Side by side: Three generations of side saddle riders compete at championship show
Three generations of side saddle riders — daughter, mother and granddaughter — competed side by side at the recent national championship show held at Addington Manor.
Danielle Spinney shared the ride on Highland stallion Clandon Oliver Twist with her mum Annie Neame, 59. She also watched her daughter Hemi Spinney, eight, ride her Welsh section B pony Bobbin Jarman. While Danielle was contending her third national championship show as a side-saddle rider, Hemi and Annie were making their first visits to the show.
The three jockeys live together at their base in Kent.
“I’ve ridden side-saddle for three seasons and this year, Mum decided she wanted to give it a go, ” said Danielle. “She had a taster lesson about 40 years ago and only picked it back up again this year; she practised at home a few times and the championships was her first show.”
Twelve-year-old Oliver Twist has been owned by Annie since he was eight months old and has been used as the family’s stud stallion.
Danielle caught the side-saddle bug just before her wedding in 2013.
“It was my dream to be able to ride Oliver Twist down the isle so I got in touch with a trainer who helped me saddle him up and learn the basics so I could just about ride him to the church,” continues Danielle.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“I had a Highland mare at the time so I decided to have a few lessons and learn properly.
“The tables turned at the champs this year, as mum is normally on the ground grooming and I had to do my fair share this time. There is a running joke that I never get him looking as good as she can!”
Danielle has a three-year-old colt by Oliver Twist ready to come through the ranks next year. “It will be nice to have the two of them out together as father and son,” she says.
Annie and Oliver Twist secured several placings including a fifth in the native breed dressage.
Danielle’s daughter Hemi also shone at her first championships, picking up the reserve award in the Signet rider of the year.
“Hemi is also very keen and she is growing in confidence,” says Danielle. “We’d love to watch her do more as it’s important to keep the art of side-saddle riding going through junior riders.”
For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.