Ride Judge List 2025

Side Saddle Ireland Ride Judge List updated 30/04/25

ARMAGH

Robyn Catterall, 136 Navan Fort Road, Armagh, BT604PX. 07710199395 robyncatterall@gmail.com

CLARE

Marian Slattery, Waterpark,  Scarriff, Co Clare. 061 921909, 0866045205. marianslattery@eircom.net

CORK

Annie Prendergast, Burgatia, Roscarbery, Co. Cork, 0879255706

DOWN

Emma Newsam, 96 Castlewellan Road, Newcastle, Co. Down BT330JP.  emmaponsey@gmail.com  00447591413949

Lesley Webb, Orchard Cottage Stables, Ballykeigle Road, Comber, BT 2355D, 048 97521591/ 0044 7899050144 orchardcottagestables@btinternet.com

Julie Donaghy Simpson, 63, Lisnavaragh Road, Scarva, Craigavon BT63NZ, Phone 00447508938236

DUBLIN

Amie Garrigan, Baldurgan, Ballyboughal, Dublin. 0861772308  Baldurgan@eircom.net

Suzanne Garrigan can accompany as conformation judge 086 3729440

GALWAY

Maeve Carty, Deerpark, Kilchreest, Loughrea, Co. Galway, 0860712679, maeve.carty@yahoo.ie

Imelda Lynch, Chantilly Farm, Lackaghmore, Turloughmore, Co. Galway  0876306471 info@chantillyfarm.ie

Amory McMahon, Templemartin, Craughwell 0877696669 amorymcmahon@live.ie

Grace Maxwell Murphy, Glenn Rua House Stud, Taylor’s Hill, Galway. 0876846262  grace84murphy@gmail.com

 

LIMERICK

Emily Woods 0872871438

MEATH:

Susan Oakes, Croboy Lodge, Johnstown, Kilcarn, Navan, Co. Meath 0860842994            susan_oakes1@hotmail.com

Joanne Quirke, Tinker’s Lodge, Kilbrew, Ashbourne, Co. Meath. Joanne.quirke@yahoo.com  0868660262

Emily Mac Mahon, Lamberstown Stud, Kilmessan, Co. Meath. emilymacm@gmail.com 0877194812

Jennifer Byrne, Ballybin, Fairyhouse, Ratoath, Co. Meath, A85C421. jenniferbyrne08@hotmail.com  0863787802

TIPPERARY

Nicola Wilkinson, Sage Cottage, Kilsheelan, Co. Tipperary, e91 h324

nicolaeverardhop@gmail.com   087 6742401

WATERFORD

Rosemary Connors, Woodfield, Woodstown, 051 382134, 0876174834 roseconnors@gmail.com

Claire Connors 0871353505

Sarah Conway, 0861008574. sj100.sc@gmail.com. Now based in England- TCEH, Stratford Bridge, Ripple, Naunton, GL 206HE, United Kingdom

WESTMEATH

Megan Connell, Ballymorin, Rathconrath, Mullingar, Westmeath 089 4835839, Megconnell123@gmail.com

WICKLOW:

Mary Rothwell, Greenhall, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow, 0879626015

Jennifer Kennedy Bray, 29 Charvey Court, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow.  087 6815817

National Breed Championships 2025

Within the Carr & Day & Martin National Championship Side Saddle league,

Side Saddle Ireland are delighted to announce the following breed sub categories for 2025:

National Registered Irish Draught Side Saddle Championship sponsored by Farmhill Agri

National Thoroughbred Side Saddle Championship sponsored by PoolCourt Engineering

National Traditional Irish Horse Side Saddle Championship sponsored by Agria Equine Insurance

National Irish Sport Horse Side Saddle Championship sponsored by Kinard Stables

National Connemara Pony Side Saddle Championship (awaiting confirmation of sponsor)

We will possibly have another Championship- stay tuned.

In most cases the Champion will be awarded with a perpetual silver plate or trophy, a sash, prize money/vouchers, the Reserve will be awarded with a sash and prize money or vouchers, the remaining entrants in the category will be awarded a beautiful rosette.

