Class wording

Junior Side Saddle Class, affiliated to Side Saddle Ireland: To be ridden side saddle by riders under 20 on 1^st January on ponies not exceeding 153cm. The class shall be judged on manners, conformation, way of going, and rider’s ability. Riders must wear an approved harnessed hat. A Side Saddle Ireland rosette will be presented to the 4 highest placed members in the class. A Best Rider rosette will be presented to the ‘Best Rider’ among those members.

Ladies Side Saddle Class, affiliated to Side Saddle Ireland: To be ridden side saddle by ladies in hunting costume. The horses shall be judged on the basis of elegant appearance, perfect manners and ability to give the judge a smooth ride.  Riders must be aged 16 years or over on the 1^st of January of the current year on horses exceeding 153cm. A Side Saddle Ireland rosette will be presented to the 4 highest placed members in the class. A Best Rider rosette will be presented to the ‘Best Rider’ among the members.

Ladies Side Saddle Versatility Class, affiliated to Side Saddle Ireland: To be ridden side saddle by ladies in hunting costume. For horses 148 cm and over, riders must have reached their 14th birthday by 1st January of the current year. The rider’s ability and turnout, and the way of going, manners and movement of the horse will be considered as part of the adjudication. The class shall be judged as an overall picture of elegance presented by the rider and the horse. Each rider shall give an individual show not exceeding two minutes which should include walk, trot, canter and extended canter . The horse shall not be stripped or trotted up in hand. The class shall be judged from the ground. (No ride judge). A Side Saddle Ireland rosette will be presented to the 4 highest placed members in the class. A Best Rider rosette will be presented to the ‘Best Rider’ among the members.

RDS Ladies Side-Saddle Qualifier (only to be used by those shows chosen by the RDS to host a qualifier): Mare or Gelding, 5 years old or over. To be ridden side-saddle by riders who have attained their 16th birthday by 1 January 2018. Aim: To promote, present and preserve the art of side-saddle riding. Rules: The rider’s ability and turnout, and the way of going, manners, conformation and movement of the horse will be considered as part of the adjudication. A Side Saddle Ireland rosette will be presented to the 4 highest placed members in the class. A Best Rider rosette will be presented to the ‘Best Rider’ among those members. Side Saddle Ireland will also commission a special rosette for each member who qualifies for Dublin. Affiliated to Side Saddle Ireland.

RDS Intermediate Side-Saddle qualifier: (only to be used by those shows chosen by the RDS to host a qualifier): MARE or GELDING, 5 years old or over. 148cms or over but not exceeding 158cms. To be ridden side-saddle by riders who have attained their 14th birthday by 1 January 2017. Aim: To promote, present and preserve the art of side-saddle riding. Rules: The rider’s ability and turnout, and the way of going, manners, conformation and movement of the horse will be considered as part of the adjudication. Exhibits in the Intermediate Side-Saddle qualifiers must have a current and valid height measurement under the Show Jumping Ireland / Irish Pony Society measurement scheme and their passports must be available on arrival for inspection. A Side Saddle Ireland rosette will be presented to the 4 highest placed members in the class. A Best Rider rosette will be presented to the ‘Best Rider’ among those members. Side Saddle Ireland will also commission a special rosette for each member who qualifies for Dublin.