Show secretaries- Please note all bags of rosettes will include the following judge’s result sheet, which must be filled in by the ring steward on the day and the results returned to us as soon as possible so that we may tally points for our league. The results can be emailed back to sidesaddleireland@gmail.com or WhatsApped to Ciara on 0872266321. Thank you for your assistance! Judge’s result sheet 2024
Author Archives: Ciara O'Connell
National Side Saddle Championship 2024
National Side Saddle Championship 2024 in association with Carr & Day & Martin
Side Saddle Ireland are delighted to announce a flagship National Championship which will be run on a league basis across all agricultural shows and horse shows which are affiliated to Side Saddle Ireland (“SSI”) across the country in 2024. This will culminate in a presentation to be made at the end of the showing season at a glamourous presentation evening. We have a huge cash prize fund of €2750 which includes €1,000 for the overall Lady Champion, and amazing prizes for 1st to 6th in both ladies and juniors which are generously sponsored by our title sponsor, Carr & Day & Martin, who are also sponsoring a ‘Best turned out’ rosette for every affiliated class and a sash for the lady and junior with the most ‘Best Turned Out’ rosettes by the end of the season.
Caroline Davis, Carr & Day & Martin Brand Manager ‘We are thrilled to be title sponsor of the Side Saddle Ireland National Championships. We put as much care into producing our products, as riders put into preparing for competition and turnout is such an important part of the Side Saddle experience. We’re delighted to be supporting Side Saddle Ireland and working together to celebrate the rich history and qualities that are shared by both entities.
This collaboration represents our dedication to equestrian excellence and the timeless tradition of side saddle riding. Furthermore, we are proud to extend our commitment with the introduction of the ‘Best Turned Out’ awards throughout the season, celebrating the meticulous care and attention to detail that defines our riders and their equine partners. Together, we embrace the elegance, heritage, and passion of side saddle riding, embodying the spirit of Carr & Day & Martin.”
For all information on the National Championship, please click on the PDF below, and make sure you familiarise yourself with the 2024 rule book which is also published on this website. If you have any questions, please contact sidesaddleireland@gmail.com or WhatsApp 087 2266321.
SSI National Champs 2024 Rules and prize list FINAL
The affiliated classes where you may gain points for the National Championship are listed under the Diary of Events tab on the home page of this website. Please check back regularly as it will be updated every time a new affiliation comes in.
Rule Book 2024
Please click here for your downloadable rule book or e-mail sidesaddleireland@gmail.com if you would like it to be e-mailed to you!
Judge’s Training Session
Judge’s Day
Faith Ponsonby will run an information and demonstration session for all IPS/ISA etc judges who would like to learn how to judge a side saddle class from the ground (in the event of a show being unable to secure a side saddle ride judge). You will learn what to look for in relation to rider turn out, rider ability, horse turn out, tack, rider’s individual show, ring craft, etc as well as a question and answer session and an information pack. Faith will have a demonstration rider or two on the day, fully turned out.
The stated aim of Side Saddle Ireland is to promote and preserve the art of side saddle riding in Ireland so Faith would like all judges to come away with the knowledge of how to encourage, help and advise side saddle riders so that they leave the ring with some positives as well as some information on how to improve the small details that will complete the overall picture of perfection that we strive to achieve.
Refreshments will be provided afterwards. May we add that gentlemen are also most welcome to avail of the training! It is assumed that you will have already passed a conformation assessment if you are already on another judging panel so this seminar will be fully focused on the side saddle equitation and turn out aspect of the class. You will be added to our side saddle judge list afterward, which is published on our website.
Price: 20 euro
Date: 18th May 2024, 11a.m.
Venue: Ballylanigan House, Mullinahone, Co. Tipperary
Facilitator: Faith Ponsonby
Please whatsapp Ciara on 0872266321 or Olivia on 0877517463 for any queries or alternatively email sidesaddleireland@gmail.com
Booking is now open on www.itsplainsailing/org/ssi and will close on Wednesday 15th May.
Points sheets for 2024
Please click below to download your points sheets if you wish to partake in our awards system, the Side Saddle Ireland trophies will be presented at the Showing Ireland gala awards night at the end of the showing season. They are editable word documents- please type your results in and try to keep a tally as you compete, the finished document can be emailed back to sidesaddleireland@gmail.com
Please do not use any other system to tally your results as it leads to confusion!
