The magnificent Hoghton Tower provided the spectacular setting to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Side Saddle Association.
Members from across Lancashire dressed in their finery gathered to mark the historic tradition of riding side saddle which dates back centuries — and was for a long time considered the only way for a lady to proceed 'properly' on horseback.
The 1930s was the heyday of riding side saddle, but after 1939, its popularity slowly declined.
That was until, in 1974, Valerie Francis and Janet Macdonald formed the Ladies' Side Saddle Association — now known as the Side Saddle Association — to keep the tradition going.
Among those at the celebration was Bolton resident and treasurer Sue Fernside who joined the association for her daughter Caroline and stayed a member in memory of her daughter.
Caroline died at the age of just 23 in 2001 from viral encephalitis.
Sue said: “It all started with my daughter. We were at a horse show and we saw somebody riding side saddle and she said, oh, I quite fancy that. So we went and asked, how do you learn?”
“She had a couple of lessons and then we sourced a saddle and then we took it from there and, we, both joined the association. That would be about 1999.” “I joined because I was her mother. and I just did the driving and the grooming and the saddle cleaning and all that sort of thing.”
“Then sadly, in 2001, she actually died. She got an awful virus and it killed her. We'd already got the horse and the habits and the horse box and everything. So I said to my husband, 'I'm going to have a go at this myself'.
"So I did and that's how I started.”
“Then after, we lost her little horse, I got one, a bigger horse of my own, who'd never actually done side saddle, but he took to it so I carried on taking it from there.
"He's won all sorts of things down at the national show and local shows and we've done displays, country fairs and I've been down to Windsor horse show with him.”
Cath Marchbank has been a member of the association for almost 30 years and is also chairman of the area 18 division, which covers Lancashire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester, said there had been a decline in the numbers enjoying riding side saddle.
Cath said:“We've seen a decline in numbers probably starting 15 years ago in our area, which is Lancashire.
"We used to have 15 in the equitation class. So now we're lucky if we got four in it. So numbers are dwindling.
“For a lot of people it is very expensive to go into, It is the expense of the saddle and getting everything together. The saddles have increased in value and you're looking at three and a half thousand nowdays.”
READ MORE: Pass Wide and Slow Lostock - horse riders turn out in force
Higher Tongs Farm Christmas ride out returns for 2023
Cath fell in love with side saddle riding after seeing people competing in the riding discipline at a local show.
Since then Cath has been dedicated to side saddle riding, so dedicated she even rode side saddle on her wedding day,
Cath added: “I actually rode side saddle to my wedding. Left my mum's house and I rode to the church and then they had friends looking after the horse and then they then put the horse on the wagon to take him down to where we were having the reception.”
“It actually saved us money,you know, probably 500 quid. Because by the time you've hired the wedding car and everything, you're looking at 500 quid.
“It had always been a dream of mine and when better to complete that dream the on you wedding day. It will be 25 years ago next August.”
According to the association's website Ladies are known to have ridden side-saddle at the end of the 14th century and are mentioned as doing so at that time in Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales'.
Women riding side saddle is placed throughout history with figures such as Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria both being keen and accomplished horsewomen back in their time.
Although the way we ride horses has developed and changed over the years there is something that draws people back to the old traditions.
Cath said: "I think it's just the elegance of it, you know, you put the veil on and, you have your silk hat, your top hat.
"People come up and go, wow. because those veils, they hide up all your wrinkles, all your blemishes on your skin. They're wonderful.
"I think we all said after the, tea party that I think we should all go around wearing veils. It could be a new fashion accessory for anybody. 40-plus."
The 50th anniversary was celebrated with afternoon tea and a photoshoot around the grounds of the tower.
The photoshoot gave members a chance to dress in their finest traditional side saddle wear to capture the elegance that was once almost lost to history 50 years prior.
Although there is a worry about slowly dwindling numbers, Side Saddle is not yet a lost art thanks to the association and all its work.
For those interested, the association hosts many events for those interested to both watch and give it a try.
To keep updated on the Side Saddle Association and what's going click the link or search for the division closest to your area.
https://www.sidesaddleassociation.co.uk/index.asp
Thanks to Henry Lisowski for the photographs.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here