HORSEWOMAN Dorothy Haunch is helping to revive an almost forgotten art.

And at the same time she's setting standards many others can only aspire to.

For Dorothy, from Kings Moss, Crank, is an exponent of side-saddle riding - a style rarely seen today.

And her greatest moment has just arrived in the "Olympics" of her chosen sport.

She won the Championship for Best Riding Club Horse with her horse Flying Dutchman, at the Side Saddle Association's National Show at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, Worcestershire.

Dorothy and Flying Dutchman also scooped first prize in Working Hunter and Riding Club Horse.

Having ridden since the age of five, Dorothy converted to side saddle riding only two years ago.

Dorothy said: "To win at such a high level is very rewarding. I couldn't have done it without the support of my husband, Paul, who puts up with my obsession cheerfully. Also my friend Margaret Fishwick who attends shows with me and acts as my groom, and my trainer, Penny Clarke who has encouraged me every inch of the way."

She continued: "Side saddle is an art form and is taken very seriously by riders and judges. Everything must be perfect; horses and riders must be immaculately groomed with not a hair out of place.

"The habit is made of heavy woollen material and consists of a jacket worn over a woollen waistcoat, and shirt, an apron (like a skirt) which is worn over jodphurs and long leather boots. Not quite the thing for a hot summer's day.

"Side saddles are very difficult to obtain as they are all very old. After the first part of the 20th century women stopped riding side saddle and so the saddles lay redundant in attics until quite recently. "With the formation of the Side Saddle Association in 1974, interest has increased and these saddles have gradually found their way back into use. Most have been in very poor condition and have needed complete renovation. Even those in good condition need to be altered to fit both horse and rider. My own saddle dates from the late 19th Century. No doubt it could tell some tales if it could speak."

As well as riding and competing in this country Dorothy has also undertaken a number of horseback expeditions abroad. These trips have included a particularly arduous trek up the Hindu Kush in Pakistan and across the border into Afghanistan. She has also ridden in the Altai Mountains of Mongolia, the Torres del Paine National Park in Southern Patagonia, and the Tien Shan Mountains in Kazakhstan.

Dorothy's future plans include competing side saddle in Holland at the Dutch National Side Saddle Show in 2001 and to ride across Europe from France and into Central Asia. Dorothy admitted: "The first is more easily accomplished, the second will take a little more organisation and I will probably have to wait until I retire."

Meanwhile a husky dog sledding trip across Alaska with husband, Paul, is on the cards for next winter.