Demonstrations at the Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY.
By Shirley Gentry, event organizer
Sidesaddle Weekend was great, just as it always is. Nice horses, skilled riders, comfortable stabling, appreciative crowd, great exposure for the art of riding aside, and other equine-related entertainment to boot. It is always a special experience.
This was our eleventh year to participate as part of the Kentucky Horse Park’s Breeds Weekend program. When the Park staff asked me to organize this event, they expected a few local horse people to participate, much less horses and riders from several states. Each year our group exceeds their expectations. The format for Sidesaddle Weekend is a group of riders perform demonstrations as part of the twice-daily Parade of Breeds, and show the Park visitors the elegant and interesting art of riding aside.
This year our Weekend was scheduled August 7 and 8. Fortunately the weather cooperated and temperatures dropped below the typical 90’s, and it did not rain (or snow) on our riders. Saturday was the KHP’s annual “Hat’s Off!” celebration to honor the horse industry, the only day of the year where there is free admission to the Park. The crowds were out in force, many drawn by an opportunity to view the amazing “Gift from the Desert” exhibit at the International Museum of the Horse. By far, this was the biggest crowd to which we ever showed, with all the bleacher seats packed, and many spectators standing.
Stephanie Hutcherson on Touché Roman (Romeo), her 16-year-old Appaloosa gelding, started things out for our segment of the show. Stephanie demonstrates hunt seat riding, with appropriate habit and Owen saddle. She and Romeo take a vertical jump many times, and the question of “how is that rider staying in the saddle?” is addressed in her script. One of the Park visitors told me that seeing Stephanie jump Romeo was the most amazing thing she had seen all day! A further honor for Stephanie and Romeo came when she was invited to join the Kentucky Horse Park staff in a drill they used to close the second show on Sunday.
Sue and Howard Duncan, Jamestown, Tennessee, both rode this year. Sue brought her 16-year-old Racking Horse mare, Janie Nite Tracker, and Howard rode 12-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse mare, Shanna (reg. Fatal Attack). Howard and Sue made a wonderful turnout with their 18th century historic attire. Their script shared with the audience the details of the clothing, including historically correct fabric and design, right down to Sue’s corset, breeches under her skirt and petticoat dyed naturally with Osage Orange tree plant material. Howard’s outfit was equally appropriate, and he looks the part with period-correct eyeglasses and always draws applause when he doffs his tricorn hat to the audience. Not to be outdone, Janie wears a historic period rail saddle that has been completely remade, with matching bridle, and a saddle pad made to match Sue’s outfit. Sue and Howard are both Park Rangers at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. As one of the Park employees commented, “they look so cute together.”
The Arabian horse breed was well represented by Mary Weeks and Donna Huffman from Indianapolis and Carmel, Indiana, respectively. Both presented their lovely bay mares in a drill wearing Renaissance costume. Mary and 10-year-old WRA Summers Kiss were fresh off receiving a special award at the Pyramid Society’s Egyptian Event, “the El Gohara+// Perpetual Trophy. It is chosen by ring officials for the most beautiful expression of the close bond between a rider’s heart and the soul of their performance horse.” Donna and 24-year-old Strawberry Moon (Lucy) were noted for Lucy’s kind and patient nature, especially in the lineup following the Breeds Parade when Park visitors can get “up close and personal” with the horses. Visitors love to pet the horses and have their photo taken with them, and it is not a situation every horse does well in, especially with the big crowds of the “Hat’s Off” event.
Making her first appearance at Sidesaddle Weekend this year was Joy Hohenshelt of Sadieville, Kentucky, and her 20-year-old Paint Sport Horse gelding, Lucky. Joy events Lucky, and showed him in attire appropriate for eventing or combined tests. Wearing boots, breeches, protective vest and helmet, Joy gave the Horse Park visitors a clear look at her leg position riding her Martin and Martin saddle. After showing much interest in riding aside, she received the saddle as a high school graduation gift, and it was restored by Lillian Chaudray of California, Joy’s home state. Joy and Lucky support the saying that “if you can do it aside, you and do it astride” as they train to compete in an event aside.
Another newcomer to Sidesaddle Weekend, but hardly to the world of horse exhibitions, was Ruth Riegel of Casey, Illinois. For many years Ruth was an active member of Texas Ladies Aside. This is an award-winning drill team that has performed all over the United States, as well as Canada and Peru, riding Peruvian Horses. Ruth brought her new horse, 6-year-old Peruvian gelding, Fiel, who did well in his first exhibition performance. Ruth rode her antique western side saddle, and brought two other beautiful Peruvian sidesaddles for display. Ruth wore one of her TLA performance costumes, which features sequins from hatband to leg wraps for Fiel, with plenty of sequins on her jacket and apron. They sure sparkled in the sunlight as Fiel demonstrated his smooth Peruvian gaits.
Many Sidesaddle Weekend riders have participated a number of times, and Karen Martz of Rochester, New York, has been a part of Sidesaddle Weekend since year one. For the second time, Karen brought her Palomino Morgan gelding, G’Mystic Hawk (Panache). Panache is a 6-year-old gelding Karen is training in dressage. Karen always has a wonderful relationship with her horses, a big smile, and puts on a lovely show of skilled horsemanship for the audience. Karen and Panache were appreciated by veteran horsemen and casual tourists alike.
Another person that is always a huge help is Steve Hutcherson, whose excellent photos accompany this article. Alicia Vest, of Cynthiana, Kentucky has a gift for seeing what needs to be done and making herself useful. We had several display saddles, habits, and informational booths set up in the barn, and all the riders answered many questions about themselves, their horses, and riding aside. Sidesaddle Weekend is always a special event, and reaches many people. Some visitors make a special point of coming to the Park just to see our demonstrations. Hope to see you there next year!