The sidesaddle is a type of saddle on which the rider sits aside rather than astride the mount.

The sidesaddle was designed for use by women, as it was considered unbecoming for a lady to straddle a horse whilst riding. This results from cultural norms in Western Europe in the Middle Ages where a lady or gentlewoman was much more restricted in her movements. Physically this translated into a social restriction that prevented her from riding astride. Such folk beliefs as riding astride would destroy a girl's virginity, or would provide a woman with an unnatural sexual stimulation persisted in some areas until the 1930s. However, these rules for riding aside applied only to women of wealth or social pretension, farm women undoubtedly rode astride. It was also practical, since dresses were the popular fashion.

The modern sidesaddle consists of two pommels mounted on a flat stuffed saddle. One pommel is nearly vertical (mounted approximately 10 degrees left of top dead center and curved gently to the right and up so to cup the right thigh of the rider with the right thigh lying at the top center of the saddle). The rider places her right leg (if she is sitting on the left side of the horse) against this top pommel. The outside of her lower right leg will rest against the left (near) side of the horse. There is a second pommel below on the left of the saddle. This is called the leaping head. It is mounted about 20 degrees off top dead center of the saddle. This pommel is curved gently downwards as to curve over the top of the left leg. The rider places her left leg beneath this pommel, and rests her left foot in the stirrup. In an emergency the rider can squeeze her right (top) leg downwards, and her left (bottom) leg upwards to create an extremely strong grip. It is tiring for both the rider and the horse to maintain this emergency position, and most riders rely upon good position, balance, and coordination to maintain their seat.

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Rose Cottage Riding School
info@donegaldirect.comMalinTel: +353 (0) 876311676Rose Cottage is a traditional thatched cottage approximatly 200 years old, it boasts stunning views over Trabreage Bay and has it's own private track down to the bay.
Five Oaks Ranch
info@donegaldirect.comBallyshannon Heritage TownTel: +353 (0)71 98 51030Five Oaks Ranch is a family run business specialising in Western Style Riding.
Golden Sands Equestrian Centre
info@donegaldirect.comRathmullan Tel: +353 (0)74 9158124Golden Sands Equestrian Centre in Rathmullan provides the riding enthusiast with access to one of the most beautiful and unspoilt regions of Ireland. The Centre's aim is to provide first class service for horseman and horse in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
Lenamore Stables
info@donegaldirect.comMuff Tel: +353 (0)74 9384022Lenamore Stables is a well established equestrian centre specialising in show jumping with a National Show Jumping Arena, cross country course, small indoor and large outdoor arena. Facilities: Enclosed manege, indoor school, cross country course, liveries, changing rooms, showers, qualified instructors, hacking, hunting, schooling and basic instruction.
Ashtree Stables
info@donegaldirect.comLetterkenny Tel: +353 (0)74 9153312Well established family run riding stables, overlooking Mulroy Bay. Trekking and Hacking along quiet mountain roads. Safety, quality and enjoyment guaranteed. Beginners welcome.
Donegal Equestrian Holidays
info@donegaldirect.comBundoranTel: 003537198 41977Donegal Equestrian Holidays offers everyone from the beginner to the more experienced a chance to sample some of the most beautiful riding in Ireland.

MiamiHerald.com: Horse Racing

Strawberry Tart wins Hollywood Park feature
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:07:00 -0400
Betting favorite Strawberry Tart made a late run and edged Jehan by a half-length to win the $100,000 Flawlessly Stakes at Hollywood Park on Friday.
All expected Haskell favorites at Monmouth
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:42:00 -0400
Two days after Arkansas Derby winner Papa Clem arrived at Monmouth Park for next month's Haskell Invitational. Belmont Stakes champ Summer Bird settled into his stall at the Jersey shore track.
Backtalk wins Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:52:00 -0400
Backtalk stumbled out of the gate but charged past Flater Than Me and won by a length Saturday in the $110,500 Bashford Manor Stakes for 2-year-olds at Churchill Downs.
Shane Sellers returns tonight at Evangeline
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:48:00 -0400
Retired jockey Shane Sellers begins his return to the races tonight (Thursday) at Evangeline Downs in Louisiana. Sellers has been away from racing for 4 1/2 years due to a serious knee injury.
Judge closes Jockeys' Guild bankruptcy case
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:03:00 -0400
A federal bankruptcy judge has closed the case of the Jockeys' Guild, ending the long-running court supervision of the riders' trade association.
Borel and Mine That Bird to go separate ways
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:41:00 -0400
The union of jockey Calvin Borel and Kentucky Derby champ Mine That Bird has come to an end. Borel has decided not to ride the three-year-old in the West Virginia Derby.

USATODAY.com Horse Racing - Top Stories

Rachel Alexandra romps to victory in Mother Goose
Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:44:58 -0000
Preakness Stakes champion Rachel Alexandra romped to a 19 1/4-length victory in the $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes Saturday at ...
Rachel Alexandra ready to run in Saturday's Mother Goose
Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:34:44 -0000
Jess Jackson wasn't sure how much Rachel Alexandra's stirring victory against the boys in the Preakness took out of her, so he ...
Owner: Rachel Alexandra to skip Breeders' Cup
Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:12:14 -0000
The co-owner of Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra doesn't plan to run the star filly in the Breeders' Cup, preventing a potential ...
Number of Breeders' Cup automatic qualifiers increased for 2009
Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:18:21 -0000
The Breeders' Cup Challenge has added more races to its program of automatic qualifiers, bringing the total to 62 races in which ...
Rachel Alexandra will race again June 27
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:36:16 -0000
Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra will return to the races in the Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park on June 27.
Redemption: Desormeaux earns elusive Belmont win
Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:43:44 -0000
Hall of Famer Kent Desormeaux exorcised his Belmont demons when he staged an overpowering rally with Summer Bird to add the final ...

ESPN.com - Horse Racing

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David Grening Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:20:16 -0700
Better Talk Now, the multiple Grade 1 winning 10-year-old gelding, will scratch out of Saturday's Grade 1 United Nations Handicap at Monmouth Park after injuring a splint bone in a hind leg, trainer Graham Motion said.
Breeders' Cup Challenge, Monmouth Park, Presious Passion, Better Talk Now, Brass Hat, Strike a Deal, Lauro, Banrock, Spice Route, Court Vision, Salvator Mile Stakes, United Nations Stakes, horse racing, horse
Mike Farrell Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:45:32 -0700
Defending champion Presious Passion tops a field of nine for the Grade 1, $750,000 United Nations Stakes on Saturday at Monmouth Park.
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Steve Andersen Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:12:08 -0700
The first time that Joel Rosario rode the 3-year-old filly Well Monied, to a win in a maiden race at Santa Anita in March, trainer Howard Zucker noticed how well they got along.
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Mike Farrell Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:44:27 -0700
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Trainer banned, fined after Queen Elizabeth II's horse is doped
Associated Press Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:07:31 -0700
A trainer has been fined and banned three months from entering horses after one of Queen Elizabeth II's racehorses failed a doping test.
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Alan Shuback Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:07:14 -0700
Dual classic winner Sea the Stars will make his first start against older horses at Sandown Park on Saturday when he takes on Breeders' Cup Turf winner Conduit in the $823,700 Eclipse Stakes.

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