...but even though I was delerious with pleasure at riding him, to begin with, across the main avenue as people in their cars stopped at the light and looked on, and on into the park and into and through the woods, I really wanted to know what riding was REALLY like- so I gave the lovely boy a couples o' more swift kicks- and as I say it, it sounds cruel, but it's how they're trained, after all.
And it's not like I was wearing spurs or even had a crop...
But suddenly, responding to my kicks, the horse began trotting and outpacing my friend and the guide from the stable, and, quite unfamiliar with horses- other than academically, at best- and unprepared for his change of gait, I began to pop up and down in the saddle, and my nuts were smashed all over the place for about thirty seconds, but, aS I had only given my horse two swift kicks, he slowed down, but got between my boyfriend's horse and the lead rider from the stable. I learned that there is so much more to riding a horse than kicking it in the ribs, and I'd love to learn to ride sidesaddle...
When trotting you stand up a bit in your saddle in rythm with the horse. You don't need to kick it, you just move your leg(s) slightly back and push your heel in the ribs.
A few decibles lower would have been appreciated by that tolerant horse.