Happy Mother’s Day!

 This year was the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. Georgia Ladies Aside members had an awesome Kentucky Derby Party in Atlanta, GA. The winner of the hat contest was Tamma she receives $15 off of our June 9, 2012 sidesaddle clinic. More photos soon!

Georgia Ladies Aside was invited to give a sidesaddle clinic at the beautiful American Dream Farm, in Statham, GA. There were six youth riders and two adult riders.  We started the clinic with saddle fitting the four horses that were going to be ridden.  Then we had a sidesaddle chat on history, attire, and saddles. Then it was out to the arena to ride. Some of the riders walked, trotted and cantered! One of the adult riders said that sidesaddle riding had been on her bucket list. She can mark that off as she was one of the riders who cantered. The riders had fun switching horses to try out the different saddles. The Steele English Pleasure received the most votes for the favorite saddle to ride in. After riding we had a small fashion show and photo shoot.  Thank you American Dream Farm for inviting us to give this clinic.  The farm is gorgeous, your horses well-trained and lovely and all of the ladies were so much fun to teach. It was a fun filled day with a lot of laughs and smiles. And thank you, Monique  for your lovely comment on Facebook about the clinic “being one of your best equine experiences ever.”

Mark your calendar for our June 9, 2012 sidesaddle clinic at Heaven’s Gate Farm, in Monroe, GA.  Deadline for registration is May 28.  Email galadiesaside@aol.com for your registration form. See you riding aside!

The Cherokee County Saddle Club hosted a Trail Challenge at Garland Mountian, in Waleska, GA.  Georgia Ladies Aside members Stephanie and Tamma participated in the ride. Stephanie rode in her sidesaddle.  Tamma rode astride.  It was a great day! Thanks Cherokee County Saddle Club.

                                                                                                      GALA members Melissa, Michelle and Sandy attended the Atlanta Steeplechase at Kingston Downs, Kingston, GA. See you at that hat contest next year!

The American Sidesaddle Association’s Annual Award Banquet was held in Burlington, North Carolina. There was a side saddle fitting clinic, lunch, and a tour of the Hundred Oaks side saddlery. At the banquet we had a costume contest.  

 Congratulations  to the following Georgia Ladies Aside members Lisa Doker, Duffie Yarbrough, Steve, Stephanie and Romeo Hutcherson who all won year end awards in many different categories.  Georgia Ladies Aside won the Busy Bee Award.  The award is for the ASA regional group who participated in the most events. 

Georgia Ladies Aside rocked the Chick-Fil-A Bowl Parade in Atlanta, Georgia.  The weather was perfect, and the crowds huge.

Georgia Ladies Aside members Lisa and Stephanie rode aside at the foxhunt. What a gorgeous day.  We had a great time.  Thanks to Shakerag Hounds for hosting this fun event! Sadly, my camera decided not to work so we have no photos.

Georgia Ladies Aside celebrated our sixth birthday this month!

December is always such a busy month!  Last year we were unable to get together for our annual Christmas party. So this year we had our party in November!  We had a potluck, a white elephant gift exchange, collected money for a charity, swapped tall horse tales and had a lot of fun!  OK, so we did not have a huge crowd.  But it beat last year’s party.  We were expecting more members but life gets in the way of having fun sometimes. Here’s to a bigger party next year.

Dressed as witches the Georgia Ladies Aside hunter pace team rocked the  pace at Foxhall in Dougslasville, GA.  We received first place in the walk/trot division.  We were only twenty-six seconds off of the optimal time.  We won VIP tickets to the new Cavalia show, Odysseo, coming to Atlanta in December!  http://www.cavalia.net/ .  Ride Aside!

What a fun day! The weather was perfect.  The people were friendly.  And best of all money was raised for breast cancer.  One of the Georgia Ladies Aside members and her horse won the Best in Pink Award at the trail ride. Photos coming soon!

A big thank you to the Chattahoochee Trail Horse Association and the Cherokee County Saddle Club for all their hard work in putting on the Poker Ride at Garland Mountain. Perfect weather, friendly people, awesome trails, and great food! We can’t wait for next year! Photos coming soon!

Georgia Ladies Aside member Stephanie and her horse, Romeo were honored once again to participate in Side Saddle Weekend at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.  Stephanie and Romeo showed the horse park visitors how you jump in a side saddle.  Other side saddle riders from across the United States demonstrated riding dressage and gaited horses. More detailed info on the weekend to come! Ride Aside!

Georgia Ladies Aside member Stephanie and her horse, Romeo were invited  to participate with the Southern Ohio Ladies Aside group in the Georgetown Festival of the Horse Grand Parade.  The parade was held in Georgetown, Kentucky. 

On Saturday, August 6^th, Georgia Ladies Aside rode in historical habit in the Old Soldier’s Day Parade in Alpharetta, Georgia. Members who participated were Duffy, Melissa, Michelle, Sandy, Stephanie, Pace, and Steve. We had a grand time honoring our military and can’t wait for next year!

Photos coming soon!

On July 14, members of the Sonora Creek Middle and High School Interscholastic Equestrian Teams had an afternoon of sidesaddle fun at Sonora Creek Farm in Canton, GA. Georgia Ladies Aside member Stephanie gave a small talk on sidesaddle, and then a demonstration ride before the girls gave it a try.  Only two of the girls had ridden sidesaddle before. Some of the girls rode at all three gaits, and all but one walked and trotted. Everyone had a great time. Thanks to our wonderful sidesaddle mounts, Romeo and Guinness. What a fun day! Ride Aside!

The Marietta Fourth of July Parade is GALA’s favorite Georgia parade. The crowds are large and always very enthusiastic towards our group. The parade was big and the temperature hot. (It is July in Georgia!) but everyone had a great time. Angela, Duffy, Becky and Stephanie rode in historical costume.

 Angela’s paint horse, (Or is he David’s horse?) Casanova was a rock star in his very first parade.  Melissa was going to ride with us but unfortunately, she became very ill.  Thanks to Michelle for carrying the banner.

 This parade had a lot of our guys helping out! Thanks guys!  We could not have done it without you!  We were lucky to have Pace as our entertaining, professional pooper-scooper.  The crowds love him!  Michael, Becky’s boyfriend pulled the water wagon and was there if we needed a side-walker.  Angela’s husband, David dressed as Abraham Lincoln and was our other side-walker.  David was a real attention getter in his all black suit, top hat, and beard. As David walked down the street people could be heard reciting the Gettysburg Address! Thanks to Steve for taking his wonderful photos.

 Here is a link to one of the Marietta Papers with our photo in it. http://marietta.patch.com/articles/marietta-displays-its-patriotic-pride-in-full-force#photo-6864366

 The lady who took the photo for the paper posted on our Facebook page, “Beautiful ladies! After meeting one of you at the trailer, I was amazed at what my eyes saw when you arrived in the square ! You brought me a soul shine Thanks.” What a great compliment!

 You always hear great comments when riding in a parade.  This one was heard in passing the biker bar along the parade route,  “I don’t know what era you all are from but you sure are looking sexy!” Too funny! We are looking forward to riding in this parade again next year.

 The American Sidesaddle Association’s Award Banquet was held at the historic Lowell Inn in Stillwater, Minnesota.  Congratulations to the following Georgia Ladies Aside members for winning year-end awards in many different categories: Duffie, Michelle, Sandy, Lisa, Steve and Stephanie.

On June 18, Stephanie and her horse Romeo, gave a sidesaddle jumping demonstration at Sonora Creek Farm’s Summer Sizzler horse show in Canton, GA.

Sailor, Sydney, Ben, Stephanie and Romeo waiting for the show jumping!