In order to win a breed championship you simply register your participation in our league by inputting your membership number, horse/pony details from their passport and then score the highest amount of points in your category over the course of the league. Registration is open at itsplainsailing.com/org/ssi

Our league is open to ALL horses of every breed and none, these sub categories are simply extra recognition of our native breeds. Good luck to all entrants!

RDS Side Saddle Qualifiers 2025

Ladies’ Side-Saddle
Venue
Date
Contact Name
Contact No.
Armagh County Agricultural Show,
Gosford Forest Park, Co. Armagh
Saturday 14 June Flo McCall +44 (0)74 62655289
Athlone Agricultural Show,
Athlone, Co. Westmeath
Sunday 15 June Melissa Glynn +353 (0)85 8435080
Charleville Show,
Charleville, Co. Cork
Sunday 29 June Elaine Goold +353(0)87 9662741
Ballyfoyle Agricultural Show,
Ballyfoyle, Co. Kilkenny
Sunday 29 June Anne McGrath +353 (0)87 6801073
Flavours of Fingal County Show,
Swords, Co. Dublin
Saturday 5 July Helena Dawson +353 (0)87 2986188

Updated list of class for the Carr & Day & Martin League

Updated 19/05/25
The Side Saddle Ireland National Championship League will be kicking off shortly- here are shows that have affiliated so far! Don’t forget you need to be a member of Side Saddle Ireland to participate in the league and you must register your participation in advance (free of charge) on itsplainsailing.com/org/ssi to enable to committee to keep track of results and points after every affiliated show. This is quick and easy- you just need your horse passport and membership number! For show secretaries who wish to affiliate and turn their side saddle class(es) into qualifiers for the championship, please feel free to contact us sidesaddleireland@gmail.com for further info!
Please keep checking back as the list will be updated every time another show affiliates! So far we have:
5/04/25 Show of the East (Combined Ladies/Intermediate class)
6/04/25 Show of the East (Junior Class)
27/04/25 Limerick Harriers (Combined Ladies/Intermediate Class) Limerick Harriers
10/05/25 Kingdom County Show (Combined Ladies/Intermediate Class)
25/05/25 Midleton Agricultural Show ladies class
01/06/2025 Raheendaw Horse & Pony Show Intermediate and Ladies Classes, side saddle championship. Perfect run out as practice for the RDS qualifiers!
02/06/25 Western Area IPS- ladies, intermediate and junior side saddle classes, side saddle championship.Perfect run out as practice for upcoming RDS qualifiers.
15/06/25 Athlone Agri Show RDS Intermediate Qualifier, RDS Ladies qualifier, Side Saddle Championship
22/06/25 Newcastle West Show (Combined ladies/intermediate class, Junior class, Side Saddle Championship)
29/06/25 Ballyfoyle Agricultural Show:  RDS Intermediate qualifier, RDS Ladies qualifier, Junior class, Side saddle championship)
29/06/25 Charleville Agricultural Show RDS Intermediate qualifier, RDS Ladies qualifier, extra Combined ladies/intermediate class, Side saddle championship)
5/07/25 Killusty Pony Show (Lead rein/Junior & Combined Ladies/Intermediate class, Side saddle championship)
6/07/25 Clonmel Agricultural Show (Lead rein/ Junior and Combined Ladies/Intermediate class, Side saddle championship
6/07/25 Longford Agricultural Show Combined ladies/intermediate class
10/07/25 Bannow & Rathangan Show Wexford (Junior, Combined ladies/intermediate), Side saddle championship
13/07/25 Mullingar Show, combined ladies/intermediate class
13/07/25 Dungarvan Agricultural Show Ltd Waterford, Junior class, combined intermediate/ladies class, Side saddle championship
27/07/25 Ossory Agricultural Show Rathdowney Laois (Junior, combined ladies/intermediate, side saddle championship)
27/07/25 Tatttersalls, Ladies side saddle class (Fania Mahony memorial, Royal International Qualifier)
07/09/25 Royal Meath Show Trim, (junior, combined ladies/intermediate, side saddle championship)

List of qualifying shows for the National Championship League

Link

The Side Saddle Ireland National Championship League 2025. Please keep checking back as this list will be edited every time a new affiliation comes in from a show. The diary of events will also be listed on our Facebook page ‘Side Saddle Ireland’.

