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)

Affiliate your show 2025

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Show secretaries- please visit our payments page www.itsplainsailing.com/org/ssi

Click on ‘Online Entries’ then ‘Register your show’ and choose which classes you wish to affiliate. For the affiliation fee of €20 per class, you will receive a bag of 8 three tier, high quality rosettes (1st – 6th, a Best Turned Out, and a Best Rider). For shows registering two or more classes, we will provide a Champion & Reserve Champion rosette FOC along with the class rosettes. The class wording should be included in your schedule, this is available on the ‘Class Wording’ tab of this website and can also be e-mailed to you. If you require any further information please contact Ciara on 0872266321.

Class wording

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Combined Intermediate / Ladies Side Saddle 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 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 sponsored by Equestrian Portable Showers Ireland 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.

 

 

Ladies Side Saddle Class, affiliated to 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 sponsored by Equestrian Portable Showers Ireland 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. 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 sponsored by Equestrian Portable Showers Ireland 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 cannot compete in the Junior category during the season.

 

 

Junior Side Saddle Class, affiliated to Side Saddle Ireland: To be ridden side saddle by ladies 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 compete 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. 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 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 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) on www.itsplainsailing.com/org/ssi to enable the committee to keep a tally of points. Lead rein riders are not eligible for the Junior National Championship league but will be recognised with rosettes and a special prize at the end of season prize giving.

Membership 2025

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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.

16″ side saddle for sale

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Please contact for further information. Saddle is based in Galway and is suitable for ponies/ intermediate classes. Please contact sidesaddleireland@gmail.com for seller information. Private sale, saddle is not the property of Side Saddle Ireland.

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Results for the Carr & Day & Martin National Championship

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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

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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!

Affiliated classes 2024

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Last updated 01/07/2024 ***Please note following a rule amendment in our league that intermediates may now compete in ladies classes*** 

Please check back regularly as the list will be updated every time a new affiliation comes in. You must be a member to avail of points and to take part in our National Championship League- please check home page for further details of the league. Points can only be earned at the following affiliated classes: 

11th May 2024, Kingdom County Fair, Tralee, Co. Kerry, have an affiliated LADIES SIDE SADDLE CLASS. Enquiries to Shannon O’Mahony at kingdomcountyfair1@gmail.com

26th May, Midleton Agri Show, Ballindennisk, Co. Cork have an affiliated LADIES SIDE SADDLE CLASS. Contact Phylis 086 8800103

2nd June Raheendaw show, Carlow, have affiliated LADIES & intermediate SIDE SADDLE CLASSES. Enquiries to David Burgess 0868346931. First intermediate class of the season so great practice for those aiming for RDS qualifiers in June.

3rd June, Western Area IPS, have affiliated JUNIORS, INTERMEDIATES AND LADIES SIDE SADDLE CLASSES. Please contact Imelda 0876306471. Great opportunity to practice for upcoming RDS qualifiers!

15th June, Mullingar Showing Show, affiliated LADIES SIDE SADDLE CLASS. There will be a ride judge, this is a great opportunity to practice for the Athlone RDS qualifier the following day. The organiser is making stabling available for anyone who wants to make a weekend of it and travel on to Athlone the next day, please contact Vincent on 0879557739 for further details.

16th June, ATHLONE RDS QUALIFIERS FOR LADIES AND INTERMEDIATES. Please contact Melissa Glynn on 085 8435080. Please do not enter another RDS qualifier if you have already qualified for the RDS at a previous qualifier, as it could inadvertently block someone else’s chance of qualifying for Dublin. Qualifying places do not pass down along the line.

