Oliver Townend will be riding side-saddle at Blenheim Horse Trials
In between competing in this weekend’s CCI3* at Blenheim International Horse Trials (11-14 September), Oliver Townend will be attempting a different style of horsemanship — riding side saddle.
A Bit on the Side, a side-saddle display team, will be teaching Oli to ride after the dressage finishes today (Friday 12 September).
After a display by the team — made up of Sarah Moreland, Emma Brown, Jenny Torrance and Gemma Swan— which will include a jumping demonstration, manager Ginny Oakley will be teaching Oli in the main arena.
Ginny told H&H: “We have taught men before – back in 2001 we taught six members of the Household Cavalry to ride side-saddle — which was interesting to say the least!
“We will be doing a novice side-saddle class with Oli, probably for about 15 minutes. It will be difficult because side-saddle uses different muscles.
“We will demonstrate how a rider gets onboard, which is never easy — especially when you’re a tall chap, and then we’ll see how he gets on. He will definitely walk and trot – and with luck we’ll get him into a canter too.”
A Bit on the Side, featuring Oli’s class will take place at 5pm.
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.