Please ensure you have paid your membership and registered for the league at www.itsplainsailing.com/org/ssi in advance of competing at your first show. We need the registration to enable us to keep track of results and points. Registration is quick and easy- Side Saddle Ireland – Its Plain Sailing Online Payments page entry

05/04/25 Show of the East (Combined ladies and intermediate class)

06/04/25 Show of the East (Junior class)

27/04/25 Limerick Harriers Show (Combined ladies/intermediate class)

10/05/25 Kingdom County Show Kerry (Combined ladies/intermediate class)

22/06/25 Newcastle West Show Limerick, Combined Ladies/ Intermediate class and a junior class, side saddle championship)

29/06/25 Charleville Agricultural Show Cork, RDS Intermediate qualifier, RDS Ladies qualifier, extra combined ladies/intermediate class , side saddle championship)

05/07/25 Killusty Pony Show Tipperary, (lead rein, junior, combined ladies/intermediate class, side saddle championship)

06/07/25 Clonmel Show Tipperary, (lead rein/Junior combined class- lead reiners to be judged seperately, combined ladies/intermediate class, side saddle championship)

07/09/25 Royal Meath Show Trim Co. Meath (junior, combined ladies/intermediate, side saddle championship)

Class wording

Combined Intermediate / Ladies Side Saddle Class, affiliated to Side Saddle Ireland and open to members of 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 a short individual show which should include walk, trot, canter and extended canter. The class shall be judged from the ground. (No ride judge). Side Saddle Ireland rosettes will be presented in the class. A Best Rider rosette will be presented to the ‘Best Rider’ among the members. A ‘Best Turned Out’ rosette sponsored by Carr & Day & Martin will be presented to the best turned out combination. Points for the Side Saddle Ireland Ladies & Intermediate National Championships sponsored by Carr & Day & Martin can be earned in this class- participants must be members of Side Saddle Ireland on the date of the show and must register their participation in the league (free of charge) on itsplainsailing.com/org/ssi to enable the committee to keep a tally of points. ***Nb. Members from the age of 14 plus and under the age of 16 on the first of January who are registered as partaking in the Junior League can compete in the intermediate category but cannot earn points in the intermediate category (i.e. they can only earn points in the category for which they are registered).

Combined Junior/First Ridden/Lead-rein Side Saddle Class, affiliated to Side Saddle Ireland and open to members of Side Saddle Ireland: To be ridden side saddle by ladies and girls under 16 on 1st January on ponies (mare or gelding) 5 years or older, not exceeding 153cm. The class shall be judged on manners, conformation, way of going, and rider’s ability. The combination of rider & pony registered in the junior category cannot gain points in the Intermediate category during the season. Lead rein side saddle riders aged 8 or under on 1st January on ponies not exceeding 128cm are also welcome in the class as are first ridden riders. Leaders must also be appropriately attired.

Riders must wear an approved harnessed hat. Side Saddle Ireland rosettes will be presented in the class. A Best Rider rosette will be presented to the ‘Best Rider’ among those members. A ‘Best Turned Out’ rosette sponsored by Carr & Day & Martin will be presented to the best turned out combination.

All riders will walk in the initial go round, the lead rein and first ridden riders will be pulled into the middle by one of the stewards, the remaining riders will trot and canter in the go round. All riders will then be pulled in and will be asked to perform a short show piece either of their own design or as requested by the judge.  Lead rein and first ridden riders will remain in the centre of the ring during the lap of honour and for safety reasons will leave the ring last after the other riders have left.

Points for the Side Saddle Ireland Junior National Championship sponsored by Carr & Day & Martin can be earned in this class- participants must be members of Side Saddle Ireland on the date of the show and must register their participation in the league (free of charge) in advance of competing on www.itsplainsailing.com/org/ssi to enable the committee to keep a tally of points.

N.B. The combination of rider and pony registered in the Junior category can compete in the Intermediate category during the season if the rider is over 14 and under 16 years of age on the 1st of January but cannot earn points in it (they can only earn points in the category that they have registered as competing in).