Points Winners
2023
Ladies
Overall winner Olivia Connolly ‘Rosspir’ Bowl, ISH Plate, Sheila O’Clery Double Diamond Dressage Award, Working Hunter Award
2nd Megan Connell
3rd Nicola Chambers, winner of the first season points award
Juniors
Overall winner Charlotte O’Connell & Lavistown Oscar, under 143 pony award
2nd Lucy O’Connell & Groveside Buzzy Bee
3rd Lucy O’Connell & Lanaway Sparkle
2022
Ladies
Congratulations to overall Ladies Winner Lyndsey O’Brien, winner of the Rosspir Rose Bowl and the R.I.D. Plate with Mr Bloomfield.
Suzanne O’Brien 2nd place, and winner of the ISH plate and the new partnership award.
Kate Horgan in 3rd place and winner of the Connemara Plate and the new member award.
Meghan Connell in 4th place,
Olivia Connolly in 5th place and winner of the Sheila O’Clery Double Diamond Dressage Trophy,
Louise Daly in 6th place,
Lynne Hincks in 7th place,
Amanda Power in 8th place and winner of the TB plate.
2022 Juniors
Overall Junior Winner Clara Cully and winner of the -143 pony trophy and first season points award
2nd Lauren Hincks and winner of the +143 pony trophy
3rd Kiki Curran
4th Lucy Jo McMahon
5th Clodagh Curran
2021
Congratulations to Olivia Connolly who won the overall Ladies Points awards (Rosspir Rose Bowl) with her Irish Sport Horse Barronstown Poppy, Oliva and Poppy also won the Marjory Kennedy Hunting Trophy, the Sheila O’Clery Double Diamond Dressage Trophy, and the Irish Sport Horse Plate.
Update on hire saddles
Unfortunately due to spiralling insurance costs we are no longer in a position to hire out side saddles and therefore they are for sale. Any remaining saddles will be listed in our for sale tab soon.
Affiliate your side saddle classes here
Show Affiliation 2024
Show secretaries, please affiliate your side saddle classes for 2024 here by copying and pasting the link into your browser:
https://itsplainsailing.com/org/ssi
Click on ‘Events’ in our itsplainsailing page, then click on ‘register your show’, click on each class which you would like to affiliate to. Please copy the wording for each class into your schedule as below:
Class wording for affiliated side saddle classes.
Junior Side Saddle Class, affiliated to Side Saddle Ireland: To be ridden side saddle by riders under 18 on 1st 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. A ‘Best Turned Out’ rosette sponsored by Carr & Day & Martin will be awarded to the best turned out member combination in the class. Members may gain points towards our new National Side Saddle Championship League by competing in this class- please see www.ssaireland.com for the league rules.
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 1st 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. A ‘Best Turned Out’ rosette sponsored by Carr & Day & Martin will be awarded to the best turned out member combination in the class. Members may gain points towards our new National Side Saddle Championship League by competing in this class- please see www.ssaireland.com for the league rules.
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. A ‘Best Turned Out’ rosette sponsored by Carr & Day & Martin will be awarded to the best turned out member combination in the class. Members may gain points towards our new National Side Saddle Championship League by competing in this class- please see www.ssaireland.com for the league rules.
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. A ‘Best Turned Out’ rosette sponsored by Carr & Day & Martin will be awarded to the best turned out member combination in the class. Members may gain points towards our new National Side Saddle Championship League by competing in this class- please see www.ssaireland.com for the league rules. 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. A ‘Best Turned Out’ rosette sponsored by Carr & Day & Martin will be awarded to the best turned out member combination in the class. Members may gain points towards our new National Side Saddle Championship League by competing in this class- please see www.ssaireland.com for the league rules. Affiliated to Side Saddle Ireland.
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. 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!
RDS Qualifiers 2024
| Armagh County Agricultural Show, Co. Armagh |
Saturday 8 June | Flo McCall | +44 (0)74 62655289 |
| Athlone Agricultural Show, Co. Westmeath |
Sunday 16 June | Melissa Glynn | +353 (0)85 8435080 |
| Flavours of Fingal County Show, Swords, Co. Dublin |
Saturday 29 June | Helena Dawson | +353 (0)87 2986188 |
| Ballyfoyle Agricultural Show, Co. Kilkenny |
Sunday 30 June | Anne McGrath | +353 (0)87 6801073 |
| Charleville Show, Co. Cork |
Sunday 30 June | Elaine Goold | +353(0)87 9662741 |