16th June, Cork Summer Show, have an affiliated LADIES SIDE SADDLE CLASS on Sunday 16th June. Please contact Ann O’Mahony ann@corksummershow.com for further details

23rd June, Newcastle West Show, Co. Limerick, have affiliated LADIES & JUNIOR SIDE SADDLE CLASSES enquiries to Sharon Burke  086 3210037

29th June, Flavours of Fingal, Co. Dublin have affiliated LADIES AND INTERMEDIATE RDS SIDE SADDLE QUALIFIERS. Please do not enter another RDS qualifier if you have already qualified for the RDS at a previous qualifier, as it could inadvertently block someone else’s chance of qualifying for Dublin. Qualifying places do not pass down along the line. Enquiries to Helena Dawson, 0872986188

30th June, Charleville Agricultural Show, Co Cork, have affiliated LADIES AND INTERMEDIATE RDS SIDE SADDLE QUALIFIERS, they are also running a separate ladies side saddle class immediately after the RDS qualifiers. Please do not enter another RDS qualifier if you have already qualified for the RDS at a previous qualifier, as it could inadvertently block someone else’s chance of qualifying for Dublin. Qualifying places do not pass down along the line. Please enter the separate ladies side saddle class in this case to get your practice in and to gain your points towards the league. enquiries to elainebarryg@hotmail.com

30th June, Ballyfoyle Show Kilkenny have affiliated LADIES AND INTERMEDIATE RDS SIDE SADDLE QUALIFIERS, and a JUNIOR SIDE SADDLE CLASS. Please do not enter another RDS qualifier if you have already qualified for the RDS at a previous qualifier, as it could inadvertently block someone else’s chance of qualifying for Dublin. Qualifying places do not pass down along the line. Contact Anne McGrath- ballyfoyleshow@gmail.com for enquiries

6th July, Adamstown Show, Co. Wexford,  have affiliated both LADIES and JUNIORS SIDE SADDLE CLASSES. Enquiries to Patrice Byrne 0876166926

6th July, Killusty Pony Show, Co Tipperary, have affiliated both LADIES and JUNIORS SIDE SADDLE CLASSES. killustyponyshow@gmail.com/ Michelle Walsh

7th July 2024, Clonmel Show, Co Tipperary, have affiliated both LADIES and JUNIORS SIDE SADDLE CLASSES. Please contact purcellcecily@gmail.com for further details.

7th July 2024, Longford Show, have an affiliated LADIES SIDE SADDLE CLASS. Enquiries to Bernie Whyte btwhyte90@gmail.com / 087 6334313

11th July, Bannow Rathangan Show, Co. Wexford, have affiliated LADIES and JUNIOR SIDE SADDLE CLASSES. Enquiries to Elizabeth 087 7560871 

13th July, Ardrahan Show, Co. Galway, have affiliated LADIES and JUNIOR SIDE SADDLE CLASSES. Please contact David Devane, dmjd1952@yahoo.com

14th July, Dungarvan Show Co. Waterford, have affiliated LADIES and JUNIOR SIDE SADDLE CLASS. Enquiries to Frances 087 6362109

14th July, Mullingar Show, have an affiliated LADIES SIDE SADDLE CLASS. Enquiries to Eileen White 0879971306, info@mullingaragrishow.com

14th July, Wicklow Summer Show at Barnadown, have an affiliated LADIES SIDE SADDLE CLASS. Contact cushelauren@gmail.com

20th July, Nugentstown Show (awaiting clarification of side saddle classes)

21st July Kilbride Show Kilkenny ((awaiting clarification of side saddle classes)

28th July, Tattersalls Show, have affiliated LADIES SIDE SADDLE. Contact Gladys Graham 0863858312. Kildare North Leinster same venue same date has junior/intermediate side saddle.

28th July, Ossory Show, Rathdowney, Co. Laois have affiliated LADIES AND JUNIOR SIDE SADDLE CLASSES. Contact Cathy 0879975902

4th August Offaly Westmeath Show has Ladies side saddle for RID and partbred.

5th August, Tinahely Show, Co. Wicklow have affiliated LADIES AND JUNIOR SIDE SADDLE CLASSES. info@tinahelyshow.ie

11th August Tipperary Area IPS Junior side saddle

12th August Tullamore Show Ladies side saddle

24th August Limerick Show Ladies side saddle

24th August Moate Show Ladies side saddle

31st August IDHBA RID and 50 % minimum ID side saddle classes

1st September, Royal Meath Show, Trim have affiliated JUNIORS, and a combined Intermediate/LADIES SIDESADDLE CLASSES. Contact Maureen Dillon 087 2885302

8th September, Monivea Show, Athenry, Co. Galway have affiliated LADIES AND INTERMEDIATE SIDE SADDLE CLASSES. Contact Karen Coffey, karencoffey83@yahoo.com for details