Ladies Side Saddle Class, affiliated to Side Saddle Ireland and open to members of Side Saddle Ireland: Mare or gelding, 5 years old or over. To be ridden side saddle by ladies in hunting costume and judged by a ride judge. 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 1st of January of the current year on horses exceeding 153cm. Side Saddle Ireland rosettes will be presented in the class. A Best Rider rosette will be presented to the ‘Best Rider’ among the members regardless of placing. A ‘Best Turned Out’ rosette sponsored by Carr & Day & Martin will be presented to the best turned out combination. Points for the Side Saddle Ireland Ladies National Championship sponsored by Carr & Day & Martin can be earned in this class- participants must be members of Side Saddle Ireland on the date of the show and must register their participation in the league (free of charge) on www.itsplainsailing.com/org/ssi to enable the committee to keep a tally of points.

 

 

Intermediate Side Saddle Class, affiliated to Side Saddle Ireland and open to members of Side Saddle Ireland. Mare or gelding, 5 years old or over. 148cms or over but not exceeding 158cms. (To be ridden side-saddle by ladies who have attained their 14th birthday by 1 January). Aim: To promote, present and preserve the art of side-saddle riding. 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. Each rider shall give a short individual show which should include walk, trot, canter and extended canter (no ride judge). Side Saddle Ireland rosettes will be presented in the class. A best rider rosette will be presented to the best rider among the members. A Best Turned Out Rosette sponsored by Carr & Day & Martin will be presented to the Best Turned Out Combination.

Points for the Side Saddle Ireland Intermediate National Championship sponsored by Carr & Day & Martin can be earned in this class- participants must be members of Side Saddle Ireland on the date of the show and must register their participation in the league (free of charge) on www.itsplainsailing.com/org/ssi to enable the committee to keep a tally of points. The combination of rider and pony registered in the Intermediate category can compete in the Junior category during the season if the rider is over 14 and under 16 years of age but cannot earn points in it (they can only earn points in one category or the other).

 

 

 

Membership 2025

2025 Membership is now open at http://www.itsplainsailing.com/org/ssi

Please ensure to also enter our league as soon as you get your membership number via receipt- entry into the league is free of charge. In the It’s Plain Sailing page, click on ‘online entries’ and then scroll down to ‘Side Saddle Ireland National Championship 2025’ where you can fill in the relevant information. This will enable the committee to keep track of all combinations competing and points earned throughout the season when recording results.

Results for the Carr & Day & Martin National Championship

Dear members,

Please see attached the results sheet which has also been e-mailed to you. It is an editable word document which you can fill in and e-mail back or alternatively you can print it and post it to Ciara O’Connell, Galesquarter, Cullohill, Co. Laois.

There are many different categories so please record absolutely every class that you participated in the league, even if you did not place!

2024 Show Points complete

Membership 2024

The importance of membership:

When you support Side Saddle Ireland by paying your membership, you are helping us to promote and preserve our sport for future generations. Maintaining these core values will help us to attract more members and to be a strong voice when advocating for side saddle to be included at prestigious horse shows and for dealing with government bodies such as Horse Sport Ireland when we are trying to access support and funding for our activities. By becoming a member, you are joining a collective of ladies who want to maintain the proud and beautiful tradition of Side Saddle in Equestrianism in Ireland. Members are the beating heart of any club and by supporting us you are helping to develop a strong club culture so that we can be an influential voice in continuing to open our sport for generations of ladies to come. Side Saddle Ireland relies heavily on club membership income for the day-to-day running of the club and the money raised is used to cover costs such as insurance, website maintenance, accountants fees, postage and heavily subsidised rosettes which are sent out to all affiliated shows. All of this is supported by people volunteering as club officers to organise everything from sponsorship, preparing accounts, drafting legal documents, helping members to source saddles and other related gear, dealing with show secretaries and organising relevant events. These roles are fulfilled in a volunteering capacity with no monetary reward.

Membership for adults is only €55, while juniors are €30 and must be accompanied by an adult membership for consent purposes (can be a non rider membership also €30). Please join us today and help preserve the proud tradition of Side Saddle in Equestrianism in Ireland! Thank you for supporting our club, have a great season in 2024. 

Membership for 2024 is now open online at :

https://itsplainsailing.com/org/ssi

All memberships are to be paid online with no exceptions

Points for the new leagues will be tallied by the committee after every affiliated show. You may begin gaining points at shows as soon as your membership is paid. Good luck everyone!