Female Riding Styles through History 2

At the end of the 18th century and part of the 19th century it was unusual for ladies to follow hounds, although they would often grace their presence suitably attended by a groom. A manual on riding for ladies published in 1826 shows a level-seated saddle, little changed from those used over 200 years ago, but by 1860 the dipped seat had been introduced.

This may have been an attempt to get the rider a little closer to the horse because at that time the 'cut-back' rise through the front of the saddle had not been invented. If the seat was to be level the whole saddle had to be much higher on the horse's back, and would, therefore be more prone to slipping. A design of the sort was likely to give the horse a sore back, because of the friction arising from the sideways movement of the saddle and there was, additionally, a very real danger of the rider being deposited on the ground. As a counter to the poor fit of the saddle, grooms would often girth up so tightly that the horse had trouble breathing, or would even try to roll to get rid of it's burden.

Then some unknown genius invented the balance strap. This first appears in drawings in the 1820s, when it was connected to the stirrup leather. In its modern form, however, it goes from the nearside front of the saddle to the offside rear, a balance being effected by pressures on opposite corners of the saddle. Some riders prefer a short balance strap sewn to the girth instead of buckling independently to the saddle, but this is a matter of taste since both types are effective.

It was the invention, of the leaping head, which gave the sidesaddle its reputation for safety and security. Without this, only the most intrepid rider would dare to jump, for if the horse chose to play up the rider had little chance of staying mounted. With it, any of the movements which might pitch the astride rider over the horse's shoulder, serve merely to strengthen the side saddle rider's seat, as their thigh slides firmly into its support. It must have a left-handed thread to its screw, or it will loosen when the rider jams their leg against it when employing the emergency grip to retain their seat. Why it took so long for the double pommels of mediaeval days and the third or leaping head of the early 19th century to be generally adopted is not clear, except that we are by nature a conservative people.

The honour of having introduced the third pommel in 1830 has been claimed by several men, two Frenchmen,

• Jules Charles Perrier, a French riding master emphatically claimed he invented the leaping horn in Paris in 1830.
  
• Monsieur Baucher
  

and three Englishman:-

• Mr. Fitzharding Oldacre,
  
• S. Sidney, (The Book of the Horse.); is said to have evolved the idea in order to enable a man to ride a match for a wager on a sidesaddle.
  
• Thomas Aldaker, Huntsman to the Earl of Buckeley (1788-1820) who broke his leg jumping in a sidesaddle with only the top central horn and having no grip for his left leg.
  

(Note: I am unable to find sufficient information to narrow down the candidates for the invention of the leaping head. If anyone has a definitive answer please let me know. Jan.)

Although the original pommel on the offside had now no practical use, it was retained by some saddlers up to the end of the century, getting smaller and smaller until it was only a sort of token.

Not until the accession of Queen Victoria does there appear to be any very satisfactory evidence as to the saddlery in use. Except that Queen Anne before her accession rode hard to hounds there seems to be nothing known about her. If she rode sidesaddle - she may well have ridden astride, as did various princesses at a later date - she would presumably have had a single pommel, as shown in various paintings at the time of her reign and just before. (Especially those of Johannes van Wyck, c. 1652 - 1700.)

In 1825, Nimrod writes "There was to me and indeed it must have been to everyone, a very agreeable sight on this day in the field. This was Mrs. Shakerley (the lady of Mr. Shakerley, jun., of Somerfield Hall, Cheshire), upon her beautiful, I might almost say superb, horse the Golden Ball. Mrs. Shakerley is a French lady of high birth, and certainly, the most graceful horsewoman I ever saw upon a horse: the Lady Eveline herself, on her white palfrey, could not have excelled her. Her hand, as well as her seat, is quite perfect, and I understand she has gone well once or twice in Leicestershire.

Elizabeth, Empress of Austria, (1837 - 1897) was an accomplished horsewoman, she studied equitation seriously and had lessons in the Spanish Riding School of Vienna. She hunted with great enthusiasm in England and Ireland between 1876-1882, when her skill, courage, and elegance created a minor sensation. She is remembered for her remark to her pilot, Captain 'Bay' Middleton, "I don't mind the falls, but, remember, I will not scratch my face".

The Hanoverians reigned while the saddle with two pommels was coming into fashion and when Queen Victoria took to the leaping head seems not to be known.

This survival of the off pommel makes it impossible to say with certainty whether a drawing or painting shows a woman on an old-fashioned saddle with two pommels or a more modern type with three. A Landseer painting, which shows Queen Victoria inspection the 2nd Life Guards with the Duke of Wellington is attendance, painted in 1839, so we can be sure that Her Majesty is using the two pommel old-fashioned type. It is known that The Duke of Wellington objected to the Queen riding when inspecting troops and wished her to be driven. There is little doubt that the fact of the old-fashioned saddle giving only a modicum of grip,

must have weighed on the Duke, who probably was well aware that in the event of any contretemps taking place his Royal Mistress might have a nasty fall.

Before 1875, ladies might ride to the hunt meet to see their menfolk off, and as interested spectators out for a good gossip, it was not considered respectable actually to follow hounds. Then, in 1876, the Empress Elizabeth of Austria, a pioneer who came to England to hunt with the Pytchley. By her daring example, she helped set the pace in saddle design, by demanding the same, or indeed greater, durability and security for the side saddle rider, whether hacking in a London park or keeping up with hounds. Fashionable ladies followed her lead, taking to the hunting field with great enthusiasm. They soon began to give more thought to their saddles, for what was tolerably comfortable during a gentle ride was not necessarily suitable for a hard day in the hunting field.

There is a picture by Van Dyck in the Royal Collection (Lida Fleitmann Bloodgood, The Saddle of Queens) showing Charles I's Queen, Henrietta Maria, holding a horse with this type of saddle.

Around the early 1900's, the flat seat came into being with now only two horns enabling the rider to sit straight to the front of the horse and able to have full control. A lot of balance is required as well in keeping straight and square. Today, the woman sidesaddle rider can do everything as astride rider can do with equal security, as the sidesaddle is very secure.

About 1902 Mayhew introduced and patented a saddle with very wide pommels, which became very popular and is still in use today. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II used to ride sidesaddle on parade or trooping the colours.

The Women's Volunteer formations, known colloquially as the 'Fany's' rode sidesaddle in the early days of their existence. In 1909 the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, a Women's Volunteer Unit, was raised as a mounted corps, just before riding astride for women had become general; they therefore rode sidesaddle. The uniform worn was very smart, a scarlet peaked cap, a scarlet tunic braided white Hussar fashion, with collar and shoulder straps edged with white piping and a dark blue habit with three rows of white braid round the bottom. Officers wore a white pouch belt. In 1910 the F.A.N.Y. took to riding astride and wore khaki. Members served in various capacities of all fronts in the 1914-18 war.